Sun Kitsched Fun: Palm Springs Restaurants, Hotels & More
Updated: December 04, 2008
Sprouted up decades ago as a desert getaway for the rich and famous, Palm Springs has since become a mecca for connoisseurs of mid-century style and ultra modern luxuries. It's time to embrace the sun-kitsched lifestyle of this retro-cool desert oasis with Rat Pack-worthy hot spots, first-rate cuisine and laidback charm.
On this page:What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Stay.
What to Do
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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Read Reviews1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
Wow, what a view: This iconic aerial tramway is where you can travel up more than 12,000 feet of cable to reach the top of Mt. San Jacinto. It's the best view in town. Even if you're afraid of heights, you have to do it at least once.
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Body Sense Day Spa
Read Reviews1001 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
No getaway would be complete without a soothing massage and this cozy, no-frills spot has been a local favorite for more than 20 years. Treatments range from massage and reflexology to facials and body wraps and there's even a courtesy pick-up and return to your home or hotel within a two-mile radius!
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Cabazon Dinosaur Museum
Read Reviews50800 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230 (map)
You saw it in "Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure"--now see it in person. Cabazon's concrete dinosaurs have been a beloved tourist trap for half a century, and a trip to Palm Springs isn't complete without a stop at Dinny--the famed four-story high Brontosaurus--and his 65-foot comrade Tyrannosaurus Rex.
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El Paseo
Write a review73-990 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260 (map)
This polished stretch of desert road just east of Palm Springs is a shopper's paradise for chic boutiques and eclectic galleries. (Think Tommy Bahamas, Saks, Tiffany as well as non-chain finds.) There's also a handful of cafes and restaurants, perfect for retail rejuvenation.
Where to Eat
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Johannes
Read Reviews196 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
Don't let the plain exterior fool you. This splurgey spot in the heart of downtown Palm Springs is the only place in town to get cosmopolitan cuisine with a heavy Austrian accent .... It's also the only place to indulge in a "menage a trois"--the kitchen's robust mixture of lobster, shrimp and scallops dressed in a licoricey, spicy-sweet cream sauce. Saucy!
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Matchbox Palm Springs
Read Reviews155 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
Overlooking the famous Sonny Bono statue in Mercado Plaza, this fun bistro pleases both the 20-something drinking crowd and the more mature diner with carefully crafted cocktails, chargrilled burgers and even steak and seafood selections. Oh yeah, and that killer pizza, too.
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Melvyn's
Read Reviews200 W Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (map)
This longstanding Palm Springs institution at the Ingleside Inn is a popular spot for the desert old guard (Frank Sinatra was a regular) as well as Hollywood young guns. As for the food, expect classic Continental dishes that have never gone out of style.
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Parker Palm Springs
Read Reviews4200 East Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (map)
The quirkiest hotel in Palm Springs is also the quintessential breakfast spot, thanks to the onsite diner known as Norma's. Practically an institution since the day it opened, this peachy indoor/outdoor spot is where hotel guests and visitors alike can indulge in the famed Very Berry Brioche French Toast, Normalita's Huevos Rancheros, and Flat-As-A-Pancake crabcakes.
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Roy's
Read Reviews71959 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (map)
Who says you can't have a tropical getaway in the middle of the dessert? This island-inspired favorite dishes out Hawaiian-fusion classics like misoyaki butterfish and the popular melting hot chocolate souffle.
Where to Stay
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Korakia Pensione
Read Reviews257 S Patencio Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
No phones, no TVs, no worries: This gorgeous little hideaway will feel like you've just escaped to Morocco (minus all the jetlag). Comprised of two villas on opposite sides of the small road, the retreat features two pools, flaming bonfires and the most relaxing scene this side of the 10 freeway.
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Movie Colony Hotel
Read Reviews726 N Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
This '50s-style property was the first historic hotel to revive the mid-century design craze in Palm Springs and it's still going strong. With interiors that unite a sleek, almost Scandinavian look with retro glam accents, this hideaway is just blocks from downtown Palm Springs.
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Orbit In
Read Reviews562 W Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
For those who turn up their noses at the new breed of neo-classical resorts popping up all over, this throwback offers refreshing authenticity. The hotel is a secluded bastion of hip sensibilities, peppered with beautiful people who look great just hanging out in their swimming garb.
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Parker Palm Springs
Read Reviews4200 East Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (map)
Quirky, irreverant and utterly luxurious, this historic property may look like Austin Powers' wardrobe exploded all over it, but the real man behind its unmatched--and mismatched--look is acclaimed design guru Jonathan Adler. It's the place to do Palm Springs like you've never done it before.
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Palm Springs Rendezvous
Read Reviews1420 N Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (map)
Can a B&B be cool? Anything's possible in Palm Springs. Take a trip down nostalgia lane (even if you're too young to remember the '50s) at this groovy bed & breakfast where the food is fab, the pool pristine, the hot tub smokin' and the rooms full of kitschy comfort.
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