There is plenty to do while relaxing and exploring in Palm Springs. These are some of my favorite actives that us locals like to engage.

Breakfast / Coffee

• Koffi North Palm Springs — For great coffee; there is a beautiful courtyard with outside seating; at the south end of the Uptown Design District. Google Maps.

• Elmer’s — A great classic regional American diner. Google Maps.

• Juniper Table — Downtown in the lobby of the Rowan Hotel. A large patio with plenty of sun and people watching. A quick, light breakfast. Google Maps.

• King’s Highway — At the Ace Hotel, with a great pool-side vibe and amazing mountain views. A simple, fresh menu. Open at 8 a.m. Google Maps.

• Ernest Coffee — Near the north end of the Uptown Design District, they offer one of my favorite Portland-based coffees, Stumptown. Ernest Coffee opens at a tiki bar, Bootlegger Tiki, in the evening. Google Maps.

• Café La Jefa — In the Flannery Exchange at the heart of the Uptown Design District. Delicious coffee (Sisters Coffee from Central Oregon), terrific patio space, and a simple menu. Google Maps.

Activities

• Modern & More Bike Tours — Architectural, history, and culture bike tour through south Palm Springs. Tell Brennan, ‘Tim from Sunrise Grounding’ sent you. Book here.

• Self-Guided Palm Springs Door Tour — The spectacular entryway is an iconic Palm Springs look. Read more.

• Aqua Caliente Cultural Plaza — Museum dedicate to telling the story of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Web site.

• Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium — Family-owned botanical garden specializing in cacti and other desert plants. Web site.

• Palm Springs Air Museum — A living history museum dedicated to sharing the story of the role air power played in preserving American liberties. Book a flight in an authentically restored WWII aircraft. Web site.

• Palm Springs Art Museum — Accredited by the American Association of Museums, visit 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, and a popular local bistro. Web site.

• Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design Center — Operating under the umbrella of the Palm Springs Art Museum, the center highlights special exhibits dedicated to architecture and design. Web site.

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — Ascend from the base station at 2,643 feet to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Mountain Station at 8,516 feet, the tram is the world’s largest rotating tram car. Peaks Restaurant, Pines Cafe, nature exhibits, viewing decks, and 54 miles of hiking. During season, purchase tickets in advance on their Web site.

• Sunnylands Center & Gardens — Sunnylands was built by Walter and Leonore Annenberg in 1966. The property has been the vacation site of celebrities and public officials and is often regarded as the "Camp David of the West." Web site.

Shopping / Galleries

• Palm Springs Uptown Design District — A great collection of local fashion boutiques and housewares, gift stores, galleries, and a collection of great restaurants. The area runs along North Palm Canyon Drive between Vista Chino and Alejo Road. You may spend an hour, or an entire afternoon window-shopping. Read more on the Palm Springs Chamber’s site, or check out Palm Springs Life’s Directory. Be sure to drop in on these retailers:

  • Rubine Red Gallery — Terrific small gallery with wonderful art at a variety of price points.

  • Just Fabulous — Palm Springs-themed books, cards, and gifts.

  • Will Styles — Women’s and Men’s fashion boutique.

  • Pelago Palm Springs — Midcentury Modern housewares and accessories.

  • Grace Home — Hollywood regency home decor.

• Backstreet Art District — Artsy complex with galleries & services. Google Maps.

• Perez Art District — A collection of galleries that are open for a gallery crawl on the First Friday evenings of the month, in season. Google Maps.

Spa / Massage

• Grounded Bodyworks — Boutique day spa, providing high-quality services using products that help create a healthier, calmer lifestyle. Web site.

• The Spa at Séc-he — Secret hot mineral springs in the heart of downtown Palm Springs run by the Agua Caliente Tribe. Web site.

• The Spring Resort & Spa — Rated one of the Top 100 Spas in the U.S. by Spas of America. Dramatic vies of the desert and mountains. Services and day passes available. Web site.

