Travel Guide to Palm Springs (On a Budget)

Ever wanted to visit a desert oasis of mid-century modern architecture and retired gay men? Now's your chance! Here is my college-student guide to a weekend in Palm Springs. Two or three days is the perfect amount of time to spend here. (This is a long post, get ready.)

on the way

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• If you are driving to Palm Springs via the 10 freeway, you will pass the iconic Cabazon Dinosaurs! It is free to take a picture with them, but they also have a extra park with a small admission fee. 
• Also in Cabazon, you will find the Cabazon Outlets, a large outdoor outlet mall featuring designer stores as well as favorites such as Vans. 
• Grab a famous banana-date shake or some dried fruit at Hadley Fruit Orchards.
• Take Route 66 instead for even more roadside attractions!

Mr. T-Rex!

There's a gift shop inside this one!

Me posing w/ my ex!

 Off the 10 Freeway, Hadley has those sweet little dried fruit arrangements you can send to your grandma. It's also close to a gas station and fast-food places if you need to fill up!

to stay

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Honestly, you're not missing out if you don't stay at a fancy hotel! There are plenty of cool options on Airbnb, bed and breakfasts, and inns all within the area. 

There are some cool hotels you definitely should visit though!

• Hard Rock Hotel----don't let its discrete appearance fool you. Its grand lobby is full of rock memorabilia and has a cute gift shop where you can even purchase a day pass to use their pool! It's a walk away from downtown as well. 
• The Saguaro is probably the most well-known and picturesque hotel in Palm Springs! Its colorful and eclectic 50s-style attracts thousands of spring-breakers and Coachella-goers. It's the perfect destination for trendy LA yuppies. Take a walk around outside, order a drink at El Jefe (the bar), or take a dip in the pool (open to the public!) We made the mistake of trying to have a relaxing day at the pool on Memorial Day weekend- let's just say I've never seen so many drunk 20-something year-olds in one place!
• The Parker is even more pretentious than the Saguaro, so I only went to take photos! It is really beautifully decorated. So bohemian-chic.
• The Korakia Pensione is your quiet Moroccan getaway tucked behind the downtown. Another high-end hotel, but much less intimidating. 

Outfits worn by RHCP, The Cure, and more.

My handsome boi in the beautiful hotel lighting.

 Located a little farther from the downtown area, The Saguaro is still only a 10 minute drive down Palm Canyon.

So colorful I want to take a picture of everything!

The Parker lobby

Views of the Korakia

to shop 

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• Downtown Palm Springs is a cute place (the only place) to walk around in the evenings; I love the sock store!
• I will be making a post of all the thrift stores I went to! The few vintage stores I got to visit were very pricey & had mainly 70s apparel. 
• The Uptown Design District has its share of mid-century stores and galleries.

to see & do 

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• The pink door! 1100 E Sierra Way, Palm Springs (someone actually lives there, so be respectful!)
• The Visitor's Center has plenty of touristy brochures and souvenirs, not to mention it's a beautiful structure. 
• Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium is a beautiful visit and is only $5! A quiet succulent garden owned by a sweet elderly couple. They have tortoises, birds, and you can even buy succulents to make your own garden! Across the street from some Polynesian-inspired architecture if you're into that.
• Palm Springs Art Museum(s); Architecture and Design Center----I never even knew this existed! Admission to the Architecture and Design Center is free, and the Palm Springs Art Museum (a few blocks away) is $5 for students, or $12.50 for adults. This was the highlight of the trip for me!! Spent a good 2 hours total here. It's so much bigger than I expected. They even had some pieces by Miro, Picasso, and more!
• The Aerial Tramway was expensive, but worth it. It takes you all the way up to the top of the mountain, and you can see the entire Coachella Valley. You get dropped off at the top and you can eat a bite or have a drink at the cafe before you head down! Really cheesy & touristy, but super cool!
• I've been to the Living Desert Zoo before, and it is so fun! Didn't go this time, but it is definitely worth it. Leave a few hours for this one.

Lots of people taking pictures here! Basic, but whatever.

Visitor Center building designed by Albert Frey.

The "world's first" catctarium! There's an outside section as well.

The architecture sector of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Fun fact: I fell in the parking lot before taking this picture.

The gorgeous inside of the Palm Springs Art Museum. So many cool pieces. Complete with three levels plus an outdoor sculpture garden.

 Mid-century modern furniture design.


The tramway station is located just up the road from the Visitor Center.

Unbeatable views. You can stay up at the top however long you want! Trams run down at every half hour.

to eat & drink

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• Sherman's is my family's go-to. Not the trendiest place, but this family-owned Jewish deli and bakery has everything from latkes to corned beef hash. Reasonably priced. 
• I like the bar/grill atmosphere of Brickworks in downtown. Used to be called Matchbox pizza! Located upstairs next to Ruby's Diner, enjoy an outlook of the downtown plaza.
• Las Casuelas has good traditional Mexican food, and live music plus dancing in the evening.
• One of the trendier places, Koffi fills your breakfast & organic coffee needs. Overpriced? A little, but enjoy the outdoor seating area in the back!
• I don't know of any bars besides the ones at the hotels, and most of the clubs downtown are gay clubs so take your chances there! 

 Even Sherman's fits in with the eternal 60s aesthetic of Palm Springs.

Koffi located between downtown & the Uptown Design District!

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Thanks for reading & hope you find your way to Palm Springs one day!

Happy travels,

--Courtney