Palm Springs Restaurant Tips

There are 175 places to eat in Palm Springs, from fast food to fine dining, so there’s no need to ever go hungry, no matter what you’re looking for. Cuisine ranges from Asian to Vegatarian, and everything in between. You’ll be surprised at the variety of restaurants in this small city, almost all within walking distance from your Palm Springs resort. Many restaurants are owned and operated by award winning chefs, so you can expect some remarkable dining experiences.

Some restaurants are geared primarily to visitors; others are more local “hang-outs.” Some do a lot of advertising, while others do no advertising at all, but on any weekend during the visitor season it is almost impossible to find an open table from 7:00-8:30 pm.

A few things to keep in mind about dining in Palm Springs:

Palm Springs is an early dining city – Few restaurants (although the number is slowly growing) serve dinner past 10:00 pm, especially during mid-week. If you are looking for dining deals, many restaurants offer “early-bird” specials in the late afternoon.

Fine dining attire is California casual – Remember that most people are off to dinner after a day of golf, hiking, or lounging by the pool. For men, shorts and a colorful shirt is acceptable at even the most high end restaurant. I can’t think of any Palm Springs restaurant that requires a jacket and tie.

Some restaurants are closed during the summer – Although some restaurants do close completely for a portion of the summer, more and more are either simply limiting their mid-week hours or completely eliminating their closures. You will still find plenty of good restaurants in Palm Springs during the summer.

Restaurants do come and go – Due to the small size of Palm Springs, the comings and goings of restaurants may be more noticeable than in larger cities, but every year some close and others open. It is often hard for website portals to keep up with all the changes.

Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast to start the day, a casual lunch on an outside patio or an evening of fine dining and entertainment, there are many great choices in Palm Springs. I can recommend a pizza place that serves what I consider the best pizza I’ve ever eaten, a restaurant that grows its own herbs in their on-site herb garden, a bakery that will deliver a fresh sandwich box lunch or salad to your resort, or one of the well kept reasonably priced local secrets that most visitors never find.

Palm Springs Best Places to Stay

At last count there are almost 130 choices of accommodations in the small resort city of Palm Springs itself, ranging from full service convention hotels (9) like Hilton, Hyatt Regency and Riviera Palm Springs to mid-size resorts (25) such as Travelodge, Best Western and the very upscale Viceroy Palm Springs, and including almost 50 boutique hotels and inns with 50 rooms or less, over 25 LGBT exclusive resorts, and an variety of companies providing vacation home rentals, condos and timeshares.

Where you stay depends on what you want, and of course, availability. There is everything from the four star Parker Palm Springs to very small boutique resorts with an old west or even traditional Japanese flair. You could stay in a traditional Mediterranean pensione or a mid-century modern resort complete with gourmet kitchens in each suite, or a four bedroom vacation home with your own private pool and spa.

You could try to explore each of these options on various websites and portals, or you can let me help you. I know each of these properties and companies, their owners and managers, their upsides and downsides. I can often arrange for deals and discounts. I’ll give you my best recommendations. Let me help match your preferences with the best available resort accommodations in Palm Springs for your special vacation.

Palm Springs is not Palm Desert

First time visitors to Palm Springs sometimes get a bit confused regarding exactly what is or isn’t “Palm Springs.” The entire Coachella Valley is often referred to generally as the Palm Springs area or the Palm Springs Desert Resorts. But there is a huge difference in ambience between the City of Palm Springs and the remainder of the Palm Springs area.

The City of Palm Springs has an historic, small town feel based around our main street, Palm Canyon Drive. Shopping and fine restaurants, live entertainment, museums, ancient Indian land and oases, local golf courses and tennis courts, hiking trails, a first rate casino and the Palm Springs Aerial Tram can all be reached by foot, bike, or a short drive or cab ride. Depending on what you want from your vacation, a car is nice, but not a necessity when staying in the City of Palm Springs.

The City of Palm Springs offers a variety of small individualized resorts, unique chef-owned restaurants, boutique shops and galleries and a focus on personalized rest, relaxation and fun.

