A desert getaway during the Coachella Valley’s peak season doesn’t have to mean prepping the purse strings for peak prices. Whether you and yours are looking to spend big (Eagle), go casual (Birdie) or visit with a more modest price range (Par) in mind, there are choice recommendations for all comers.
So put the financial fussing to rest, grab the sunscreen and clean your clubs for the 120-course oasis referred to as the Palm Springs area. Enjoy!
EAGLE
Play
Since the desert’s PGA Tour stop shifted to the The Stadium Course at PGA West and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Resort Course at PGA West, the public can play where the pros do. Take on the shot demands and short-game challenge of the Nicklaus layout before stepping up a level to the mounded and nuanced demands of the Pete Dye-designed Stadium. Not to be overlooked at PGA West is the Greg Norman Course and its routing with minimal turf and decomposed granite-lined fairways.
Just down the way in La Quinta, a pair of fine rounds awaits at the Dye-drawn Mountain and Dunes courses at La Quinta Resort. If but one day of play is allowed, the Mountain’s routing through the Santa Rosa Mountains has several photo-ops on its terrific back nine. Also in La Quinta, prime play awaits at SilverRock Resort, the mountain-carved Arnold Palmer design that played host to the former Bob Hope Classic from 2008-11. Monster distance from the tips will challenge the sticks, and a series of shorter and subtle par-4s present an intriguing round for all skill levels.
Delightful dual-course fun can be found at Indian Wells Golf Resort, which has two well-manicured plays in the Celebrity and Players courses. If heading out twice, start with the attractive and superb Celebrity before graduating to the earnest and engaging demands of the John Fought-designed Players.
Double love can also be enjoyed at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, where a softening of the Firecliff Course was recently handled by co-designer Michael Hurdzan. If the forced carry demands at Firecliff still burn a bit too deep, opt for a day at the more benign, but equally beautiful, Mountain View layout. Also in Palm Desert, the Palmer-designed Classic Club is a royal spread of terrain that hosted the Hope from 2006-08. The Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary has more than 5,000 plantings and better than 30 acres of water.
Stay
Living up to its brand billing, the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage is an elevated experience. Perched above the desert in the Santa Rosas, exceptional valley and snow-capped mountain views paint a luxury style getaway. And while no golf course is on site, the property can make tee times with several nearby options.
The historic La Quinta Resort & Club has been having guests drift to slumber in poolside chairs for nearly a century. Though the grounds sprawl (41 swimming pools, 23 tennis courts and more), there’s a timeless sense of peace and relaxation here that embraced its guests in the bosom of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
In Palm Springs, most experience a moment of awe the first time they visit the Parker. The property’s mellow trails, fire pits, hammocks and villa retreats inspire ample handholding with your favorite playing partner.
Eat
At La Quinta Resort, the farm-to-table fare at Morgan’s in the Desert from executive chef Jimmy Schmidt is a consistency of excellence. Using locally sourced and sustainable products from the region remains a Morgan’s staple, and the room’s hacienda styling provides sophisticated comfort to complement the servings. If you’re looking for one special dinner night in the desert, this is the place.
Elegant Melvyn’s Restaurant at Ingleside Inn has been welcoming famous faces since the 1930s. Palm Springs does a lot of “what used to be” as its playground for the stars, but Melvyn’s remains genuinely old school. For dinner, the Chicken Pot Pie is terrific, and the Veal Ingleside is always popular. If you want to see the staff in action, have one of them prepare your Prime Steak Au Poivre at the table.
Staying on the west end of the Valley, Mr. Lyons in Palm Springs is a nice vibe of new and old. With its steakhouse and supper-club style that includes marble and wood décor, you really need to start your night here with a martini and the can’t-miss French Onion Soup.
Enjoy
No locale in the desert does pampering quite like Spa La Quinta at La Quinta Resort & Club. The 23,000-square-foot space remains intimate with its 38 treatment rooms, seven private whirlpool baths and sanctuary courtyard. A host of pleasures weave through the spa menu, including a Desert Duet treatment that is a perfect way for a couple to enjoy romantic relaxation after a day on the links.
