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Local Love & Wanderlust | Cleveland-Based Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Local Love & Wanderlust | Cleveland-Based Travel & Lifestyle Blog

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Palm Springs Travel Guide

Destinations, Guides

Pool scene at Palm Springs Alcazar Hotel

Palm Springs Travel Guide

My Palm Springs Travel Guide will share the best things to do in this desert oasis with major mid-century vibes that will undoubtedly be your new favorite destination. I will share what to do and where to stay, also restaurants you’ve got to try. Keep reading for more on this chill desert town.

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A black hat that says Palm Spraaangs

Palm Springs Travel Guide Highlights

  1. It’s a mid-century haven, therefore you’ll see the influence of this popular, historic style everywhere you look.
  2. Discover the world’s first Cactarium, a greenhouse filled with rare and unique cacti and succulents.
  3. Surrounded by Mountains, a desert oasis, and a National Park that is certainly one of the most unique.
  4. And lastly, a popular roadside attraction featuring 2 dinosaurs featured in cult-famous movies is just 20 mins outside of town.
Palm Springs cactus against pink wall

Where To Stay
Palm Springs Travel Guide

The Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs

The Saguaro

Rainbows galore

1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr.
The Saguaro (pronounced suh-waa-row) hotel is also well known for its bright, poppy rainbow colors.

Pool scene at Palm Springs Alcazar Hotel

The Alcazar

neutral & bright

622 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Minimalistic and bright, this hotel is also the epitome of relaxation. I especially love the pool area with mountain views.

Sign at the Ace Hotel Palm Springs

The Ace Hotel

trendy & unique

701 East Palm Canyon Dr.
Unique, rustic, and clean. This undeniably popular hotel chain is also a swim club you can visit, even if you’re not staying.

The Saguaro Hotel Palm Springs
The Saguaro
The Saguaro Hotel pool Palm Springs
The Saguaro
The Saguaro Hotel pool Palm Springs
The Saguaro

Other hotels on my to-stay list are Kimpton Rowan, Sparrow’s Lodge, Fleur Noir Hôtel, Holiday House, Casa Cody, Korakia Pensione, Les Cactus, Sacred Haven Joshua Tree, and lastly, The Parker.

The Alcazar Hotel Palm Springs
The Alcazar
The Alcazar Hotel bathroom Palm Springs
The Alcazar
The Alcazar Hotel Palm Springs
The Alcazar
The Alcazar Hotel pool Palm Springs

The Alcazar

Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Palm Springs Travel Guide

Cheeky’s

Visit Site

Yummy breakfast options and if you’re into bacon, surely you’ll love the bacon flight.

Wilma & Frieda’s

Visit Site

A cute little spot that above all has pretty good basic breakfast offerings.

Elmer’s

Visit Site

This place has some old-school Denny’s vibes and is also known for its German Pancakes.

Kings Highway

Visit Site

Another trendy restaurant with a cute interior and a pretty decent breakfast.

Breakfast food spread at Cheeky's Palm Springs
Cheeky’s
Wilma & Freda's breakfast in Palm Springs
Wilma & Freda’s
Moorten Botanical Gardens Cactarium

Visit Moorten Botanical Garden & Cactarium

If you are into cacti, succulents, and all kinds of unique desert plants, surely you will love Moorten Botanical Garden & Cactarium. In addition, the famous “Cactarium” greenhouse with amazing cactus plants in it can be found here, too. Undeniably, the perfect for that next Instagram photo.

 Visit | 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive

Moorten Botanical Gardens Cactarium
Moorten Botanical Gardens

To learn more, check out my post on the Moorten Botanical Garden here

Woman standing in Joshua Tree National Park

Explore Joshua Tree National Park

Do you love unique cacti, weird rock formations, and especially the vast openness of the desert,? Joshua Tree National Park is another perfect desert visit just an hour outside of Palm Springs.

