How to Spend a weekend in Palm Springs

As some of you may know by now, Palm Springs is one of my favourite places to spend time in. Curtis and I love going down to spend a weekend in Palm Springs and taking in the desert air, relaxing by the pool and drinking our share of tiki cocktails. We’ve been doing this for about 9 years now. 

It’s such a great place to spend a week, but you can do so much even in a weekend.

I’m going to share some highlights you must do if you visit Palm Springs on a long weekend. It’s seriously one of our favourite places to relax, we even got married there last year!

Whether you’re after a low-key getaway, an action-packed itinerary, or a little of both, you’ll find something right up your alley while visiting this stylish, warm-weathered refuge. You can check out my Palm Springs section on the blog, where I have other guides and recaps of trips there.

Have any of you been to Palm Springs? What are you favourite things to do there?

Ways to Spend a Weekend in Palm Springs

Visit the Air Museum

This one is not on everybody’s hip guide to Palm Springs. Most go to the botanical gardens, or Salvation Mountain, but this I feel is a gem. You can go around the air museum with a personal guide. A veteran, who can tell you all about the planes and memorabilia, who volunteer their time.

Eat a Hot Dog

Frank in Bun is a cute little quirky place that is perfect for lunch! Tasty hot dogs and hot dog wallpaper complete the experience. They also serve up vegan dogs and german potato salad.

Do a Tiki Crawl

Going to a tiki bar is an experience by itself, with tiki decor, fun drinks to order and sometimes even kitschy live bands. Our two fav spots are Bootlegger Tiki and The Tonga Hut. But recently discovered Truss and Twine.

Spend an afternoon at Ace Hotel & Swim Club

Stop in (or stay here!) and enjoy a lazy afternoon by the pool. Grab a bite in King’s Highway Diner and stay for a drink in the Amigo Room. See our previous stay here.

Do a Little Vintage Shopping

Palm Springs is loaded with vintage shops, thrift stores and estate sales. You can’t help by leave with something in your bag. Try the Shops at Thirteen Forty-Five design collective – in the iconic E. Stewart Williams Designed Building -houses 11 boutiques. Or the Frippery, a colorful downtown vintage boutique. And I can’t forget Dazzles in the Downtown Design District.

Take in Some Live Music

There’s a few spots around town to check out live music, we recently were able to outdoors at Shanghai Red’s in downtown Palm Springs. It’s behind Fisherman’s Market & Grill where you can grab fresh seafood and drinks.

Go for Brunch Everyday

When I’m on vacation, I love indulging in brunch. Give me all the bacon, omelettes and avocado toast. Some of my favs are: Cheeky’s, Norma’s at the Parker, King’s Highway, Wilma and Frieda and Reservoir at Arrive. All have brunch available everyday of the week.

Eat Tacos

We don’t have the greatest selection of Mexican fare in Vancouver, so I always take advantage of eating all the tacos I can when in Southern California. Try El Jefe at The Saguaro, where James Beard award-winning chef Jose Garces helms this well-known restaurant. It specializes in authentic Mexico City-inspired street food and features an extensive list of over 100 tequilas and mezcals.

Take a Dip

Lay by the pool and stay awhile. Whether its at your hotel, Airbnb or friend’s, take an afternoon and do nothing but float in the pool with a cocktail of course.

I hope you make a trip down one day to spend a weekend in Palm Springs! xoxo