Local Guest Guide
Curated Palm Springs Recommendations
Dining & Cocktails
Bar Cecil
French-influenced fine dining with Michelin recognition on S. Palm Canyon Drive. Known for the caramelized onion tart, steak frites, and the house martini. barcecilpalmsprings.com
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
James Beard–recognized Californian fine dining inside a converted 1920s building. Bar seating sometimes available walk-in on weeknights. workshoppalmsprings.com
Tac/Quila
Michelin-selected Mexican spot known for ceviches, grilled lobster tacos, and a four-flavor margarita flight. tacquila.com
Truss & Twine
Intimate cocktail lounge on N. Palm Canyon Drive specializing in classic and Golden Age–era drinks — a top pick for a sophisticated nightcap. trussandtwine.com
Seymour’s
A hidden 1920s-style speakeasy tucked inside Mr. Lyons Steakhouse, with moody lighting and a courtyard patio. mrlyons.com/seymours
Bootlegger Tiki
Palm Springs’ original tiki bar, born from the legacy of Don the Beachcomber, tucked behind Ernest Coffee on N. Palm Canyon Drive. bootleggertiki.com
Rooster and the Pig
Vietnamese-California comfort food that landed on USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year list — casual but destination-worthy. roosterandthepig.com
Copley’s on Palm Canyon
Fine dining inside Cary Grant’s former Palm Springs home, with classic American-Californian cuisine on a garden patio. copleyspalmsprings.com
Outdoor & Adventure
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rotating tram cars climb over 8,500 feet from desert floor to alpine forest in about 10 minutes. Hiking trails and stunning views at the top. Buy Tickets — pstramway.com
Indian Canyons
A network of palm-oasis canyons owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, with trails for every level just minutes from downtown. indian-canyons.com
Tahquitz Canyon
A 1.8-mile round-trip hike to a 60-foot seasonal waterfall, rich with Cahuilla cultural history. Guided and self-guided tours available. tahquitzcanyon.com
Bump and Grind Trail
A popular local hike with sweeping valley views — a favorite for sunrise or sunset outings. Free and open daily. View on AllTrails
Escena Golf Club
A well-regarded, walkable desert course praised for value and playability — a relaxed round without the resort price tag. escenagolf.com
PGA West Stadium Course
The signature “Alcatraz island green” course in nearby La Quinta — one of the desert’s most dramatic rounds for serious golfers. pgawest.com
Arts & Culture
Palm Springs Art Museum
The Coachella Valley’s largest cultural institution with 12,000+ works spanning modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. Free admission Thursday evenings. psmuseum.org
Architecture and Design Center
A satellite space devoted entirely to architecture and design exhibitions inside a former E. Stewart Williams–designed bank building. psmuseum.org — Architecture & Design Center
Palm Springs Mod Squad Architecture Tours
Intimate van tours exploring Desert Modern architecture — including a “Martini & MCM” cocktail-paired option. Rated Tripadvisor’s #1 Palm Springs tour. psmodsquad.com
The Modern Tour
The official architecture tour of the Palm Springs Art Museum, visiting celebrity homes and significant midcentury structures. moderntour.com
Frey House II
Architect Albert Frey’s own hillside residence, offered as a self-guided tour through the Art Museum during select periods. psmuseum.org — Frey House II
The Shag Store
A gallery devoted to artist Shag’s retro-futuristic, cocktail-party-themed paintings and prints, with an immersive photo room. shagstore.com
Modernism Week (February)
An 11-day citywide celebration of midcentury design with home tours, architecture bus tours, talks, and a vintage show. modernismweek.com
Shopping & Markets
Palm Canyon Drive — Uptown Design District
The city’s main shopping artery, lined with galleries, boutiques, vintage shops, and restaurants — walkable and anchored by the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. palmsprings.com — Palm Canyon Drive
The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five
A curated indoor collective of a dozen independent shops covering art, clothing, ceramics, and textiles on N. Palm Canyon Drive. shopsat1345.com
The Frippery
A well-loved vintage clothing and accessories shop capturing the Palm Springs lifestyle, from poolside looks to desert eveningwear. thefrippery.com
Revivals
A dedicated thrift destination on S. Palm Canyon Drive beloved for deep vintage finds, with proceeds supporting local AIDS services. revivalsstores.com
Palm Springs VillageFest
A lively Thursday-evening street fair closing off Palm Canyon Drive for artisan vendors, live entertainment, and food stalls. visitpalmsprings.com — VillageFest
Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market
A year-round Saturday morning market featuring local farms and artisan food vendors. visitpalmsprings.com — Farmers’ Market
Wellness & Spa
The Spa at Séc-he
Built atop the sacred Agua Caliente hot mineral spring — the region’s premier mineral-water spa with private baths, hydrotherapy pools, and a full treatment menu. thespaatseche.com
Two Bunch Palms
A legendary Desert Hot Springs retreat built around a natural hot mineral grotto, favored for quiet, restorative soaking. twobunchpalms.com
Azure Palm Hot Springs
A mineral-water day spa in Desert Hot Springs with multiple soaking pools of varying temperatures — an easy half-day escape. azurepalmhotsprings.com
Mister Parker’s Spa (Parker Palm Springs)
An indulgent, design-driven spa experience inside the iconic Parker hotel. Pair with brunch at Norma’s for a full luxury day. parkerpalmsprings.com — Mister Parker’s
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa
A relaxed Desert Hot Springs mineral spa with multiple pools fed by natural hot springs — ideal for an unhurried soak-and-recharge day. miraclesprings.com
Day Trips
Joshua Tree National Park
About 45–60 minutes away — an otherworldly desert landscape of boulder formations and namesake trees with hikes for every level. Reserve your timed entry permit in advance. Reserve Entry — nps.gov/jotr
Pioneertown & Pappy & Harriet’s
A 1940s Hollywood Western film set turned tiny town, home to the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s — a mesquite-BBQ roadhouse and music venue. pappyandharriets.com
Salton Sea & Bombay Beach
California’s largest lake, ringed by the surreal ruins of a once-glamorous 1950s resort town — an eerie, photogenic detour for adventurous guests. Salton Sea State Recreation Area — parks.ca.gov
Salvation Mountain & East Jesus
A hand-built folk-art mountain near Niland, alongside the off-grid artist community of Slab City — one of the desert’s strangest and most memorable sights. Free to visit. salvationmountain.us
El Paseo, Palm Desert
Often called the “Rodeo Drive of the desert” — an upscale shopping and dining strip about 20 minutes away, worth an afternoon outing. elpaseo.com
Idyllwild
A cool-climate mountain village in the San Jacinto range — pine forests, easy trails, and a welcome escape from desert heat. idyllwildchamber.com