August 2024

Palm Springs has got it all! It is at the base of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, (accessible by a tram that climbs up 6,000 feet over 2.5 miles) and just 45 minutes away from Joshua Tree national park. My family’s perfect vacation combines some cultural sophistication and sight seeing, with time in nature, so this trip was a great fit for us. Also, Palm Springs is a sort of mecca for anyone who loves mid-century modern architecture, and my family has spent the last 2 years restoring our MCM dream home.

Hands holding a patterned bandana among Joshua Tree's rock formations and desert vegetation

So the beautiful homes were really fun for us all to see! If you're not a huge fan of mid-century modern, you'll still appreciate the beautiful vistas everywhere you look, dry heat and the town's swanky personality. There’s so much to do, it is a great Spring Break destination for the whole family!

Two people smiling for a selfie on a snow-covered mountain, woman wearing a green floral bandana and tortoiseshell sunglasses

We were lucky enough to stay at a friend's condo this visit. They're MCM lovers like us, and their decor perfectly set the scene for our visit to this vibrant little town. One of the nicest things about it was how close it was to the restaurants and shops on the main strip, Palm Canyon!

Shag House exterior in Palm Springs with a bright green door, mid-century modern walls, palms, and cacti

In previous visits I have stayed in a cool tiki motel called the Caliente Tropicale, and there are some other famous ones, like The Saguaro or Octillo Lodge. Of course, if you have the budget, why not stay in the Shag House?

Airbnb living room near Joshua Tree with a sectional sofa, woven rug, wood-paneled ceiling, and southwestern decor

If you want to be near Joshua Tree, I have stayed in this airbnb before, and it’s amazing!

Worker serving Brandini Toffee from a cart outside a Palm Springs shop

You have to try Brandini’s Toffee, it is a local brand in Palm Springs that I expect to see big things from, and Peninsula Pastries. Fancy brunch at Norma’s at The Parker Hotel, designed by Jonathan Adler was delicious, and make sure you arrive early enough to take lots of pictures with the famous breeze block wall outside! For a casual dinner, Bill's Pizza had some great pies, and Sherman's Deli served up huge portions of traditional deli fare, rumored to be located at the end of one of the first strip malls in the country. If you’re a fan of tiki (and over 21) you must make a reservation and have a few cocktails at Bootlegger!

Close-up of packaged Peninsula Pastries showing golden pastries in a clear display case

If you've never been to Palm Springs, make your first stop The Palm Springs visitor center (which can be seen in several movies, including Don't Worry Darling). It is a famous building, with a fun store inside. You can get info on things to do and buy a map of Celebrity homes. You won't want to miss walking or driving around for that piece of history!

Palm Springs visitor center surrounded by flowering plants with mountains in the background

For cactus lovers: if you love manicured gardens, visit Sunnylands. If Cactus gardens are your thing, visit Moorten Botanical Gardens. Palm Springs art museum has an amazing collection for modern art lovers.

Cacti growing in a manicured desert garden with black gravel and yucca plants

We are huge tennis fans, and visited during the Indian Wells tennis tournament. Not only did we get to see world class tennis, we also saw Zendaya and Tom Holland sharing a plate of nachos!

SHAG storefront with orange marquee letters, colorful artwork, and cacti outside

For shopping, hit up Trina Turk, The Shag Gallery, PS HomeBoys, and Destination Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cable car travels past rocky cliffs and desert vegetation

Nature lovers: don't miss taking the aerial tram to the top of Mt. San Jacinto and hiking the trails (it's significantly colder at the top!) Another highlight for us was going to Joshua Tree at night for some rock scrambling before sunset, and star gazing.

Blue and red patterned bandanas draped over desert rocks in Joshua Tree National Park

The Wrap Up:

I could go on and on about all the beautiful and inspiring things we saw on this trip out West. And even after a few visits I know there’s more to see, so I’ll definitely be back. I hope I’ve convinced you to go too! Palm Springs and Joshua tree are definitely worth the cost of airfare.

Mid-century modern Palm Springs home surrounded by palms, agave, rocks, and desert landscaping

Person wearing a blue and orange patterned bandana in a desert landscape

City Guide Volume 12: Palm Springs and Joshua Tree

The Wrap Up:

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