Don’t confuse Palm Springs, however, with Palm Desert (or other desert cities like Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells or La Quinta). These cities are more like typical southern California (albeit with a desert twist) – sprawling and without a central “downtown” area. These cities are home to our most exclusive large convention and resort hotels, many including their own golf courses, and are perfect for those wishing a more “stay at the resort” experience.

Everything off resort property, however, requires transportation. If you choose to stay other than in Palm Springs itself, I strongly recommend a car for transportation to restaurants, activities and attractions.

It all comes down to what you want! As you plan your special vacation, consider carefully the address of your accommodation choices.  It will make a big difference in your experience. Let me know if you want some help with local top pick recommendations based on what you are looking for

Desert Paradise of Contrasts

Coachella Valley is 40 miles long and 15 miles wide, surrounded by 4 mountain ranges including the 2 highest mountain peaks in southern California. Under the desert floor is the 2^nd largest underground aquifer in the United States, providing water to the entire valley. Running up the valley is the San Andreas Fault allowing water to seep up to ground level from the aquifer.

The western entrance to the valley is through the San Gorgonio Pass, one of the deepest mountain passes in the U.S., and one of the windiest places in North America. This distinctive geology has created what is called a “rain shadow” desert – home to over 500 species of native plants, 200 species of birds, 25 different species of reptiles and over 30 species of mammals, ranging from bats to bighorn sheep.

The valley is comprised of a number of separate city entities, all contiguous and stretching the length of the valley. Total valley population during the months of October-May is 610,000, making the valley comparable in size during season to the cities of Boston, Seattle and Denver.

Each city, although part of this extended Coachella Valley metromix, is unique and distinct. Indio, at the east end of the valley is the center of the second largest industry in the valley – agriculture – the first table grapes of the summer season and the nation’s largest date-growing region. With ideal climate and conditions for growing dates, the Coachella Valley produces 95 percent of all dates grown in the United States. During May and June, fields overflow with red, yellow and green peppers; seedless watermelon; cantaloupe; eggplant and the first sweet corn of the season.

Palm Springs, at the west end of the valley is home to the largest valley industry, tourism. It has the highest density of tourism accommodations and attractions of any other valley city, and is the only real “walking” city. Known as the former “Playground to the Stars,” it is now estimated that Palm Springs resident population is 40%-50% gay or lesbian, making Palm Springs (on a per capita basis) the biggest little gay city in the world.

Between Palm Springs and Indio are over 100 golf courses, many large resort hotels, El Paseo shopping district (known as the Rodeo Drive of Palm Springs) and the City of Indian Wells, one of the wealthiest communities in the country.

The Coachella Valley is a region of stark contrasts – going from desert floor at 0 feet above sea level to the top of Mt. San Jacinto at 10,800 feet above sea level – from ancient history of Native Americans living in the area almost 2,000 years ago to the modern technology of the San Gorgonio Wind Turbine Farms – from migrant farmers to some of the wealthiest individuals in this country – from a conservative political viewpoint expressed by many east valley residents to a progressive viewpoint at the west end of the valley (Palm Springs elected the first openly gay African American mayor in the country).

What is special about the Coachella Valley is that these stark contrasts all work together to create a unique desert vacation environment, sustained by our natural contrasts and also a real tolerance for individuality and diversity.

Palm Springs Weather

Palm Springs features abundant sunshine, clear blue skies, low humidity, warm temperatures and only a hint of rain. This area is one of the most reliable and consistent sunny destinations in the U.S.

On average 330+ days each year are sunny. Rainfall is almost non-existent and the humidity is low in the Palm Springs area, reflecting our minimal annual rainfall. There are usually only 10 or fewer days each year during which rain actually falls in Palm Springs.

Air quality is almost always good since the surrounding mountains provide a barrier preventing the smog above the Los Angeles basin (to the west) from reaching Palm Springs.

Temperatures vary between seasons, ranging from moderate to hot. High temperatures are usually in the late afternoon and cool off quickly once the sun drops below the San Jacinto Mountains to the west. The difference between daily highs and lows is usually around 30°F.

