A Couple Things a Couple Should do in Palm Springs, CA
according to the palm springs tourism website: palm springs, california lies on the western edge of the coachella valley, within the colorado desert and it’s about 110 miles southeast of LA and 140 miles northeast of san diego. it has over 350 of glorious sunshine (which is the opposite of portland so my soul was very happy here) AND it’s a dry heat, none of that sticky humidity so 100+ degree days are less gross.
this is where lucille ball, frank sinatra and bob hope had holiday homes and where sonny bono (of sonny and cher) became mayor! the rat pack hanging out in front of the same wall i’m taking their picture in front of!
the feel of palm springs is a splash of hollywood, retro-style and nature-lovers oasis with the breathtaking views of the san jacinto mountains where it feels like you could touch them! it also very LGBT friendly and welcoming so it’s a great place for everyone who is in love to visit!
trust me, i’m not a morning person so waking up at 3:15am wasn’t my favorite but when we were by the pool by 10:30am…i certainly complained less. we also arrived early on a thursday so we had the entire pool area essentially to ourselves (minus 3 people)! we felt like we had rented the place out just for the two of us.
tip #2: make sure you are there on a thursday for ‘villagefest’:
we were very officially there allll day thursday because of tip #1. we spent most of the day by the pool and then that evening was ‘villagefest.’ they close down their main drag through downtown and there are hundreds of booths of local artists, people selling candied nuts, funny t-shirts, jewelry, soap, and random things like ‘ask the rabbi’ booths. it’s fantastic.
we grabbed some mexican food and of course margaritas before we walked the booths. those mister things are an amazing invention.
tip #3: walk into town early for breakfast
it gets hot (hello, you’re in a desert) and when we started our walk at 8:30am it was already 75 degrees. our hotel was about 1.5 miles away from our brunch location so we were able to get some exercise in and really earn our breakfast. it’s excellent to stroll hand-in-hand and take in new surroundings together (no hand holding on the way back because it was too sweaty at 95 degrees by 10:45am)
as you’re walking down south palm canyon drive road…you may pass under this high-walled bridge:there are two nudist colonies at the end of the bridge! be sure to start the very amusing conversation with your spouse about if you would ever live in a nudist colony and how awkward it might be to wear tennis shoes and nothing else…
sometimes your breakfast will come with a little extra love too! we ventured to “lulu california bistro” where my husband was photobombed by a celebrity!
tip #4: head back to the pool for drinks and a couple’s massage
i opted for the more affordable couple’s massage of having my husband massage me for a couple of minutes (see what i did there?) while he applied sunscreen and we lounged. it was spectacular but if you love couple’s massages-why not get one together while you’re on vacay here! or just drink your ‘healthy anti-oxidant mojito’ like me:
tip #5: take the tram up the chino canyon
i cannot personally attest to how spectacular this is because we had to work the rest of the weekend so we didn’t get a chance to go up on the aerial tram. i did talk to 14 people that said it is very much worth the $24 for the 2.5 mile ride up a mountain! this will be on our list next time because we are definitely going back.
tip #6: lay out under the stars and dream together
who doesn’t love a good night swim? grab your towel and head out to the pool for a quick dip in the hot tub. after your fingers are good and pruny, hop out and find one of those double lounge beds to stretch out in hand-in-hand (fear not, it’s still around 70-80 degrees at night).
when my husband first suggested this, i was exhausted, it was 10pm and we had to be up at 4:30am the next morning but i am so glad he convinced me. it gave us the opportunity to gaze into the deep night sky, look up at the twinkling stars and feel small yet powerful in the world, together.
talk about where you’ve been, where you want to go, and appreciate the life you’ve built together. this is the perfect time to ask those 4 questions to fall asleep more in love. this was the highlight of our trip and also the most romantic.
i opted to take no photos of this and just be with my loving husband but since of course we took selfies at other moments during the weekend….
don’t worry…my hair isn’t wet from sweat but from showering.
we had a fabulous weekend in palm springs and can’t wait to be back! the only downside is that i have no idea how we are going to top my husband’s birthday weekend next year because celebrating here was pretty perfect!
the new wifestyle: save up and take a weekend getaway together, it will do wonders for your relationship!
questions:
1) have you been to palm springs before? any other tips?
2) last trip you took with your significant other?
3) the last time you looked up at the stars?
bonus details:
thank you district 12 for having us and showing us such a marvelous time!
we stayed at the riveria resort and spa and were treated impeccably!
a cab ride from the airport to the hotel was about $20
Alex Lachapelle
May 7, 2014 at 1:24 pm
I look at the stars any time I can. It’s something special I used to do with my dad. I love going to school in the mountains in Boone, NC because the stars are more visible.
I’ve never been anywhere west of Illinois, but Palm Springs sounds amazing. I’m going to Disney World for my honeymoon in July, the Bahamas next summer, and eventually dragging my [future] husband to Washington D.C. because that is my favorite of all mini-vacations!
chelsea
May 7, 2014 at 10:28 pm
i am so glad you are conscious of looking at those stars whenever you can alex- especially great that your school has excellent visibility! we don’t get to see a lot of stars in portland with the clouds and we live in the city so light pollution messes with it.
that’s so exciting you are venturing to disney world for you honeymoon-congratulations on your upcoming wedding and i hope you have a blast!! ohhh the bahamas has some of the prettiest water i’ve ever seen-enjoy there and DC too! sounds like fun trips coming up for you all 🙂
Patti Williams
May 7, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Where did you stay? Was it expensive? I’ve always wanted to go here.
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chelsea
May 7, 2014 at 10:24 pm
patti, we stayed at the riveria spa and resort and it’s hyperlinked in the post at the bottom! the conference we were at got a pretty good deal but at looking at their website, it seems like they have some specials and deals too! you should definitely visit…it’s gorgeous there!
jennifermckennasays
May 8, 2014 at 11:16 am
1) have you been to palm springs before? any other tips? not been to palm springs but thanks to this post, its on my list now! Thanks Chelsea! Rat Pack adjacent ! Um, yeah count me in!!!
2) last trip you took with your significant other?Jeremy and I went to Galveston and while we were only there for a day and a half, it was so nice to be away together. We have a trip coming up in June and July so making up for lost time!!
3) the last time you looked up at the stars?I did just the other night.. it is amazing how small it makes you feel. Jeremy wants me to go camping (so not a nature girl) but maybe I will. (he isn’t reading this, right?)
Bonus: Thank you for reminding me of the four questions post.. I love it and we haven’t quite made it a nightly habit but we are working on it! Hugs Chelsea!
chelsea
May 8, 2014 at 2:13 pm
ohhh it has your name all over it jennifer!!! you will LOVE it there 🙂 glad you and jeremy made it to galveston-i liked visiting there during our short stint in TX! happy to hear you have some other trips coming up-woohoo!
you could always try “glamping” it’s like glamorized camping so you get the feel of camping but you don’t have to sleep on the floor and many camp grounds have little beds and things!
yay happy to remind you about the 4 questions and SO happy to hear you are working on incorporating them into your daily live-absolutely enhanced our marriage!