Where to eat, sweat, float, and find some stillness.  

🥐 For Morning People (Or People Trying to Be)

Elmer's- A true classic. Go for the Dutch Baby pancake and thank us later. 

Townie Bagels – Locally loved, perfectly chewy. Get there early.

Norma’s at The Parker – You’re here for the patio and a $20 smoothie. Worth it for the vibe alone.

Customs Coffee (inside Mojave Flea) – A hidden gem for when you need espresso and air conditioning.

🥂 Must-Have Reservations

Bar Cecil – Chic, buzzy, the place to be. Sit at the bar, order the burger, and pretend you live here.

FARM – Tucked away and French. The garden seating feels like you time-traveled.

Birba – Alfresco pasta and date-night lighting. Yes, the spicy rigatoni holds up.

Colony Club – Quiet, refined, tucked into the Colony Palms Hotel. Think caftans and cold rosé.

🍸 Golden Hour Moves

Counter Reformation (at The Parker) – Dark, moody, sexy. A little speakeasy tucked in paradise.

Seymour’s – Behind Mr. Lyons. Go for the velvet booths and tequila cocktails.

The Amigo Room (Ace Hotel) – Desert dive bar, done right. Check the calendar for live music or DJs.

💆 Where to Recharge

Azure Palm Hot Springs (Desert Hot Springs) – Day passes to mineral pools and private soaking tubs.

Estrella Spa (Avalon Hotel) – Luxe but not overdone. Clean, sunny, and actually good massages.

Two Bunch Palms – If you're ready to float in stillness. Natural hot springs and spa vibes with serious energy.

The Integratron- IYKYK 

🖼️ Culture Stops (A.K.A. Air-Conditioned Beauty)

Palm Springs Art Museum – Yes, the building is Frey-designed. Yes, the rotating exhibits are worth it.

Frey House II (by appointment) – Architecture pilgrimage. Book a tour in advance.

Sunnylands – Mid-century diplomacy meets cactus gardens. Free to walk, and totally surreal.

🏞️ Leave the Pool (Just For a Minute)

South Lykken Trail – Short, hot, and scenic. Best done at sunrise.

Tahquitz Canyon – Waterfall hike through native land. Sacred and striking.

Indian Canyons – Miles of palms, streams, and stone. Looks like a movie set—because it kind of is.

🩱 Pool-Hopping, 760-Style

The Parker – Palm Springs maximalism at its best. Hammocks, gardens, Gucci caftan energy.

Korakia Pensione – Moroccan-meets-Mediterranean. Stay if you can, sneak in if you can’t.

The Ace Hotel – Crowd-pleaser, but iconic. Go for poolside nachos and people-watching.

Dive – Vintage ‘60s French Riviera vibes. Intimate, aesthetic, a total scene in the best way.

🛍️ Desert Treasures

Mojave Flea – 760 lives here. So do the best ceramics, books, and handmade pieces in town.

The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five – A clean edit of beautiful objects. You’ll want everything.

Windmill City Super #1 – Cool gifts, desert-made goods, and a bit of weirdness.

The Fine Art of Design – Curated vintage that feels editorial. More gallery than thrift.

Melody Note Vintage – A curated rack of treasures. Think ‘60s silhouettes, breezy cotton, and vintage denim done right.

 

📍 Pro tip: Everything’s slower out here. Don’t over-schedule.

Eat something cold. Sweat it out. Swim until your fingers wrinkle. Then reapply your moisturizer.

You’re in the desert.