Palm Springs Recommendations from Fox & Doll

I have been going to Palm Springs since April 2013 and have been back so many times since, with an average of twice a year. My trips have evolved from staying mostly by the hotel pool (see the post here from my first Palm Springs trip) to being 2-3 week adventures with plenty of vintage shopping, great vegetarian food, day trips, caftan wearing and of course I still get in plenty of pool time.

April 2017

August 2017

January 2019, it can get cold!

May 2019

October 2019

Because I have been so many times people often ask me for recommendations, so now I have finally put together a compilation of favorites. Take note that there was a big gap in my travels to Palm Springs during the height of covid, I was there in January 2020 and then finally returned this month in April 2022. Luckily all of my favorites were still there!!! The only exception is the Elvis Honeymoon Hideway, it is still there but you can't visit it anymore because it sold to a private buyer in 2020.

February 2018 at the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, on their bed!

Favorite spots to visit in Palm Springs:

Moorten Botanical Garden - Located just around the corner from the Ace Hotel, don't forget to check out the turtles in the back area. Closed Wednesdays.

Walking the historic neighborhoods - I am obsessed with the architecture and landscaping

Driving the historic neighborhoods at night - the shadows on the houses are amazing

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - I have actually never done it, but am always keeping it in mind for future trips and for particularly hot days since it is much cooler up there.

Palm Springs Art Museum - Closed Mon, Tues and Wed.

Vintage shopping  - This is a big one for me, so check out my upcoming post, but for now I will tease you with Iconic Atomic, Dazzles and the Vintage Market.

Eating - This is also a big one for me so I will do a separate eating and drinking in Palm Springs post but in the meantime for food don't miss Birba, Workshop, Farm (brunch), Chef Tanyas Kitchen (all vegan) and Mod Cafe. Eat ice cream at Kreem and the Ice Cream Shoppe. And drink at Bootleggers, Seymour's, Tonga Hut, Truss and Twine.

Brunch at Farm 2018

Kreem May 2019

Favorite day trips out of Palm Springs:

Shields Date Farm - Get brunch, a date shake, take a tour and watch "The Romance and Sex Life of the Date".

Salvation Mountain - It is a bit of a drive but makes for a unique day and great photos, if you get started early you can pair it with a the Shields Date Farm trip.

Salvation Mountain January 2020

Cabazon Dinosaurs - A fun stop and great photo spot. There are outlet stores nearby if that's your thing. 

Cabazon Dinosaurs January 2020

Great Hikes - There are so many beautiful options. Do your research and bring lots of water and snacks.

Joshua Tree - This can be a day trip from Palm Springs. Plus a stop at Natural Sisters Cafe, The Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum and the hidden shops behind it. 

May 2019 at the Beauty Bubble exhibition opening

Pioneer Town and Yucca Valley - Half way to Joshua Tree. Eat at Pappy and Harriets, walk the old west movie set location and shop the one block strip in Yucca Valley.

Brunch at the Pink Cabana - Located at The Sand Hotel, yummy and beautiful. The spa looks lovely too, at least go peek your head in to take a look at it.

Monthly events to plan your trip around:

Palm Springs Vintage Market - The first Sunday of the month October through May.

Live music at Pappy and Harriets - Keep an eye on the calendar and plan ahead.

Yearly events to plan your trip around:

Palm Springs International Film Festival - You will find me there each year seeing films and doing makeup and hair for presenters. There is also a blog post I did from one of my film festival trips a few years back. 

Makeup and hair by me January 2020

Hair by me, Film Festival 2020

Film Noir Festival - Give me any excuse to see more noir films! I have been to this and it is great! Happening in mid May.

Tiki Caliente - A tiki party in the desert. Happening in May.

Modernism Week - Happening in February and May. Plan ahead, it can get crowded and expensive but is so much fun.

October 2018 Modernism Week Event, hair styled by me

February 2018 Modernism Car Show

Paradise Road Show - Classic cars and bikes, plus great vendors selling vintage and more. Happens January.

