Sometimes you crave trips where you explore the mega-cities of Asia, where you tackle the challenge of bargaining at night markets or conquer the top of a mighty mountain. But sometimes you simply want to explore somewhere new, somewhere invigorating and welcoming, filled with delicious food and inviting pool parties … and all under the blazing sunshine.

Voila,  let us introduce Palm Springs!

Arising from the Sonoran Desert in southern California like the best kind of oasis, this fabulous hangout of the Rat Pack in the 1950s and 60s embodies retro-chic and can still confer on visitors a hell of a good time.

While there’s an increasing hipster-fashionista crowd here, Palm Springs still has an open-to-everyone vibe that makes it appealing for weary travelers looking to unravel.  Perhaps that’s because it’s impossible to feel stressed when the sun shines 300 days a year.

The astonishing thing about Palm Springs is how wonderfully chilled it is. With the cerulean sky stretching endlessly above, time seems to slow down. Whether you want to hike, bike from coffee shop to the coffee shop, cherish the midcentury architecture or lie by a pool, you’ll be able to do that and leave all your worries behind.

Island time, without the island…

Palm Springs might have the reputation of being home to golf-playing retirees, but the contemporary resurgence means that it’s bursting at the seams with fashionable and colorful hotels, restaurants, and shops. There’s some truly great food to be eaten here, and we could easily spend the whole time going from restaurant to café to restaurant again.

But the place isn’t without culture or art. After all, a city that hosts an 11-day event dedicated to midcentury architecture (Modernism Week) and is moments away from the Coachella Festival Ground has to have a great cultural scene. It’s also one of the more LGBT-friendly cities in America, with the highest concentration of same-sex couples in the country.

With such excellent credentials, you won’t be surprised that there are loads of unique things to do in Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. But how should you fit them all in? With a long weekend in Palm Springs, of course, and thankfully, we have put together a fabulous itinerary for Palm Springs in three days to make everything easy for you. 

And if you are traveling as part of a more significant trip and hiring a car, might we suggest stringing together a trip to Palm Springs with San Diego, Santa Monica and Las Vegas for the ultimate road trip?

You’re welcome…

3 Days In Palm Springs: The Perfect Long Weekend Getaway! 🌴

Arrive in Fabulous Palm Springs

Recommended Host Hotel For Three Nights: Saguaro Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a Mecca for those who love the sun, heat, grand architecture, and healthy living. The Saguaro Palm Springs offers all of that with exceptional flashes of color and modern design.

The Saguaro captures the full color, modernity, and palm springs in a neat hotel-sized package. Add excellent food available at two separate restaurants and your preferred cocktail mixes available by the pool to the mix of careful curves and shaded walkways, and you have a winning formula.

The hotel features 245 guest rooms and facilities for daily yoga classes, morning and night. Expect a fully equipped room with TV, wireless internet, iPod Docking stations, 24-hour fitness facilities, and a full-service spa.

Three days here will get you in the Palm Springs vibe and prepare you for further adventures into the desert. If you are not convinced, we have ten reasons to stay at the Saguaro

Pool Time & Dinner @ El Jefe

Chances are you’ll be tired from your drive out from LA, or flight into Palm Springs airport, so now it is time to relax.

Grab a lounger and chill by the pool before heading to El Jefe for fast-flowing tequila and delicious Mexican street food.  A rustic and chic spot without pretense conveniently located at the Saguaro Palm Springs – so you don’t need to stress over leaving the resort tonight. 

There is a daily Happy Hour from 3–6 pm with great drink specials and Taco Tuesday + Taco Thursday specials since once a week is not enough!  Enjoy their small-plate menu, which is extensive yet not overwhelming, filled with south-of-the-border delights that we enjoyed in Mexico City and Campeche. 

Afterward, keep drinking, head out to explore the Palm Springs nightlife, or turn in early. The choice is yours! 

Day One In Palm Springs – Head Into The Iconic Desert
 

8:30 am –  Desert Adventures Jeep Tour Of The San Andreas Fault  

Desert Adventures Jeep Tour is the largest and most established outdoor adventure and eco-tour company operating out of the California desert. As a result, there are a large number of different tour and adventure packages available.

If you’re on a group trip, there are a number of team-building adventure packages. If you would like to learn more about the history and culture around San Andreas, you can opt for one of the slower options.

Whatever you choose, you will quickly immerse yourself in the unique geology, flora and fauna of the vast and sweeping desert landscape.

