Guidebook for Palm Springs
Food Scene
Such a great place: Good American/California cuisine, full bar, swanky dining room, a good happy hour, and beautiful big patio for dining.
262 preporuka/e lokalaca
The Tropicale Palm Springs
330 E Amado RdSuch a great place: Good American/California cuisine, full bar, swanky dining room, a good happy hour, and beautiful big patio for dining.
The oldest of the old school. If you want a trip back in time to the glamour days of Palm Springs as the vacation destination to the stars, this is it. Fancy dining room (proper attire required), rich old-school American food, a cool bar (with live piano entertainment) decorated with photos of the Rat Pack, Sonny and Cher and other 20th Century celebs partying with proprietor Mel Haber.
The cocktail napkins are emblazoned with a painting of FRANK SINATRA! You're out of your mind if you don't at least pop in here for a drink.
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Melvyn's Restaurant & Lounge
200 W Ramon RdThe oldest of the old school. If you want a trip back in time to the glamour days of Palm Springs as the vacation destination to the stars, this is it. Fancy dining room (proper attire required), rich old-school American food, a cool bar (with live piano entertainment) decorated with photos of the Rat Pack, Sonny and Cher and other 20th Century celebs partying with proprietor Mel Haber.
The cocktail napkins are emblazoned with a painting of FRANK SINATRA! You're out of your mind if you don't at least pop in here for a drink.
Yes, this is fast food. Yes, fast food is gross. However, sometimes you've been out at your favorite bars and need some grease to soak things up. This fast food joint's drive thru is open 24 hours a day and is walking distance to the Villa. Pro tip: The "Double Del" cheeseburger is arguably the best fast food cheeseburger (outside of In-N-Out Burger). Yes, it's strange that a taco place has a good cheeseburger, but have one when you're drunk 'n' famished and you shall see.
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Del Taco
2444 N Palm Canyon DrYes, this is fast food. Yes, fast food is gross. However, sometimes you've been out at your favorite bars and need some grease to soak things up. This fast food joint's drive thru is open 24 hours a day and is walking distance to the Villa. Pro tip: The "Double Del" cheeseburger is arguably the best fast food cheeseburger (outside of In-N-Out Burger). Yes, it's strange that a taco place has a good cheeseburger, but have one when you're drunk 'n' famished and you shall see.
We have just one thing to say about this place, "WOW... JUST WOW!" Situated in the new and very exclusive L'Horizon Resort and Spa, SOPA is one of the best dining experiences we have had ANYWHERE in the world (and we live in very foodie San Francisco). It's pricey and very California in its portion sizes, but sharing several dishes family style in this beautiful location is a rare treat.
18 preporuka/e lokalaca
SO.PA Restaurant
1050 E Palm Canyon DrWe have just one thing to say about this place, "WOW... JUST WOW!" Situated in the new and very exclusive L'Horizon Resort and Spa, SOPA is one of the best dining experiences we have had ANYWHERE in the world (and we live in very foodie San Francisco). It's pricey and very California in its portion sizes, but sharing several dishes family style in this beautiful location is a rare treat.
Sorta fancy sit-down Chinese food. The restaurant is huge and has an interesting bar area. The food's not *great* (just good), but it's a Palm Springs standby that folks will frequently refer you to. And that name... How can you not?
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Wang's In the Desert
424 S Indian Canyon DrSorta fancy sit-down Chinese food. The restaurant is huge and has an interesting bar area. The food's not *great* (just good), but it's a Palm Springs standby that folks will frequently refer you to. And that name... How can you not?
This pizza/Italian restaurant is upstairs in a shopping/dining complex that used to include a lovely steak restaurant ("The Falls," which unfortunately is recently closed). However, Matchbox is a reasonable substitute if you're in the mood for slightly upscale pizza. Though it's a chain restaurant (based mostly in the Washington DC area), this place's pies are surprisingly good. They have a well-stocked bar and service is better-than-expected (especially since the restaurant itself is HUGE and it's often quite bustling). It can be busy on some nights and is popular with the "family friendly" crowd.