For a little more excitement – and noise – take a spin around the 1.6-mile track at the BMW Performance Driving School in Thermal. Set on 30 acres, the site offers a high-speed opportunity to forget any troubles that might have occurred on an alternate course that day.
Dust off the credit card for some high-end retailing at El Paseo in Palm Desert and its 250-plus shops, bars and restaurants. Those interested in more of an observatory role will enjoy Fashion Week (March 18-25), and, for a fun nighttime event, the El Paseo Art Walk is held from 4–8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month November through May with open galleries, receptions and exhibits.
The world turns its ear toward the Empire Polo Club in Indio for the dual-weekend party known as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (April 14-16 and 21-23), where making musical history has become a yearly habit. No longer Coachella’s little sister act, Stagecoach (April 28-30) has become a burgeoning presence of its own in the country music world, with top Western acts and a California cool to boot.
BIRDIE
Swing
Palm Desert’s Marriott Shadow Ridge Golf Club – the first domestic course design by Nick Faldo – is a resort-style pleaser because of its wide landing areas and massive putting surfaces. The layout is also a terrific test of iron and putter prowess.
In Palm Springs, Escena Golf Club is as much appreciated for its forgiveness off the tee as for the Valley’s most attractive public clubhouse. Pre or post round, be sure to enjoy the mid-century modern surrounds with a signature cocktail or view-laden patio meal at the Escena Grill.
For a taste of historic Southern California flavor, a round at Indian Canyons Golf Resort’s Billy Bell-designed North Course should do the trick because of a vintage layout that is straightforward and palm-tree lined. Those seeking a more complex routing at the Palm Springs facility should get on the tee sheet at the South, where designers Casey O’Callaghan and Amy Alcott framed greens with Washingtonia filifera palms and shorter par-4s and –5s with good scoring opportunities.
Stay
Mid-Valley, the popular Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa on the Indian Wells Golf Resort campus is a great stay for those on business, family or golf trips. Moreover, the property’s Spa Esmeralda has one of the region’s top spa spaces thanks to its private outdoor cabanas.
In Palm Springs, the chic and attractive Riviera is in the heart of downtown walking activity and graces guests with a terrific pool scene and well-reputed Circa 59 restaurant. Just down the way, the ACE Hotel & Swim Club captures the younger set with one of the desert’s most active event calendars, highlighted by DJ days and nights, pool parties and art shows.
For the gaming set, an evening at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage or Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio should be on your agenda. At Agua, take in the Valley’s only live poker room before bedding down in rooms that put some Vegas hotels to shame. At Fantasy, pair the gambling with a game at the on-site bowling alley or a round at Clive Clark-designed Eagle Falls, the desert’s only same-site, course and casino combo.
Eat
For the best live music between Indio and L.A., a 20-minute trip from Palm Springs to Pappy & Harriett’s in Pioneertown makes for a nice night of drinks, dancing and dining. Diverse performers grace the stage regularly, and the rub on the ribs is something that simply must be sampled. (Travel tip: If heading to Pioneertown with clubs in tow, stop at Hawk’s Landing in Yucca Valley to play a cool 12-hole loop.)
In Indian Wells, Eureka! is a fine family and date spot, with a spacious patio, great burgers and craft beers that you won’t find anywhere else in the desert. Don’t be deterred by the strip mall setting.
At Shabu Shabu Zen in Rancho Mirage, guests can experience the best Japanese food in the city and the best Asian dining in the Coachella Valley. Start with a sake flight before seguing to the namesake Shabu Shabu, a brothy pot on a heated table in which your party prepares its dining experience. It’s great and authentic fun, and the staff is always ready to assist with suggestions and cooking tips.
The dining patio at Lavender Bistro in La Quinta is one of the east end’s most romantic dining spots. Hundreds of lights wind through the trees to make for an idyllic setting for staring into one another’s eyes.
