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A Long Weekend Guide to Downtown Palm Springs
Need advice on how to get to Palm Springs or when to visit? Check out my complete guide:
Where to Stay in Downtown Palm Springs
It’s an 8-room intimate guesthouse located in the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, nestled between the Indian Canyon mountains and the bustling Downtown Palm Springs. Old Ranch Inn has been welcoming guests to Downtown Palm Springs since the 1930s, but it has recently undergone an extensive renovation since coming under new ownership.
Set in a peaceful residential neighborhood, Old Ranch Inn is not only conveniently located, but also private and intimate with the trickling sounds of fountains and birds chirping in the courtyard.
Located in the premiere location for upscale boutique hotels, Old Ranch Inn provides an instant feeling of coziness with tasteful western design elements and modern amenities, like a kitchenette, walk-in shower, and private patio.
Visit Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels to review additional options of where to stay in Downtown Palm Springs, such as:
- Holiday House - fun, social hotel with intricate tilework in shades of blue
- Korakia Pensione - restored historic Moroccan villas with spacious rooms
- Amin Casa - a quiet hotel with a blend of sophistication and old Hollywood glamor
A Long Weekend Guide to Downtown Palm Springs
Here’s a travel guide on how to spend the perfect weekend in Downtown Palm Springs for 3 nights total. Make sure that you check the hours of operation on places first because operating hours tend to change in the summer due to the heat!
Arrival Day
Eight4Nine offers a chic setting to dine in with a bright white and hot pink color scheme.
The vibe here is modern but fun as you enjoy delectable comfort food dishes like Five Spice Duck Confit and Willa Jean’s Fried Chicken. The large outdoor patio, lit up with string lights, is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail, while admiring the mountain views.
Full Day 1
Start your day by grabbing a coffee at the Starbucks Reserve then start exploring downtown Palm Springs. You can do a little shopping at some of the boutiques in the area.
As you explore, check out the names on the Walk of Stars. There are over 400 accomplished and cherished celebrities recognized along Palm Canyon Drive, Museum Way, and Tahquitz Canyon Way. I didn’t recognize a lot of the names but did stumble on the stars for Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley!
Although it was closed when I visited due to COVID restrictions, I recommend stopping by the Ruddy’s 1930’s General Store, recreated by collector Jim Ruddy. Admission is just $1. It’s a small little museum filled with vintage products, like groceries and medicines, from the early 20th century. All of the packaging is original and approximately 60% of the items still hold their original contents. It’s set up like how a true General Store would have looked in that time period!
Although the food is great, the patio is the true attraction. Terraza offers three different patios within their property, each with a unique ambiance – a quiet, romantic patio with a fountain and flowers, a lively patio with a circular outdoor bar, and the intimate sidewalk patio. Between the misters and the margaritas, you’ll stay refreshed and cool as you take some time to relax outdoors.
If you need some refreshments from the desert heat, get some ice cream at Lappert’s Ice Cream. Voted “Best Ice Cream in the Desert” by the locals, Lappert’s Ice Cream offers 260 unique flavors, such as Kauai Pie, Hawaiian Sea Salt Caramel, Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut, and Kona Coffee. There are 48 flavors to choose from on any given day.
Here, you can also try a date shake, which is a popular choice in the Coachella desert, considering that the location provides a warm, dry climate, ideal for date palms.
Head back to the Inn and spend some relaxing time by the pool before getting ready for a delicious dinner at Birba.
Enjoy global eats and craft cocktails while sitting under patio lights, misters, and lantern-filled trees. An evening darling for Palm Springs locals, Birba attracts a lively crowd that appreciates handcrafted cocktails and innovative pizza creations.
Full Day 2
The ambiance is as delightful as the menu. Set in what looks like the backyard of a French countryside manor, FARM delivers a peaceful, romantic atmosphere to enjoy your brunch.
For my visit, I opted for a delicious Eggs Benedict and Watermelon Lemonade – so refreshing. The menu also featured sweet and savory crepes and Brioche French Toast, as one would expect from a traditional French restaurant. Their produce, eggs, and artisanal meats are all locally sourced.
Try hand-crafted, limited production wines at Jalama Wines. Formerly focused on solely red wine production, Jalama Wines has now recently introduced a white wine offering as well.
A former chemist, Mark Cargasacchi, applied his chemistry skills to wine making starting in 1999, and as a result, he has created a portfolio of exceptional tasting wines.
It’s very hard for me to pick a favorite (a first for me) since I really enjoyed the unique flavor profiles of each of Mark’s 6 red wines, but if I had to choose, I’d say it was the 2017 Pinot Noir - a smooth blend of cherry and vanilla with a hint of spiciness.
The museum’s permanent collection has more than 24,000 objects. My personal favorite exhibit while visiting was the glass artwork exhibit, part of the museum’s permanent collection. Another favorite of mine was the incredible light installation by Anthony James near the entrance of the museum.
Still have time before dinner? Head back to the pool, Palm Springs’ greatest pastime.
For dinner, head to El Mirasol, an authentic family-owned and run restaurant located at the Los Arboles Hotel, a charming and historic boutique hotel. Enjoy homemade, generations-old recipes on their expansive patio surrounded by flower gardens. Watch tortillas get created before trying specialties like double-cooked pork and polle en pipián (chicken with a pre-Columbian sauce made of ground roasted pumpkin seeds and dry chilies).
Departure Day
Named after the owners’ grandmothers, Wilma & Frieda, this restaurant features childhood favorites like Kim’s Banana Caramel French Toast and Bernie’s Chile Verde with Pork and Brie Omelet.
Carrying on their grandmothers’ legacies, this brother-and-sister-run joint is well worth the visit before returning to the “real world”!
Old Ranch Inn
~ What do you think of this Downtown Palm Springs long weekend itinerary? Anything you’d add? Share with me in the comments below! ~
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
