I just got back from a quick jet over to one of my favorite places on Earth, PALM SPRINGS.
Have you been?
This little desert gem has such a special place in my heart. Fab vintage vibes that give you allll the feels? Yes. Outrageously delicious food? More yes. Dry heat that gives you full body relaxation just walking down the street? I MEAN YES.
When I’m in Palm Springs I want to be active, eat healthy and wind-down poolside with a beautiful cocktail while watching the sun set over the mountains. Orrrrr go to Cheeky’s and eat my weight in cheddar biscuits and bacon. Or both! I mean, let’s live our best lives here.
I headed out to the desert for just two short days with some of my blogging babes. We didn’t have a lot of time but we certain
ly made the most of it.
If you haven’t been before here are some highlights for you:
Palm Springs Perks
- The original hey-day of Palm Springs was back in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s when the most glam celebs moved in {Frank Sinatra, Estée Lauder, Dean Martin, Ava Gardner} and all that vintage magic is preserved. It makes you feel ultra glam at all times.
- Palm Springs is a desert, but it’s nestled up against the most dreamy mountains, so instead of looking out at flat nothingness, you’re seeing gorg terrain and the most incredible light at all times.
- They don’t mess around when it comes to food. The restaurants here are top notch.
- There are so many stunning resorts! Most have that glamorous retro, mid-century feel, but some are beautifully Boho as well.
- The whole town has a feeling of glitz and will make you feel like a movie star.
Palm Springs Quick TIPS
It is worth to go during or right around the peak season – Typically March – May and October-ish through November. This is a desert and in the Summer months it is excruciatingly hot and I can’t imagine it being very enjoyable. I have gone in November a few times and I absolutely love it. Gives you a shot of heat and relaxation in the midst of cold elsewhere.
You don’t need a car to get around Downtown – Palm Springs has several trolleys that circle up and down the main streets of downtown every weekend, Thursday – Sunday. Bonus points- it’s free and ADORABLE! Runs 11a- 1a so you can live it up all day.
You can stay near downtown Palm Springs OR for a more spa-like vibe: Palm Desert – While there are so many gorgeous resorts and vacation homes in the heart of Palm Springs, I also love staying in Palm Desert. It’s about 30 minutes away from downtown Palm Springs and has a much more zen/healthy/spa vibe. You may have heard of the La Quinta resort which is located here. Palm Desert is packed with golf courses, tennis courts and resort communities. It’s very nice to wake up in a home on the golf course with your own pool and spa.
48 Hours in Palm Springs
As I said, this was a short jaunt but we made the most of it. Here were my favs:
ARRIVE Hotel For Pool and Food
Arrive was the first stop we made when we got into town to catch a late night dinner at Reservoir. We sat on their gorgeous outdoor patio {A must for Palm Springs dining} under twinkling white lights in a very mid-century modern meets boho meets Spanish atmosphere.
I was feeling a bit under the weather so I went off menu and asked if the bartender could make a hot toddy- they did and it was fantastic. We also got:
- Hamachi “Shimi” – basically sashimi in ponzu. Very fresh and light. Small portion {which was fine}
- Crispy Enoki Rolls – Sort of a mushroom egg roll- really tasty and the dipping sauce was phenom
- Pan con tomate – Thick cut DELICIOUS bread topped with manchego cheese and tomato – great flavor but the bread was a bit soggy for my taste.
- Fried Cauliflower – SUCH A WIN – chile yogurt sauce and crispy pepitas- highly recommend
- Roasty carrot salad with chicken – BUT we actually got the half chicken on it. Our server misunderstood and brought out the half chicken alongside the salad, but her service was great and she rectified it and took it off the bill no problem. So now I can say both salad and the half chicken were DELISH. Definitely recommend
The best part about ARRIVE? Their pool is FREE and open to the public
What. I feel like people don’t know this? Because both days we were there the pool was almost empty. But it is FREE and beautiful! Definitely recommend hanging here and ordering the avo toast poolside. It has a relaxed vibe, definitely not a party atmosphere {at least while we where there} but they do have awesome swan and heart floaties for your enjoyment alongside tasty cocktails. We came here both days and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
Check out ARRIVE here
Cheeky’s for Brunch
Oh my gosh did we have the BEST time at Cheeky’s, and it wasn’t just because I was drinking rosé As if the food wasn’t incredible enough, our server, Roc, made the experience even more phenomenal. But let’s start with a key note about Cheeky’s – they don’t take reservations and it is a very popular place, with good reason, so get there early and/or plan to wait a bit.
Now, on to the good stuff
Food at Cheeky’s
So, the menu at Cheeky’s changes weekly but judging by the fact that we ordered almost everything on the menu and literally every.single.thing was outstanding is a great sign. Here’s what we got, to give you an idea of the food style.
