The front counter at this European-inspired bakery is a confectionery dreamland, brimming with all manner of sugary treats, each homemade on the premises by skilled in-house pastry chefs. Best known for their croissants (which run out quickly), other tempting fare includes cobblers, tarts, muffins, danishes, éclairs, tiramisu and more. The Chocolate Decadent Cake (pictured), a favorite in our house, is especially divine!
My gluten-free neighbors discovered this delightful spot years ago, and we’ve never looked back since! Serving up some of the best cupcakes in the Valley, with everything made fresh in-house utilizing only the finest ingredients, it is not hard to see how owners Tiffany and Ben Thorpe wound up on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” back in 2013. Offering more than 20 flavors daily (nearly all also available gluten and dairy-free), Tiffany’s Sweet Spot is my desert dessert go-to!
This hidden gem (most locals don’t even know it’s there!) sits perched overlooking the 25-acre man-made Lake La Quinta. While small (the boutique lodging features 24 rooms, each with a lake view), the site is not short on amenities, which include an onsite restaurant (listed in my cocktails section), a sprawling lawn, a pool, a jacuzzi and a charming light-strung patio outfitted with a fire pit and plenty of spots for lounging. Thoroughly idyllic, the property, which was voted “Best of the Best” boutique hotel in La Quinta by Palm Springs Life magazine, is often booked out for weddings, so stays should be reserved far in advance.
★★★★
Easily my favorite Coachella Valley hotel, the La Quinta Resort was built in 1926 (before the city was incorporated!) and is teeming with history. A longtime playground for the rich and famous (Frank Capra even wrote “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the premises!), the 45-acre property boasts 785 rooms, many of which are standalone casitas situated around lush courtyards, four restaurants, a café, 21 tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts, 42 pools, 53 hot tubs, six shops and five golf courses. Despite the grand size, the lodging feels intimate and private. With its undeniable ambiance, rich history, and endless charm, the La Quinta Resort remains a true desert treasure.
★★★★
Tucked along the southern edge of the La Quinta Resort is another former private residence designed by Gordon Kaufmann, this one crafted in 1927 for oil magnate William Graham and his wife, Eleanor. Known as La Casa, the charming abode served as a favorite retreat of Greta Garbo throughout her lifetime. Acquired by the hotel in the 1970s, the dwelling is currently used as a special events venue, but the screen legend is still said to frequent it on occasion from the great beyond. It was also there that Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner married his pick, Theresa Nist, in January 2024, before divorcing her just three months later.
San Francisco oyster tycoon Walter H. Morgan relocated to the desert in 1921, purchasing 1,400 acres of land on which he commissioned Gordon Kaufmann to design a sprawling homestead for himself and an exclusive lodging for his well-heeled friends. Completed in 1926, the La Quinta Resort went on to become one of the area’s most beloved hotels. Sadly, Morgan did not live to see its success. Suffering from considerable health and financial woes, the businessman took his own life in the garage of his residence in April 1931. His ashes were spread on the grounds surrounding his home, which still stands today in all of its Spanish Revival glory, just north of the hotel’s main pool.
A desert icon since its 2004 inception, this place gets my vote for some of the absolute BEST pies in the entire valley (thin crust with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and olives is my preferred order). But there is so much more to be had here, especially the daily happy hour, hosted from 3 to 6 p.m., with offerings including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Rib Bites and Street Tacos – all affordable and delicious. There is also a sister location in Palm Desert, but the patio at the La Quinta outpost is where it’s truly at!
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Securing a seat at this local favorite during happy hour (offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily) is a cut-throat endeavor, to say the least! One drink in, and it won’t be hard to see why! The food is superb, the drinks well-crafted, and the ambiance unparalleled, especially on the gorgeous patio, which is literally built into the side of a mountain and boasts striking views and an open-air fireplace, perfect for those cool desert nights.
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One of the desert’s most beloved establishments, Arnold Palmer’s was opened by the golf great in 2004. Boasting priceless ambiance, sprawling side and rear patios, mountain views, a club-like interior, and plenty of mementos on display (including one of The King’s four Masters jackets), it’s a truly gorgeous and unique spot to grab a meal.
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A truly magical spot boasting a sprawling patio nestled under a grove of trees illuminated by hundreds upon hundreds of twinkle lights, a meal at Lavender Bistro is tantamount to dining in a magical fairyland. The food is also exceptional (I’m partial to the Wild Mushroom Soup). So it is no surprise that the eatery is regularly – and very deservedly – named Palm Springs’ most romantic restaurant by just about every publication out there.
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