Travel

Travel Guide: Palm Springs

byTeam GM

7 years ago

Palm Springs is one of our all-time favorite destinations here at the GM studios (and for good reason!), but despite what you may think, there are dozens of hot spots to stay and play in the area that are sure to keep you in a vacation daydream for months—even outside of the dreamy Parker Hotel (but don’t worry, there is no shortage of the Parker in this city guide!). Although we’re a little partial to The Parker Palm Springs, after hearing a few City Guide suggestions from Aida of Salt & Wind, we’ve added several new spots to our must-see list for the next time we run away to the oasis of Palm Springs. Get ready to take notes, because you won’t want to pass these by…

Welcome to the Parker, by Gray Malin - Palm Springs City Guide

Welcome to the Parker print, Gray Malin at the Parker. Hi, lovelies! Aida here from Salt & Wind with another City Guide and a travel-inspired recipe.This month we’re going classic California and talking Palm Springs—as in, one of my favorite places to get away on a moment’s notice. As in a place with vibes so good and design so amazing you might never leave (just look at Gray’s snaps to see what we mean).

Pool Boys print, Gray Malin - Palm Springs City Guide

Pool Boys print. Palm Springs is the thing travel dreams are made of because it’s the ideal mix of classic Hollywood glam, stunning art deco architecture, and—now more than ever—inspired food and drinks. And, thanks largely to the Coachella Music Festival, Palm Springs has stepped up its game, so you can now find a classic midcentury estate next to a hotel with an all-day pool party. As much as we adore Coachella, we also like to go to Palm Springs outside of the festival so we can really make the most of it. Think poolside parties and spa sessions with your friends (or S.O.) where you sit in the sun and sip cocktails like summer never ended. Dreamy, right? Here’s how to do Palm Springs in style:

Korakia Pensione, Palm Springs - City Guide on GrayMalin.com/lifestyle

Photo courtesy of Korakia Pensione.

WHERE TO STAY

Parker Palm SpringsIf there was ever a hotel we’d move into, it’d be the lush oasis that is the Parker. The only problem is that it has so much going on—tennis courts, a spa, a hammock grove, and a lemonade stand serving bottomless Arnold Palmers—you might never leave the property. Colony Palms Between the lux landscaping, Moroccan-inspired spa, and a pool that’s always lively, it’s no wonder every other person I know wants to stay at the Colony Palms. The chic design is swoon-worthy and the prime location (steps from downtown) makes it hard to beat. Stay at the Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs, part of Salt & Wind's Palm Springs City Guide

Korakia Pensione, Palm Springs - Salt & Wind City Guide to Palm Springs

Photos courtesy of Korakia Pensione.

Korakia Pensione But if instead you’re wanting to escape a bit, head to Korakia. Between the scattering of bungalows, the beautiful scenery, and the Moorish details, you’ll feel like you escaped to a highly Instagram-able corner of the Mediterranean. See Salt & Wind's City Guide to Palm Springs on the blog now

Photo courtesy of Korakia Pensione.

WHERE TO BREAKFAST + COFFEE

Kings Highway DinerPalm Springs gets our respect for always paying homage to the past; case in point: Kings Highway Diner at the Ace Hotel. One look and you’d think you’re in a 1960s diner except that the premium French press coffee and flaky croissants give it a majorly 2016 vibe. Ernest CoffeeThe coffee standards in Palm Springs were raised when Ernest Coffee opened shop. They serve high quality coffee (from Stumptown) yet there’s no pretension—so order your Vanilla Almond Latte without feeling judged. Ernest Coffee Co., Palm Springs - Salt & Wind City Guide on GrayMalin.com/lifestyle

Photos courtesy of Ernest Coffee Palm Springs.

WHERE TO BRUNCH

Norma'sWith beautiful bellinis and decadent lobster omelets, it’s hard to get a more posh brunch scene in Palm Springs than Norma’s. This is the sort of place you’ll want to post up and spend hours lounging around, so go with good company and make a morning of it. Cheeky's This cheery café in downtown Palm Springs is a must for breakfast (or brunch or lunch). The menu changes weekly so there’s always something new, but we’re partial to the bacon flights, the satisfying egg dishes, and the spicy Bloody Marys. Norma's, The Parker Palm Springs - City Guide on GrayMalin.com

Photo courtesy of Norma’s.