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Brickworks American Restaurant
155 S Palm Canyon DrThis pizza/Italian restaurant is upstairs in a shopping/dining complex that used to include a lovely steak restaurant ("The Falls," which unfortunately is recently closed). However, Matchbox is a reasonable substitute if you're in the mood for slightly upscale pizza. Though it's a chain restaurant (based mostly in the Washington DC area), this place's pies are surprisingly good. They have a well-stocked bar and service is better-than-expected (especially since the restaurant itself is HUGE and it's often quite bustling). It can be busy on some nights and is popular with the "family friendly" crowd.
Koffi is another indie coffee place in the northern "Uptown Design District" part of downtown. It's in a little complex with a garden out back, and little shops. They roast their own coffee and some folks swear by it. I put this here not so much because I go there a lot (though I have), but to orient you to this area. There are lots of cool midcentury modern antique shops, design stores, etc. along this stretch of Palm Canyon. Great for exploring.
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Koffi
515 N Palm Canyon DrKoffi is another indie coffee place in the northern "Uptown Design District" part of downtown. It's in a little complex with a garden out back, and little shops. They roast their own coffee and some folks swear by it. I put this here not so much because I go there a lot (though I have), but to orient you to this area. There are lots of cool midcentury modern antique shops, design stores, etc. along this stretch of Palm Canyon. Great for exploring.
This is a really good coffee place on Palm Canyon (again at the North end in the design district) that is close to the Trina Turk / Mr. Turk store (just 1 block south). It's co-located with a true Tiki bar called Bootlegger Tiki (open nights), with a focus on craft cocktails inspired by the classic Tiki drinks. Ernest Coffee/Bootlegger Tiki are situated on the site of the original Don the Beachcomber tiki bar and restaurant and the proprietors are quite proud of this fact.
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Ernest Coffee
1101 N Palm Canyon DrThis is a really good coffee place on Palm Canyon (again at the North end in the design district) that is close to the Trina Turk / Mr. Turk store (just 1 block south). It's co-located with a true Tiki bar called Bootlegger Tiki (open nights), with a focus on craft cocktails inspired by the classic Tiki drinks. Ernest Coffee/Bootlegger Tiki are situated on the site of the original Don the Beachcomber tiki bar and restaurant and the proprietors are quite proud of this fact.
Drinks & Nightlife
Azul is one of our "go to" places in Palm Springs. We never drink/dine inside here - it's all about the huge outdoor bar with bar seating, cocktail rounds and swinging booths (their like big porch swings). In summer months, they have misters going full blast to keep things moderately cool. In winter, they have heat lamps going full blast to keep things moderately warm. Great happy hour specials on snacks. Full menu served at the bar.
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The Alibi
369 N Palm Canyon DrAzul is one of our "go to" places in Palm Springs. We never drink/dine inside here - it's all about the huge outdoor bar with bar seating, cocktail rounds and swinging booths (their like big porch swings). In summer months, they have misters going full blast to keep things moderately cool. In winter, they have heat lamps going full blast to keep things moderately warm. Great happy hour specials on snacks. Full menu served at the bar.
This is *not* a Tiki bar. It's a dive bar. And it's a great dive bar. A fave amongst all of our faves. Close to the villa!
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Toucans Tiki Lounge
2100 N Palm Canyon DrThis is *not* a Tiki bar. It's a dive bar. And it's a great dive bar. A fave amongst all of our faves. Close to the villa!
Tonga Hut is a real Tiki bar that focuses on rum-based cocktails, cool retro Tiki bar decor, etc. It's upstairs and has outside seating on a patio where you can smoke, if you so desire. The patio/balcony is also a great place to escape from the Thursday night street fair (see entry under "Things to Do") - you can sit up there and people watch. If you're a fan of midcentury Tiki bar culture, craft cocktails, etc., you'll also want to check out Bootlegger Tiki.
