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A Long Weekend Guide to South Palm Springs
Before diving into this post, check out my complete guide on Palm Springs first.
>>> How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Palm Springs <<<
After you’ve read up on on things like how to get to Palm Springs and when to visit, come back to this long weekend guide for the perfect vacay in South Palm Springs!
Where to Stay in South Palm Springs
From the outside, this hotel may seem unassuming, but the second you enter the property, you’re greeted with lush, manicured gardens and the smell of jasmine flowers. Bright white guest rooms surround the turquoise pool, surrounded by retro pagoda-style umbrellas.
Guest rooms feature vaulted ceilings, old Hollywood glamor, and private front and back patios. Between the hot tub, mini golf, and temperature-controlled pool, you won’t want to leave this hidden Palm Springs gem!
Visit Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels to review additional options of where to stay in South Palm Springs, such as:
- Dive Palm Springs - elegant rooms, lush grounds, and a restored original Libott pool
- Sparrows Lodge - a completely restored 1950s retreat with modern rustic vibes
- Hotel California - a classic California Spanish Mission hotel with romance and charm
A Long Weekend Guide to South Palm Springs
Here’s a travel guide on how to spend the perfect weekend in South 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
He left behind a legacy of elegant photographs of Hollywood stars and high society, and his works have been featured by Condé Nast, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.
Notable entrees at Bar Cecil include steak + frites, roasted chicken, pan seared halibut, classic pasta, and smoked bone-in pork chop. Their “Why Not?” menu features caviar service, the Beaton Martini, oysters on the half shell, and a dry aged tomahawk steak. One table per night can enjoy the Beaton Experience, a six-course wine-paired prix-fixe dinner in honor of Cecil Beaton.
Full Day 1
Family-owned and operated, Smoke Tree Stables is a staple in Palm Springs, with its origins dating back to 1927.
The 9 a.m. Murray Canyon Haul Ride is a beautiful 1 hour and 40 minute ride. You’re assigned a horse depending on your experience level - I rode with Cole. Cole wanted to stay right behind the guide at all times, except for if he saw some shrubs that he wanted to eat!
As you ride through the canyons, your guide will share with you interesting facts about the terrain and the history as you ride from Andreas Canyon to Murray and back. My favorite part of the ride was seeing the giant native Palm Groves towering above us.
Make sure to bring water and sunscreen with you on this trip as there are not lots of shaded spots during the ride.
King’s Highway - Image courtesy of Ace Hotel
Afterwards, you’ll want to head back to the hotel to shower off - the ride can be hot and dusty!
This “redefined” diner inside Ace Hotel serves up a blend of California-Mexican dishes with locally sourced ingredients. It’s a hip and casual spot with authentically retro vibes.
Spend the afternoon at one of the nearby spas in the area. Here are a few worth checking out:
Palm Springs Yacht Club (Parker Hotel) - receive sea-inspired treatments in this 18,000 square foot spa while wearing a white cotton terry robe and sipping on a thimble of cucumber infused vodka
Feel Good Spa (Ace Hotel) - Enjoy the steam room and massages as healers provide treatments using organic botanicals made from pure, natural ingredients
Le Spa (L’Horizon Resort & Spa) - try a Swedish, Deep Tissue, or Therapeutic Nirvana massage at this glamorous hotel with custom-designed bungalows
Mr. Lyons Steakhouse - Image courtesy of Greater Palm Springs
This modern take on a classic steakhouse offers meat classics like American Wagyu, filet mignon, Beef Wellington, and prime rib. Sip on an Old Fashioned cocktail while sitting in emerald-green velvet-tufted booths and enjoying the live music.
Del Rey - Image courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
This stylish spot features a 12-seat oak and marble bar, tufted green vinyl booths, and an outdoor patio with a firepit.
Full Day 2
The Tahquitz Canyon has been inhabited for at least 2,000 years by the Agua Caliente band of Native Americans.
Tahquitz Canyon Waterfall - Image courtesy of Greater Palm Springs
I recommend going early in the morning to beat the hikers and the heat. The trail opens at 7:30 a.m. Admission is $12.50 and the hike is 1.9 miles, out and back. For me, it took about 30 minutes each way to and from the waterfall, with some occasional stops for pictures and water breaks, then I spent about 30 minutes at the waterfall. So overall, I’d reserve about 1 hour 30 minutes for this activity. I'd say this hike is good for all skill levels.
There’s not much shade on the way up to the waterfall so bring plenty of water. When you arrive at this desert oasis, take some time to wade in the cold waters to cool down before making your way back - you may want to bring your swimsuit. If you try to venture closer to the waterfall, note that it gets very deep and the rocks are slippery.
This was one of my absolute favorite places that I visited during my time in Palm Springs. Admission is just $5 to this Palm Springs treasure. I love the story behind this private, family-owned garden that’s now open to the public.
The 1-acre desert botanical garden was created by Chester “Cactus Slim” and Patricia Moorten in 1938. Today, Clark Moorten, the couple’s son, still lives on property in his family home (known as the Cactus Castle - and rightfully so, it’s beautiful)!
I met Clark, the garden’s second-generation caretaker, who opens the garden every day and greets guests - at times more than 200 a day. He’s both charming and witty, in addition to being wildly knowledgeable about the thousands of species in his garden, sourced from all over the world.
Clark shares his parents’ passion for cacti, saying, “I was born with stickers in my butt. My parents needed workers and I’m an only child. I must’ve been a good worker.”
You’ll likely want about an hour to explore this garden and cactarium. In addition to plant life everywhere, there are also tortoises and mourning doves on the property. If you’re able to, make sure to purchase a cactus of your own from their sizable nursery, also within the compound.
This chic spot can be found within the Parker Palm Springs hotel with a bright, colorful open-air terrace. Don’t forget to make reservations for this one - it’s required! Begin with a shot of the fruit smoothie of the day and end your meal with lightly glazed orange slices. In between, try delights like Very Berry Brioche French Toast, Normalita’s Huevos Rancheros, Flat-As-A-Pancake Crabcake, and Potato Pancakes. Portions are large so you may want to share!
In the afternoon, take some time to relax by the pool back at BelleVue Oasis (or your pool of choice) - a must while in Palm Springs. Ask Alexa to play your favorite music while you take a dip into the temperature-controlled pool or hot tub. If you get tired of floating around, play some mini golf in the back of the property.
Miro’s offers excellent service, a beautiful ambiance with patio seating, and great tasting food.
Departure Day
Need some coffee before you hit the road?
The company sources and roasts more than 80,000 pounds of premium certified organic green coffee annually. With 20 different coffee varieties, mostly organic, from Central/South America, Indonesia, and Africa, there’s something for everyone - whether it's light or super dark coffee. Not only does Koffi serve up specialty coffee, but they also serve freshly baked muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, and grilled breakfast sandwiches.
Image courtesy of Koffi
Image courtesy of Palm Springs Life
Try a classic boiled bagel there with your coffee or espresso drink. Townie uses old-school bagel making methods, using no-additive flours. Dough is mixed and shaped the night before, then boiled in malted water until golden brown in the morning. Townie is open from 6:30 am to noon every day, except Tuesdays.
~ What do you think of this South 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.
