Dads are notoriously hard to please, even on the gifting front (just mine?). Personally, I was never able to beat anything my sister got him. But then I figured out that I could offer him an experience, so we’d go places together. I wish he was still around so I could show him my Palm Springs. He’d love it. So, if you’ll allow me, I’d love to help you plan that perfect getaway for you and your Dad/Daddy in our little slice of paradise.
Let’s start with accommodations:
Old Ranch Inn: There are eight rooms available at the western-themed, architecturally historic resort. Every room is around the pool, so there’s no long walk like on larger properties. Just steps away from downtown, it’s a great choice.
The Wescott: Art Deco, old Hollywood style with a nice pool for swimming some laps. A top Palm Springs lodging option, it has earned a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2013.
The Westcott’s pool area. Photo courtesy of The Westcott
Ingleside Inn: If a hotel could write a book, hoo boy what stories it could tell. Luckily, former owner Mel Haber did write a book, and spills all the secrets. The bar in the on-property restaurant Melvyn’s is so old Hollywood, in your mind’s eye you can see Dean Martin leaning across the bar to talk to Dinah Shore, or Debbie Reynolds laughing with bestie Ruta Lee. The hotel and the restaurant are first class, as is the entertainment.
The Three-Fifty Hotel: Sweet 10-suite hotel with fabulous poolside views of the mountains.
Once you’ve got your hotel locked down, it’s time to figure out the rest of the experience. If Dad is a golfer, there are SO many options, you can read all about them here.
There’s nothing like the feeling of being behind the wheel of a sporty car on a racetrack, so if Dad’s into cars (and I’m going to pull a statistic right out of thin air and say 95% of all men love cars), book the ultimate driving experience at the BMW Performance Track. He’ll be talking about it for years to come.
The Palm Springs Air Museum is pretty cool. Even cooler? You can ride in an old war bird in the sky.
The Palm Springs Air Museum. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
Windmill Tours: From golf cart tours to self-driving tours, it’s all about the energy of these turbines, how they work, and how much electricity they produce. I hear it’s marvelous. Likely not for toddlers, though.
June 16 and 17: Baseball with Palm Springs Power. 7 p.m.
If Dad’s into art, take him to the Palm Springs Art Museum, and to one of the many galleries around town.
A nice spot to have a coffee is in the Corridor Courtyard. Choose from Ernest Coffee or Koffi (both local coffee shops) and Mod Cafe (all vegan, breakfast, and lunch) then go behind the buildings into a magical little garden away from the hubbub of Palm Canyon.
Sports bars — there’s The Village (they have a Father’s Day luncheon), Shamrock’s Irish Pub, and Hair of the Dog (pool, darts, and, you know, booze).
Small batch brewers: Las Palmas Brewers, La Quinta Brewery Tap Room
Happy Hour: Las Casuelas, Lulu (at the bar)
Lulu California Bistro in downtown Palm Springs. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
Dinner:
Spencer’s: Book the Bougainvillea Room.
The Purple Room Supper Club: Check the lineup and check with Dad. They have a lot of great jazz singers, and Sundays is the fabulous The Judy Show.
Johnny Costa’s: Old school Italian fine dining. The chicken parm and eggplant parm are delicioso!
Del Rey: Great drinks and tapas in the Villa Royale. Small space makes great memories.
After dinner:
V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar has a great selection of wines and fun cocktails, including martinis. It’s got a cool, retro vibe with its mid-century modern decor. Sometimes there’s karaoke and sometimes there’s other forms of entertainment. But even on a quiet night, you’ll enjoy the ambiance, and the staff is helpful and friendly, too.
Breakfast:
Bit O’Country: Locally owned, great American and Mexican cuisine.
Elmer’s: My favorite breakfast, because hash browns.
Billy Reed’s: It’s the most old school, Midwest spot in Palm Springs.
Pinocchio’s: The home fries are made with baked potatoes, and they have free flowing champagne and Bloody Marys. It’s a party.
For something different, on the South Course in the south end of Palm Springs is Indian Canyons Golf. The link I’m giving you indicates both restaurants are open, which is news to me. Go here.
Indian Canyons South. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
And now for the Daddies.
Clothing-optional resorts for men:
^^all of these are great options for couples
The relaxing Hacienda at Warm Sands pool. Photo courtesy of The Hacienda at Warm Sands
Brunch/Dinner:
Trio (Saturdays and Sundays)
To get the full Palm Springs experience, head on down to Arenas Road (Blackbook is there) and check out all of the clubs. Gay Desert Guide will be a big help.
For the Sugar Daddy — you’re footing the tab, go to Paris! Looking for romance not requiring a passport? Try these resorts on for size: L’Horizon (swanky beyond swank), Smoke Tree Ranch (so exclusive most locals have never been), and Casa Cody (the romance of old Palm Springs) in downtown.
Spend one entire day in the Spa at Séc-he. If you book a service over $200 you get access to all of the pools, baths, salt caves, etc. Several spots to lunch inside. I hear it’s worth every penny.
Wishing a Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there in the wild. I hope you get to spend some quality time with your kids, and that they like you. In which case, see you in Palm Springs soon!
