FMK and I recently skipped off to Palm Springs for the weekend to celebrate our birthdays and it was exactly the type of getaway we needed. Sunshine, chic hotels, beautiful design, delicious food, and just the right amount of outdoor activity.

I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about where to go in Palm Springs so I wanted to share our favorite spots as well as reader recommendations — thanks to everyone who messaged me with your favorite spots! Check out our list below and let me know in the comments if I missed any must-visit places! xo

Brunch

Cheeky’s: Perfect spot to post up for brunch – they serve breakfast all day (Wednesday – Monday from 8am to 2pm). Don’t miss their homemade pastries! The menu changes weekly so they can always offer the season’s best and most fresh local foods.  Be prepared for a wait, but luckily their sister restaurant next door, Birba, doesn’t open until dinner, so grab a coffee and hang on the patio until your table is ready!

Norma’s: This trendy terrace restaurant is one of a couple food destinations located at the Parker Palm Springs Hotel where we stayed. They serve breakfast all day and into the night and you do not want to miss their fresh squeezed orange juice and insanely decadent french toast.

Lulu’s: We didn’t have time to check out bistro Lulu’s but it came highly recommended. It has an all day happy hour and is open from breakfast until late.  This was one of the most requested sent in from our reader recommendations.

Wilma & Frieda: We needed to get a bit of shopping done (I forgot to pack my denim jacket and the evenings were cool) so we decided to grab brunch at Wilma & Frieda which is conveniently located in a shopping center.  The food was absolutely amazing and they have the best Bloody Mary (and I don’t even like Bloody Mary’s, but this one might have changed my mind!). The location isn’t the most scenic, but the food is delicious and it’s the perfect lunch break if, like me, you did forget to pack something and need to do some quick shopping.

Reservoir: This is another spot we didn’t get around to but that was recommended by a lot of people. It’s located at the trendy Arrive Hotel and has amazing mountain views so I thought it was worth including.

Dinner:

Eight4Nine: We loved visiting this modern New American restaurant in town. The interiors are quirky and playful and the unique dishes are delicious.

Birba: Owned by the same folks as Cheeky’s, Birba has a beautiful patio and a delicious selection of pizza and pasta for a casual evening al fresco!

Mister Parker: This is another restaurant located at the Parker Palm Springs Hotel where we stayed. It’s dinner only and has a swanky, trendy feel.  We arrived in the evening our first night in town so opted to just eat dinner at the hotel and it did not disappoint!

Jillian’s: This chic Palm Springs establishment came highly recommend, but were booked when we heard about it and tried to get a reservation (the next day). It’s definitely one of the hotspots in town so plan accordingly if you can!

Workshop Kitchen + Bar: Since we were only in town three nights, we didn’t personally dine here, but I am sharing this as another reader recommendation.  This chic dinner-only restaurant in the Uptown Design District is known for their farm-to-table fare and unique craft cocktails. Keeping this one on the list for our next visit!

Site Seeing

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: The world’s largest rotating tram car travels along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon. The ride is around ten minutes and the car rotates slowly so that you can get views and pictures at every angle.  This is a must do!

Windmills: The thousands of windmills at the entrance of Coachella Valley are an amazing sight to see. These “windmills” are actually wind turbines and are part of several wind farms which create electricity.

Joshua Tree National Park: A little under an hour’s drive from Palm Springs, this renowned national park is known by hikers and Instagrammers for the amazing Joshua trees and desert views over Coachella Valley.

That Pink Door: Perhaps the most photographed residential door in the city, this has become quiet the instagram hot spot!  Drive down this dreamy neighborhood and capture your own instagram moment.  This mid century dream was not surprisingly honored as one of the “Best Homes in America” in the 25th Anniversary edition of Metropolitan Home.  (location:  1100 East Sierra Way in the Indian Canyon area of Palm Springs)

Flamingos at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa: Nothing says Palm Springs quite like pink flamingos! Snap some pics of the colorful birds at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.

 Hikes

Indian Canyon: There are multiple trails at Indian Canyon (about 20 minutes from Palm Springs) including the Andreas Canyon trail which is super easy if you are looking for a leisurely walk or if you have kiddos with you.  Palm Canyon is more strenuous at 15 miles long, but the waterfall at the beginning is worth checking out even if you don’t complete the full hike.

La Quinta: You can’t visit Palm Springs without enjoying fresh air on a scenic desert hike! About 45 minutes from Palm Springs are trails at La Quinta along the cove and mountains. Bear Creek Canyon Trail is one of the more popular hikes.

Frank Bogert Hiking Trail. Tucked away behind a residential neighborhood, this is an easy hike with incredible views.  Plus, it’s free and it’s never crowded.  (Recommendation from Kelly Golightly.)

Drinks

Parker Lemonade Stand: We loved grabbing drinks at our hotel bar which is also super popular with people outside of hotel guests. The citrus colored striped awning makes it such a cheerful spot for a colorful concoction.

Melvyn’s: A classic Palm Springs establishment where stars like Frank Sinatra would frequent in Old Hollywood days. Perfect spot for an old school martini.

The Ritz- Carlton, Rancho Mirage: You can’t beat the cliffside views during sunset at The Ritz. Perfect pre-dinner drink spot to watch the sun set by the outdoor fire pits.

Hotels

Parker Palm Springs: This is where we stayed and we loved the Jonathan Adler playful decor and trendy feel of the hotel. It’s bustling and has a nightlife scene, so this is your place if you’re looking to be in the middle of it all.

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage: Luxurious hotel accommodations and spa with unbeatable views, resort pools, and access to the best golf courses in the area.

La Quinta Resort & Club: A Waldorf Astoria property, this hotel has multiple golf courses, a spa, and has a selection of casitas and villas in addition to hotel rooms.

The Avalon: This chic hotel is inspired by the “golden age” of Palm Springs with classic Spanish architecture and private villas.

Please share any of your personal recommendations in the comments below for us all to enjoy on our next trip to the dessert. 😉