The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Palm Springs, California Now
Follow 5 Reasons to Visit® on Google News for the latest travel articles + guides
Palm Springs is world-renowned for its stylish hotels, amazing weather and stunning desert views. They are also famous for the many fine examples of midcentury-modern architecture and visible throughout the city. Palm Springs has long been the preferred desert retreat of Hollywood royalty, presidents, wellness seekers, and sun-worshippers. These are the top five reasons why Palm Springs, California should be on your bucket list.
Source: Visit Palm Springs
1. THE SHOPPING
The core-shopping district in Palm Springs is on Palm Canyon Drive. The very walkable downtown is great for window shopping. It features vintage boutiques, interior design shops and unique apparel. Here you’ll find many locally owned boutiques as well and a few larger popular fashion stores.
Enjoy top-notch vintage shopping and plan to take a little Palm Springs style home with you. Head to the Uptown Design District and you’ll find more vintage shopping and boutiques.
2. THE ART
Palm Springs Art Museum was founded in 1938 as the Palm Springs Desert Museum at La Plaza in downtown Palm Springs. Natural science exhibits, Cahuilla Indian artifacts and hiking excursions dominated the museum at the time. The 1960s were a busy time for the museum and it was "the prime cultural center of the desert." Today, the museum has 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens and is now one of Palm Springs’ finest treasures. The most surprising aspect of this museum is its stunning diversity of art, sculpture, and objects, from a vast variety of genres.
There’s an absolutely stunning amount of amazing sculpture inside this building. An entire wing of the museum is devoted to a series of 61 sculptures. If you have an interest in modernism and modern architecture, a rare and outstanding opportunity to see a piece of architectural history is visiting the Frey House II through the Modern Tour—a part of the Palm Springs Art Museum’s permanent collection. The modern minimalist home has remained untouched since renowned architect Albert Frey last set foot in it.
Source: Visit Palm Springs
No matter how you arrive in Palm Springs, you are greeted by wonder. It may take the form of expansive desert vistas, picturesque mountain inclines, or one of the many Palm Springs public art displays.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Prominently placed in the heart of Palm Canyon Drive, Jake’s is the ideal place to socialize with friends both old and new, talk business, and to celebrate and indulge. Experience vibrant energy complemented by truly genuine hospitality. Savor an impressive menu of elevated, comfort food and signature cocktails. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Sage it Ain't So—concocted by Jake’s award winning mixologist with Bulleit rye, Heradura añejo, blood orange purée, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, agave, fresh sage, and egg whites.
Jake’s in Palm Springs, California
Jake’s takes pride in sourcing the highest-quality ingredients available and using simple, pure, local and regional flavors in their made from scratch menu. Favorite dishes include General Tao Cauliflower with cauliflower florets, battered and fried served with a sweet and spicy sauce, Jake's Filet Mignon seared with red wine Demi-glacé, topped with crispy shallots, creamy mashed potatoes, grilled baby carrots, and asparagus, Seared Sea Scallops served on peach and Fresno chili sauce, jasmine lime rice, sautéed sugar snap peas, and grilled peach segments, Cioppino with sea bass, salmon, scallops, clams, and soft shell crab in a tomato based stew served with grilled toast, as well as Chilean Sea Bass with misoyaki glaze, ponzu breurre blanc, creamy mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of many decadent desserts. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
At the Moorten Botanical Garden, the Moorten family, all desert plant specialists—turned their residence estate into a living museum of desert lore. The private arboretum was created to share with everyone the beauty and extraordinary varieties, from desert trees and cacti from miniatures to giants, of desert plants from around the world.
It’s a classic collection of more than 3000 varieties of plants designed in concentrated habitats along a natural trail. The botanical garden is also home to a special exhibition of quite rare plants called “The World’s First Cactarium.” The Moorten’s Mediterranean style home, called “Cactus Castle” is in the Palm Grove Oasis, often described as a haven of tranquility.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
If you admire architecture—share the unbridled creativity of the master architects, who inspired by Palm Springs’ sweeping views, and a movie star or two, designed structures that are as futuristic now as when they were built in the mid-20th century. Powder blue, pink, and yellow doors! Glass, glass and more glass! Textured brick walls embracing open-air living spaces and gleaming pools. High-beamed ceilings and sunken floors. Nothing was off limits.
Where to begin? Anywhere! Landmark architecture is everywhere in Palm Springs. It’s the first thing to greet you and the last to say goodbye. Pick up A Map of Modern Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Visitors Center for a self-guided exploration that leads to 75 mid-century marvels and Palm Spring’s abundant architecturally significant neighborhoods. Must-sees include Old Las Palmas, boasting icons including the 1962 Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway and rows of “Swiss Miss” Alexander beauties. Twin Palms, a break-through housing “tract,” featuring 90 smaller equally stunning Alexanders by Krisel. And Racquet Club Estates, home to Wexler’s seven break-through 1961 Steel Houses that are made mostly of glass.
WHERE TO STAY IN PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
A soulful Palm Springs hotel, the Kimpton Rowan, an IHG Hotel, is an ethereal desert beauty where urban enchantments meet epic scenery. Spacious guest rooms and suites offer a restorative retreat after heart-thumping adventures on rugged trails or in the lively nightlife scenes of downtown Palm Springs. At the rooftop pool and bar, pair brilliant sunsets with masterful cocktails.
Dine at one of two chef-driven restaurants featuring seasonal, shareable small plates made from fresh, local ingredients. From vista points like their refreshing rooftop deck or the two-story cinematic window in the lobby—the views are stunning and unsurpassed. Embrace the downtown desert dreamland known as the Kimpton Rowan, an IHG Hotel. Book below to reserve your room at the lowest price, guaranteed.
Note: This information was accurate when this article was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