Where to stay:

I have actually only stayed a few places in all my trips to Palm Springs, but can recommend many from all the research and pool visits I have done. I slightly hesitantly share my favorite place to stay, but hey maybe I'll run into friends next time. And I would love to hear where others have stayed and loved. 

The Twist

The Float

Arrive

The Parker

The Ace

The Ocotillo (via AirBnb Hostess with the Most) - Very historic. A wonderful private spot and a pool shaped like a champagne cork!

January 2020 at The Twist

May 2019 at The Ocotillo

Do you love it in Palm Springs so much that you want to buy a place there? Here is my realtor friend Dylan's info. And you better invite me as a guest when you do, joking (sort of). I also recommend following her instagram and YouTube for much more mid century inspiration. 

Please share with me your favorite Palm Springs spots, anything I missed on this list and anything I recommended to you personally that you loved. 

xo Fox & Doll 💋

The Palm Springs International Film Festival Wrap Up

The Palm Springs International Film Festival ended a week ago today. I got see so many great films. Here is my highlights list in case any of you want some recommendations. Posted in the order I saw them.

Bohemian Rhapsody - had already seen it weeks before but loved it so much it was worth seeing it again with lead actor Rami Malek doing a Q&A. I love almost any movie music related but this one is special, especially the way they did the last 20 minutes of the film. Also recommend rewatching the original 1985 LIVE AID concert on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A22oy8dFjqc

Can You Ever Forgive Me? - sooooo gooood. See this movie as soon as you get a chance. Funny and fascinating, based on a true story.

Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable - A wonderful documentary! Iconic american street photographer capturing NYC in the 50’s and 60’s, and so much more. Pay the $3.99 to watch this online.

Yellow Is Forbidden - ok not the best documentary I’ve ever seen but worth it to view the clothing in action. At the very least look up Guo Pei’s spring summer 2017 runway show, it’s not fully shown in the film and it is amazing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLpoENjcLoI

BlacKkKlansman - wow! This was intense to watch and really had me emotional. Plus early 70’s everything! Lucky to have the person it was based on and author of the book by the same name, Ron Stallworth, do a Q&A after the film. Extremely heavy and funny at the same time, and he said it was all just as comical if not more in real life, and he still carries his KKK membership card on him.

Ladies in Black - Set in 1959 in a department store in Australia, a visual dream come true for me. Great story and great fashion. And I was lucky to do actress Rachael Taylor’s hair for the closing night gala. Hope this plays widely in US theaters.

Also saw two more movies this week since I have been back from Palm Springs:

The Hitch-Hiker - Directed by Ida Lupino 1953. Had me on the edge of my seat!

The Favourite - Intense and dark. I loved it.

Next up in film viewing is Noir City Film Festival, one of my favorite events of the year! http://www.noircity.com/

Palm Springs! Finally!

I have been wanting to go to Palm Springs for forever it seems. Thanks to my gal pals we finally did it this month! I have fantasies of returning very soon, so expect this to be the first of hopefully many posts about this lovely desert oasis. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was driving around and looking at the houses and neighborhoods. We also stopped off at some amazing hotels to see their decor and bars, The Parker was my favorite of these. With interiors designed by Jonathan Adler, we had fun taking some photos in the impressive super 70's loungy lobby, then wondering around the maze of the seemly endless tropical grounds.

Another highlight was the vintage shopping which we didn't get the chance to dive very deep into, but another great reason to return. My favorite we found was Mr. Cox Vintage, with a super classy selection of well cared for glamorous pieces. Plus I got the chance to wear a few of my favorite warm weather dresses, including this hot little full length tropical number below.

And how could I not mention our perfect accommodations at the Ace Hotel. The rooms were super comfortable and the food at King's Highway Diner (a restored Denny's) was excellent, served poolside and open late night. I adore everything about the Ace! I was also thrilled to find out a friend from Estie School is new the Lead Esthetician there, so if you go make sure to get a facial at The Feel Good Spa!

Chances are I will be back in Palm Springs very soon!