Picture-perfect scenery, retro vibes, sunny afternoons by the pool with a marg in your hand; what could be better?! The beautiful California desert was always my bucket list bachelorette destination, and O M G it did not disappoint! It’s the ideal location for sitting poolside during the day and having an epic GNO with your gals at night. If you’re looking for a unique city that isn’t overdone yet, Palm Springs is the place for you!
Now let’s get into the good stuff…my bachelorette weekend!! We went over Labor Day (a hot one in the desert); this was our first trip the Palm Springs, so we weren’t fully aware of the brutal heat, BUT the bright side was that we were there during off-season when crowds are minimal! According to the locals, their busy season is October-March, and the crowds can be BRUTAL! Be sure to double check restaurants operating hours before you go; we noticed a lot of businesses were closed certain days or months due to tourist turnout or weather.
WHERE WE STAYED:
Like many bachelorette destinations, a home rental is the way to go in Palm Springs! There are TONS of options on both Airbnb and VRBO. We found the cutest pink palace on Airbnb. We did have some issues with things in the house not working, but the location was perfect, and we got a great price, especially with the pool! If you’re looking for something comfier for you and your party, there are better options.
One thing to note in Palm Springs, they have a noise ordinance and stricter rules than most destinations for their rentals (here’s a good article to read.) We did play music by the pool at a reasonable level and didn’t end up having any issues! Many local resorts offer day passes to their resort pools as well if you’d rather go that route!
WHERE WE ATE:
Oh my gosh…THE FOOD!! My very favorite Mexican restaurant is now in Palm Springs! There are SO many incredible choices for dining in the area we couldn’t get to our whole list.
If you decide to go during the hotter months, be aware that many restaurants are outside seating only or may be closed due to the off-season!
Tac/Quila:
Your tastebuds will thank you here! Seriously, the.best.mexican.food.ever!! This place singlehandedly turned me into a spicy margs lover. All of their tequila is jalapeno infused, and it’s safe to say they were dang good drinks!
Food recs: taco chips, stuffed guierro peppers, beer tempura avocado bites (pictured below), short rib enchiladas, mexican corn, beans & rice for sides!!
Tropicale:
This was one of the most recommended spots on the internet but, it’s not a must do in my opinion! The food was enjoyable and the vibes were very classy Palm Springs but I think we would’ve enjoyed somewhere else more.
Boozehounds:
We stopped here for happy hour on a whim, and it ended up being one of our favorite spots! Their happy hour menu consists of popcorn, bruschetta and parmesan truffle fries…aka it’s the best happy hour I’ve been too! It’s also very dog friendly (hence their slogan, “where dogs bring their humans”) if you have your furry friend with you; or just love dogs like me!
THE ITINERARY:
Day 1: travel, unpack, disco night!
+Check in to AirBnb
+Happy Hour (we ended up going to a local bar lounge instead of staying in!)
+Dinner at Tropicale
Day 2: pool party day!
+Brunch at the house
+Pool party at the AirBnb
+”Bach and Bougie” night with dinner at Tac/Quila
+Bar hopping (we asked the locals for recommendations on this one! We ended up at Air Bar for cocktails and Hunters for dancing.)
Day 3: exploring + Jo Bros party!
+Drag Brunch @ Oscars
+Explore downtown Palm Springs, “door tour”, shopping
+Happy Hour @ Boozehounds
+Jonas Brothers themed lingerie party
+Pizza and game night at the house
Day 4:
+Breakfast at the house
+Clean up and check out
+Travel day for most of the group
*my sister and I stayed an additional day together so we had more time to explore. We used our rental car to visit one of the nearby outlet malls (Desert Hills Premium Outlets), and made another visit to Tac/Quila because we just couldn’t get enough. If you have any extra time I highly rec driving west to see the incredible scenery!