Enjoy
The CareerBuilder Challenge (Jan. 16-22) at La Quinta Country Club and PGA West’s TPC Stadium and Jack Nicklaus Tournament courses is a good way to watch the pros tackle different settings. Jason Dufner will try to defend his title that was aided by a final–day par save at the Stadium’s signature island hole – No. 17 and its island green. If you haven’t seen it, it’s probably on YouTube.
Golf’s first major championship of the season returns to Mission Hills Country Club for the ANA Inspiration (March 27-April 2) that saw Lydia Ko take the victor’s dive into Poppie’s Pond last year. Save for The Masters, the ANA is golf’s longest-running event continuously held at the same locale.
The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Jan. 2-16) is one of the desert’s biggest stages. More than 200 films, and a few celebrities, are typically available for viewing.
If tennis is more of your racket, the BNP Paribas (March 6-19) has become one of the main professional tournaments of the year. Played at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the annual event brings in the world’s best players to serve and volley in the shadows of a gorgeous mountain backdrop.
PAR
Swing
The desert is home to a host of excellent and lower-priced shorter plays that are good tune-ups for the area’s big boy courses. That option includes Woodhaven Country Club in Palm Desert, where skinny fairways and constant wedge demands define a fun round filled with scoring opportunities.
A delightful dearth of distance is also available at the Gene Sarazen-designed Shadow Mountain Golf Club, the first course ever built in Palm Desert. Charting at 5,400 yards, the main challenge at this cute track is hitting the smallish greens in regulation.
In Indio, the 3,000-yard, par-3 North Course at Shadow Hills Golf Club is no pushover. Ready those middle irons for seven holes playing at 180 yards or better.
In Rancho Mirage, the 27 holes of Ted Robinson-designed play at Omni Rancho Las Palmas are highlighted by the West Course routing that plays through the heart of the active resort property.
Stay
Given its seasonal status, rates yo-yo up and down in the desert proper, but for suggestions on quality, boutique accommodations at an affordable rate, check out Los Arboles Hotel; Alcazar Palm Springs; Orbit In; Vagabond Inn; Caliente Tropics or Palm Canyon Resort & Spa.
Eat
One of downtown Palm Springs’ most popular mainstays, Tyler’s Burgers is worth the visit and occasional short wait. Though nice sandwich options are on the menu, remember the name of the place and don’t get too cute with the ordering.
The Broken Yolk Cafe in La Quinta keeps things fresh and simple for the most important meal of the day. (That would be breakfast.) It’s also a good stop for an omelet before teeing it up at nearby La Quinta Resort, PGA West or SilverRock.
The desert also has some great delis, with Palm Springs and Palm Desert checking in with Sherman’s and Manhattan in the Desert.
In Bermuda Dunes, Murph’s Gaslight has been serving pub-style plates and stiff cocktails since 1976. Not many places in the Valley reflect this down-home style, and the signature Pan Fried Chicken tastes great on a cool desert night.
If you want to spice things up, take in a night at El Mexicali Café in Indio. Start things off with the Chiles Gueritos Rellenos and you’ll soon see why this place has been popular since 1981.
Enjoy
Off the course, terrific outdoor opportunities abound across the desert landscape. For hikers, take in a day at Indian Canyons, where 60 miles of trails can be enjoyed. Beginners should opt for the 2-mile Andreas Canyon Trail, while more advanced hikers might try the 6-mile Murray Canyon Trail and its elevated terrain.
You don’t have to be an outdoorsman to love a day at Joshua Tree National Park, but it does help. With its 1,250 square miles of rock climbs, hiking and camping opportunities, the park is a great place to discover nature in all its raw glory.
If time affords, reserve an hour or two for a day at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The space combines original works from the likes of Picasso, Chagall, Calder and Lichtenstein with ongoing and engaging exhibitions.
A Thursday night stroll at VillageFest in the heart of downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Drive is a multi-cultural treat of art, food music and fun. For weekend walking and people watching, enjoy the vendors at the COD Street Fair on the college campus in Palm Desert each Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2p.m.
