The rye is high and the time is nigh. With golf course overseeding nearing completion and desert temperatures returning to peak-season form, the nine cities comprising the Coachella Valley are set for the annual migration of snowbirds, vacationers and golfers.
Home to 120 courses and an array of activities, events, dining options and respite opportunities, the Palm Springs area is one of the country’s most popular visitor destinations. Historically known as the playground of the stars, the desert scene has evolved into a marquee fit for all folks. Whether you’re prepping this winter for a guys’ getaway, girls’ weekend, romantic retreat or family fun, we’ve got your tee sheet – and much more – covered. Enjoy your stay.
COUPLES
Play: Romance mixes with rocks at La Quinta Resort & Club’s Mountain Course. With a back nine through the Santa Rosa Mountains, the course eschews some of designer Pete Dye’s famed cruelty in lieu of scenery, serenity and seclusion. Tracking at 4,875 yards from the red tees and 6,300 from the whites, the course provides chances for all levels to shoot a good score while taking in the beauty.
At Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs, a tee time for two goes hand-in-hand with a fun and formidable play. Fans of Palm Springs’ midcentury modern architectural style will also find the sleek and chic clubhouse an ideal space to enjoy a post-round cocktail and snack in the handsome indoors or on the view-enhanced patio.
Stay: La Quinta Resort & Club and its Mountain and Dunes courses have been prime property for golfing tandems since 1926. Located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the resort has 53 hot spas, 41 swimming pools, 23 tennis courts, 98 villas and 620 suites and casitas. The 23,000-square-foot Spa La Quinta also enhances a couple’s stay.
For an affordable and well-situated option, Palm Mountain Resort & Spa is a good fit for couples because of its proximity to the San Jacinto Mountains and a host of dining and activity options in downtown Palm Springs. It’s a comfortable stay without the expense of an upscale chain hotel or exclusive boutique.
Visit: Want to impress your sweetie? Visit Spa Esmeralda at Renaissance Indian Wells. With 19 treatment rooms and private cabanas, the impressive environs make this one of the premier pampering spots in the Valley. Situated on side-by-side tables in a private room, the Couples Massage provides aromatherapy treatments prior to post-rub champagne and chocolates in the outdoor garden.
Palm Desert’s McCallum Theatre is one of the desert’s most comfortable and diverse venues for date night entertainment. Shows range from music and dance to theater productions, and the proximity to restaurant-laden El Paseo makes for an excellent dinner-and-a-show evening.
Dine: The warmth of a hacienda and award-winning flavors of chef Jimmy Schmidt blend perfectly at Morgan’s in the Desert. Seasonal menus, local ingredients, an exceptional wine list and favorite entrée staples could make this restaurant at La Quinta Resort & Club a regular option no matter where you typically stay.
Sweethearts seeking another intimate experience would be wise to check out the Workshop Kitchen + Bar in Palm Springs’ Uptown District. Honored in 2015 by the James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Design, the space has quickly gained traction as a desert hot spot for its cool decor and farm-to-table menu.
GUYS
Play: Get the fellas trip off and swinging with a round at PGA West’s TPC Stadium Course, a Pete Dye design that returns to the rotation of the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge (formerly the Humana Challenge and Bob Hope Classic). The bet-enticing island green on the par-3 17th hole, nicknamed Alcatraz, will test the mettle of the top stick in your group.
A former part of the Hope rotation from 2006-08, the Arnold Palmer-designed Classic Club in Palm Desert will further test your group’s Tour cred. Big, bold and abundant with flora and fauna, the course was built for the pros and will serve as a prime palate for your party.
In La Quinta, the Palmer-constructed course at SilverRock Resort also was part of the Hope (2008-11) and is another must play for good sticks up for a challenge. Set across 200 acres and playing at better than 7,500 yards from the tips, the brawn will challenge your longest hitter, with 10 par-4s charting at 418 yards or more.
Stay: In downtown Palm Springs, the Hard Rock Hotel trends younger and is prepped for the energetic. The hotel’s summer debut of the Bardot Nightclub has enhanced the region’s evening vibe and the pool setting has established itself as one the top, ahem, meeting spots in the desert.
On the east end, guys can double down with gaming at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio and a round at the Clive Clark-designed Eagle Falls Golf Course. The Valley’s only on-site golf and gamble makes for a fine weekend of revelry, with the hotel also offering a 24-lane bowling alley with a laser show on weekends.
If gaming is your main reason for a visit, a weekend at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa offers high-end accommodations and dining and has the Valley’s only live poker room.
