Hi Friends!
It’s been a bit. Thanks for stickin’ with me on this wild and weird year. I’m sure we can all cut each other a bit of slack as we figure out our ~new groove~.
As more and more people have been getting vaccinated over the last month, I’ve felt a lot more comfortable traveling within the state of California with an itch to get away – even for the weekend. Admittedly, I was feeling a bit burnt out (I’m actually reading a book called Burnout as well) and decided to take a trip with one of my close friends to Palm Springs.
I’m a terrible planner, but luckily my friend isn’t. He planned the majority of things this weekend and I’m excited to share a few of my favorites with you!
Where we stayed
My friend has good taste so I trusted him regardless of where we stayed. But damn, he hit it out of the park with this one! We stayed at Les Cactus – a 28 room resort that is colorful, quirky and oh so fun. Built in the 1930s and 1940s, and a past life as a nude resort, Les Cactus has been restored to a beautiful (and affordable!!!) hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously and welcomes everyone.
There’s a pool, WiFi, complimentary breakfast (the croissants are DELICIOUS!), and tons of unique spots to lounge or chill.
I know there’s a variety of places to choose from when visiting Palm Springs, but I highly recommend checking this cutie out.
What we ate
When hunger strikes, Palm Springs is where it’s at to dig in. Word to the wise upfront (especially during COVID) – make reservations! This is pretty essential as we’re all still navigating this new normal and many bars and restaurants are trying to make it as safe for guests as they can.
Okay, so back to the food. Some highlights include:
Mr. Lyon’s: Snag a steak and a delicious cocktail and sit on the patio. You won’t regret it.
Sherman’s Deli & Bakery: I miss a good deli and Sherman’s was admittedly one of my favorite places we went to. The breakfasts are big and their menu rivals a long novel.
Trio: Cute little outdoor patio! The food was fine, but the ambiance was really nice. Go if you love people watching!
Las Palmas: Brewery on the main drag that has tons of beer and cheeky wine to sip on. The branding is also chef’s kiss
1501 Gastropub: A little north up the main drag, but it just opened in early 2021 and is very airy and cute! Split a salad and go wild with your main dish.
Birba: A personal favorite and I totally forgot I went here a few years prior and loved it. The italian food is delightful and they make a mean espresso martini on the rocks. Yes, I know I’m basic.
What we did
Admittedly, my friend and I did a lot of “pool time.” I blame San Francisco’s always around 55 degree weather, but my body needed to soak up some sun a la Sheryl Crow. That being said, we did in fact do a few activities that were absolutely delightful!
Palm Springs Art Museum – A fabulous little museum founded in 1938 that has a variety of works that include photographs, paintings, sculptures and more.
Moorten Botanical Garden – A privately owned arboretum that’s home to a variety of desert trees, plants, and cacti come from around the world! Epic photoshoot locations available everywhere, too!
Modernism Week – This was one of the highlights! We serendipitously got to Palm Springs during Modernism Week which is an annual celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. We only did one tour but I honestly could have done this the entire time and been thrilled. We toured a mid-century home built in 1956 that was once owned by an Academy Award Winner and from the sunny backyard pool to the original terrazzo fireplace, it was a dream!
