Fun in Palm Desert & Palm Springs - Updated

Restaurants Best Restaurants in Palm Desert http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g32846-Palm_Desert_California.html Best Restaurants in Palm Springs http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g32847-Palm_Springs_California.html Alphabetical Guide to Restaurants http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/Dine-Out/Palm-Springs-Restaurant-Search/index.php/greatrestaurants Great food, reasonable prices Shame on the Moon Restaurant 69950 Frank Sinatra Drive Rancho Mirage 92270 (760) 324-5515 Delicious and affordable, Where the locals go. Reservations a must:, Hostess: Ginger Tuesday - Sunday at 5:30pm http://www.shameonthemoon.com/ Las Casuelas Nueva 70050 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Tel: (760) 328-8844 Always busy, well-run restaurant and bar, complete with dance floor, provides great Mexican food, friendly service and fun. Tried all three and found the food to be a bit better at this location. http://www.lascasuelasnuevas.com/ Nina's Pita & Pizza - Greek Mom & Pop Restaurant   The Plaza at Sunrise Shopping Center 555 S Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92264 (760) 323-8552 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Low prices, great food, always fresh, small place. http://www.yelp.com/biz/ninas-traditional-greek-cuisine-and-pizzeria-palm-springs-2 Sherman’s Deli - 73161 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260-2350 Tel: (760) 568-1350. Huge portions. Great food. New Yorkers won’t be disappointed. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32846-d535463-Reviews-Sherman_s_Deli-Palm_Desert_California.html Papa Dan’s – 73-131 Country Club at Monterey (760) 568-3267 Wonderful pizza and pasta www.papadanspizzaandpasta.com Mario’s Italian Café –Mario's Italian Cafe, 42-104 Washington St., Bermuda Dunes, CA. (760) 772-6100. From Marriott Desert Springs, go south on Cook south.  Left at Hovley Lane East becomes 42nd Ave. Go across Washington Street then quick right into shopping center on right. Large portions and excellent value. Really delicious. http://www.mariositaliancafes.com/homepage/ Keedy's Fountain & Grill - 73-633 Highway 111; (760) 346-6492.  A 1950’s soda fountain. Great breakfasts and lunches. Pancakes are fantastic. Burgers are the best. http://www.yelp.com/biz/keedys-fountain-grill-palm-desert Roc's Firehouse Grill - 36891 Cook Street @ Gerald Ford, Palm Desert, CA 92211. 760-340-3222.  Great menu, casual, low prices. http://www.yelp.com/biz/rocs-firehouse-grille-palm-desert More Expensive - Worth It Spenser’s on the Mountain – Palm Springs Tennis Club, 701 W Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 327-3446. Location is near edge of mountains downtown.  Great for lunch too. http://www.spencersrestaurant.com/index.php https://www.google.com/maps/place/701+W+Baristo+Rd,+Palm+Springs,+CA+92262/@33.8195625,-116.5538729,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x80db1bae61df5747:0xaf5eb212dcfdb730 Lord Fletcher’s Restaurant - 70-385 Hwy 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270  Good rib rib and chicken & dumplings. Entrees about $35 - $40 with nightly specials. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lord-fletchers-restaurant-rancho-mirage Expensive - Not Worth It Wally’s Desert Turtle - 71775 Hwy 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (760) 568-9321. Entrees about $40 Haven't Been Here Lately Zin – An American Bistro - 198 S. Palm Canyon Dr. at Arenas Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-(760) 322-6300.  Service and food quality inconsistent.  About $20 - $25 entrees.  Buttermilk-fried chicken, a Zin burger, adult macaroni and cheese. http://pszin.com/
Daily Grill - 73-601 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260 760 779-9911 at 73-061 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 760 779-9911 Good salads, a fine gazpacho, zesty pasta dishes, and various blue-plate specials. The sidewalk terrace invites people-watching.  Weekend brunches are very festive. A bit overpriced.  Monday night 1/2 rib special for $10. http://www.yelp.com/biz/daily-grill-palm-desert
City Wok Chinese - 74-970 Country Club Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-1511 Across from Marriott in Palm Desert, Country Club.  Convenient but nothing special.  Hours: Mon–Thurs 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM; Fri & Sat 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM; Sun11:30 AM to 9:00 PM. http://citywok.com/On-the-Menu
