I’ve visited Palm Springs many times, got married there and even owned a home in the area, so I know the best spots to eat, shop and visit. Below you’ll find my top recommendations for places to stay, eat, shop and explore. At the end is a printable version if you’d like to save or bring a copy on your trip.
Whether you’re traveling with kids, friends, for a bachelorette, for work, or for a wedding, these are our favorite local places to check out. Enjoy!
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Palm Springs has a wide range of hotels and vacation rentals. Below are places we’ve stayed at or that come highly recommended by friends. For groups and families, vacation homes can be fun; for a short couples’ trip, I typically prefer a hotel.
Airbnb and curated rental services offer gorgeous homes, perfect for groups. If you want hotel amenities and a shorter stay, consider one of the boutique or classic hotels below.
- Harlow House – A beautiful private home where we stayed and had a great time.
- “That Pink Door” House – One of Palm Springs’ most famous homes, available as a rental.
- La Chureya – A private estate we were married at, also available as a rental for events or stays.
- Ace Hotel – Fun atmosphere, great pool, a lively restaurant and unique rooms.
- The Parker – A luxuriously designed hotel; perfect for a mini-moon or special stay.
- Saguaro Hotel – Colorful and playful, with lawn games and a lively scene; great for families but can be noisy during festival season.
The Best Palm Springs Coffee, Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Here are my go-to spots for coffee, breakfast and brunch—great for fueling up before exploring or escaping the midday heat.
CHEEKY’S
Our favorite breakfast spot—expect lines on weekends. Famous for bacon flights and consistently delicious dishes.
CAFE LA JEFA
Great coffee to grab and go, plus tasty sit-down options in a cute setting.
GABINO’S CREPERIE
Fast, delicious sweet and savory crepes—perfect for a quick bite.
ERNEST COFFEE
Reliable coffee and pastries with a cool indoor space if you need to work or relax.
NORMA’S
Located at The Parker—famous pancakes, beautifully presented and worth making reservations for.
TOWNIE BAGELS
Solid pastries and bagel sandwiches for a casual breakfast.
KOFFI
Known for the Cinnamon Vanilla Cold Brew Fusion and convenient breakfast sandwiches.
JAKE’S
A brunch favorite—don’t skip the incredible slices of cake to take home.
FRUIT WONDERS
Smoothies and açaí bowls are refreshing pool-side treats; ask for extra granola instead of oatmeal in bowls.
ELMER’S DINER
Classic diner fare with a fun kids’ menu—sometimes nostalgia is exactly what you need.
THE PINK CABANA
A stylish Mediterranean-inspired spot with a playful midcentury vibe.
KING’S HIGHWAY
Located inside the Ace Hotel—casual diner-style food with a creative twist.
WILMA & FRIEDA
Popular dishes include the Churro Waffle and California Benny; a crowd-pleasing brunch destination.
BOOZEHOUNDS
A gorgeous restaurant with a great menu and a dog-friendly patio atmosphere.
Our Favorite Lunch and Dinner Restaurants
WORKSHOP KITCHEN
A stylish setting with inventive cocktails and a frequently changing menu. Reservations are recommended.
THE SANDWICH SPOT
Our top spot for sandwiches—try the Dutch crunch bread and consider taking it to-go for a picnic.
CHICKEN RANCH
Comfortable lunch spot with rotisserie chicken sandwiches, salads and good happy hour deals.
SANDFISH SUSHI
Quality sushi with indoor and outdoor seating—reservations advised.
1501 UPTOWN GASTROPUB
Great for catching a game with bar food and outdoor activities for kids.
THE REAL ITALIAN DELI
Exceptional sandwiches inside a classic Italian market—also a great place to pick up pantry items.
BIRBA
Cozy outdoor dining with creative pizzas—order several to share and sample different flavors; reservations recommended.
MR. LYON’S
An old-school steakhouse with an upscale, moody atmosphere for a special evening out.
ROOSTER & THE PIG
Fantastic Vietnamese food; walk-ins only and it fills up fast, so plan ahead.
BAR CECIL
A refined dining option with an elegant ambiance—perfect for a special night.
GIUSEPPE’S
Classic Italian favorites, from pasta to pizza—great for family-style meals.
KING’S HIGHWAY
Casual American fare inside the Ace Hotel with creative twists.
