A dream weekend with no kids in Greater Palm Springs

As a resident since 2011, I have inside information on what is really great in greater Palm Springs. There are actually 10 cities in the Coachella Valley. These include Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, 1000 Palms, La Quinta, Indio, and Bermuda Dunes. Each really has a different feel and different cool things to do. As a Palm Springs Wedding Photographer, I have seen some pretty neat places in the desert.

First let’s start with lodging, as you’ll want to drop your bags and freshen up before hitting the town. I like the selection of boutique hotels. Top favorites would be Krakoria, Sparrows Lodge or Sands Hotel and Spa. As a wedding venue, or a place to enjoy the weekend, all three hit the spot. Ideally I’m at The Sands in this story, where I am greeted with Moroccan mint tea and a bell hop in a pink polo.

After freshening up, check out El Paseo for some food. If you’re into Italian, il Corso is very authentic. The owner/chef is from Italy. I love sushi and The Venue Sushi is really amazing with beautiful fresh fish sushi rolls that are creative and delicious. Afterward a stroll and shopping is always a treat. I love the Tiffany’s store for looking and Anthropology for buying. If you should arrive back to your hotel, order room service dessert. At the Sands I’d get the cheesecake or the sorbet and berries.

The next day would ideally be Saturday and I’d go to the restaurant in the hotel for breakfast, then snacks by the pool. After I’d head out for a hike. There are so many good ones! Coachella Valley Preserve in 1000 Palms is great. I would have lunch at Luna Grill in Palm Desert near El Paseo. Afternoon would be spent at the hotel spa getting an amazing facial and massage then I’d would lounge by the pool with my husband.

Dinner would be amazing at the Pink Cabana, which is the restaurant inside the Sands Hotel and Spa. I once was a server there before I went full time into photography in Joshua Tree and Greater Palm Springs. It was an amazing place to work. I loved the Harissa Chicken, which was so juicy and flavorful and I would tell every table about it.

Probably about this time of day, I’d be itching to get moving after dinner but perhaps too lazy to actually leave. The Nest, the Valley's best and most interesting night life, is next door and a great place for a night cap. They have a dance floor, live music and even a clown some nights. It is an experience that everyone of age who visits greater Palm Springs should have.

Sunday mornings are for checking out and heading home. I’d order breakfast to eat at the pool, then pack and check out last minute so I can maximize my enjoyment. On the way out of town I’d grab iced coffee at IW Coffee in Indian Wells. Then I’d drive down 111 instead of cutting over to the freeway. In Rancho Mirage there is a great thrift store named Misty’s and the finds are always great.

This would be my dream weekend with no kids in Palm Springs! I hope it inspired a dream vacation for you! By the way, vacations are a great time to get portraits done. Call me, Sarah, the Palm Springs Photographer