Thai Smile of Rancho Mirage - New locations 73725 El Paseo Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260.  Not as good as P.F. Chang.  Was located off Bob Hope and 111. http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-smile-palm-desert http://www.thaismilepalmsprings.com/menus/index.html Pomme Frite Belgian Restaurant - 256 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. (760) 778-3727 in Palm Springs - Wonderful fries served in paper cone with dipping sauces. Pricey.  http://www.pommefrite.com/specials/index.html La Bella Cucina - La Bella Cucina - 72355 CA-111 (Desert Crossing strip mall), Palm Desert, CA 92260. Phone:(760) 836-3280. A low-key, family-run eatery, delicious Italian dishes such as pasta & pizza.  Not fancy, inexpensive, crowded.  A gem. www.labellacucina.com Las Casuelas – The Original - 368 N Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262. (760) 325-3213.  Doesn't have the party ambience of the larger, more touristy Terazza down the street or the spectacular Nuevas in Rancho Mirage, but easier to get in, food is the same, excellent quality and the service is attentive and fast. http://www.lascasuelas.com/ Las Casuelas Terraza - 222 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 325-2794. Ask for patio, as it is like sitting in a pretty garden in Mexico. http://www.lascasuelas.com/  “C. C. Inn” a.k.a. The Cedar Creek Inn – CLOSED - Cedar Creek Inn 1555 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Reservations: 760/325-7300.  Nice somewhat formal lunch or dinner. Great salads. "Old world" Palm Springs. 2nd location in Palm Desert: Cedar Creek Inn on El Paseo - 73445 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 92260.  P. F. Changs - The River, 71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. (760) 776-4912. They will take a reservation. Try the Lettuce Wraps (appetizer) and Dan Dan noodles or Lemon Chicken for entrées. https://www.pfchangs.com/ C.J.’s Diner - 74894 Lennon Pl Ste H1, Palm Desert, CA 92260 Tel: (760) 837-9650. Haven’t tried it but review looks interesting. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32846-d473344-Reviews-C_J_s_Diner-Palm_Desert_California.html Pacifica Seafood - 73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260.  760 674 8666. Haven’t tried but rated #1 of 200 desert area restaurants. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32846-d369884-Reviews-Pacifica_Seafood_Restaurant-Palm_Desert_California.html Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant - 78164 Ave 52, La Quinta, CA 92253-8909 Tel: (760) 771-4653.  Clubby atmosphere, sit on patio.  Can be crowded and noisy. Food is good, but about 20% overpriced.  Good pub menu available.  Also price specials 3 - 5 PM happy hour. http://www.arnoldpalmersrestaurant.com/ Peabody's Café - 134 S Palm Canyon Dr @ Tahquitz Canyon Way) Palm Springs, CA 92262.  Great coffee, breakfast and people watching. http://www.peabodyspalmsprings.com/ Benny's Bagels - 72-785 Hwy 111, Palm Desert (760) 568-4990.  Bagels/Bakery. Overpriced.  Tasty fresh and hot. Wilma & Frieda's Cafe - 73-575 El Paseo, Suite C2310, Palm Desert, CA 92260 760 773 2807 Try this for waffles and brunch, closed for dinner. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32846-d5263592-Reviews-Wilma_Frieda_s_Cafe-Palm_Desert_California.html http://www.palm-desert.org/things_diningguide.asp?FoodTypeId=13 Tyler’s Burgers - 149 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262-6603 Tel: (760) 325-2990. Haven’t tried it but looks interesting. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32847-d469210-Reviews-Tyler_s_Burgers-Palm_Springs_California.html In n Out Burger - 72265 Varner Rd., Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Sunday through Thursday 10:30 a.m.-1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Directions from Palm Desert area: Take 111 to Monterey Ave, heading north past Country Club, Frank Sumatra, Gerald Ford, and Dinah Shore. After I-10 overpass  take left onto Varner Road (parallels I-10) to Ramon Road, next intersection on right.  2nd location in Indio: rough neighborhood: 82043 Hwy. 111, Indio, CA 92201. Vicky’s of Santa Fe - 45-100 Club Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210 (760) 345-977 Great menu, about $30 - $35 entree, comparable to Arnold Palmer's in atmosphere & menu.  http://vickysofsantafe.com/menus/ Dairy Queen - Cook at 111, Palm Desert 92260-3801.  Also 41-800 WASHINGTON ST (North of Fred Waring) in Bermuda Dunes 92201-8154 and E. Vista Chino at N Sunrise Way Palm Springs.  92262-3569 Ruby’s - 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 406-7829.  Diner food and burgers. http://www.rubys.com/locations/palmsprings/index.html Aqua Paza - CLOSED - Was River Shopping Center in Rancho Castelli’s Restaurant - 73-098 Highway 111, Palm Desert, California 92260. Too expensive, menu items in $40 range.  