Guidebook for Palm Springs
Food Scene
Great beans, friendly service, and quite unique little shop that becomes a tiki lounge at night.
89 locals recommend
Ernest Coffee
1101 N Palm Canyon DrGreat beans, friendly service, and quite unique little shop that becomes a tiki lounge at night.
Peppers Thai Palm Springs
396 N Palm Canyon DrMy favorite Thai restaurant in the valley
This is an awesome farm to table restaurant. Chef Daniel does much of his shopping at the local farmers' markets, so the menu is constantly changing to what's available. It's well worth the drive.
Balisage Bistro
145 N Gene Autry TrailThis is an awesome farm to table restaurant. Chef Daniel does much of his shopping at the local farmers' markets, so the menu is constantly changing to what's available. It's well worth the drive.
It's a great little addition to Palm Springs. This is something that you'd expect in a larger city, like LA. They don't take reservations, but they do have a sign up that usually moves pretty quickly.
189 locals recommend
Rooster And The Pig
356 South Indian Canyon DriveIt's a great little addition to Palm Springs. This is something that you'd expect in a larger city, like LA. They don't take reservations, but they do have a sign up that usually moves pretty quickly.
A cool little bistro, with a nice shared courtyard space for seating with a view.
151 locals recommend
Koffi
515 N Palm Canyon DrA cool little bistro, with a nice shared courtyard space for seating with a view.
Pizza by the slice or the entire pie. Cash only, but very good. It's closer to a New York style pizza.
129 locals recommend
Bill's Pizza
119 S Indian Canyon DrPizza by the slice or the entire pie. Cash only, but very good. It's closer to a New York style pizza.
A great little sushi restaurant. The prices are reasonable and the portions are quite large, so keep that in mind when ordering.
14 locals recommend
Otori Sushi
68100 Ramon RdA great little sushi restaurant. The prices are reasonable and the portions are quite large, so keep that in mind when ordering.
A cool place to dine, especially if you can get a spot in the courtyard. I recommend calling ahead on a weekend to ensure that you'll get a seat.
Brunch/Lunch $20+
Dinner $30+
201 locals recommend
Spencer's Restaurant
701 West Baristo RoadA cool place to dine, especially if you can get a spot in the courtyard. I recommend calling ahead on a weekend to ensure that you'll get a seat.
Brunch/Lunch $20+
Dinner $30+
Entertainment & Activities
The location has changed to
333 N Palm Canyon Dr
but this is by far my favorite studio around. Take a class by Janet, the owner, and your yoga experience will be transformed by her passion.
11 locals recommend
Power Yoga Palm Springs
333 N Palm Canyon DrThe location has changed to
333 N Palm Canyon Dr
but this is by far my favorite studio around. Take a class by Janet, the owner, and your yoga experience will be transformed by her passion.
Regal Cinemas Palm Springs Stadium 9
789 E Tahquitz Canyon WayLeather seating
Independent and Foreign Films
They have a deli and bar, so you can get some food and adult beverages to enjoy during your show.
34 locals recommend
Camelot Theatres
2300 E Baristo RdIndependent and Foreign Films
They have a deli and bar, so you can get some food and adult beverages to enjoy during your show.
Everything Else
A fairly quiet, but active park. There is a nice walking/running path around the park and even circuit exercise stations.
19 locals recommend
Ruth Hardy Park
A fairly quiet, but active park. There is a nice walking/running path around the park and even circuit exercise stations.
Drinks & Nightlife
A great whiskey bar on the north end of downtown. They also serve everything from craft beers to typical bar drinks. They also have unique bar food. Think hipsters, locals, and vacationers.
40 locals recommend
Bar
340 N Palm Canyon DrA great whiskey bar on the north end of downtown. They also serve everything from craft beers to typical bar drinks. They also have unique bar food. Think hipsters, locals, and vacationers.
A cool, but very small (3-4 tables and a few bar seats) bar with unique drinks. There is a larger outdoor seating area, but it usually has smokers sitting outside.
119 locals recommend
Bootlegger Tiki
1101 N Palm Canyon DrA cool, but very small (3-4 tables and a few bar seats) bar with unique drinks. There is a larger outdoor seating area, but it usually has smokers sitting outside.
Trendy/hipster style bar and pool area that usually has a DJ or band on the weekends.