- Bacon Flight – Yes. A flight. Of. Bacon. My fav was the jalapeño. All worth it.
- Blondie’s Eggs Benedict – This was a STANDOUT for me. Bacon and arugula on a CHEDDAR SCONE. Stop. But don’t.
- Huevos Rancheros – There are no words for this. Truly. Unreal. So here’s a pic instead:
- Pesto Fries- It’s a yes from me. We requested mayo to dip them in and I’m no sorry about it. They were a little soggy, would have preferred them crispier {I guess this is a theme with me? lol } but the flavor was to die.
- French Toast with Strawberries and house made whipped cream – Outrageous. Allison and I were literally scarping the whipped cream off the plate at the end. So much yes.
- Chopped Salad with Avocado – So, this isn’t the official name of this dish, but it’s not on the current menu so I can’t remember what it was called. Really doesn’t matter- it was delicious and I’m 99% positive whatever salad you order will be delicious as well.
Service at Cheeky’s
This deserves it’s own section because Roc was phenomenal and I’d expect from the atmosphere that all the servers would be great. We went as a group of bloggers so, naturally, we had 8000 questions about every dish, including some strict dietary restrictions, and he handled it all as though it was his absolute pleasure to be explaining the food to us. We also took 4842 pictures of everything, and he could not have been more patient with that or coursing our meals etc. To top it off after we were slightly obnoxious with questions and food photos we asked him to take a boomerang of all of us in front of the Cheeky’s sign. You would have thought we’d asked him to go to Disneyland, he was that enthusiastic. 10 points to Roc and 10 points to Cheeky’s for having him and the best brunch in Palm Springs.
More details on Cheeky’s HERE
Moorten Botanical Garden for Some Nature {And Insta Content}
This is a botanical garden filled with all the plants and cacti local to Palm Springs. It is stunning and very relaxing for an afternoon stroll. Each plant has a sign with info so you can learn a bit about the desert landscape.
They are known for having the world’s first Cactarium – a greenhouse filled with cacti and other succulents. Not gonna lie, when we came in and the docent encouraged us to check out the cactarium i thought she said cat-tarium and I may have awkwardly/excitedly screamed, “There’s CATS?!” before understanding what was going on. A girl can dream. But i guess the cactarium was pretty cool too…
Learn more about Moorten here including admission fee and directional info {it’s a bit hard to find}
The Sandwich Spot for the Best Sandwich of Your Life
I ended up heading home from the trip a bit early because Mark was a sick little duckling. After doubting him and the seriousness of his man-flu I finally realized he was legitimately ill and needed caring for. Have I mentioned I’m a great wife? Clearly.
Anyway, there was one thing I knew I HAD to do before heading home to him. It’s a non-negotiable for me in any Palm Springs trip and I may get cravings so strong I have contemplated driving hours just to go here: The Sandwich Spot.
I don’t even know how to describe this other than it will be the best sandwich of your life. My pick is:
The Djokovic on Dutch Crunch bread, all the fixings, add bomb sauce.
Yes, their sandwich names are all tennis themed. Could it be better? Obviously not.
This is serious guys. As I’m writing this and linking to the website I’m literally fighting the urge to drive out to Palm Springs to eat this sando. I was like, oh! You can order online! As if that makes it ok.
More details on your future Sandwich Spot addiction here
The Korakia For Mediterranean Bed & Breakfast Perfection
We only spent a few short minutes walking around this dreamy B&B because someone had rented the entire place out for their wedding #goals. But it is perfection.
It’s Morocco meets Italy meets… Palm Springs! There are only a few rooms and you can tell the service will be absolutely exceptional.
It has a very European vibe and feels very sensuous and mysterious. Definitely plan on staying here soon.
Plan your Korakia dream stay here
Parker Palm Springs For the Ultimate in Palm Springs Style
The Parker is the epitome of Palm Springs style. It’s midcentury modern with quirky, artistic tweaks and loads of chic. Again, we only spent a bit of time exploring these grounds but it was SO worth it.
If you want the full Palm Springs experience, this is the place for you. It is the perfect representation of the desert charm and hollywood glamour PS is known for.
You may be familiar with the famous living room art installation that says DRUGS. Or the sensual lip print lining the stairs. But there is SO much more than that. A must stay or at least must-visit during your trip.
Check out the Parker glamour here
So that about sums up my weekend. It was absolute perfection, as Palm Springs always is. If you have any questions about planning a trip to PS let me know and I’d be happy to give my two cents!
Also, how beautiful are my Palm Springs Girl Squad? So much love for these ladies! Check them out below:
Xx,