12:30 pm – Lunch @ BlackBook + Explore Arenas Road                                   

This chic establishment is great for grabbing a burger and some tasty fries. The waiters are polite and attentive, and the quick bites here are delicious and will keep you going for the day as you make your way around Palm Springs. The outdoor seating is perfect for people-watching, though sitting inside gives you a prime view of the happening bar. 

While Palm Springs is exceedingly LGBT-friendly for the inexperienced, the biggest concentration of LGBT-owned venues in Palm Springs is on E. Arenas Road around Blackbook, so if you have extra time, why not explore a little? 

There is so much to see and do here – by day or by night – we couldn’t possibly list it all, but some of the highlights have to be BIKE Palm Springs Rentals is with affordable rates and fun itineraries you can recreate as a do-it-yourself tour – and don’t miss popping into GayMart for some truly vibrant, out-of-this-world gay fashion choices.

There is also a video bar, piercing shop, Paino bar, fetish stores, nightclub, and more  – plus plenty of annual rainbow community events that let everyone know that are welcome as they are 24/7.

The Arenas Road Gaybourhood has a fabulous feeling about it – and no list of unique things to do in Palm Springs would be complete without a visit here. 

2:30 pm – Sake Tasting @ Wabi Sabi Japan Living

Wabi-Sabi Japan Living is the incredible creation of Darrel Baum and Osamu Sagara. These guys love Japan and hope to show the country’s cuisine in a completely new light. Here, you’ll be able to find exotic delights such as Shochu, a specialty Japanese distilled liquor famous for its sweet, aromatic flavors.

Of course, Sake is available here, but the collection is curated with intense care, and the staff can likely help you explore and discover new flavors. It’s not quite the all-you-can-drink-sake session we had in Tokyo, but we still had plenty of fun. Finally, a selection of Japanese beers offers a different take on your favorite drink.

The taste experience here is possible due to the creators Darrell and Osamu’s passion for Japan, so if you want to learn more about the country and the drinks, feel free to ask the staff. They take annual trips back to Tokyo, Osaka, Nasu and the like to ensure their selection remains relevant and of the highest quality. 

Ultimately, Wabi-Sabi Japan Living aims to be a little home for Japanese culture in Palm Springs, CA, and we think they have achieved that. 

Afterward, explore the Palm Springs downtown more – or head back for cocktails by the pool. 

7:00 pm  – Dinner @ EightFourNine

A great dinner in the Uptown Design District is found in the refined but homely EIGHT4NINE restaurant.

This new establishment uses classical farmhouse tables paired with clean, modern chairs to blend luxury with warmth, creating a comfortable atmosphere that is the perfect base for chef Chuck Courtney’s unique cuisine. The restaurant also features a spacious lounge area that mixes Louis XIV ghost chairs with a bold and brilliant backlit Onyx black bar.

The Lounge is the place to find fine wines, fruity cocktail blends, and an all-day reasonably priced menu offering lighter bites. The main menu aims to celebrate modern American cuisine through both presentation and taste. A four-course set menu is available for $48.

The main portions are generous and set off by the unique surroundings. Each meal is crafted beautifully in its own right, and you should expect to be amazed by Chef Courtney’s incredible concoctions. There is both inside and outside dining available.

Head to the patio to sit alongside an incredible collection of sculptures and views out on the marvelous San Jacinto mountains.

Afterward, you can opt to explore the nightlife of Palm Springs or return back with a full stomach for a much-deserved sleep.

Day Two In Palm Springs – Up That Gorgeous Mountain…

8:30 am  – Breakfast @ Pinocchio in the Desert

Pinocchio’s will ensure you have a big start to your day with American classics served in healthy portions. If you want to enjoy the day, you could go for their bottomless champagne options. However, if you need the bump start of coffee to get you moving, they have that too.

Fun, hip, and affordable – this is the perfect place to recover from a hangover—the hair of the dog and all that. The bottomless champagne is the famous go-to for most clientele, but we loved the fishbowl Bloody Marys combined with lobster benedict!

10:00 am- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Chino Canyon is the site of the world’s largest rotating tramcar, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. As with all things in Palm Springs, the journey starts with a walk through great architecture at the base station. You’ll then soon find yourself drifting up the 1700 meters to the mountain station.

