Your Palm Springs Holiday Itinerary
You’ve decided to spend the holidays in Palm Springs —high fives all around! Instead of stressing about where to sip cocoa or snap a holiday selfie, read on. Our custom Google Map Itinerary guides you from peppermint-spiked lattes in the morning to twinkling lights and holiday cocktails at night. Just grab a cozy sweater, your favorite sunnies, and get ready to slay this holiday season in Palm Springs!
Your Palm Springs Holiday Itinerary Checklist
Cafe La Jefa
Address: 750 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Hours of Operation: Sun-Thur from 7am- 4pm / Fri-Sat from 7am -8pm
Museum Trail
Address: 101 N. Bernardo Rd.
Hours of Operation: Daily from sunrise to dusk
Thick as Thieves
Address: 183 S. Indian Canyon Dr.
Hours of Operation: Thur-Sun from 11am - 4pm
Grounded Bodyworks
Address: 1701 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Hours of Operation: Sun-Mon from 9am - 2:30pm / Closed Tues / Fri-Sat from 9am - 5pm
Cheeky’s
Address: 622 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Happy Hour: Daily from 8am -2pm
Downtown Palm Springs
Address: Palm Canyon Dr.
Hours of Operation: Hours vary by shop
Le Vallauris
Address: 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Hours of Operation: Daily from 5pm - 9pm
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Address: 47900 Portola Ave.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 7am - 1:30pm / Wildlights on select nights from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
The River at Rancho Mirage
Address: 71800 Highway 11
Hours of Operation: Vary by activity and function
Morning Coffee and a Sunrise Hike
Kick off your day like a true Palm Springs local—caffeinated and ready for whatever the day may bring! Start at Cafe La Jefa, sipping creative coffee variations, seasonal specials, and sampling fresh-baked pastries (even the vegan and gluten-free crowd gets spoiled here). A yogurt parfait or a warm, flaky quiche will give you just enough fuel for your next move: hiking the Museum Trail, a short yet challenging trek offering incredible desert views!
Brunch, Cocktails, & Holiday Shopping
Nothing says ‘I nailed this year’s holiday gifting’ quite like skipping the chain stores and treasure-hunting at some of the coolest boutiques in Palm Springs. Thick as Thieves offers a curated selection of jewelry, artwork, bath and body products, and more. The Frippery is a vintage wonderland, and Iconic Atomic is where all your retro dreams come true. After shopping, brunch will definitely be in order, and we’d suggest Cheeky’s, serving up everything from bacon flights and fluffy pancakes to mimosas and boozy lemonade.
Should your trip land you in Palm Springs on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, consider a festive brunch at Eight4Nine. Trust us, the food is sublime and the cocktails are dreamy.
Spa Day Anyone?
After checking everyone else off your holiday list, maybe it’s time to focus on you. Treat yourself to a facial, massage, or body treatment at Grounded Bodyworks. If you’ve got a little extra time on your hands, head out to the mineral pools at Azure Palm Hot Springs. Top it off with a stop at Azure Palm Cafe’ for fresh juice, a smoothie, or a calming herbal tea. Prefer to stay in? Book an in-home massage and let the spa come to your vacation rental!
Seasonal Festivities & Happy Hour
Get into the holiday spirit, Palm Springs style, with a fun lineup of Palm Springs events. If you’re in town the first weekend in December, check out the Festival of Lights Parade, a full-blown display of sparkling floats, cheerful music, and glittering lights. Then wander down Palm Canyon Drive, brimming with festive decor and twinkling shop windows. Pop into 1501 Uptown Gastropub for a decadent happy hour and whet your appetite with a classic martini and some sweet and spicy barbecue wings.
A Cozy Dinner, Christmas Lights, and Firepit S’mores
Wrap up your holiday outing with a cozy French dinner and fine wine at Le Vallauris. Copley’s is another excellent option, offering a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere featuring inspired American dishes. Afterward, step into a winter wonderland at The Living Desert’s WildLights, or lace up for some ice skating and other merry events at The River at Rancho Mirage.
If you’re in town for New Year’s Eve, catch the fireworks at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, and check out a whole host of other festive celebrations to ring in the new year! Prefer to chill? Head back to your ACME House Company vacation rental, grab a blanket, and roast some s’mores while reminiscing about the fabulous time you had spending the holidays in Palm Springs!
