All things Coachella aside, Palm Springs is a great place to visit any day of the year (yes, even in those hot summer months!!). This desert oasis is great for sunning, swimming and socializing. Picture palm trees, sunny skies and a laid back, cool atmosphere that will have you thinking you’ve traveled back in time to 1965.
With 350 days of sunshine and maintaining a balmy 75 degrees in the winter, Palm Springs is the ideal weekend getaway – whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure Palm Springs has it all! From sipping cocktails to climbing canyons, check out our favorite ways to spend 72 hours in Palm Springs.
But before we get started, you can’t make a pilgrimage to the desert without the proper gear in place. We’re not talking hiking boots and umbrellas, but more like floral crop tops and Hawaiian shirts. Check the weather before you go and pack accordingly, its usually really hot!
How check out our itinerary with suggestions for where to go and eat and what to do in Palm Springs for 3 days.
Day 1
8:00 John’s Restaurant
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at a local establishment. This throw-back diner offers cheap, but super delicious breakfast options.
10:00 Escena Golf Club
Ranked the #6 public course in California by PGATOUR online, this is 18-holes set against a drop-dead gorgeous scenic mountain view. If golfing isn’t you thing, enjoy a fresh cocktail at their fabulous clubhouse overlooking the valley.
12:00 Birba Restaurant
Make sure to try the thin and crispy pizza with their delicious fresh salads.
3:00 Palm Springs Art Museum
Get your art on, with three floors of paintings and sculptures. Think unexpected modern pieces with desert influences…kind of like Palm Springs itself!
5:00 Get Ready
Go back to the hotel to freshen up for a night on the town
7:00 Citron at the Viceroy Palm Springs
Imagine yourself dining poolside, cool drink in your hand.
10:00 BAR: Bourbon Beer Cocktails and Tunes
This speak easy bar has a huge outdoor patio, unfussy cocktails and a love of vinyl. This is the perfect place to have a laid-back drink while you win your next round of drinks at shuffleboard.
Day 2
8:00 Cheeky’s
Two words…Bacon Flight. Yes, BACON. FLIGHT. The bacon flight contains five different kinds of bacon to enjoy and they sell Oakland and Brooklyn-based specialty Blue Bottle coffee. Paleo lovers rejoice!
10:00 El Paseo Shopping District For the Day
This large shopping district is perfect for spending some serious cash in a mix of high- and low-end stores.
12:00 The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge
Fresh delicious Sushi. Fresher and some may say ,more delicious, Sake.
3:00 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition
Perfectly curated exhibit of 18 sculptures.
7:00 El Paseo After Dark
Relaxed outdoor dining mecca, El Paseo hosts 150 of the some of the finest dining in Palm Springs. This the place to go to window shop for dinner.
10:00 The Hair of The Dog English Pub
If dive bars are your thing, head over to The Hair of The Dog English Pub – it’s the only English pub in Palm Springs with British beers on tap. Its casual environment is perfect for grabbing a pint with friends.
Day 3
8:00 Norma’s
This trendy upscale atmosphere offers everything from seared lobster to asparagus omelet. Try to act cool as you spot your favorite celebrities eating with their better halves.
10:00 Mister Parker’s Lemonade Stand
For lemonade lovers, they make a special “adult” style lemonade, perfect to cool you down on a sunny day. Even lemonade-haters will find their thirst quenched with other refreshing drinks, but really, who hates lemonade?!
12:00 College of the Desert Street Fair
This open air street market that hosts over 300 merchants year-round. Find bargains on things like shoes, accessories and so much more.
3:00 Late Lunch
Nothing works up an appetite like a full day of street bargain-ing. Take a load off with a juicy hamburger and a Hawaiin shaved ice.
5:00 Prepare for Night
Go back to the hotel to freshen up for a dinner and drinks
7:00 Las Casuelas Terraza
With over 75 types of tequila and hand-shaken margaritas this place simply has the best margaritas in town.
