February 22nd, 2010 by admin

This week we’re catering to the amorous masses with three guides to romantic travel in California. Monday we profiled Santa Barbara, and today we’re taking you to an equally sun-drenched locale: Palm Springs. As we can attest, there’s something about the arid climes

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This week we’re catering to the amorous masses with three guides to romantic travel in California. Monday we profiled Santa Barbara, and today we’re taking you to an equally sun-drenched locale: Palm Springs. As we can attest, there’s something about the arid climes that makes it an ideal setting for couples.

You don’t need to travel all the way to Las Vegas to find rejuvenating spas, luxurious accommodations, cozy restaurants and casino action. Palm Springs has become a weekend destination for Southern Californians searching for a closer and quieter alternative to the “other desert.” Just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, sheltered by the San Jacinto Mountains and a famed warm, dry climate, Palm Springs offers a wide variety of resorts, restaurants and outings. Here is a weekend itinerary of things to do in the desert.

Friday Afternoon
El Paseo
Before settling into La Quinta Resort, shopaholics can get their fix at El Paseo, the premier shopping experience in the desert. Home to some of the finest art galleries, fine furnishings and couture clothing in Southern California, this mile-long avenue in Palm Desert is often called “the Rodeo Drive of the Desert.” The tree-shaded street houses a cornucopia of 300 boutiques, restaurants and retail stores, ideal for strolling, spending and window shopping. (Between Portola and Highway 74, 760-862-1990)

La Quinta Resort and Spa
For desert solitude after a shopping spree, check into the 45-acre Spanish-inspired La Quinta Resort. Opened in 1926, it became famous as a paparazzi-proof hideout for Hollywood legends Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn and Frank Capra. Set against the spectacular Santa Rosa Mountains, the resort offers high-ceilinged, whitewashed, single story casitas decorated with Mexican pottery, wrought-iron mirror frames and colorful textiles, and features in-room fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs and private patios. The casitas are intimate but the resort also houses five restaurants, 23 tennis courts, a small shopping center and a huge spa. Although massive in size, each guest building has access to one of several dozens pools enhancing the feeling of privacy. Opt for an afternoon massage or facial at their expansive spa. (49-499 Eisenhower Drive, 760-514-4111)

Friday Evening
Purple Palm Restaurant at the Colony Palms Hotel
For dinner, head to downtown Palm Springs to the Purple Palm restaurant. Located in the historic Colony Palms Hotel, the cozy one room restaurant offers a super-chic ambiance and top-notch cuisine. Purple painted walls house comfy leather banquettes and colonial-inspired furnishings with a wooden bar dividing the interior restaurant from outdoor patio seating overlooking the pool, gardens and San Jacinto Mountains. The Mediterranean menu features specialties such as Muscovy duck, Colorado roasted lamb and seared venison with fresh farmer’s market sides. (572 North Indian Canyon Drive, 760-969-1818)

Saturday Morning
Spencer’s
For a sumptuous start to the day amidst breathtaking mountain views, head to Spencer’s, located in the Palm Springs Tennis Club. The intimate eatery offers a wide choice of eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes salads, omelets and other morning fare. (701 West Baristo Road, 760-327-3446)

Joshua Tree National Park
View natural desert beauty while getting a taste of the outdoors at Joshua Tree National Park. Over 25 million acres of serene desert landscape, covered with the scarecrow-like Joshua trees, offer a romantic respite surrounded by the San Bernardino, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. (74485 National Park Drive, 760-367-5500)

Saturday Afternoon
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Take the weekend to new heights with a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which offers a bird’s-eye perspective of the Coachella Valley and glorious sunsets from the top of Mount San Jacinto, 8, 516 feet above the desert floor. The circular tram makes two full rotations during the 15-minute journey, with stunning views of the Sonora desert as well as jagged mountain landscapes. (1 Tramway Road, 760-325-1391)

Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway
Before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the evening, make a stop at the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway. Elvis left the building more than 30 years ago, but fortunately for his millions of fans he left a few monuments behind in the desert. Memphis may have Graceland, but Palm Springs has this homage to The King. Located at the end of Ladera Circle in the Las Palmas neighborhood sits the circular, jet-age style 5,500 square foot landmark love nest where Elvis and Priscilla Presley spent their first few years and man and wife. Built over three lots, the stucco five-bedroom, five bath home is full of Elvis photos and memorabilia. The hideaway, constructed on four circular structures on three levels, is open for daily afternoon tours. (1350 Ladera Circle, 760-322-1192)

Saturday Evening
Spa Resort Casino
High rollers can try their luck Saturday night at the stylish 228-room Spa Resort Casino, featuring a 15,000 square-foot casino with 900 slot and video poker machines and 30 table games. Novice players can learn when to fold, raise or go all-in at the resort’s free Poker University. (100 North Indian Canyon Drive, 760-883-1000)

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
End the evening in a secluded corner booth at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Enjoy perfectly-cooked steaks in the elegant dining room featuring marble floors, dark woods, white tablecloths and comfy high leather booths. Choice cuts of USDA Prime custom-aged beef broiled and bathed in butter are cooked in their trademark 1,800-degree oven and served sizzling hot on a 500-degree plate. House specialties such as Ruth’s Chop Salad and Oscar Style Steak (topped with asparagus, crab cakes and béarnaise sauce) are worth ordering. Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s menu often includes seasonal specialties such as buffalo in addition to filets, rib eyes, New York strip, t-bone and porterhouse steaks. (74-740 Highway 111, 760-779-1998)

Sunday Morning
Norma’s at the Parker Palm Springs
Retro-loving trendsetters will feel at home at the Parker Palm Springs, formerly Merv Griffin’s famous desert getaway that has been reinvented thanks to the handiwork of ceramics and home furnishings designer Jonathan Adler. Once inside, treat yourself to breakfast at Norma’s, the ultimate diner, for a gastronomic delight of entrees including six varieties of eggs benedict, the Zillion Dollar Frittata or the Very Berry French Toast. (4200 East Palm Canyon Drive, 760-321-4630)

College of the Desert Street Fair
Flea market fans will feel at home with a visit to the College of the Desert Street Fair, held weekend mornings and hosting over 300 vendors each weekend to display their wares in tented booths surrounded by date palms and mountain vistas. This bargain hunter’s paradise offers a variety of unique gifts, clothing, interesting trinkets and a full farmer’s market featuring fresh organic produce. (43-500 Monterey Avenue, 760-773-2567)

Hadley’s Fruit Orchards
On the way home, stop by Hadley’s Fruit Orchards, a desert landmark, to sample dozens of varieties of dates. Founded in 1931, Hadley’s gained popularity for it’s dried fruit and nut mixes. In addition to a huge variety of snacks, Hadley’s sells fresh Ostrich eggs, buffalo burgers and their infamous sweet creamy date shakes. (48-980 Seminole Drive, 909-849-5255)

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Palm Springs Sunset Image: TheNickster
Parker Palm Springs Image: ricardodiaz11

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