Visit: The renowned Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has grown from a few concerts to a mind-blowing extravaganza regarded as one of the top musical experiences in the country. For 2016, the weekend dates are April 15-17 and April 22-24.
A newly minted moniker has created early buzz for the CareerBuilder Challenge (Jan. 21-24). With PGA West’s TPC Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament courses now in play for the pros, along with La Quinta Country Club, the chance to gauge your game against the world’s best also makes for a fun day.
For guys with a need for speed, cool your adrenaline jets at the Thermal Club’s BMW Performance Driving School. One– and two-day schools offer four programs, with the hot-running M School providing your group with the most celerity.
Dine: Big matches and long weekends create a hunger, and Sherman’s Deli in Palm Springs and Palm Desert is ready to sate. Think big sandwiches, big sandwiches and, you guessed it, big sandwiches.
For supper clubbing, Mr. Lyons in Palm Springs is a good place to go. The recently reopened and re-envisioned space that was Lyons English Grill has captured the steakhouse spirit with a taut and meaty menu replete with excellent sides and classic cocktailing. Masculine wood and marble define the space and paint a room that’s ideal for an old-school guy’s dinner.
WOMEN
Play: Regarded among the top layouts for women in the country, the South Course at Indian Canyons Golf Resort has playability, manageable distances and attractive surroundings. Lined by Washingtonia filifera bearded palms, the strategic course charts at 4,826 yards from the forward tees, with seven par-4s at 315 yards or less.
Of the two nice plays at Indian Wells Golf Resort, the Celebrity Course will win over the fairer set with a lush setting of floral and water features. But the Clive Clark design isn’t a full-on garden party because, like the resort’s Players Course, the Celebrity stars with strategic challenges that put a premium on birdie opportunities with 14 par-4s on the par-72 layout.
Stay: Artsy flair awaits at the ACE Hotel in Palm Springs, where the younger set has taken hold. Weekend poolside DJ sets mix with the regular events calendar and high-style rooms. The nearby Parker Palm Springs is also impressive because of boundless outdoor space replete with hammocks, fire pits and fountains. A trio of dining options and a spa are on site, as are casual activities ranging from croquet and petanque to tennis on clay courts.
Visit: Pamper opportunities spread far across the desert sands: In Indian Wells, the Miramonte Resort’s Well Spa will engage with its 12,000 square feet of space and eclectic massage menu while. In Desert Hot Springs, Two Bunch Palms is a wonderfully mellow setting that’s ideal for a day spa experience.
Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon offers (gulp) 180 stores ranging from everyday wear to designer appeal. In Palm Desert, El Paseo is more than a mile-long stroll; rather, it’s a haven of art, jewelry, dining and high-end shopping paved for boutique interests and luxury tastes. Mavens will especially enjoy Fashion Week El Paseo (April 2-9, 2016) because of its many events that make it the largest fashion show on the West Coast.
The annual country romp of Stagecoach has grown in scope to become one of the Southland’s most popular boots-on, hat-tipping, buckled-up dance and dress parties. The 2016 festival is April 29–May 1.
Dine: In downtown Palm Springs, bright and energetic Lulu California Bistro is a place to see and be seen. Whether enjoying dinner or drinks, the bar and patio are perfect people-watching perches for bustling South Palm Canyon Drive.
In Palm Desert, Clementine Gourmet Marketplace & Café is popular because of its fresh flavors and open-armed attitude. Excellent coffee and patisserie dot the market, while the lunch menu presents a host of popular salads, sandwiches and specialties that surpass the normal lunch fare.
New to Palm Springs, Eight4Nine is making a fast splash in the city’s Uptown District. Fun, stylish and playful in design, what was once the Palm Springs Post Office is delivering a vibrant bar scene and West Coast modern cuisine. Energetic environs and four-course menu options enhance a girls’ night out. Those going a la carte would be advised to start with California Kumamoto oysters or corn and crab chowder, followed by an appealing Sonoma duck breast as the entrée.
FAMILY
Play: Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage sports a trio of Ted Robinson-designed nines perfect for all levels of play and an excellent family golf day with its set of junior tees. If one parent is on course, have the rest of the crew greet you on the West nine that winds through the bosom of the property. After the round, take a stroll across the street to The River complex for a bite to eat or a movie.
Shadow Mountain Golf Club is the first course built in Palm Desert and a rare Gene Sarazen design that combines good design with quick play. Tipping at 5,400 yards, the course will challenge the wedge play of parents as their young children enjoy playing from a fun distance.
For a pair of par-3 plays, enjoy a day (or evening) at The Lights at Indio, the region’s only course lit for night play. Even refined players will be tested because only three holes are less than 137 yards. Another family fun option is Palm Royale Country Club in La Quinta, a Ted Robinson layout with water on nine of the par-3 holes and bunkering challenges throughout.