Visit | West Entrance Station Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Man standing in front of rocks in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park

Visit my post on A November Day in Joshua Tree National Park to learn more

Joshua Tree National Park
Cabazon Dinosaurs in California

Take A Selfie With The Cabazon Dino’s

If these guys look familiar to you it’s because you may remember them from two great movies from the 1980s. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and The Wizard, are equally amazing cult-following movies. These dinos have become more and more popular over the years, undoubtedly increasing visitation since the 1980s. The tourist stop has added attractions and because of increased tourism, they even paint the dinos to align with select holidays and occasions throughout the year.

 Visit | 50700 Seminole Dr. roughly 25 minutes North West of Palm Springs

T-rex in Cabazon Dinosaurs in California
Me for scale
Inside t-rex mouth Cabazon Dinosaurs in California
Inside T-Rex’s Mouth

Presently, there is an additional museum extending past the two large dinos. Inside, there were animatronics and smaller dinos along with signage surprisingly explaining their belief that man existed with dinosaurs according to science and the bible. It is still entertaining to visit, even if this is not your belief.

Cabazon Dinosaurs in California

Lunch & Dinner Spots
Palm Springs Travel Guide

Birba

Visit Site

My favorite pasta dish pappardelle bolognese was on the menu so I had to get it, also, we got a pizza and both were so delicious it was hard to not just eat here every night we were there.

La Bonitas

Visit Site

A small family-owned restaurant with undoubtedly tasty homemade Mexican food

Guacamoles

Visit Site

Another good Mexican place we found, brought back food, and regardless of inside seating, we ate outside at a picnic table at our hotel.

Al Dente

Visit Site

An Italian spot that’s not as trendy as some restaurants, hence it appeared to have an older crowd. Nonetheless, the food was pretty good, though.

Also check out Workshop Kitchen & Bar, Farm, Counter-Reformation, El Jefe Desert Cantina, Mr. Lyons Steakhouse, The Pantry at Holiday House, 4 Saints, Azúcar, The Barn Kitchen, The Pink Cabana, and Blackbook

Pasta at Birba
Birba
Burger and Fries at Kings Highway
Kings Highway
Palm Springs cacti
Family hiking the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs

Hike The Indian Canyons Oasis

Just on the edge of Palm Springs is the Indian Canyons. A secluded, beautiful landscape of the world’s second-largest California Fan Palm Oasis surrounds Andreas creek on one side and some seriously alien-looking rock formations on the other. This fairly easy hike only takes about 30-40 minutes and despite a 200-foot elevation, we found it pretty easy and enjoyable.

Visit | 38500 S. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs

Check out my post on the Andreas Canyon hike within Indian Canyons

Oasis in Indian Canyons in Palm Springs
Rocks meeting palm trees in Indian Canyons in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Aerial Tram
Palm Springs Aerial Tram
Palm Springs Aerial Tram

Ride The Palm Springs Aerial Tram

The Aerial Tram is a really fun way to experience Palm Springs, because not only is it a ride, it takes you to the top of a mountain. Regardless of being in the desert, the swift and extreme elevation change to the top of Mount San Jacinto will be a chilly one. The tram slowly spins around, therefore giving you amazing 360-degree views of the mountain, Palm Springs, and the Coachella Valley beyond.

Visit | 1 Tramway Road

Mount San Jacinto
Looking down Mount San Jacinto

Sweets & Treats Spots
Palm Springs Travel Guide

Great Shakes

Visit Site

Milkshake shop with many options and toppings, therefore giving you many options to enjoy.

Kreem

Visit Site

Ice cream is made in-house with vegan coconut-based flavors.

Lappert’s Ice Cream

Visit Site

Premium ice cream in many flavors, specifically known for their dole soft serve and date shakes.

Ice Cream & Shoppe

Visit Site

Ice cream and gift shop attached to the Arrive Hotel.

The Pink Door House in Palm Springs

Palm Springs House & Door Tour

The Pink Door was the most popular photo hot spot, however, due to the increased visitation the property now has signs to keep off the property. It’s fun to drive around town and admire the beautiful, Mid-Century style homes and unique doors which undeniably make for fun photos!