152 locals recommend
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
701 E Palm Canyon DrTrendy/hipster style bar and pool area that usually has a DJ or band on the weekends.
Unique twists on classic cocktails, plus some drinks of their very own. Also several craft brews on tap. There's a fun outdoor space with lawn games.
34 locals recommend
Draughtsman
1501 N Palm Canyon DrUnique twists on classic cocktails, plus some drinks of their very own. Also several craft brews on tap. There's a fun outdoor space with lawn games.
CVB often hosts local bands or other activities. They use local crops in some of their brews.
34 locals recommend
Coachella Valley Brewing Company
30640 Gunther StCVB often hosts local bands or other activities. They use local crops in some of their brews.
Essentials
This is the closest grocery store. They have a fairly decent selection of organic foods, too.
159 locals recommend
Albertsons
1751 N Sunrise WayThis is the closest grocery store. They have a fairly decent selection of organic foods, too.
On a tight budget? This place has some great grocery deals. You won't find a lot of the big brand names here, but the store's own brand. The have a decent variety of organic foods, too.
19 locals recommend
ALDI
5200 Ramon RdOn a tight budget? This place has some great grocery deals. You won't find a lot of the big brand names here, but the store's own brand. The have a decent variety of organic foods, too.
Getting Around
A free transportation loop in PS. There are several stops along the route. Hop on & off. I've left you a lanyard to get on and off. You may or may not need it, but it'll save you from registering.
51 locals recommend
BUZZ Trolley Route
150 E Palm Canyon DrA free transportation loop in PS. There are several stops along the route. Hop on & off. I've left you a lanyard to get on and off. You may or may not need it, but it'll save you from registering.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
4041 Airport Center DrParks & Nature
Escape the heat or enjoy the snow. This is a very unique experience that lets you experience the natural diversity that surrounds Palm Springs. There are numerous trails and spectacular views here. The temperature is often 30-40F degrees cooler than the desert floor, so make sure you pack layers. During holidays and winter weekends, the line to go up the tram can get quite long. Be sure to book your tickets online for an easier entry, but this needs to be done more than 24hrs in advance. If you decide to go last minute, the earlier you go the shorter the line.
1213 locals recommend
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram WayEscape the heat or enjoy the snow. This is a very unique experience that lets you experience the natural diversity that surrounds Palm Springs. There are numerous trails and spectacular views here. The temperature is often 30-40F degrees cooler than the desert floor, so make sure you pack layers. During holidays and winter weekends, the line to go up the tram can get quite long. Be sure to book your tickets online for an easier entry, but this needs to be done more than 24hrs in advance. If you decide to go last minute, the earlier you go the shorter the line.
Joshua Tree NP is one of my favorite locations for some spectacular hikes. If you are here during Spring, you'll want to head up here to check out the wildflowers. Monitor the NPS website for wildflower reports.
Some iconic hikes/locations:
Barker Dam (easy loop)
Skull Rock (right off the road)
Jumbo Rocks (boulder scrambling and it's as hard as you want to make it)
Samuleson's Rocks (easy out and back, if you're good at navigating)
Keys View
Be sure to ask me for more details about other hikes.
If it's raining, some of the dirt roads may close or only be passible by 4x4 only. Much of the hiking can be found off the main, paved park road.
418 locals recommend
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center
6554 Park BlvdJoshua Tree NP is one of my favorite locations for some spectacular hikes. If you are here during Spring, you'll want to head up here to check out the wildflowers. Monitor the NPS website for wildflower reports.
Some iconic hikes/locations:
Barker Dam (easy loop)
Skull Rock (right off the road)
Jumbo Rocks (boulder scrambling and it's as hard as you want to make it)
Samuleson's Rocks (easy out and back, if you're good at navigating)
Keys View
Be sure to ask me for more details about other hikes.
If it's raining, some of the dirt roads may close or only be passible by 4x4 only. Much of the hiking can be found off the main, paved park road.
If it's been raining or the snow is melting, this hike has a cool waterfall, upside down tree, and some Native American significance.
You can find a more extensive lists here:
http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/hiking-trails/
http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/overview/play/hiking-in-palm-springs/13681
Oswit Canyon
If it's been raining or the snow is melting, this hike has a cool waterfall, upside down tree, and some Native American significance.
You can find a more extensive lists here:
http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/hiking-trails/
http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/overview/play/hiking-in-palm-springs/13681