Weekend Getaway: Palm Springs

My favorite place to get away is Palm Springs. Despite my San Francisco resident status, my true home is under the sun. And Palm Springs, my friends, is my desert dream under the sun. I venture to PS at least once a year (usually for Coachella), but every now and then I go just for some good ole R&R. This year, because I'm not headed to Coachella (I know, I can't believe it either!), I decided to book a trip to the desert to get my fill. It was also Derrick's first non-Coachella PS trip, so we decided to live like the locals, if only for a weekend. After the jump, catch a photo diary of our trip, along with a list of favorite spots to catch whilst in the city.

















My absolute favorite place to stay is the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. It's actually a personal goal to visit all of the Ace Hotels around the country (my count will be at three by the end of this month...). I love the Ace for its vibe, style and amenities. This particular Ace has glamp-style rooms, so you kind of feel like your outdoors doing that whole one-with-nature thing, but not really, because you're sleeping in style. Seriously, Ace has some of comfiest beds that I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping on. Room service is clutch for slow mornings in (get the Date Shake and thank me later!), and if you're really ballin', hit up the spa for a feel good massage or facial. The Ace also has free bikes to rent, so if you're up for a tour of the neighborhood, take a quick spin and make sure not to miss That Pink Door! Personally, I just love to lounge by the pool for hours, getting tan, reading a good book, and sipping drinks until the sun goes down. Absolute bliss. Oh, and did I mention they have a photo booth in their lobby? What's not to love?

The coolest thing to check out if you've got some time on your hands is the Moorten Botanical Garden, which is just a short 5-8 minute walk from the Ace. It's $5 for adults and you can see all of the cacti you never even knew existed. Moorten has the most famous cactarium on Instagram, so there's that. If you'd like to rival it, you can also purchase cacti and plants once you get to the end of the self-guided walking tour.

Downtown Palm Springs is a quick 10 minute drive from the Ace. It's best kept secret is the Thrifty's Ice Cream stand inside of the Rite Aid. I remember Thrifty's from when I was a kid. The ice cream flavors were delicious - the rainbow sherbet (which still exists!) used to be my favorite. For $1.99 get yourself a scoop of the most refreshing and tasty ice cream in town. Also, since you'll be at Rite Aid, get a pool floaty for under $10 to use while you're at the Ace. Trust me.

Food in Palm Springs doesn't quite hold a candle to that of SF's, but that doesn't mean there aren't good places for a bite. Cheeky's, which is known for its brunch and bacon flight, is extremely overrated, and you heard it here first (or many times before, lol). But, other places such as Jakes or Birba are great for dinner and worth the wait.

Of course, there are many, many other places to check out, and I find myself finding a new gem on each visit. So, what'd I miss? Anything to add? Share your PS secrets with me...especially if you'll be headed to the desert this weekend!