Welcome to the desert! Whether you’re looking to sip cocktails by the pool, explore iconic mid-century sights, eat good food, score some vintage finds, or score a hole-in-one, Palm Springs has something for everyone. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots to eat, drink, and explore so you can experience the city like a local and make the most of your trip.
We’ve marked our favorites with a *
Activities
SHOPPING
*Market Market: 40,000 square feet of heaven for vintage lovers
The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five: Independent shops offering art & curated goods
Trina Turk: Prominent fashion designer deeply connected to Palm Springs
The Shag Store: Uptown gallery for iconic shag originals, prints, and merchandise
Phylum: Scandinavia-meets-desert homewares, gifts, and apparel
Mitchell’s: Mod vintage finds and designer treasures
Jean & James: Handpicked vintage at a reasonable price
MUSEUMS & ART
Palm Springs Art Museum: Dynamic collection in downtown
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum: Telling the story of the land’s Indigenous people
Palm Springs Air Museum: Home to rare aircraft and WWII Warbirds
*Uptown Design District: A trendy stretch of galleries, shopping, and dining
EXPLORE
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: World's largest rotating aerial tramway
*Moorten Botanical Garden: A living museum of desert lore with crystals and ancient fossils
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens: Interactive wildlife experiences and botanical garden
Mid-century modern architecture tours: See iconic homes and modernist landmarks
Joshua Tree National Park: Desert hiking an hour away from Palm Springs
Natural mineral water spas: Find several options in the Coachella Valley
GOLF
Indian Canyons Golf Resort: A favorite hangout for Frank Sinatra and other stars
Tamarisk Country Club: Where Frank Sinatra lived in a walled compound on the 17th fairway
Desert Island Country Club: Mountain views and a funky, newly-renovated club house.
Food and drinks
BREAKFAST
*Sherman’s Deli: Charming New York-style kosher delicatessen operating since 1953
Cheeky’s: Quirky menu divided between breakfast and lunch options
King’s Highway: Retro-style diner located inside the Ace Hotel
COFFEE
Ernest Coffee: Offering Stumptown Coffee and fresh local pastries
Cartel Roasting Co: Serving up thoughtfully sourced, house-roasted brews
Coffeeism Co: Family-owned café in the heart of downtown
LUNCH
The Heyday: Home to the best smash burgers in town
Crudo Cervicheria: Desert meets the sea with shareable dishes in a laid-back eatery
Billy Reed’s: American comfort food at an iconic spot established in 1975
DINNER
*Bar Cecil: Hotspot loved for its stylish setting and famous $50 martini
Paul Bar/Food: A hidden Palm Springs favorite with old-school ambiance
Melvyn’s: Legendary supper club known for its old Hollywood glamour, formerly a private hideaway for Frank Sinatra and other stars
BARS
*Bootlegger Tiki: Palm Springs' original tiki home, born from the legacy of Don the Beachcomber
Evening Citizen: Intimate and stylish speakeasy tucked behind a back door in a strip mall
Beaton’s: Swanky spot for cocktails that offers a "New York meets Paris" vibe adjacent to Bar Cecil
Truss & Twine: Celebrating the history of drinks in America featuring eras like the Golden Age, Prohibition, and Tiki