Brenda & Zach
Things To Do
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Formerly Ambassador Annenberg's estate, it was turned into a beautiful outdoor garden with a museum. Best of all, it's free! You can also pay to go on a guided tour around the entire estate--which includes an 18-hole golf course.
Moorten Botanical Garden
A Palm Springs favorite with over 3,000 different cacti and desert plants! It was founded in 1938 by a Hollywood actor and his wife. Their son owns and operates it to this day.
Indian Canyons
These canyons were the original home of the Agua Caliente band of Cahuila Indians. It has some of the most beautiful hikes in the valley, with an oasis and a natural waterfall on different trails. The Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon trails are perfect for easy hikes and breathtaking views.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Fun fact: this is the largest rotating tram car in the world! Catch a ride from the bottom of the desert to 8,500 up in the gorgeous San Jacinto Mountains, where you can get a glimpse of the entire valley. There's also plenty of hiking trails to choose from and another 1,000 feet to reach the peak. *Tickets sell fast, so keep checking the website for when they're available!
Agua Caliente Resort Casino & Spa
Best place to go to put it all on black, get a spa treatment or watch sports. There's three Agua Caliente locations in the desert -- Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Cathedral City -- and all of them are fantastic. We're including this one cause it's the biggest and most popular...did we mention we blocked some rooms out here?
Downtown Palm Springs
Not the same downtown Zach grew up with! Downtown Palm Springs is bigger than ever before and has something for everyone, day or night. You can find some great boutique shops along Palm Canyon Drive. For food, we recommend Riccio's, Las Casuelas, Lulu's, El Mirasol or Sherman's Deli. For good spirits, go to the Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel, Workshop, Dead or Alive, Bootlegger Tiki (Brenda's favorite), or La Quinta Brewing Co.
Two Bunch Palms
If you stay out here for more than a couple of days, head out to Two Bunch and get some spa time! We did a full spa treatment for our 2nd anniversary. The outdoor hot springs are filled with relaxing and healing mineral water! Food is amazing if you decide to eat there as well! Brenda highly recommends it :-)
El Paseo
Think Rodeo Drive for the Coachella Valley. Big name fashion shops, smaller boutiques and a larger square for gourmet food line this street. We celebrated a couple of birthdays at both Il Corso and Mitch's Seafood and were not disappointed.
Trilussa
A family favorite, Trilussa has some of the best Italian food in the desert. Classic dishes, create-your-own pasta, and woodfire pizza. One of their best dishes not listed on the menu: Cioppino.
Tony's Burgers
Best burgers in the desert, full stop. Every condiment, cheese and patty combination you can think of, and plenty for non-burger lovers. Seriously, go look at the menu online and tell us we're wrong.
TKB Bakery & Deli
This was actually the #1 restaurant on Yelp a few years ago, and for good reason. The sandwiches are massive with some of the most unique combinations you'll see in a deli, the bread and desserts are fresh baked, and they stock the fridge with beverages from local breweries and wineries. What's not to love?
Pueblo Viejo Grill
The original one is located in Indio, but our guy Cesar runs the one in Palm Desert for the family. A go-to spot for Zach and his teaching buddies, they pour strong drinks and have the best sweet corn tamale you'll ever try (it's Brenda's favorite!).
Dutch Bros Coffee
If you're from SoCal or from anywhere east of Colorado, you've probably never heard of Dutch Bros, the best coffee chain you've never tried. There isn't another one for 200 miles in any direction, so you owe it to yourself to stop by. Browse their menu before heading over. Brenda loves their Midnight Tea, while Zach always gets the Aftershock energy drink (yes, you read that right).