STAY

The Parker, a classy choice
This is famous for a reason.  The grounds are gorgeous, there are two pools, top notch 70s inspired design and great food.  The newly opened Counter Reformation which is a tin can of a place with only bar seating offers modern tapas (great place to meet people if you’re traveling solo).  And have other pancakes ruined for the rest of your life after you try the lemon ricotta stack at Norma’s.  If you get tired of drinking their signature lemonade cocktails by the pool there’s croquet, bocce, oversized chess, and hammocks in their palm grove.  And here you will feel oh so taken care of as the bell boys in their signature pink pants rush to help you out of your car.

 The Avalon, a more affordable Parker vibe

Formerly The Viceroy, this charming property feels like a mini-oasis with bungalow rooms and three pools. The spa and restaurant are great and the hotel offers bikes for rent to go cruise the nearby main drag.

Colony Palms, the boutique version of The Parker
A very classy spot with The Purple Palm restaurant overlooking the pool.  Service is top notch as is the food.  If you’re looking for more grounds to explore though that’s the Parker.  Perfect for a romantic couples weekend.

Korakia, pretending you’re on your honeymoon in Greece choice
When you tire of all that mod design you can cleanse your palate with Korakia that feels more Mediterranean than Californian.  Perfect for a romantic weekend.  Quiet and intimate.

The Ace, the young party choice
The Ace hotel is in a converted motel and the restaurant even used to be a Denny’s.  Now it’s uber designy and hip with photo booths, silly pool floaties, Instagram moments everywhere.  This is perfect for a group of friends looking to party and perhaps mingle.  There are often pool side DJs on the weekend by the pool, where water and lounge space can be scarce.  This is not a romantic couples retreat spot.

The Sparrows, the boutique choice
The Sparrows is small and friendly and comforting.  There’s not a full-service restaurant but it’s sooooooo chill.  There is a bar though and they will bring you drinks poolside.  The rooms are spacious and gorgeous.

Holiday House, boutique option if Sparrows is booked or too expensive

Another revamped motel, suites with kitchen and dining areas are especially nice. Very cute shuffle board area.

The Saguaro, if the Ace is booked choice
Similar to the Ace but with two restaurants instead of one.  Rooms feel a little small and dank.

Sands Hotel & Spa, destination with Moroccan vibes
Sands is located in between Palm Springs and Coachella so if you go there won’t be much to do outside the hotel but that’s kind of what’s so great about it. Perfect for a night or two with Moroccan design by Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Rooms are spacious, The Pink Cabana restaurant is solid (desserts and cocktails are the highlight), and pretty pink walls for photo opps abound.

RESTAURANTS

Hadley’s
Not quite a restaurant but the perfect road trip pit stop for a date shake and some dried fruit. 

Rooster and The Pig

Hip Vietnamese spot with affordable prices but no reservations taken.

Melvyn’s
Old-school 50s spot where you can feel like Frank Sinatra eating tableside banana flambee with a gin martini.  At the Ingleside Inn (not worth the stay, décor is dated and dank).  Dress up and lean into the old school storied glamour.  Not cheap. 

Seymour’s and Mr. Lyons
Mr. Lyons is like the updated version of Melvyn’s- think classy booths and steak but a bit hipper.  Seymour’s is a tiki-themed speakeasy next door Mr. Lyons and is a great spot for a fun cocktail. 

Birba
A local and visitor favorite with well executed pizzas in a pretty outdoor setting.

Cheeky’s
Same owners as Birba, the most famous stop for brunch.  Go off hours to miss the weekend brunch rush. 

Norma’s and Counter Reformation at The Parker
See above under The Parker.

SHOPPING

The Frippery
Colorful vintage caftans in great condition along with fun accessories like hats and cocktail rings.

Flow Modern
Curated vintage collection of jewelry and home goods

The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five
Several antique sellers all in the same building.  Great place to snag a reasonably priced vintage glass ash tray or a brass piece for the mantel. 

Trina Turk
Requisite spot for modern poppy clothes.  If you forgot a swim suit or beach bag this should be your first stop.

Bars

Seymour’s

Seymour’s is a tiki-themed speakeasy next door Mr. Lyons and is a great spot for a fun cocktail. 

Bootlegger Tiki

Tiny cozy tiki bar with tons of character

Hiking

Agua Caliente Indian Reservation

Right outside of town has a gorgeous easy loop hike through a palm grove with gorgeous vistas.  Lots of fashion shoots are shot out here.  The rangers are native americans and super helpful.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Park and take this tram up into the mountains of Idyllwild where it’s usually a good 20 degrees cooler.  Bring your hiking shoes and start walking.  Gorgeous boulders, trees, and vistas.  There’s a café at the top of the tram but better to pack provisions – and pack them out always!

Art

Is it raining?  Is it too hot to live?  Yeah – that happens in August.  Escape to the new Palm Springs Art Museum.

Do

Moorten Botanical Garden

Charming Spanish style spot that sells all kinds of cacti and has an adorable greenhouse – great photo ops here.

The Windmills

As you are leaving town you’ll see the gentle giant windmills on your left. You can pull off the road here and carefully cross to the other side to take some photos.

How I Got That Shot

This is Bobby Bolduc, who has been a waiter at Melvyn’s for 43 years, making cherries jubilee. The best way to capture flames is to have a little movement and a dark or contrasting background behind them. I have one Profoto B1 with a large photek on Bobby and behind him camera left I have a head bouncing into a wall to fill in the background and painting. I’ve set my shutter to 1/30th to make the fire look big and painterly and I’ve cranked my ISO to let in ambient without getting too much noise.

Canon 5D Mark IV with 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

ISO 1250 f/4.5 1/30th. Focal length 47m.

More photos of Palm Springs