NATURE’S HEALTH FOOD & CAFE
Vegan-friendly market and cafe offering wraps, burgers and even a vegan date shake.
FELIPE’S
Family-owned Mexican restaurant serving all the classic dishes you want.
BILL’S PIZZA
A straightforward pizza joint ideal for takeout and pizza nights at home.
Palm Springs Sweets & Treats Guide
ICE CREAM & SHOP(PE)
Creative ice cream flavors and a charming gift shop attached—great for an afternoon treat.
PALM SPRINGS FUDGE & CHOCOLATES
A classic stop for old-school fudge and chocolate—no vacation is complete without it.
GREAT SHAKES
Home of the famous Date Shake and lots of delicious milkshake options.
FRUIT WONDERS
A reliable spot for smoothies and açaí bowls—perfect for cooling off after pool time.
SWISS DONUT
A classic donut shop—go early for the freshest selection.
OVER THE RAINBOW
A cupcake shop that also takes special cake orders. We had their wedding cake and it was exceptional—consider ordering ahead for special occasions.
My Favorite Shops In and Around Palm Springs
MOJAVE FLEA TRADING POST
A warehouse-sized vintage and antique store with a unique selection of finds.
THICK AS THIEVES
A curated shop featuring handmade goods, clothing, accessories and home items.
MARKET MARKET
A favorite local shop filled with clothing, kids’ items, home decor and small-brand finds.
ANTIQUE GALLERIES OF PALM SPRINGS
A two-story antique mall with varied rooms and styles to explore.
SANDY DUNES ANTIQUE MALL
Adjacent to Antique Galleries, this mall has a strong retro and tiki selection among lots of other treasures.
THE FINE ART OF DESIGN
A beautifully curated vintage clothing shop located a bit further out in Palm Desert.
VICTORIA’S ATTIC ANTIQUE MALL
Located in an evocative, older mall, this spot is great for digging up unique vintage finds.
DESERT HILLS PREMIUM OUTLETS
A half-day trip for outlet shopping, paired with neighboring Cabazon outlets for a full day of deals.
THE FRIPPERY
A colorful vintage clothing shop known for fun dresses and lively selection.
Things to Do in the Palm Springs Area
THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS
An outstanding zoo where you can get close to animals, explore a kids’ play zone and enjoy a large model train display—perfect for families.
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
A great stop for history and aircraft enthusiasts with many vintage planes on display.
PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM
Features a strong modern art collection, rotating exhibits, and architecture and design highlights. Free admission on Thursdays from 5pm–8pm.
ARCHITECTURE TOURS
The Palm Springs Historical Society offers walking tours that showcase historic homes and the stories behind the people who built and lived in them.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Ride the gondola up to Mt. San Jacinto State Park for cool temperatures, spectacular valley views, hiking and dining at the top.
PALM SPRINGS VINTAGE MARKET
A lively vintage market held on the first Sunday of each month—great for browsing and treasure hunting.
ANDREAS CANYON TRAIL
A gentle two-mile hike on Cahuilla land through trees and scenic terrain—family-friendly.
PALM CANYON TRAIL
An easy one-mile loop with extraordinary native trees—ideal for all ages.
ARABY TRAIL
A more challenging five-mile loop with rewarding city and estate views, including the famous Bob Hope property.
TAHQUITZ CANYON LOOP TRAIL
A just-under-two-mile hike featuring a hidden waterfall—some steep steps but manageable for most families.
PALM SPRINGS FARMER’S MARKET
Held every Saturday—stop by if you plan to cook during your stay and want fresh local produce.
BOOMERS
A family fun center with mini golf, go-karts and an arcade—conveniently located near a Target and Trader Joe’s for errands.
PIONEERTOWN
A short drive to an old Western movie set town—browse shops like Soukie Modern and Xeba Botanica, and dine at the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s for live music and hearty meals.
MOORTEN BOTANICAL GARDENS
A compact garden showcasing thousands of desert plants and cacti with an interesting history tied to early theme-park landscaping.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
A rewarding day trip for hiking, climbing and exploring distinctive desert landscapes—plan ahead and bring plenty of water.
Printable Palm Springs Travel Guide
If you prefer a printable guide, download and print the PDF linked below for an easy reference while you travel.
Have fun and enjoy Palm Springs!