My favourite places in Palm Springs and Palm Desert
My love for California isn’t news to anyone. I LOVE it! People sometimes ask me why I keep going back year after year, and there is surely some type of magnet that attracts me to this place. I love San Francisco, Santa Monica and San Diego, but the Desert Cities, located a little over an hour from Los Angeles, have a special place in my heart.
California is one of Mr. and Mrs. O’s favourite places in the world. Glad we found it by mistake!
We first went to the area, to Rancho Mirage, to be more specific, by mistake, in 2008. I say by mistake because I was planning that year’s trip to go to San Diego for the first time and whilst exploring Google Maps, I couldn’t resist zooming in, and in and in!I think I must have been to “the desert” a good 10 times ever since and just got back last week.. and already looking at the best dates to go back in 2013. The interesting thing about this place is the variety of places one can go to – restaurants, shops, golf courses, you name it!
First things first – let me explain a little bit about the place. Everyone has heard of Palm Springs – and undoubtedly associate it with Hollywood, “in the good old days”. Streets have indeed been named after Frank Sinatra, Ginger Rogers and the like, who I am sure were regular visitors to the area. But Palm Springs is just one of the “desert” cities. Others include Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Cathedral City and are not far from 2 slightly larger towns – Indio and Coachella.
As you drive around the place, you keep getting in and out of each city – interesting, but strange. I am making this up, but one could almost say that, for example, Rancho Mirage (which borders with Cathedral City and Palm Desert, for example) is 8 blocks by 8 blocks. Surely there is a reason for this, but I am afraid I do not know the answer.
Why do I like this place? The weather is stunning. Dry heat (easier for me), warm when it’s still cold in Europe, and super warm when it is not. I like it.
If you don’t like playing golf or lounging by the pool, I would say this isn’t the place for you. Also, if you are looking for late night partying, I would suggest other places. Having cleared this up, here is my California Desert Address Book:
Restaurants:
It kills me when people say that food in the US isn’t good. I love eating out (pretty much anywhere) and have had some of my best meals in this country. In this area, one is spoiled for choice!
- Morgans in the desert - La Quinta – my most recent discovery and a new favourite. Quite smart, yet relaxed. Loved the steak, short ribs and had possibly the best dessert of the spring – salted caramel and popcorn sundae. Seriously good.
- 3rd Street Corner Bistro - Palm Desert – love the living wine list… basically you get up, and from a selection of 800 bottles or so on display, you choose the one(s) you want! Great value (you are charged at retail prices, not restaurant prices, plus $5 corkage). Special 3-course $30 menu with wine pairings included on Sundays only.
- Pacifica Seafood – Palm Desert – as the name indicates, not a place for meat. Always have oysters and crab cakes (not together!). And great cocktails (Georgia Peach is usually my choice).
- Roy’s - Rancho MIrage – this was a good surprise. I have never been to Hawaii, so not quite sure what Hawaiian Fusion means. But I love the lobster sushi, the macadamia nut crusted mahi-mahi and let’s not talk about desserts (chocolate, chocolate, chocolate).
For a bit of post dinner fun (and think that most people have dinner early – and I mean early!! – we end up trying our luck at the Agua Caliente Casino, which is actually really nice and has a good selection of bars. I am terrible at gambling, and possibly why they want me to go back every time.
Shopping:
Now this is where it gets serious.. you are spoiled for choice and obviously it is one of my favourite “post-pool” and “pre-dinner” activities. We always try to squeeze in a little hour every day, so we don’t get tired.
Downtown Palm Springs is the place to go for vintage boutiques, and most shops have been around for a long time. If you fancy some glamour, well then you can’t miss the desert’s own Rodeo Drive, in Palm Desert. El Paseo, as it is called, is a very nice street which combines art galleries, boutiques, designer shops and some of my favourite American chains such as J Crew (with its own concept, not regular store), Williams Sonoma (makes me want to have 110v power sockets so I can use all their cooking gadgets) and of course, an Apple store.
Lastly, but not the least, one of my favourite places in the world – Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Not going to make any comments, but has a great selection and it is worth joining their VIP Club online before going and printing out the discount coupons. It may become ridiculous. Seriously.
Accommodation:
In terms of accommodation, I can only recommend the only place we have ever stayed at – the Westin Mission Hills. This was the hotel we found by “mistake”, and one of our favourites in the world. It is not the most luxurious place I have ever stayed at, but I love it. It’s spacious, super comfortable and quite understated. Oh and with its 2 PGA golf courses, it keeps Mr. O wanting to go back. We call it out home away from home.
There are plenty of choices in the area for every budget, but as always, I can only recommend places I have been to.
Getting there:
Palm Springs International Airport is around the corner, but the area is served by all Greater Los Angeles airports, which are around 1-2 hours drive away.
On this trip we drove from Scottsdale in Arizona to the desert, and from there on to San Diego in our Argus Car Hire SUV, which allows to return cars to different airports without surprise surcharges (which we have had before in the past). We flew into Phoenix, AZ and out of San Diego, CA with British Airways.
