Gaby's Guide to Palm Springs

Palm Springs has been our go-to weekend getaway for the past few years! It's just a 2 hour drive from LA and it's all sunshine, palm trees and guacamole - and really, what more could you ask for?

 

I'm rounding up my favorite Palm Springs restaurants, hotels, and things to do while in the desert in this edition of Gaby's Guide to Palm Springs! And it's no coincidence that as fall and winter roll around, we now have plenty of excuses to head to Palm Springs and soak up some sunshine. Let's do this!!

COFFEE + BREAKFAST + BRUNCH:

Koffi - A local coffee shop and roaster.

Cheeky’s - My go to place for a casual breakfast! There always seems to be a line but it’s absolutely worth the wait! The chilequiles are to die for!! And if you don’t wake up in time to hop over there for breakfast, check out their sister restaurant Birba.

Norma’s - Nestled right at the front of The Parker, Norma’s is without a doubt the place to be. A boozy brunch here is beyond and you can meander down to the lemonade bar when you’re done so you can continue your leisurely morning.

Kings Highway - The coziest little cash-only diner. They've got it all from avocado toast to breakfast burritos to LOX to Belgian waffles and even biscuits.

Townie Bagels - For a quick bite, come here for old-school freshly made bagels.

Boozehounds - A cute dog friendly brunch spot that's also very instagramable.

LUNCH:

So.pa - An all-day outdoors only restaurant with some pretty epic Middle Eastern food right smack in the middle of Palm Springs. It's soooo cute!

Las Casuelas Terraza - A truly incredible family-owned Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Their patio dining is also wonderful.

DINNER:

Bar Cecil - Bar Cecil is not to miss! They serve a Californian-American fare and you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Plus they have freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert... it's a no brainer!

Rooster and the Pig - A Vietnamese-American restaurant with incredible sharing plates.

Workshop Kitchen + Bar - One of the nicer restaurants in Palm Springs, Workshop is fab for a night on the town. It’s minimalist design is perfect for your instagram obsessed folks like me - and the food is amazing. Their menu changes frequently, but fingers crossed you can order the octopus because it’s the best!!

Melvyn's - This elegant Palm Springs' classic is located in the Ingleside Inn. They serve a traditional upscale fare including steak and seafood a la carte.

Birba - It's the sister restaurant to Cheeky's, and if you go you're in for some really incredible pizza and wood fired food. The cocktails are fantastic (and strong) and the scene is so fun! It's not to be missed.

4 Saints - Some truly epic food at Kimpton rooftop!!

Mr. Lyons - An old-school yet modern steakhouse with some amazing food.

Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey - A cozy scandanavian designed sushi bar serving hand-crafted sushi with whiskey

pairings.

WHERE TO DRINK:

Colony Palms - One of the best places to get a poolside cocktail and enjoy the scenery! Colony Palms is not only gorgeous, but it’s right smack in the middle of Palm Springs - so go toodle around and grab a mid-day cocktail here!

Cork & Fork - If you venture past Indian Wells into La Quinta (which is where all the amazing golf is) you’ll need to somehow make your way to Cork & Fork. It’s the cutest little wine bar in the desert and their tiny outdoor patio is gorgeous. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu but their Poke Nachos are kinda out of this world!!

El Jefe - I mean, what’s a trip to the desert without the best guacamole, tacos and margaritas. El Jefe takes the cake on that 100%

La Quinta Resort + Club - The sweetest piano bar with a pretty fantastic wine list! They also have about 3 other restaurants with amazing outdoor patios. The whole property is beyond gorgeous, so make sure to wander around and check out the sites!

WHERE TO STAY:

Travlr Home Rentals - Travlr is my favorite company to rent homes through. Their houses are impeccably designed and the best vibes

Colony Palms - FAVORITE Palm Springs hotel. Period. The pool is small and fun, the guacamole is out of this world. and it's right in town so you can walk everywhere.

Rowan Palm Springs - One of the newer Kimpton properties that is tres chic and great food. It's basically a little mini Vegas in Palm Springs so if you're going for a party... THIS IS IT.

Holiday House - Ugh. How do I even count the ways I love Holiday House. It's one of the newer and smaller properties in PS and it's glorious! Great pool / great vibes / and amazing poolside snacks.

La Quinta Resort + Club - Like I said before, La Quinta Resort is GORGEOUS! If you’re into staying a bit further out from Palm Springs proper - this is the place!! It’s perfectly situated if you’re going to the festivals or checking out the annual tennis tournament in Indian Wells!

And that’s a wrap on my favorite things to do in Palm Springs! If you’re looking for more city guides check these out:

• Gaby’s Guide to Los Angeles, CA
• Gaby’s Guide to Santa Ynez (and surrounding areas)
• Gaby’s Guide to Santa Barbara
• Gaby’s Guide to Ojai
• Gaby’s Guide to San Francisco, CA
• Gaby’s Guide to NYC

Did I miss anything? Shout it out in the comments below so I can go give it a try!!