WANDER: Palm Springs California

I traveled to Palm Springs California for the first time this year to attend the ALT Summit Conference and I fell in love with this desert town oasis. Palm Springs almost seems to have been preserved from the 1960s. Nestled in the California mountains, the architecture of the homes and hotels, the vintage boutiques and restaurants, and the old cars you may see locals driving around you will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to the 1960s when Palm Springs was in its heyday

Since I was visiting for a conference and without my kids, I didn’t get to explore as much as I typically do on a trip. But I still hit some great bucket list spots including the Parker Hotel and Joshua Tree National Park and I’ve already started a list of places I want to visit when I return – and I will definitely return!

From where to stay in Palm Springs to incredible Palm Springs shopping —from the odd and amazing Joshua Tree National Park to a Palm Springs Resort Hotel that is perfect for families, here is my WANDER post. Plus read to the end to see the spots I missed that I have on my list for next time with friends, with kids, with my husband or on my own!

Wonder: Activity 1 – Parker Palm Springs

During my visit to Palm Spings for Alt Summit, some of our conference events took place at the iconic Parker Palm Springs. While I didn’t stay here (I stayed at the Riveara Hotel — more below) this designer hotel is fabulous to explore. Designed by Jonathan Adler Interiors, the hotel feels old Hollywood combined with retro trendy! It’s a popular spot for celebrities, I’ve learned, and just an enchanting space to wander. After entering the lobby, there is a restaurant and then winding paths through gardens and trees to the rooms and halls. As you wind around, you’ll find a petanque court, croquet lawn, several art pieces, a retro lemonade stand/bar and much more. Be sure to grab a drink in the Counter Reformation Wine Bar complete with a wooden confessional from Italy to sip your cocktail and eat some small bites.

Adventure: Activity 2 – Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs is full of restaurants, shops, and pedestrian-friendly walkways. The pathways meander through spots like Balboa Candy, the Sonny Bono statue and fountain, and the walk of stars. There is also a marked bike loop around downtown Palm Springs if you’d prefer to two-wheel it! There are a growing number of restaurants and shops — both high-end and bargain with plenty of quirk thrown in. Lots of shaded seating and places to stop for a drink or snack while you get in a little Palm Springs retail therapy is great for a full day of expoloration.

Navigate: Activity 3 – Joshua Tree National Park

On my last day in Palm Springs, some friends and I took a tour with Don Shultz at Tours Palm Springs (@toursps) to Joshua Tree National Park – a bucket list visit for me, no doubt. A scenic 45 minute drive brought us into the park to explore the spot where the high Mojave Desert meets the low Colorado Desert. I loved walking among the interesting Joshua trees (actually a type of yucca, I learned), watching climbers tackle the boulders and climbing up to Keys View, where we got a great panoramic vista of Mount San Jacinto and Mount Gorgonio, with the Salton Sea stretching out in the distance.

Apparently, Joshua Tree has more than 8,000 established climbing routes for rock climbers (my girls would love this), from easy beginner scrambles to extreme vertical cracks, several hiking trails and 9 camp grounds. Plus, I totally had U2 songs streaming in my head all day which I’m NOT complaining about.

 Discover: Activity 4 – Pioneertown

After our visit to Joshua Tree National Park, our tour guide, Don, took us to Pioneertown for lunch and more exploration. We ate at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. This must-see hole-in-the-wall has a stage where several famous musicians play — often for surprise performances.  Pappy and Harriet’s also serves up awesome ribs, classic Santa Maria barbecue, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The decor is rustic but homey.

We then went on to explore the shops of Pioneertown. A little about the history of this quirky town:“Pioneertown was founded by a group of Hollywood investors, including actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. They dreamed of creating an Old West set that was actually a town worth visiting, with 1880s-style false-front facades but interiors that had stuff for visitors to see and do too. Up went (from the outside) frontier stables, saloons, and jails; inside, they housed ice cream parlors, bowling alleys, and motels. More than 50 films and television shows were filmed here in the 1940s and ‘50s.” We enjoyed finding local pottery, clothing and art among the wild west aesthetic of this small walkable area.

 Eat: Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey

After 3 failed attempts to walk-in for dinner at Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey (walking distance from the Riviera Palm Springs), we finally got smart and made a reservation for our last night in Palm Springs. (Tip: make a reservation, lol). The sushi is incredible and while they uniquely pair this Japanese favorite with whiskey – we opted for wine and saki. The staff was helpful and friendly, the other restaurant patrons were chatty and fun giving us local recommendations and there is an incredible ice cream shop across the street, perfect for dessert.

Rest: The Riviera Palm Springs

I stayed at the Riviera Palm Springs Resort Hotel located on 24 acres at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains in Southern California and I can’t wait to bring my whole family here some day! The Riviera Palm Springs captures the essence of 1960s Palm Springs. The hotel opened in 1959 but it has undergone a multi-million dollar upgrade while still maintaining a fun and swanky old Hollywood vibe. There are two pools with several bonfire pits around the pools at night, a spa, large rooms and lots of property to explore. There are also several family-friendly dining options and activities.

One of my favorite features is the free bicycle rentals for guests staying at the hotel. As I mentioned above, there is a marked bike route loop through downtown Palm Springs you can follow to take you through the areas hottest spots.

Speaking of bicycles, The Riviera is laid out like bicycle spokes on a wheel, with six two-story guest buildings spreading out from the central hub. You’ll find fire pits, lounge chairs, cabanas and the main pool in the middle. More buildings branch out in the back of the property, another pool and bar, more rooms, along with a ballroom and conference rooms. The sheer size of the Riviera can be overwhelming at first (it took me a full day to get my bearings but I also met a new forever friend while getting lost on the first day, ha) but once you find your way around you will realize this feature is one of the things that make the resort so unique and charming.

I can’t wait to go back for ALT Summit next year (tickets go on sale in July) but I also can’t wait to visit Palm Springs with my kids…and maybe my hubby for a couples trip…or maybe just a girls trip!

Next time I visit Palm Springs Checklist:

• The Farm Palm Springs
• The Aerial Tram – this was closed due to flooding in March
• Celebrity Homes tour of Plam Springs
• Palm Springs Door Tour
  • Especially With Kids
• Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
• The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
• Palm Springs Art Museum
• Indian Canyons

Check out other travel posts including a girls trip to Sonoma, California, WANDER Pittsburgh With Kids and a family trip to Yellowstone National Park.