Our 2012 trip came to an end, but as I said before it is time to start planning our restful week for 2012. Anyone wants to join?
xo
Mrs. O
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what a beautiful post! I’ve always wanted to visit Palm Springs (am no stranger to desert country, loved my visit to the Grand Canyon and Arizona) and waiting for Part 2! The cocktails look divine too.
Charu recently posted..Top Four Romantic Destinations in the UK
Hi Charu, thank you so much for stopping by. I love the desert and glad you liked the post. I would definitely recommend a visit
I’ve been in Palm Springs years ago, but it looks like there have been added some new things to discover. Your article makes me want to go back. And a week away from it all sounds soooo inviting
Hi Monika, thank you so much for your kind words. I really like this place.. and as you say, “to get away from it all”
Wow! Such sunny images Ana – looks like a PROPER summer!
I love your pictures! I have to admit that I have only been out to California once and that was to visit my uncle in LA about 10 years ago. You’ve inspired me to make my way out there again – I don’t know what I’m waiting for.
Thank you
it is a great place! And guess who I met when I was there? http://mrsoaroundtheworld.com/2012/06/01/its-friday-photos-fit-for-a-queen/
I didn’t know the desert could be both beautiful & fun!
Those drinks make me thirsty Ana! Send me one of those he he
Glad you had a great time in awesome company.
Will visit one day if I am in Cali.
Kay
Hi Kay, thank you so much for commenting! It is a nice place indeed
sending some Pimms over to you!
I’ll gladly accept it! Thank you
we need to explore more of CA. i’ve was born in LA but have only been to san diego and the surrounding area since, and i don’t think the wino has made it out there at all! xo the romantic
Oh thanks for the comment!
You need to go back… and back again! Such a large place, lots to see!
I’ve not yet been into the Californian desert but it sounds amazing. If I wasn’t for the hot and sunny climes I’m in right now, some desert heat and a cool drink would be marvellous.
I’m a new subscriber to your blog and absolutely love it.
Hi John, thank you so much for your kind words! Glad you like the blog. In what sunny part of the world are you?
don’t blush!
I am!
Loving your work Mrs O, it just gets better and better
x
I love this post Mrs O, in fact I think it is one of your personal bests,the travel industry had better brace itself, you have influence in spades, keep up the great work xxx
Oh! That’s so kind of you
and something tells me you would love this place! 
I’m not a desert kinda girl – I don’t deal very well with heat, even if it is a “dry heat” – but I could give Palm Springs a try based on your recommendations. It might be worth a trip just for that salted caramel and popcorn sundae!
Hi Francesca, thank you for commenting
I agree that it isnt a destination for everyone, hence my warnings 
but so agree on the dessert.. in the desert! 
The Desert Cities remind me of Far West Texas, which is a place I love. I’m glad you found it by mistake, because it’s pretty easy for me to come see you every year.
I love the address book, and of course, I agree 100% on your take, especially the one about gin tasting better with a view.
And the pimms? I love this place – we are able to disconnect from the world and come back recharged and ready for real life. Delighted to have shared it with you – and looking forward to the invite to Texas!
Many think the desert is ugly, but I find it to have a beauty just as appealing as mountains, forests, and deserts. It is just a different kind of beauty and one that hooks you. I can see why you keep coming back.
Indeed, Ted and I am totally a beach girl. But the peace and quiet here is wonderful and it’s my week off from the world. Thank you for taking the time to comment
The pix of the drinks are making me thirsty, Mrs O! I am not a golfer but I can do pool-lounging… I have never been to those towns you list nor Palm Springs. You have peeked my curiosity so next time I go to the area, at the very least will have to do a daytrip…
Ohhh now this is the sort of comment I write for! I am glad that somehow I was able to make you curious about visiting a place. It is a lovely part of the world, and indeed one we keep going back to – and bear in mind that for us it isnt just around the corner! Thank you for taking the time to comment
I was in Palm Springs a few months back on a work conference and only got to explore it a little bit (no tram for me, unfortunately). I also ended up in ER with food poisoning, but not from any of the places you mention… Still, I agree that the US has some of the most amazing restaurant scenes in the world and I did have some good experiences in PS (including a vegan/organic deli a bit outside downtown – it was perfect for bringing me back to life…).
Doesn’t the area look like the moon’s surface? On my flight back from PS, I was glued to the window. California is simply gorgeous…
And the dry climate in PS makes the heat easy to bear.
I am so sorry you didnt have a great experience.. but I promise that if you go back, it will be different!
lovely round-up Mrs. O. FANTASTIC pictures. i especially love the cocktail pic!!
lola loves her cocktails too!! kindred spirits (no pun intended!)
xo
Those were inspiring, weren’t they?
That picture does scream Lola!
Indeed
Great trip! As a golfer, I hope to hit Palm Springs soon…my dad went a few years ago and raved about it…
DJ, I highly recommend it. Great combination – just check the weather!