The journey takes just under thirteen minutes, and you’ll be whizzing past the valley sides and through various temperature regions. Keep your eye out for the endangered Big Horn Sheep in the region. When you reach the top, make sure you’ve brought a jacket as you’re now standing at a remarkable 2,500 meters, and the temperatures here can be much colder.

There is an observation point at the Mountain Station, an architectural marvel built at the top of the valley, from which to admire the view. Alternatively, head to the restaurant or cafeteria, where you’ll be able to find food, or the lounge bar, which overlooks the entirety of Palm Springs laid out on the desert floor below.

Finally, if you’re looking for some adventure and exercise after admiring the view, you can head out on the 50 miles of hiking trails. However, it’s best to plan ahead to avoid getting lost and make the most of your time on the mountain.

2:00 pm –  Lunch @ Trio Palm Springs      

You’ll find chic modernish at Trio Palm Springs. The staff knows all the best combinations and is happy to help you pair your wine with your starter or a main with a great dessert. The food here is elegantly crafted and well presented, with great meat and fish options with dazzling glazes and marinades.

While you’re waiting for your meal, it is worth taking a look at the incredible art on display. This makes dining at the Tri Palm Springs a complete sensory experience.

3:30 pm – Escape Room Palm Springs

If you’re unfamiliar, the concept is simple and surprisingly fun. As a group, you enter a room and have 60 minutes to solve a range of clues to get out. All escape rooms have different themes, and the activities may include finding and using objects within the room, solving riddles and answering questions.

At the Escape Rooms in Palm Springs, there are six award-winning games to choose from, and the Palm Springs Escape Room is rated one of the top things to do in all of Southern California.

Trust us. We questioned whether this would be a good idea as well, but we had the best time—we loved the challenge and bonding experience. Whether you are heading as a couple or a larger group, the team here can suggest the best room to test your skills! 

7:00 pm – Dinner And Show @ Oscar’s Cabaret          

Palm Springs longest-running show since The Follies, Oscar’s Cabaret is a world-class celebrity female impersonation dinner-show, starring the world’s most famous female. We have seen some pretty amazing drag shows in Providence, Washington DC and Montreal, and can promise you the acts at Oscars are up there with the best of them… 

Every Friday and Saturday night, you will find the world-famous James ‘Gypsy’ Haake! Sit in, grab a cocktail for the exceptional celebrity impersonation show, and see how long it takes to guess the character. Food and drinks are served from 6.30 pm with the show starting at 8 pm, which makes Oscar’s a great evening of entertainment.

Can you can’t time your visit for a Friday or Saturday? They have a fantastic tea party LGBT dance on Sunday afternoons, comedy shows, and other events throughout the week that draw in a crowd.

Day Three In Palm Springs – Time To Say Goodbye!

8:00 am – Breakfast @ACE Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs

The ACE Hotel and Swim Club is all about regeneration. Originally the site of the classic desert modern buildings of the ’50s is an intriguing twist on what regeneration could be for these American boom-time buildings.

There are some amazing clubhouse exteriors just out from the sides of the building. Carefully selected color schemes and intriguing positioning mean you’ll constantly feel like you’re sitting in a curated art piece. Your Instagram feed will thank you.

We first fell in love with the Ace Hotel in New York, but they have 12 other locations worldwide, including Kyoto, Toronto, and London. This hotel is a must-see for style enthusiasts, as with so much in Palm Springs. The hotel is nestled under the San Jacinto hills, with bold edges and sharp shadows that cut into the hillside.

Commune, an architectural firm famous for transforming old 20th-century spaces into luxurious 21st-century accommodations, directed the hotel’s renovation. Of course, there are nods to the building’s foundations, with bare stone walls and slanted ceilings from the golden age of America, but the overall feeling is of something completely different.

It’s enough just to spend the day walking around this beautiful hotel, but once you’re done taking pictures or basking in its wide-open spaces, you can head to the restaurant Kings Highway for ACE Hotels’ reimagining of the roadside diner.

The food is built around local and fresh ingredients and tastes as synonymous with old California as rich mahogany. Guests can also head to the Amigo room for artisanal cocktails and craft beers or Stumptown Coffee for coffee beans roasted with as much style as the architecture.

There are two big pools on site, which are great for relaxing, and all rooms come equipped with a garden patio. If you’re tired of sunbathing by the pool, head to your room and the patio for a more private experience. On the weekends, local DJs arrive at the pool, getting the party going with disco and house sets. If you’re looking for live music on the weekend, head for the amigo rooms.