Just off hwy 111 on a service road. http://www.castellis.cc/ Sammy's Woodfire Pizza - 73-595 El Paseo Rd. Palm Desert, CA 92260. 760836-0500 http://www.sammyspizza.com/menu/ Goody’s Café - 40101 Monterey Ave., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.  Just OK.  Some of the recent reviews are disappointing. http://www.yelp.com/biz/goodys-cafe-rancho-mirage La Tablita Restaurant - Mexican - 68369 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760) 321-5935. Delicious Mexican food, family owned. http://latablita.menutoeat.com/ Sidewinder Grill - 66121 Pierson Blvd, Desert Hot Springs, CA Great service, great value, great food. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32293-d1450642-Reviews-Sidewinder_Grill-Desert_Hot_Springs_California.html
Sightseeing and Tour Bus Companies https://www.facebook.com/CelebrityTours/timeline
Things To Do Special Events Calendar http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/Desert-Guide/Calendar-of-Events/ Palm Springs Street Fair – Thursday nights. They close main street for vendors, food, music. Palm Springs VillageFest. 401 S. Pavillion Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: 760--320-3781 An exciting attraction downtown Palm Springs every Thursday evening. Come for the music, food and fun. Massage - "All About Massage", 74-121 Hwy 111, Palm Desert just east of Portola. Phone 346-7949. Request desert stone massage from one of their more experienced masseusses. They place warm, not hot, stones on your back. Very calming and therapeutic. Ask for $10 coupon for first time visitor. High country desert jeep tour - Take camera – Desert Adventures Street Fair at College of the Desert - Saturdays and Sundays – Free – All year round. Open from 7 AM. Phone: 760-776-0152. 43-500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Open every Saturday and Sunday. October through May, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June through September, 7 a.m to Noon. Free Parking, Free Admission. www.codstreetfair.com Walking tour into Indian Canyons - Near downtown Palm Springs - Take camera. Friday, Saturday & Sunday (July - September) 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Adults $9.00 Seniors (62+)$7.00 Tours are in season only and approximately 1.5 hours and are 1 mile in length.  Register at Palm Canyon Trading Post.  Adults $3.00 Children (12-16) $2.00 (760) 323-6018 Directions from Marriott Desert Springs 1. Country Club to 111 North 2. North on 111 past Gene Autry Trail. 3. This becomes E. Palm Canyon Drive and you're heading west on it. 4. Watch for Smoke Trail Lane on L as landmark. 5. Go about 500 feet more and take L at Sunrise Way heading south. 6. S. Sunrise becomes S. La Verne Way as you veer right. 7. Left @ S. Toledo Ave. that becomes E. Murray Canyon Drive. 8. Follow as E. Murray Canyon turns West, then R at S. Palm Canyon Drive. 9. The hiking gate is at 38520 S Palm Canyon Drive on the left. 10. This is 0.4 miles past Old Rincon Villiage Rd 11. If you reach Andreas Canyon Rd you've gone about 0.2 miles too far. Location: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=PALM+SPRINGS&1s=CA&1z=92262&2a=38520+S+PALM+CANYON+DR&2c=PALM+SPRINGS&2s=CA&2z=92264-9332 Info: http://indian-canyons.com/admission.html More http://indian-canyons.com/admission.html Hiking http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/indiancanyons.php Walking tour into Indian Canyons at Taquitz Canyon with guide “Hiking to a waterfall in the desert”, this is a deep gorge 2 mile loop trail to 60 foot water fall. Location is at end of 500 West Mesquite, Palm Springs, 3 signal south of Ramon, at base of mountain.  8 AM is when guided hike starts.  Get there 7:30 to 7:45 AM. A loop through the canyon that takes you to a waterfall at the end of the canyon. This is a mildly strenuous hike, you need to be able to climb up rock stops that are 12-15 inches high. Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=500+West+Mesquite+Palm+Springs&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x80db1b05e9d12f81:0xd22227ba4a34c7ed,500+W+Mesquite+Ave,+Palm+Springs,+CA+92264&gl=us&ei=OKx7TtvVJ8mbtweg_8wE&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ8gEwAA 1.    Take 111 into Palm Springs which becomes E. Palm Canyon Drive. 2.    Pass S. Farrell and Sunrise Way which run N/S. 3.    Continue on 111/Palm Canyon business as it turns north. 4.    