Girl's Weekend in Palm Springs: A Desert Getaway Guide

Whether you're seeking poolside relaxation, or an adventurous getaway filled with sightseeing and shopping, Palm Springs is the ultimate destination for a getaway trip. Every summer, my best friends and I have our annual Palm Springs vacation, and I'd love to share some of our favorite activities, places to stay, eat, and shop.

Choosing the right place to stay is key as much of your time is spent enjoying the comfort of your accommodation. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Resort has by far been my favorite place to stay. I enjoyed sleeping in free from the worries of daily life, and waking up to the breathtaking view of the mountains stretching across the desert horizon. My friends and I would gather to cook breakfast, whipping up the most buttery, fluffy pancakes while chatting about the day's adventures ahead. It felt like the ideal life—carefree mornings spent cooking with friends, surrounded by stunning views, and savoring each moment without a worry in the world. This resort is ideal for lounging with your friends, it offers leisure amenities, a pool just steps from the room, and the perfect blend of home comforts and Palm Springs luxury.

More Iconic Spot Suggestions:

• The Parker
• Korakia Pensione
• The Westin Desert Willow Villas

One of the highlights of a Palm Springs trip is the opportunity to relax by the water under the desert sun meanwhile enjoying a refreshing drink. This is the perfect time to unwind, sun-bathe while enjoying the beautiful desert landscaping, catching up, and taking pictures.

In addition to lounging by the pool, a trip to Palm Canyon Drive is an absolute must! This shopping district is the heart of Palm Springs', it offers a delightful mix of high-end boutiques, vintage shops, and mouthwatering restaurants. Throughout our visit, it's tradition to have an adventure day starting with brunch at FARM, where the poached eggs are so perfectly done, they practically melt in your mouth. After brunch, we make a mandatory coffee stop at Cafe La Jefa to fuel up for a day of shopping. Sephora is always the first stop, followed by H&M, and we wrap up the day by exploring the antique shops, hunting for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

More things to do:

• Hike Indian Canyon
• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
• Spa Day at Sec-he

Finding the best spots to eat is crucial on every trip and Palm Springs never disappoints. Every meal I have had in each of my visits are delicious. Below are some of the best restaurants in Palm Springs that you should try.

• Brunch at FARM
• The Heyday
• Birba

Palm Springs is the ultimate destination for a getaway, offering the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re sunbathing by the pool, indulging in spa treatments, or exploring the desert, every moment is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Don't forget to use this guide if you plan on visiting Palm Springs next summer!

CALIFORN-I-A

As I approach my graduate date in May, I become more and more fond of the idea of traveling for the summer instead of going straight to work. But even with great dreams of traveling the world, I began to think about just how much there is in my own backyard. California is full of gorgeous landscape. We’ve got everything from beaches to mountains to bays to wineries to major cities. So before I try taking on the world, maybe I should start with my own state...that’s in my own country.

• Starting in the south, San Diego comes to mind. The county offers night life at the Gaslamp
  District. The downtown atmosphere offers dining, entertainment, history, hotels, and this month--a couple of Halloween parties and a haunted house.

During the day time, San Diego has some wonderful attractions as well. Apart from Sea World and the beach, the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are very popular. And for those who are sports enthusiasts, Petco Park hosts the Padres, and Qualcomm Stadium hosts the Chargers.

• Orange and Los Angeles Counties are full of fun things as well. Hollywood is your guide to the stars, Disneyland in Anaheim can make magic for you, Knott's Berry Farm can thrill you, Medieval Times can take you back in time, Universal Studios can show you what's behind the scenes, and the Ducks, Kings, Dodgers, Angels, Clippers, and Lakers can all encourage your competitive side. For those who like to be outside, there are of course beaches, but also hiking trails. Monrovia trails (pictured) lead hikers to a waterfall, hiking through Malibu can end on the old set of M*A*S*H and Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills treats hikers to a site of the city that's hard to find anywhere else.

As I began to think about what lies outside of my comfort zone (what's north of LA), I started to become overwhelmed. So here are the hot spots, some tourist-y and some not-so-much.

• San Fransisco offers the famous 4200 feet long, Golden Gate Bridge, a site everyone should see at least once (especially if you're a Californian). It can be viewed from a ferry below it; a bike ride, car ride, or walk across it; or from view points on the land below. As 2012 marks the bridge's 75th anniversary, this year should be more special than ever. While you're in San Fran, also find Alcatraz Island. You'll find great views and a may even get a history lesson out of the trip.
  
• Yosemite National Park has tons to do for everyone. With breathtaking falls as high as 2425 feet, the park truly offers a serene landscape. While in Yosemite, visitors can also walk through the giant sequoias, visit and learn about the wild life, go rock climbing, and even visit with the rangers.

• Santa Barbara has a small town feel and definitely gets you out of the hustle and bustle that is Los Angeles. With gorgeous views, great shopping, a range of food selection, wine, and Californian nostalgia, this is a sure addition to my must-see list.

• Built for William Randolf Hearst, Hearst Castle is a dream we'd all like to come true in our own lives. However, with 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and the world's largest private zoo, I would be easily lost. Still, I would love to stop here on a road trip and experience its magnificence.

• Just north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is most famous for its wine country. While most girls drool over the idea of getting married here, Napa also offers golf, fine dining, spas, wine tastings, hot-air balloon rides, farmer's markets, state parks, and beaches. The possibilities truly are endless. While France, Italy and Spain may come to mind first when thinking of gorgeous landscape that also offers authentic food and wine, Napa Valley is in every Californian's backyard and has joined those countries in the top ranks.

When I am at work, I meet many tourists from other countries who are doing so much in the few weeks that they are in the US which I have not been able to do in my entire life time. So before I travel the world (which holds its own magnificence, I know), I will first discover California.