Hiking

• Indian Canyons — A group of canyons with trails for hiking and horseback riding. Picnic areas, a gift shop and small concession stand is available. Trails are easy from a one-mile, relatively flat loop, to a seven-mile hike along a natural spring through a canyon. $12 admission fee. Web site.

• Tahquitz Canyon — A canyon trail leads to the 60-foot Tahquitz waterfall, rock art, native plants and wildlife. A visitor center provides context. $15 admission fee. Web site.

• The L.A. Times highlighted some of our best hiking trails, which are on tribal land; the article also highlights a brief history of the Agua Caliente tribe.

Day Excursions

• Joshua Tree National Park — Half-Day to Full-Day — One of the most popular National Parks in the nation, this landscape is absolutely stunning, where two distinct ecosystems (the Mojave and Colorado Deserts) come together. Because of the popularity, the main park entrance (West Entrance Station) south of Twenty Nine Palms often has a line and a wait. I recommend entering the park through the South Entrance off I-10, near the Cottonwood Visitor Center. Once there, you may drive through the park to Twenty Nine Palms, and see the entire park. By the time you hit the crowds, you will have already seen most of the landscape, and you may bypass the crowds. Direct your GPS to this Google Map to find the South Entrance/Cottonwood Visitor Center. If you do hike in Joshua Tree National Park, be very careful to stay on the trail; it’s very easy to become disoriented in the landscape, and much of the park is not covered by cell service. Visit the NPS Web site for the latest information.

• The Desert-Sun highlighted traffic at each of the park entrances, as well as activities to do within 30 minutes of each park gate.

• Idyllwild — Half-Day to Full-Day — take one of the most scenic driving routes in America, the Palms to Pines Highway (Highway 74 through Palm Desert) leads you to a quaint mountain community, Idyllwild. There are no national retailers, leaving this community to be filled with local retailers, restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. There is plenty of hiking. 5,400 feet above sea level, this community is generally about 30 degrees cooler than it is in Palm Springs. An easy drive, stop and have lunch, and continue on the highway down the mountain toward Banning to make a complete loop from the Coachella Valley. Read more.

Dinner / Entertainment

In-season, you often need a reservation for dinner. It’s best to make your reservation at least one or two days in advance.

• The Purple Room — Old-school supper club hosting intimate music & comedy shows accompanied by a surf 'n' turf menu. Web site.

• Melvyn’s Supper Club — Ingleside Inn’s historic favorite of the Hollywood elite, with a classic piano bar lounge, and traditional American fare. Web site.

• Mr. Lyon’s — This upscale, retro-style spot serves hand-cut meats, steakhouse staples & classic cocktails. In the lounge, they offer a special menu that is the same as the dining room, but priced for locals. Hand-crafted cocktails are served in the Salon. Web site.

• The Colony Club — Colony Palms Hotel eatery with a classic feel serving an eclectic, seasonally—focused menu. Imaginative new American cuisine in a classic Hollywood hideaway setting, spectacular views, and amazing people-watching. Web site.

• The Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Seas Lounge — Chic and sophisticated decor (neon!) and a distinctive world cuisine with a mix of zesty influences. Uniquely Palm Springs. Web site.

• Tac/Quella — Authentic Mexican cuisine in a classic modern environment. Web site.

• Jake’s — Hearty portions of comfort food favorites are served in a relaxed space with a courtyard. Web Site.

• Eight 4 Nine Restaurant & Lounge — Contemporary sleek setting with innovative New American Cuisine. Web site.

Travel Tips

Check out these blog posts with some great travel tips.

• Mistakes Tourists Make Wile Visiting Palm Springs — this article highlights some of the ways to avoid getting sucked into the main stream tourist traps.

• 8 Tips for Traveling Solo as a Woman — many of my guests are women traveling alone. I’m so honored that they chose to start their morning with me, and admire how they live their free spirit. This article highlights a few reminders many of my guests have already figured out.