A weekend in Palm Springs: quirky boutiques, killer burgers, and stunning desert views

In Palm Springs, the sun almost always shines, the glitter shimmers a bit brighter, and the palm trees stretch straight to the heavens. Not much changes in this desert city—from the mid-century modern architecture and awe-inspiring canyons to the quirky/cool vintage shops and kitschy tiki bars—and that’s just the way locals like it. Just ask Cat Slater, owner of the popular vintage store Iconic Atomic.

“I adore Palm Springs,” Slater exclaims, with so much joy it’s infectious. “The community here is so supportive.”

Five years ago, Slater opened Iconic Atomic along North Palm Canyon Drive, and filled it with vintage finds from Oscar De La Renta, Prada, Bob Mackie, and more. It joined one of a dozen or so other shops on the same stretch of dusty desert road and quickly became a favorite go-to for Palm Springs’ vibrant drag community.

“[Famed] drag queen Trixie Mattel bought the belt and the jumpsuit she wore on her I Like to Watch show on Netflix at Atomic,” says Slater.

Slater’s shop could be a metaphor for Palm Springs itself—classic, yet quirky. It’s a place where old is never out of style, where everyone is welcome, where everything offbeat is celebrated.

In this edition of The Weekender, we take a whirlwind tour of the must-see destinations that honor Palm Springs’ vintage legacy.

-Stacey Leasca, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide

See Palm Springs from above, below, and in between.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway took its first ride up the 2.5-mile slope to Mountain Station in 1963. Since then, millions of people have enjoyed the ride to the top for a view of Palm Springs unlike any other. But don’t stop at the station. Bring your sneakers to explore the 50 miles of nature trails surrounding the tram, too.

See Palm Springs’ greatest natural attraction up close with a Red Jeep Tour to the San Andreas Fault. On the tour, you’ll weave through town, learning about the area’s agriculture and landscapes before driving into a remote region to see where the Earth splits in two. (Just watch out for rattlesnakes… they are plentiful here.)

Palm Springs is absolutely stacked with architectural gems, which is why taking an architecture tour is a must. The tour, Visit Palm Springs explains, is all about “Desert Modernism,” which “is an interpretation of the Modernist or International Style, tailored to suit the Palm Springs indoor/outdoor lifestyle.” On the tour, you’ll see homes by Richard Neutra, Donald Wexler, William Cody, and more.

Shake off a sleepy afternoon with a high-octane adrenaline rush worthy of any Formula One driver. Book a two- or four-hour driving experience at the BMW Performance Center. There, you can get behind the wheel of a new BMW or Mini Cooper to zoom around the track with an instructor who can teach you to zip around tight corners like a pro.

Refuel with goodies from morning to night.

Norma’s, located in the Parker Palm Springs, is the best brunch “scene” in town. Come see and be seen by locals, celebrities, and well-dressed travelers alike on the outdoor patio while digging into treats like fluffy blueberry pancakes and “Artychoked Benedict.”

Sometimes you just crave a big, fat, juicy burger. And that’s exactly what you’ll get at The Heyday, a long-term pop-up spot at The Cole Hotel. The menu is simple: burgers, salad, and a chicken sandwich. Though they only do a few things, they do them to perfection.

Koffi has four locations dotting the map in Palm Springs, which means you’ll always be able to get a good cup no matter where you are. However, the shop off Tahquitz Canyon Way is something special as it’s housed within a Class One historic property designed by master architect Hugh Kaptur. Constructed in the mid-1970s, it’s a great spot to stop on your architecture tour or to sit for a spell on the outdoor patio.

There are plenty of delicious options for dinner in Palm Springs, but none with Copley’s backstory. Located in the courtyard of the former Cary Grant estate, the outdoor dining spot offers breathtaking sunset views along with a menu full of tasty meals like miso-glazed salmon, prime rib, and duck two ways.

Palm Springs is not an early-to-bed town. Head out for an after-dinner drink at the new Bar Cecil. Constructed in “homage to Cecil Beaton, a renaissance man who was equal parts rebel and aristocrat, an artist,” the bar pours cocktails like the Cecil Old Fashioned, the French 75, and a Hemingway Daiquiri that’s worth writing home about.

Rest your head at these high-design retreats.

Each of the hotel’s 27 rooms is designed to 1960s and ‘70s perfection, filled to the brim with bohemian delights like wicker furnishings, plush white bedding, and bright pops of color throughout. It’s an ideal spot for a quiet weekend getaway and is strictly 21-plus.

Coming to Palm Springs for an extended stay? Max out the luxury at the Villa Royale’s two-bedroom villa. Inside you’ll find mid-century furnishings, a fireplace, a glass-enclosed shower, and more. Best of all, the villa sits just steps from the pool, making it easy to dip in and out as you please.

The Dive Palm Springs has long been a favorite for Angelinos escaping the city. And really, once you see it, it’s no surprise why. The hotel comes with just 11 rooms surrounding a communal pool and private garden area, where you can sit and sun all day long without another soul in sight.

Palm Springs is without question one of the most famously LGBTQ-friendly places on Earth. But the Hacienda at Warm Sands, a property that caters exclusively to gay men, really has the Pride flags flying high. The 2020 Travelers’ Choice hotel also comes with its own stunning pool and outdoor area, plenty of oversized suites, and a hotel that promises to “calm, relax, renew, indulge and most importantly, pamper you.”

One of the best parts of visiting Palm Springs is getting to see it with friends. For larger groups, it may be a good idea to rent an Airbnb like this midcentury masterpiece that can fit up to six guests. The home comes with access to the community pool area and a private patio, so you can all enjoy the desert night sky together.

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