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The Tonga Hut Restaurant and Tiki Bar
254 N Palm Canyon DrTonga Hut is a real Tiki bar that focuses on rum-based cocktails, cool retro Tiki bar decor, etc. It's upstairs and has outside seating on a patio where you can smoke, if you so desire. The patio/balcony is also a great place to escape from the Thursday night street fair (see entry under "Things to Do") - you can sit up there and people watch. If you're a fan of midcentury Tiki bar culture, craft cocktails, etc., you'll also want to check out Bootlegger Tiki.
Hunters is one of the many bars on Arenas Road, which is sort of Palm Springs's version of the Castro. Though most of the bars in this area are, ostensibly, gay, many of them attract a mixed crowd and Hunters is one of them. If you're looking for a place for DJ dancing, this is a good bet (but see also, Toucan's).
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Hunters Nightclub
302 East Arenas RoadHunters is one of the many bars on Arenas Road, which is sort of Palm Springs's version of the Castro. Though most of the bars in this area are, ostensibly, gay, many of them attract a mixed crowd and Hunters is one of them. If you're looking for a place for DJ dancing, this is a good bet (but see also, Toucan's).
Bar is more-or-less right across the street from Alibi/Azul and is more of a straight bar with an LA feel. I kinda like it - good snacks, well stocked bar, little patio/smoking area on the street, sometimes live music.
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Bar
340 N Palm Canyon DrBar is more-or-less right across the street from Alibi/Azul and is more of a straight bar with an LA feel. I kinda like it - good snacks, well stocked bar, little patio/smoking area on the street, sometimes live music.
A true Tiki bar with a focus on craft cocktails inspired by the classic Tiki drinks. (By day, it's Ernest Coffee). Situated on the site of the original Don the Beachcomber tiki bar and restaurant and the proprietors are quite proud of this fact.
119 preporuka/e lokalaca
Bootlegger Tiki
1101 N Palm Canyon DrA true Tiki bar with a focus on craft cocktails inspired by the classic Tiki drinks. (By day, it's Ernest Coffee). Situated on the site of the original Don the Beachcomber tiki bar and restaurant and the proprietors are quite proud of this fact.
Parks & Nature
Near us at the North end of town is an aerial tramway. Yep, it's a tram that takes you to the top of the mountain where, due to the elevation, it's many degrees cooler and there's a stunning view of the entire Coachella Valley. During winter, there's snow up there!
Buy tickets in advance on the website, because if you just show up, you're in for a long wait. There's dining, etc. at the top as well.
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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram WayNear us at the North end of town is an aerial tramway. Yep, it's a tram that takes you to the top of the mountain where, due to the elevation, it's many degrees cooler and there's a stunning view of the entire Coachella Valley. During winter, there's snow up there!
Buy tickets in advance on the website, because if you just show up, you're in for a long wait. There's dining, etc. at the top as well.
Arts & Culture
It ain't the MOMA, but the building is a really interesting example of modern architecture and the collections and exhibits are quite good. Worth a visit for art and architecture lovers.
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Palm Springs Muzejska staza
101 N Museum DrIt ain't the MOMA, but the building is a really interesting example of modern architecture and the collections and exhibits are quite good. Worth a visit for art and architecture lovers.
A surprisingly interesting and *large* collection of vintage warplanes and other exhibits await at this family-friendly museum. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Air Museum is an interesting diversion at any time of year.
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Muzej zrakoplovstva Palm Springs
lot 745 N Gene Autry TrailA surprisingly interesting and *large* collection of vintage warplanes and other exhibits await at this family-friendly museum. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Air Museum is an interesting diversion at any time of year.
Shopping
Absolutely the best Palm Springs-style attire. Guests of the villa can schedule a dedicated styling/shopping appointment with champagne and a gift-with-purchase. Find details when you check-in!
48 preporuka/e lokalaca
Trina Turk | Mr Turk | Palm Springs Boutique
891 N Palm Canyon DrAbsolutely the best Palm Springs-style attire. Guests of the villa can schedule a dedicated styling/shopping appointment with champagne and a gift-with-purchase. Find details when you check-in!
Essentials
Albertsons
1751 N Sunrise WayClosest grocery (and a good one, at that) to the villa!