Held the first Sunday of the month each October through May, the Palm Springs Vintage Market makes for a splurge-worthy weekend excursion. With countless vendors hawking fabulous mid-century, retro and antique finds, it is easy to get lost in the stalls, the wide array of historic memorabilia on display providing wistful walks down memory lane. From purses to clothing to barware to furniture to artwork, if it’s vintage you’re seeking, this is the place to find it!
If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy backdrop to document your Coachella Valley travels, head straight to Bobo Palm Springs and make a beeline for the stationery shop’s perfectly pink “Greetings from Palm Springs” mural. Hand-painted by store owner (and artist/journal-creator extraordinaire) Angie Chua, the charming display is the ideal spot to strike a pose and even boasts a “shelfie stand” for your selfie-snapping convenience.
This 26-foot-tall steel and aluminum statue, which captures Marilyn Monroe mid-dress-billow in the iconic scene from 1955’s “The Seven Year Itch,” was unveiled by prolific sculptor Seward Johnson in 2011. In the years that followed, it called many different places home but was relocated to Palm Springs permanently in 2021 and now stands proudly in Downtown Park as one of the city’s main fixtures and central attractions.
One of the city’s most beloved attractions – and the world’s largest rotating tram! – the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports passengers nearly 6,000 feet up the face of the San Jacinto Mountains. At the top, visitors are granted jetliner views of the entire valley, as well as access to hiking trails, a gift shop, an informational movie and two eateries, including Peaks Restaurant, a unique top-of-the-tram fine dining experience. Tickets do book up fast, so plan accordingly. And those who experience motion sickness, should take note – the gondolas spin ever so slowly as they make their ascent and descent.
“Condé Nast Traveler” rated this spot one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, and it is not very hard to see why. But calling it simply a “zoo” is somewhat of a disservice because The Living Desert is so much more! With expansive vistas showcasing animals in their natural habitats, journeying through the 1,200-acre site feels like being on a safari. There are also gardens, ponds, a massive model train exhibit, walking trails, camel rides, giraffe feedings, a butterfly sanctuary, and an animal hospital to explore! The Living Desert is truly one-of-a-kind, offering a new experience each and every visit. The site’s annual Glow in the Park event, one of my favorite desert happenings, is also not to be missed!
Looking for showstopping views of the region? Head straight to the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway in Palm Desert, a zigzagging thoroughfare that spectacularly winds its way through the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, offering striking panoramas along the way. A stop at the Coachella Valley Vista Point, a stunning elevated lookout with sweeping views of the surrounding skyline (pictured), is a must. Ascending further along the Byway brings even more dramatic views and eventually leads to Idyllwild, a sweet little enclave with a charming collection of shops, restaurants and cafés to explore.
A bonafide mushroom farm in the heart of the Valley? Canyon Creek Mushrooms is certainly the first of its kind! Offering the finest fungal varieties (from lion’s mane to king trumpet to pink oyster), all hand-harvested right on the premises, the zero-waste facility is a one-stop shop when it comes to mushrooms. Best of all? The site offers daily tours of the premises, granting patrons behind-the-scenes glimpses of the entire cultivation process. No reservations required!
This bustling certified farmers market is held on Sundays from October through May, with local vendors hawking all manner of goods, including organic fruits and vegetables, juices, artisanal bread and fresh fish, plus jewelry, artwork and more! Numerous food trucks and kiosks are also on hand, such as the insanely popular Chaupain Bakery and, my personal favorite, The Tamale Fiesta. Old Town’s once-a-month Art on Main Street events, which run from November through March, are also not to be missed.
The mission of this 16,000-square-foot facility is to make art accessible to all Coachella Valley denizens, including students, senior citizens, veterans, Alzheimer’s sufferers and those with disabilities. Founded in 2009 by Victory Grund, the studio has certainly made good on that endeavor, with countless classes, workshops and exhibits offered regularly at the gorgeous property, eager patrons trying their hands at everything from needle felting to glass-blowing to paint-your-own pottery (my personal favorite) at both indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Come December, the complex is transformed into an adorable holiday-themed Gingerbread Lane, with special events like Santa visits, cookie decorating, ornament painting, and more taking place each Saturday.
A charming venue filled with an array of exhibits and displays chronicling the history of the city of La Quinta, this fun and informative spot is a great place to spend an afternoon – especially during the summer months when it is too hot to be outside. The site also hosts a plethora of regular events, including music nights (held al fresco in the gorgeous courtyard), author readings, educational lectures, genealogy meet-ups, movie screenings and more! There is always something exciting happening at the La Quinta Museum!
