A West Coast Getaway

Palm Springs is no longer just a jaunt for the Hollywood A-Listers, now East Coasters can easily soak up the California sun! With a direct flight from Jet Blue out of Logan, available in the springtime, one can take advantage of all of that the desert valley has to offer. Shopping, dining and relaxing is what Palm Springs is best known for, but there is something for everyone, including culture, adventure and art to explore.

There is no shortage of fabulous places to stay in The Palm Springs area, and Hotel Paseo Autograph Collection by Marriott in Palm Desert is a perfect boutique, luxury hotel for a Palm Springs area weekend! Paseo is modern with a hip vintage feel, stay in a 1950’s Airstream, surrounded by a putting green, crystal blue pool dotted with cabanas, and a tiki bar! All located steps from the high-end shopping Mecca of El Paseo, “Rodeo Drive of the Desert.”  

Mid-Century architecture is paramount in the Valley, where chic design is a way of life. This is evident everywhere you look, and for design enthusiasts, traveling during Modernism Week is a must! This is a week long festival with a variety of events and tours celebrating mid-century architecture, art, fashion and culture. Highlights of Modernism week include an open air double-decker house tour which includes the must see homes of the area including, Twin Palms, Frank Sinatra’s first home in the area, Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann Desert House, The Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymoon home  and of course the architecture of Franck Lloyd Wright.

For the love of flora, history and art, a visit to Sunnylands Center & Gardens Is a grand experience. Located in Rancho Mirage, the public can walk the environmentally sensitive space where high-level international leaders have roamed. There are over 9 acres of gardens, water features and beautiful walking paths to enjoy, in addition to endless photo opportunities.

While in Palm Springs be sure to take advantage of the many hiking trails and adventure opportunities around with varying levels of difficulty. Plan a hike through Joshua Tree National Park or fly above the trails on a rotating tram car for 2.5 miles up the steep 8,000 feet to Mt. San Jacinto Sate Park  on the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway where you can explore snow covered trails. Desert Adventures, offers expertly guided tours of the desert in their signature red Jeeps which include discovering native cultures the walking along the legendary San Andreas Fault.

Not to be outdone by the beauty and landscape of Palm Springs is the endless shopping that can be found along Palm Canyon Drive. Dotted with Royal Palm trees and twinkling lights, this is the heartbeat of Palm Springs. Studded with famous art galleries, such as the surrealist beauty of the  Elena Bulatova Fine Art Gallery, boasting oversized technicolor lollipops and mixed media. There are endless vintage boutiques, mid-century home décor shops, such as that of the famed Christopher Kennedy, known for his nostalgic modernism and vintage flair.   

Palm Springs is bursting with cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars to satisfy any gastronomic whim. For breakfast, try the very cool Kings Highway & The Amigo Room at the Ace hotel. Start the day with a Date Shake, the official drink of Palm Springs, while enjoying the retro vibe of the restored roadside diner. For al fresco dining in the heart of uptown, grab an outside table at Eight4Nine surrounded by pretty greenery and crisp white furniture. Sip on a handcrafted cocktail and share carefully curated dishes such as Ahi Tuna Poke or Smoked Chicken Sandwich with melted Brie and apricot chutney while soaking up the afternoon sun.

There is no shortage of nightlife in Palm Springs, from drag bingo, poolside discos, late night dance clubs  to retro cocktail lounges. A great place to start the night is at the iconic Lulu’s California Bristo, with a diverse menu excellent service and hearty portions surrounded by an eclectic collection of art. A “must” on the Lulu’s menu is the fresh spun cloud of pink cotton candy to satisfy any instagram post!

There are endless ways to fill a weekend in Palm Springs, from poolside to mountaintop! Pack a weekender tote and book a flight this spring to get a taste of warm California sun with a vintage vibe!