While pricey (as all hotel gift shops tend to be), there are some great finds here, including many unique desert-related items and handcrafted wares. The inventory of Coachella Valley-related books is especially vast, with a heaping of landscaping, cooking, and design tomes that will satisfy anyone looking to learn more about the area and/or hoping to incorporate some of Palm Springs’ fab desert aesthetic into their own homes.
If it’s toys, clothes or games for kids you’re after, JadaBug’s is the place to be! A children’s wonderland, the sprawling store offers a bright inventory of the chicest clothing for little ones (I often find myself wishing some of the dresses came in my size!), educational toys and an entire wall of softer-than-soft stuffed animals. This is also the spot to head if you’re in need of any child-related rentals while in town, including cribs, strollers, car seats, etc. JadaBug’s is a one-stop shop for parents, grandparents and anyone with littles in tow! And for those in the market for more bargain buys, there’s a sister shop, JadaBug’s Elite Repeat, just three doors down featuring “gently used” kids’ clothing, maternity attire and more.
If it has to do with cooking and it’s not in here, maybe it doesn’t exist! This longtime Coachella Valley staple was founded in 1979, remains family-run today and is chock full of every kitchen item known to man. Although the customer service is unparalleled and the selection massive, the prices rival Amazon! I don’t even like to cook, and I can’t seem to walk out without purchasing something! Also offering a plethora of classes and special events, there is literally something for everyone at Kitchen Kitchen!
A genuinely singular desert find, this designer showroom, initially established in 1982, is teeming with exquisite art and lavish permanent floral arrangements. A faux botanical dreamland, the custom pieces offered are costly but absolutely stunning. A bit outside your budget? Not to worry! The emporium also stocks a wide array of succulents and floral accessories (I’m talking shelves upon shelves upon shelves!) to craft your own masterpiece! An arrangement I created years back using Art in Nature wares still garners more compliments than pretty much anything else in my house!
Whenever I find myself at a loss for birthday gift ideas for a friend, I head straight to the Lobby Shop at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The stylish boutique sells all of your typical hotel sundries like wine, snacks and first aid items but also offers a fun stash of desert and California-themed pieces, including artwork, purses, clothing, jewelry and more. I always wind up leaving with the perfect gift in hand. Bonus – the Marriott’s other onsite shops (there are eight in total!) are also fabulous!
Looking for an area florist? This is the spot I’d recommend. Offering spectacular, show-stopping arrangements, you won’t find more beautiful flower designs anywhere in the desert. And there is plenty more to be had, as well, such as high-end gifts, furnishings and garden items. Decorated to the nines, the place reads like a museum or a decorator’s showplace and, as such, is worth a drop-in if only to peruse the fantastical retail displays, including the whimsical parasol-adorned front counter.
Love DIYs, wellness, and beauty? Head straight to It Refills! The “vegan, zero-waste refill station” is stocked with a seemingly endless supply of cruelty-free, all-natural, biodegradable soaps, shampoos, lotions, detergents, and even toothpaste (think Lemongrass Multi-Purpose Cleaner Spray, Un-Bleach, and Orange & Bergamot Wash) – all of which customers fill and package themselves, using their own containers or glass vessels supplied in store! The shop also carries vintage clothing, kitchen tools, and assorted gift items.
Extremely high-end and finely curated, Blonde offers an elevated shopping experience for those really hoping to splurge! Recently celebrating two decades of operation in the desert, the family-owned boutique stocks fine brands like Moussy, ISMBS, Aviator Nation, Free City and Kerri Rosenthal, among many others. Along with fabulous clothes, you’ll also find dainty jewelry, home décor and greeting cards.
A clotheshorse’s dream, this boutique is a multi-level wonderland of designer duds, sparkly baubles and trendy accessories. Inviting, friendly and well-priced, with many affordable brands on hand, Chrissy’s has something for everyone – including husbands! Yep, even your S.O. will enjoy shopping at this place because tucked away in a nearly hidden enclave is the man cave to end all man caves! Stocked with comfy couches and chairs, a television, magazines, free Wi-Fi and a wide array of snacks, it’s the ideal spot for husbands to relax (sans complaint!) while you shop the day away!
Some of the most vibrant and delightfully unexpected treasures – from formal dresses to colorful resort wear to whimsical accessories – can be found at this charming boutique. The front display is consistently a vibe – precisely themed (Stagecoach sparkle, Valentine’s romance, Fourth of July flair!), constantly evolving and always worth a second look. And then there’s the owner, Tatiana — genuinely one of the kindest souls in town, offering a rare brand of old-school customer service that makes you feel like a regular from the very first visit. Confession: half the time I pop in just to chat . . . though I somehow never manage to leave empty-handed.