Visit | Various locations throughout Palm Springs

Palm Springs Home
Party Lions
Palm Springs Home
Pink House
Pool at night with floats

Swim Late Night And Stare At The Stars

I tend to avoid the bright sun and am not a big fan of swimming with other people which is why I love being in pools in Palm Springs. Depending on the hotel, the pool hours may go late into the night which gives you the opportunity to float in the pool and look at the starry desert night sky or soak your bones in the hot tub after a day of hiking in nature. Late night is my favorite time to be at the pool. The desert night is cool and breezy, meanwhile giving you the perfect book reading environment.

More Palm Springs Posts We Think You’ll Love

  • Andreas Canyon, An Easy Desert Hike in Palm Springs, California
  • Moorten Botanical Garden & Cactarium
  • A November Day in Joshua Tree National Park

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Hi there, I’m Jen. Cleveland-based photographer and designer with an eye for well-designed spaces and places. Local Love & Wanderlust is a travel and lifestyle blog that shares photo-focused guides and content with a focus on life in Cleveland, the outdoors, and postcard-worthy destinations across the US.

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Have you seen these Pop Art gems in Cleveland? To Have you seen these Pop Art gems in Cleveland?

To celebrate #popartday I wanted to share a few great pieces you can see in Cleveland museums from one of my favorite artists and someone I share a birthday with, Andy Warhol 🤍

1-3 Andy Warhol’s Endangered Species exhibit currently going on at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History @gocmnh 

4-6 Two Warhol pieces currently hanging at the Cleveland Museum of Art: Marilyn x 100 in the Contemporary Art wing, and Jaqueline Kennedy II in the Photographs in Ink exhibit.

That’s just a preview, there’s more great Pop and other art to discover in Cleveland. Do you have a favorite piece or artist?
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#andywarhol #popart #clevelandmuseumofart #museumsoftheworld #thisiscle #ohiofindithere @ohio.findithere
4 Exciting Ways to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Clevela 4 Exciting Ways to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Cleveland on the blog now!

You’re going to want to save this one.

Visit localloveandwanderlust.com

Of course there is the New Orleans style revelry, but did you know Cleveland celebrated 3 other cultural festivities with ties to Mardi Gras?

PLUS Did you know Cleveland is also going to have a Mardi Gras parade and big celebration downtown?

We even have a New Orleans-themed restaurant!

It doesn’t end there- I also reviewed menus from so many local restaurants, bakeries and other shops to find who is making Beignets, King Cakes, Paczki, New Orleans cocktails, and delicious Cajun & Creole food.

If you love this, please share! If you learned something new or feel I forgot somewhere, let me know in the comments 💜💚💛
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#mardigrascleveland #mardigras #thisiscle #paczkiday #clevelandkurentovanje #ohiofindithere #clevelandfattuesday
I need your help! What other Ohio winter hikes sh I need your help!

What other Ohio winter hikes should I add to this wishlist??

Tell me in the comments
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#hikeohio #winterhiking #ohiohikers #clevelandblogger #clevelandmetroparks #summitmetroparks #lakemetroparks #ohiofindithere #thisiscle #hike24in23 
Winter hike in Ohio, snowy hikes, Ohio Parks
Love hiking that first fresh snowfall! The vivid Love hiking that first fresh snowfall! 

The vivid green pops of the hemlock trees truly made the views something special.
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#lakemetroparks #remarkablelakecountyoh #hogbackridgepark #snowyhike #instanature #exploremore #hike24in23
This is my new favorite Ohio winter hike! Our sec This is my new favorite Ohio winter hike!

Our second hike on our goal of hiking 24 new-to-us trails this year was also our first snowy hike of the year.

@lakemetroparks feed influenced me to add this park to our list. The vivid hemlock trees really pop against the snowy and leafless tree landscape. It was so worth the drive to get there.

What I liked most was how much visual and trail surface variety this park has. It’s a new favorite and I hope to return in the spring when an abundance of wildflowers are said to be in bloom. 

You’ve got to see this place, it’s dreamy.

📍Hogback Ridge Park part of Lake Metroparks
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#hike24in23 #ohiofindithere #lakemetroparks #hikeohio #hogbackridgepark #ohioblogger #beautiful_ohio_scenes #thisiscle #remarkablelakecountyoh #bestofthebuckeyestate #ne_ohio_parks #snowyhike

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