Room Service print, Gray Malin - City Guide to Palm Springs

WHERE TO LUNCH OR DINNER

Birba Right next door to Cheeky’s is the sister restaurant, Birba. There you’ll get crusty wood-burning oven pizzas and great wine in an outdoor setting with fire pits that’ll make you want to make a night of it. Tinto The colorful Saguaro hotel is another gem in Palm Springs and we head there for everything from tequila and tacos at El Jefe to the daytime pool scene. But what you won’t want to miss are the Top Chef-quality tapas at Tinto that are so good you’ll feel like you transported to Barcelona. Workshop Palm Springs This is the sort of place you’ll want to spend the evening because everything from the cocktails to the food (and especially the desserts) are noteworthy. The minimalist space with a progressive, almost avant garde menu can feel more New York than Palm Springs, but in the best possible way. Get this cocktail at the Bootlegger Tiki, Palm Springs - City Guide via Salt & Wind

Photo courtesy of the Bootlegger Tiki.

WHERE TO COCKTAIL

Mister LyonsBack when Frank Sinatra would hang around Palm Springs, it was all about piano lounges and steakhouse. Mister Lyons pays homage to that tradition with its modern steakhouse setting but we like the lounge where they serve classic cocktails like the Aviation and the Vieux Carre. BarThe name of this bar may be basic, but the bar itself is not. It’s a great place to take a group because it feels like you’re just hanging in your own home with a cozy backyard with everything from bocce to picnic tables. And there’s a big selection of drinks from classic cocktails to an extensive whiskey selection to legit bar bites. Bootlegger TikiWith décor that feels right out of the original tiki era, it’s hard to believe that Bootlegger Tiki hasn’t been around for decades. And though the bar is new, the space does have a history—it is where the original Don the Beachcomber bar was in the 1950s. The tiki cocktails (and vintage glassware) are all on point, but our favorite part is that happy hour starts at midnight. Ernest after hours - Palm Springs City Guide via Salt & Wind

Photos courtesy of Ernest Coffee Palm Springs.

WHERE TO RELAX

Palm Springs Yacht Club No, there are no actual yachts or ocean in Palm Springs, but the Palm Springs Yacht Club couldn’t care less. A bit nautical, a bit exotic Arabian nights vibe, this eclectic space is the kind of place you want to pass the day. Not to mention we had one of the best scrubs ever there.

Palm Springs Yacht Club - the best place to relax in Palm Springs

Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Yacht Club. Indian Canyon Hikes Okay, yes, Palm Springs get seriously hot so you’ll want to hike early in the morning or around sunset. Indian Canyon has a range of hikes, from flat to steep, long and short, so you can get as ambitious or as unambitious as you want. Palm Spring Tram Trust us, you’ll want to play tourist and head up the Palm Springs tram. The reward is arriving at the top of the nearby mountains and having a view of the whole valley below you. Just know that it gets cold up there (as in can snow in the winter time), so dress appropriately.

INSPIRED EATS

Cinnamon Walnut Date Smoothie // Salt & Wind

When it comes to Palm Springs, there is nothing more classic than the Date Shake. The region grows the most dates in the United States and some genius blended them into a shake at some point. The best one we’ve had in Palm Springs are at the Palm Springs Fudge & Chocolates. For a healthier version that’s still super delicious, try this Walnut Cinnamon Date Smoothie.

Walnut Cinnamon Date Shake inspired by Palm Springs // Salt & Wind

After that City Guide, we may be dreaming of Palm Springs for a while… Okay, so we might be dreaming of Palm Springs on the daily, but now we have even more reason to go!

Thanks again to Aida of Salt & Wind for her expert travel advice. To see more travel tips and inspired recipes, check out their website, and follow @saltandwind on Instagram.

Xx Team GM

Photos: Salt & Wind, Korakia Pensione, Ernest Coffee Co, Bootlegger Tiki, The Parker Palm Springs