Travel to... Palm Springs

Palm Springs... a local getaway

I recently got the opportunity to teach a styling class out in Palm Desert and with the weather turning toasty but still brisk, I decided to make a mini weekend trip out of it.  Weather was awesome!  Average of 85 degrees it was fantastic for laying out and getting some much needed vitamin D.  Palm Springs has so much to offer from its retro hollywood history, to casinos, to the mid-century architecture and design.  I stayed at a Joie De Vivre hotel called the Saguaro right in Palm Springs.  Its pretty healthy walk form all the goings on in downtown area, but the resort has everything you would want either on premises or nearby.  With its bright colors inside and out, I found it very fun and refreshing.  I loved the play on the Palm Springs motif and enjoyed the customer service.  The grounds have two jacuzzis, a good sized pool, all the standard amenities poolside, (towels, bar and snacks etc..) as well as bocce ball, ping pong table, and a nicely tended to garden walk full of lavender and bright foliage.  

https://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/riverside-hotels/the-saguaro-palm-springs

After laying out, we got to try out one of the two restaurants they have and after reading yelp reviews, we decided on Tinto which offers all small plates.  With help from our server every dish we tried was seriously delicious!  Presentation was divine, and the flavors were extraordinary.  

https://www.jdvhotels.com/restaurants/california/riverside-dining/tinto

After walking down the main drag of Palm Springs, we noticed relaxing fresh scents coming out of a storefront and stumbled upon such a cool experience.  Designing your own body care!  What a neat idea and a great date night for anyone looking for something unique and memorable.  There are pre-made items but they also have hundreds of scents you can pair up and design your own, pretty much the way I imagine celebrities design their own perfumes.  I walked out with my own signature scrub and lotion. They keep your scent on file as well should you want to refill or perhaps market it. :)

http://www.sinfuliciousbodycare.com/

One of my favorite restaurants in Palm Springs is Las Casuelas and i try and make it a point to have at least one meal. With it being spring break, the wait was hefty but well worth it. I always get the shrimp enchiladas and it never disappoints!  The downtown location has live music and a dance area outside which can be fun for the daring, and entertaining for the people watching. 

http://www.lascasuelas.com/

The salon I got to teach a class at, is a blow-dry bar in Palm desert and the staff was so sweet. If you're looking for a blowout while you're on vacation out here, this is the place to go, and with the dry weather you can guarantee your style will stay put provided you don't sweat too much or get thrown in the pool.  They are very efficient and very talented.  The decor is elegant and modern but still girly enough so that you know you're in a beauty bar.  On top of blowouts, they also do updos and keratin treatments.  They are located on El Paseo drive and this has become the rodeo drive of the area with its high end shops and palm tree lined streets.  

http://getalltressedup.com/

For those looking for a bit of adventure I recommend the Palm Springs tramway.  It was built in the 1960's and has a fascinating little museum as part of the building while you are waiting for your tram. The temperature drops 40-50 degrees on the way up and transports you literally to another world. pine trees, huge rocks, trails and forest area make the desert feel hundreds of miles away.  I have a fear of heights but I must say, I felt very safe in the tram and actually enjoyed the view.

http://www.pstramway.com/  

Once up top we had dinner reservations at Peaks timed with sunset.  The restaurant is very 1970's and offers your traditional steak house variety.  The view definitely outweighs the cuisine, in the future if I was to eat there, I would most likely only have dessert and still enjoy the scenery.

http://www.pstramway.com/dining.html  

Hope you enjoyed this blog!  See you on the next getaway!