Before my first visit to Palm Springs, I created a personal bucket list including mid-century modern anything, tiki-inspired cocktails and postcard-worthy swimming pools.
My husband, on the other hand, had only one must-see item on his list — a visit to the Palm Springs Air Museum. And, since it was his birthday, the popular aviation museum was where we started our three days in the desert (check).
As a Second World War history buff my husband was immediately drawn to the planes and exhibits from that era, but he was also impressed with the entire museum. My favourites were the planes and bombers adorned with paintings of everything from pin-up girls to sharks completed during the Second World War when artists created thousands of insignias for military members to represent their individual ships, bomb groups, squadrons, battalions and units.
To better highlight the work of these iconic artists, the museum is presenting a travelling exhibit called War Time Designs: the Insignia Art of World War Two on now through April 15.
With a visit to the museum checked off my husband’s list we turned our attention to mine, starting with the mid-century modern designs of the Palm Springs Riviera Hotel, which opened in 1959 and was fashioned after popular Las Vegas hotels of the day, including the Sands and the Flamingo.
That made the hotel immediately popular with celebrities of the day, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley. After spending the afternoon by the Riviera’s “postcard-worthy” pool (check) we enjoyed an intimate dinner at Cantala, where we celebrated my husband’s birthday in a romantic setting surrounded by a canopy of trees. Cantala’s interior decor includes feature walls with inset shelves filled with reclaimed terra-cotta pots full of moss and cacti, which gives the room an earthy, calm vibe.
The next day we left the sophisticated Riviera for the more casual and much smaller Hotel California where, unlike the famous Eagles’ song, we were eventually able to leave — but not until we were completely enamored by this charming spot and the quirky cast of characters we met during our two-night stay.
The hotel’s 14 rooms surround a pool and spa set among a lush courtyard where banana palm trees and tropical plants and flowers create the feeling of a desert oasis. The California Spanish mission-style hotel is a combination of rustic charm, romance and practicality — a well-stocked, shared kitchen and outdoor grills mean guests can cook for themselves, which can help keep costs down. But with a food and cocktail scene rivalling that of many larger, you’ll want to check out a few of these popular spots we discovered.
FARM Palm Springs: We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at this farm-chic favourite inspired by the South of France. The Provencal-style menu is comprised of traditional French dishes, brimming with locally sourced produce, eggs and artisanal meats. Coffee is served in a French-press and their teas are loose-leaf, which take some time but is also your cue to relax and enjoy the experience. The jams are all house made and our breakfasts tasted fresh and delicious.
Truss & Twine: This second concept from executive chef Michael Beckman specializes in classic cocktails broken down by era, including a few Prohibition and tiki favourites we enjoyed (check). Meanwhile the desert-inspired food menu includes ingredients from the nearby Coachella Valley and snout-to-tail charcuterie offerings we really enjoyed. A stunning bar plays centre stage to the room, which has a sophisticated, hip feel to it. Check out the website for a schedule of entertainment.
Barn Kitchen: Every Wednesday and Saturday Barn Kitchen, located within Sparrow’s Lodge, hosts a one-seating, family-style dinner. The set menu is served either inside the barn or under a canopy of gorgeous foliage, weather depending. When we visited the Barn, it was smoking hot outside so we ate dinner inside in air-conditioned comfort. It was fun to meet other diners from around the world as we enjoyed dishes served family style.
We didn’t have nearly enough time to even begin to complete a full bucket list, which means a second trip to Palm Springs is in the works. For ideas on creating your own Palm Springs bucket list check out my suggestions below or go to visitpalmsprings.com.
If you go:
Let local celebrity designer and mid-century modern expert Kurt Cyr be your guide to everything mod Palm Springs has to offer. Artists, designers, architects and Hollywood stars have been drawn to this corner of the Southern California desert for more than 100 years, making the city a hot bed of creativity and cool you might not otherwise see without a tour.
Enjoy street art, music, food, fashion, classic cars, wellness demonstrations, a street party, dancing, kids zones, hikes and so much more during First Weekend celebrations every month now through May. The majority of events are free to enjoy.
We sang along (badly) at Karaoke Night at the Ace during our brief visit to Palm Springs and I can’t remember that last time I laughed so hard, but only because it was so much fun -- remember, everyone is a rock star at the Ace. I heard from friends that Bingo Night is also a must-do, so I’m adding that to our list for next time.
You’ll experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. Once you arrive at Mountain Station there are more than 50 miles of hiking trails to enjoy. The temperature at the top is also much cooler than in the desert below.
Support local artists and find beautiful and unique gifts and desert mementos while enjoying the natural beauty of the desert mountains. Join Friends of the Desert Mountains at their monthly Art Faire at Santa Rosa-San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Check out the website for a complete list of dates.
International Bear Convergence
The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will welcome thousands of frisky, furry bears, their friends and their fans Feb. 8 to 12 for this fifth annual event. The four-day festival will come to life with DJs, live entertainment and thousands of bears from around the globe. Visit ibc-ps.com.
This impressive museum features 28 galleries, five art storage vaults, two sculpture gardens, a lecture hall, theatre, store and cafe so plan to spend some time. The collection features art of the Americas and 20th century California, Western American, Native American, Mesoamerican art and artifacts, contemporary glass works, photography, modern architecture and design, and graphic works on paper. The museum is free every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.
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