5 Ideas For The Perfect Palm Springs Valentine’s Day
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”
– Coco Chanel
Named after Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers (weird three to lump together, but whatever), Valentine’s Day somehow took on the persona of the Greek god of love, Eros, which then morphed into Cupid, the god of desire. So now Valentine’s Day is symbolized by a chubby baby flying around with a magical bow and arrow shooting people in the heart with expectations of a lusty outcome. Fun!
The expectations and nerves leading up to Valentine’s Day are also (à la Gwen Stefani) B.A.N.A.N.A.S. Candy, a card, flowers, a fancy dinner, and perhaps a piece of jewelry are de rigueur, and while those are nice, why not do something different? Something that shows the object of your affection your creative streak. Here are some ideas to make the day a little easier (I got you!):
Date One: The Outdoor Adventure Date
What you’ll need: hiking shoes, a backpack, and dress in layers
Breakfast: Cheeky’s for breakfast. It’s very popular and it’s busy.
Coffee: Koffi is great, but try something new, like Ernest Coffeehouse
Lunch to go: The Sandwich Spot. Pre-order your sandwiches and put them in your backpack. Or try On The Mark for a fancier fare.
Adventure: The Tram. Take it up the mountain (wear your mask, you are in an enclosed gondola). Once you get to the top, there are great views, telescopes, and two places to eat. Explore the manmade stuff and then hike your trail. You can see all of them here, and make your choice with your date.
Alternative adventure option: Replace the tram with a hike in either Indian Canyons (so many trails!) or a lazier sexy hike at Tahquitz (tah’quits) Canyon to Tahquitz Falls. Once you get to the falls, it’s lunch time. Dangle your feet in the clear pool and enjoy. Don’t forget to pack up everything (no littering please) and hike back to civilization.
Dinner: The Rooster and Pig is only doing takeout at the time of this typing, but check the website. Things are opening back up. In keeping with the Asian theme, we have Fusion Five for pho, and 533 Viet Fusion on the south end of Palm Springs. If you want the best burger in town, head over to The Heyday. They also have a delicious magic mushroom burger (the magic is it tastes like beef, it doesn’t get you high). If you choose the Heyday option, you can go to the casino after and try your luck! 
Date Two: Bagels, Antiquing, Thrifting, Smok’em If You’ve Got’em
What you’ll need: A sense of adventure and a car. This date takes you to the south end of Palm Springs.
Breakfast: Townie Bagels — a very busy breakfast spot, but it gets you across the street from your first stop.
Cannabis?: If you’re cannabis friendly, there are three dispensaries in this area. Have an edible and let’s get on our now merry way.
Antiques, thrift stores, trading posts are across the street from Townies, and all along Industrial Place.
Antique Galleries, 505 Industrial Place gets you to the Antique Galleries and you can use your eyeballs from there.
Sunny Dunes Antique Mall, 507 E Sunny Dunes Rd. Sprawling shop featuring antique dealers selling vintage furniture, jewelry, and other collectibles.
Little Shop of Treasures, 616 E Sunny Dunes Rd. Unassuming store selling an array of antique furnishings, collectibles, clothes, and dishes.
Q Trading Co., 606 E Sunny Dunes Rd. Get your car and go to Sun Center Mall (turn right on Palm Canyon, then it’s less than half a block on your left).
Revivals, 611 South Palm Canyon Drive. This is a great little thrift store that benefits Desert AIDS Project.
Lunch options at Sun Center:
Palm Greens Cafe — Organic and vegan
PS Air inside Bouschet — Yummy salads
Spaghetteria for pizza
Lunch options at The Plaza (near your next stop):
Farm — Outstanding lunch selections, French inspired
More antiquing and thrifting:
P S Trading,140 N Palm Canyon Dr.
Bon Vivant, 766 N Palm Canyon Dr · Near Trio Restaurant, (760) 534-3197
a La MOD INC, 886 N Palm Canyon Dr · Near Trio Restaurant, (760) 327-0707
Deja Vu Vintage Finery, 664 N Palm Canyon Dr.
Flow Modern, 768 N Palm Canyon Dr.
Mohave Flea Trading Post, 383 Indian Canyon Dr..
Angel View Resale, 462 N Indian Canyon Dr.
Dinner: Birba — New wave Italian American fare. Sit on the twinkly patio.
Date Three: Spaaaah Date
Breakfast: L’Atelier in the Plaza. Pastries, quiche, salads, and champagne.
Spa options:
Our Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels have some exceptional spa options in gorgeous settings.
Palm Springs Beautiful Spa Massage, 109 S Indian Canyon Dr. (760) 656-1028
Palm Springs Spa Massage, 471 E Tahquitz Canyon Way #226. (760) 808-4205
Lunch: grab and go eat in the new park (on Museum Way down from Marilyn).
After the spa, check out the Palm Springs Art Museum, Marilyn Statue, and art installations. Behind The Block on Museum Way.
Dinner: It’s been a nice relaxing day, and dressing up and going out to dinner might be a bit much. If you’re a planner, a few weeks in advance you can order a custom dinner from Three Queens Catering. I recently went to an event they catered and the food was awesome! Plus, I know two of them, and they are some of the funniest people on the planet.
Bar Cecil (pronounced Sess’-ill) — Super fancy and the trendiest place in Palm Springs right now.
John Henry’s — Off the beaten path on Tahquitz on the way to the airport. Blink and you’ll miss it.
Date Four: Classic Palm Springs and the Rat Pack
Breakfast: Spencer’s, Grand Central, Melvyn’s at the Ingleside Inn
Coffee: Gre Coffeehouse — Great cup of java and vinyls to peruse and purchase.
Adventure: You’ll need a car. Download the Palm Springs Life tour app. It will take you on three different tours. That should take up most of your day.
Alternate plans: Open houses! This site tells you where they are the day of.
Lunch: Holiday House
Drinks: Del Rey inside Villa Royale or Melvyn’s
Dinner: Johnny Costa’s is super old school Italian fare with a Rat Pack vibe. The chef was one of Frank Sinatra’s favorites. Try the chicken parm.
Date Five: Traditional Valentine’s Day
Toffee from Brandini’s
Flowers (in advance) from Jensen’s (a beautiful plant will remind them of you year- round)
Valentine’s Day card from Just Fabulous
Dinner at Tropicale, Copley’s, Roly China Fusion (by the pool)
Finish up your evening at Dead or Alive Wine Bar or Seymour’s (inside Mr. Lyons) on the south end of town. Both are quiet and great before sexy times — if that’s your goal.
Happy Arrow-Slinging Chubby Baby Day everyone! I hope you’re with someone you love, and as the song says, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”