Palm Springs is really a 4 season vacation destination:

Spring – February-May. Temperatures range from an average early morning low of 55°F to an afternoon high of 85°F (13°C-29°C). This is our busiest visitor season with many events, activities and a beautiful desert wildflower show.

Summer – June-September. It’s hot! Average temperatures are 75°-105°F (24°-41°C), but we have low humidity, and with misters in most public places and cooling towers for our pools it’s still a wonderful time for sun lovers to visit. In August we do get a small amount of humidity do to monsoon weather coming up from Mexico.

Fall – October-November. Our seasonal residents return. Temperatures are similar to spring; it’s time for desert reawaking after our long hot summer. It’s my favorite season!

Winter – December-January. Our coldest and wettest months, but not bad in comparison to other locations. Temperatures average 40°-70°F (4°-21°C). Most pools are heated to above 85°F (29°C) and December is a great holiday time; January is the official start of our social season.

No matter when you decide to visit Palm Springs, it will be a unique and special adventure!

Palm Springs Resorts - LGBT - El Mirasol Villas

525 Warm Sands Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92264

800-327-2985

http://www.elmirasol.com/

If your idea of the perfect gay Palm Springs vacation includes a relaxing get-away at a resort featuring luxurious gardens with citrus trees, as well as a sense of amazing old Palm Springs history (both gay and straight), then El Mirasol Villas is a great place to consider.  El Mirasol was originally built by Howard Hughes in the 1940’s as a six building compound primarily to entertain his female visitors. The compound was turned into a hotel in the 1950’s and was once owned by Bob Hope. In 1976 it became the first gay exclusive resort in Palm Springs.

History aside, what really makes this resort for me is the landscaping. Owner hosts Paul and Bruce have created an outdoor sensory explosion that includes all the amenities Palm Springs gay travelers have come to expect. The resort is actually comprised of two adjacent properties, the original Hughes compound with a tropical flavor, and a second property that has a more desert landscape feel. On my recent visit Paul showed me a hummingbird nest right next to one of the walkways – a first for me.

Meandering garden paths and Mexican paver walkways lead to fountains, fireplaces, two swimming pools, a 10-man Jacuzzi Spa, outdoor shower and eucalyptus steam room, all amongst splendid mountain views and soft background music.

All rooms and suites in this 15 room Warm Sands area resort are spacious and comfortable, decorated with a southwest flair, include a California king bed, fridge and the property is WIFI enabled. There is nothing spectacular about the rooms, however, with the incredible outdoor surroundings, I think that is minor. There are either poolside or bungalow studios, some with private patios. The deluxe studios include a separate partial kitchen with microwave.  El Mirasol also has one and two bedroom bungalow suites which include a queen sleeper in the living room as well as partial kitchen.

This is certainly a resort where one can settle in for a week’s stay or longer and really make this home away from home.

For more information on El Mirasol Villas, check out their website. If you would like other LGBT resort recommendations for your special Palm Springs vacation please contact me.

Backstreet Art District Palm Springs

2600 South Cherokee Way

Palm Springs, CA 92264

760-780-8484

www.backstreetartdistrict.com

This past week I explored a wonderful new Palm Springs art destination.

The Backstreet Art District is comprised of a dozen or so artist-owned galleries and working studios, all featuring collections of original art by nationally and internationally recognized artists including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and ceramics.  

The “district,” located at the east end of Palm Springs, is actually a small new strip mall hidden behind the Mercedes car dealership and about two blocks from the Parker Palm Springs Hotel.

It’s an easy stroll between the galleries and studios, and a great opportunity to see a wonderful variety of contemporary art. What I enjoyed most, however, was talking to the artists, understanding their viewpoints, and seeing some of their “works in progress.” If you are interested in contemporary art this is great way spend a couple of hours up close and personal with art and artists.  

“ART WALKS” are held the first Wednesday of every month from 6-9 pm. The galleries are all open and refreshments are served. Check out the Backstreet Art District website for links to all of the individual galleries as well as a listing of upcoming events.