My wanderlust heart skips a beat when seeing these photos. On our road trip at the American West Coast we got to know many beautiful places like San Francisco or the beautiful Yosemite National Park. However, one place I truly loved was Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.

Palm Springs is a popular resort for actors, artists, architects and more from Los Angeles and surroundings. Moreover it is paradise for hippies and free souls who meet at festivals and art gatherings in the desert. Given the name, you’ll find tons of beautiful palm trees and may spot wonderful villas and holiday houses. I think of all the lucky architects of that time, who realized stunning properties like Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Plams”. Palm Springs is where “Chichi” and “Laissez-Faire” meet. In the surrounding area, the nation’s artists live under the stars and the famous yucca palms. This is exactly what we wanted to experience!

Here are my highlights (& at the end there are some tips for you, which we unfortunately didn’t manage to do).

5 cool things to do in PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs and LA are only a two to three hour drive apart. The distance is perfect to escape the “cooler” temperatures in Los Angeles. But phew, it was hot! Who would have thought that in Palm Springs it’s a balmy 30°+ Celsius even in autumn. To be honest, I’ve really enjoyed the hot temperatures. The sunny days were perfect to relax during our last days.

Check into a stylish BOUTIQUE HOTEL

In the low season you will find some stylish hotels or holiday homes. The most famous hotel among young people is probably the Ace Hotel Palm Springs. Very recommendable is also the Sands Hotel & Spa Hotel, which is a dream for all interior lovers (unfortunately not for photographers, because there you are only allowed to take pictures with your mobile phone). We found a good rate for the The Westcott, where we extended one night.

• Lust for something more exotic? At the nudist hotel InnDulge you can move around the public areas without any clothes on. In conservative America this is extraordinary.

Instagramable spots at Sands & Spa Hotel floating at The Westcott

A visit to Palm Springs ART MUSEUM

The Palm Springs Art Museum was only a few miles away from our hotel. Especially during the midday heat I can only recommend a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Brunch at CHEEKY’S

Cheeky’s is a very popular brunch place, which is known for its “Bacon Flights”. Crispy fried bacon in different flavours. I couldn’t have eaten five of them, but we ordered one as a sample. Very recommendable here are the Eggs Benedict or the avocado toast with poached eggs.

Drive around to see some ARCHITECTURE

In Palm Springs the “Holiday Style” of the holiday homes is brought to the point again. Beside classical architecture, one or the other architect has had a go at it again. In Palm Springs there are also some Case Study Houses by Alexander Steel for example.

• Recommendation! On the N Sunnyview Drive/E Molino Drive you can admire 7 Case Study Houses by Alexander Steel from the outside

Don’t miss a day trip to JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

A day trip to Joshua Tree National Park is not to be missed. From Palm Springs it takes about one hour to get to the National Park. Near Joshua Tree live some famous artists, whose works of art you can visit by appointment. Unfortunately it was too short notice for us.

Joshua Tree Park Access & Route

If you come from Palm Springs, it makes sense to enter from the West Entrance Station. You will be guided along Park Blvd through the park. An intersection will take you to the northern exit, the Twentynine Palms Fairy Entrance. If you want to go to the famous Cholla Cactus Garden, you have to drive towards South Entrance. You will pass some view points, for example Keys View, Hall of Horror or Skull Rock. I was really impressed how smooth the rocks have been deformed over the years. In some places the rocks lay on top of each other so smoothly and they have adapted perfectly to each other over the years.

Unfortunately, we drove through the National Park relatively quickly, because the heat was unbearable even in the car.

• Tip: I recommend to arrive in the late afternoon and take the evening blush with you. A friend of mine had recommended this unfortunately only after our trip. The atmosphere on the pictures was simply super nice.
• Best option would be to camp outside to enjoy the full sky of stars!
• When exiting don’t miss the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Sculpture Museum!

… If you have more time in Palm Springs.

Last but not least, I will not keep my other tips from you. I had done some research in advance and in the meantime, what you can still see in Palm Springs. Unfortunately the routes were a bit longer then, so we decided to spend more time at the pool and relax.

Here are two more activities you can do:

• The famous Salvation Mountain art installation is about 1.5 hours drive from Palm Springs.
• Drive the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Station to the Desert View The Peaks Restaurant is one of the best cliff restaurants in the world according to the AD.

I hope you enjoyed my recommendations. If you have more, please let me know!