Stay: JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert has a myriad of activities to complement its pair of golf courses and par-54 putting course. After 3 p.m., children15 and younger can tee it up for free with a paid, accompanying adult. Four pools, waterways with gondola rides, six restaurants and the Spa at Desert Springs are a few of the other options at the family friendly resort.
The sand-beach pool at Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa will keep the youngsters active while mom and dad lounge nearby. On weekends, Camp Oasis has art and play activities for the kids, which presents an ideal window for enjoying Spa Esmeralda. Several dining options are also in play, ranging from the casual Sirocco Pizza Company to the California fresh flavors of CAVA.
Visit: A 10-minute climb to 8,500 feet via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway brings a new perspective of the valley below. Seasonally, summer trips up the mountain provide ample hiking and camping at San Jacinto State Park, with wintertime activities presenting sledding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
In Palm Springs, Wet ‘n Wild keeps the family cool with water slides, raft rides and a four-story Family Fun House. Dining options are American park fare, and the Grand Vista Cabana offers opportunities to seek shade from the sun.
The Living Desert in Palm Desert is among the most popular family and children’s stops in the Valley. Wildlife education and rehabilitation provide the knowledge, while animals ranging from mountain lions and zebras to jaguars and bighorn sheep offer the viewing. The zoo’s impressively detailed model train is also a favorite.
Dine: Woody’s Burgers in downtown Palm Springs is a can’t-miss because of its gourmet burgers, fries and shakes in a 1950’s setting. Night visits provide further fun because of the diner’s After Dark music calendar.
In Indian Wells, Eureka! is exclamation worthy and a fine fit for a family dinner. An active bar scene keeps the vibe lively and the patio is an excellent spot to take in a cool desert night while enjoying burgers, salads, craft beers or specialty cocktails.
With handsome lodge styling, Jackalope Ranch in Indio is among the most impressive spaces in the desert. BBQ highlights the menu, which might be best enjoyed at its outdoor space with ample room for the kids to run while the fireside folks watch under a starlit night.
ALL COMERS
Play: In Palm Desert’s Del Webb Sun City retirement community, dual Billy Casper tracks at Mountain Vista Sun City have wide landing areas to get players off the tee with aplomb. Well-kept grounds and several fun holes keep the engagement alive for all levels, as do tricky greens that keep scoring in check.
For the senior set seeking an enhanced challenge, the Nick Faldo design at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert is a second-shot course with several short par-4s, Australian sand belt-inspired bunkering and slick greens. For those bringing their grandchildren, the JW Marriott’s Kids Golf-4-Free program is offered at the club.
The 36 holes at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert form one of the best municipal properties in the country. The Firecliff and Mountain View courses each have superb desert routing and landscaping along with terrific mountain views. The Firecliff is considered the harder track because of forced carries and tough bunkering, with the more benevolent Mountain View providing generous landing areas and better scoring opportunities for mid-handicappers. An excellent clubhouse patio with a view is a nice way to unwind and rehash your round.
Stay: Reopened in 2014, the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage is stunningly perched and offers one of the Valley’s most inspired and luxurious settings.
For those who enjoy Marriott’s Shadow Ridge golf grounds, the property’s Villages will prove an excellent, home-away-from-home stay and play. One- and two-bedroom villas are equipped with full kitchens and dining areas, making this a nice option for a longer-term getaway.
Visit: The Palm Springs International Film Festival’s 27th annual celebration of movies is set for Jan. 1-11. Better than 136,000 moviegoers attend annually, viewing more than 180 films and a playbill of celebrity sightings along the way.
Nature abounds across the desert landscape, and opportunities for exploration are abundant. Hiking at rustic Indian Canyons is a nice way to enhance a day of leg stretching, and the tribal grounds at Murray Canyon, Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon each have varying terrain for a leisurely stroll or fitness engagement.
Golf’s first major of the season plays at the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. In 2016 (March 28-April 3), defending champion Brittany Lincicome will try to make history and become just the fourth woman to win the event, formerly known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Save for the Masters, the ANA is golf’s longest running championship continuously held at the same locale.
Valley festivals have become as commonplace as blowing sand on a windy day. One offering sure to be enjoyed is the La Quinta Arts Festival (March 3-6). Entering its 34th year, the show combines an ideal setting with food, drink, music and more than 200 exhibiting artists.
The annual BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden (March 7-20) is one of the more gorgeous sports settings in the country. The grandest names in tennis annually gather for the event that has become one of the biggest non-major stops on the professional circuit.
