Travel Guide // Palm Springs

It’s easy to take Palm Springs for granted when you live in California & every day is basically some variation on perfect weather, all year round. Why travel to the sun when practically every day is sunny & perfect? (And on that note, WHY would anyone ever move away? It’s a long story…)

Now that I understand how a grey winter can weigh on your soul do I fully appreciate the virtues of a trip to the desert. Lounging by a pool, playing tennis & wearing shorts IN DECEMBER is the most delicious luxury, and that’s before we even start talking about the dining & shopping scenes in Palm Springs:

STAY
Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage, because if you are traveling with kids, this is as easy as it gets. An excellent kids club, a Teen Rec room, Family Pool, lawn games & daily treat hour. What you give up in proximity to downtown, you gain in kid happiness.
The Parker, if you are very fancy & important & do not want to end up on Deux Moi Spotted.
Casa Cody, if you are chic & low-key. I have not visited personally, but a friend whose taste I trust implicitly is a v. big fan.

DINE
☕️ Cartel Roasting Company, for the best cappuccino in town.
🌮 El JR Tacos, if you like your Mexican food completely homemade on a grill in a convenience store. (Me!)
🥯 Townie Bagels, for flavorful, New York-style bagels & the best scallion cream cheese.
🍕 Birba, for excellent woodfired pizza with a side of SCENE.
🍣 Sandfish, for quality sushi & a wildly-expansive list of whiskies.
🥪 Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, if you have a Jewish deli itch you need to scratch. (And I DO.)
🍽 Bar Cecil, for Michelin-caliber steak & martinis amidst a stunning modern art collection. Get a reservation well in advance or you’ll have FOMO forever.
🇲🇽 Tac/Quila, for sit-down Mexican food that gives the people what they want. (Margaritas. They want margaritas.)
🍔 The Heyday, for excellent smashburgers, fries & martinis. This is the kind of food you love to eat!
🍔 Tyler’s Burgers, because Gwyneth recommends the turkey burger & the egg salad sandwich, and who are we to disagree?

SHOP
Elizabeth & Prince, for the chicest women’s clothing edit in town.
Trina Turk, because what else would you wear in Palm Springs?
The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs is not just a cute name. It’s
Super Simple, for California cool home decor & a select edit of apparel (whee I scored a fabulous caftan!)
Grace Home, for mod furniture & Grey Malin photography.

DO
🦒 The Living Desert, for a rather unique zoo experience. Feeding giraffes by hand was so special!