After Octillo, turn left at Mesquite and at end. Thousand Palms Oasis Hiking Trails 29200 1000 Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA, 92276 http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=92276&mag=5&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=33.806653&lon=-116.341479&mag=5&zoom=13&q1=Marriott%20Desert%20Springs%20Hotel%20Palm%20Desert%20CA&q2=29200%201000%20Palms%20Canyon%20Rd%2C%20Thousand%20Palms%2C%20CA%2C%2092276 The Coachella Valley Preserve is located 10 miles east of Palm Springs near 1000 Palms. It is a 17,000 acre site that is home to the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, which is found nowhere else in the world. It is also home of the spectacular Thousand Palm Oasis which is fed by water seeping out of the San Andreas Fault. There are also several other Palm Oases, including the Willis, Hidden Horseshoe, and Indian Palms. Located in the center is the Paul Wilhelm Grove that is also the location of the Preserve's visitor's center. The preserve has several hiking trails including the McCallum, Hidden Palms, Moon Country, Pushawalla Palms, and Willis Palms trails. http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/cvpreserve.php  Trails in the Coachella Valley Preserve Pushawalla Palms Trail loop - Hike along an uplifted section of the San Andreas Fault Zone on the Pushawalla trail. Willis Palms Trail - A fairly easy hike to a palm oasis. McCallum Trail - A nice hike through the Coachella Valley preserve. http://coachellavalleypreserve.org/ Elvis' Palm Springs Hideaway Elvis and Priscilla honeymooned in the midcentury modern Honeymoon Hideaway 1350 Ladera Circle where he spent much of his final decade in the city.  http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324100904578402952359848418 http://elvishoneymoon.com/ Drive, walk or bike tour of the homes of the Stars Pick up rental bikes in old Palm Springs historic area, then follow self guided maps past home where all the stars screwed and drank their brains out, Elvis, JFK, Marilyn, the Gabor sisters, Liberace, etc. Pick up free map of the stars' homes at  Palm Springs Visitor Center 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive Corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and Tramway Palm Springs CA 92262 Open 9 - 5 PM Daily 760-778-8418 http://www.visitpalmsprings.com/overview/play/palm-springs-visitors-center-/13676 http://www.iamnotastalker.com/2008/03/18/vacation-homes-of-the-stars/ Casino Gambling - not in the center of Palm Springs. Instead, head south on interstate to casinos in the Indio area. Better casinos and odds. But sleazy oldsters. Jeweler - M. Schwartz Estate Jewelers.  Downtown Palm Springs @ 112 North Palm Canyon Drive (just North of Tahquiz Canyon intersection.  north of Ramon Road Palm Springs, CA 92262, (760) 327-7524. Say hi to Betty, Carol and Mel (owner) & Mr. Isaac Outland, the negotiator and great guy. Drive Up to Idyllwild – a quaint mountain village, located a mile high above neighboring desert communities, a respite from the summer heat and a cool, snowy wonderland in winter.  The highways to Idyllwild provide stunning views, diverse terrain from the deserts below up to our towering pines, all on well maintained, easy mountain roads. From Palm Desert, take Hwy 74, start at Hwy 111 just west of Cook.  Takes about an hour to drive there.  http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&gl=us&saddr=palm+desert&daddr=idyllwild+google+maps&dirflg=d&geocode=KTfCpfIu_NqAMXVGr4aPRrku;KT3wyc8OEtuAMY9E9b7G3Oj0&ei=NJJ7TtTDBImjtgeZv4z-Dw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBoQ-A8wAA Chamber of Commerce info: http://www.idyllwildchamber.com/visiting.php Shopping Fry’s - about 7 miles from downtown Huntington Beach, 10800 Kalama River Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. (714) 378-4400 Fry’s Wedsite http://www.frys.com/template/index/ Fry’s Ad Specials http://www.frys-electronics-ads.com/ 1. Depart 512 13th St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 2. Turn LEFT (North) onto Main St which changes to Ellis Ave. 3. Go thru Beach Intersection and continue heading away from H.B. 4. Turn LEFT (North) onto Brookhurst St - Mimi’s Café on Brookhurst @ Ellis) 5. Turn RIGHT (East) onto Talbert Ave with Shell and Chevron gas on corner than over F’way. 6. Turn RIGHT (South) onto Mt Shay St 7. Then right again onto Kalama River Ave, Fountain Valley and Fry’s is in rear.  To exit, you must bear right and get back on F’way then off at Brookhurst exit. Fry’s @ City of Industry, 13401 Crossroads Parkway North, City Of Industry, CA (562) 463-2400 http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=City+Of+Industry,+CA+13401+Crossroads+Parkway+North&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x80c2d6cf66c43e7d:0x5bf43a5fb5a03a41,13401+Crossroads+Pkwy+N,+Industry,+CA+91746&gl=us&ei=O457Tv3dIsugtwe4p7nvDw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=2&ved=0CCgQ8gEwAQ END