Painting the town Pink in Palm Springs
My escape to Palm Springs was the most eclectic, energising and informative experience I’ve ever packed into a six-day trip. My journey included a surfing lesson on a man-made reef, creating my own Converse booties, prime seats at the pro tennis semis, and a sound bath in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park. Plus shopping, eating and architecture!
Starting gently to help alleviate the jet lag, I was booked in to embrace my inner artist, and create my own Converse sneakers at SuperBloom; founded by Alexis and Chris Ramirez, who relocated to their spiritual home of Palm Springs via New York and Mexico. The gallery-store-workshop is a haven of colour and was my first experience of art therapy. With a mindset for promoting slow fashion, the couple’s philosophy is to help visitors create their version of art on a pair of sneakers by using a selection of colours that represent moods. The fun session took a morning as we were talked through the process of ‘splattering’ paint, and I truly embraced my inner Jackson Pollock. The result was a fabulous pair of unique, colourful booties, which were sealed so as not to smudge, and delivered to our hotel a couple of days later.
Obviously, I wasn’t going to miss out on the Palm Springs shopping experience – and conveniently, most of the shops are on the main Canyon Drive. Handily, the Shops at Thirteen Forty Five are a cluster of outlets in one mid-century building (natch) which is part gallery, part concept store— you’ll find everything from hand-thrown ceramics and California-cool fashion to vintage books and sculptural furniture. Market Market is a minimalist lifestyle heaven where you’ll find an eclectic selection of home and goods fashion with a funky, eclectic vibe. Thankfully, when my credit card decided to put up a fight, I was informed that there were plenty of thrift stores on the highway towards Joshua Tree – so I made a mental note to allow extra time to stop there on my way to do some hiking.
Aside from shopping and design, you can keep yourself pretty fit in this desert oasis. Palm Springs is dotted with plenty of old-school tennis courts and resort clubs that channel serious Venus Williams energy. However, if you didn’t bring your whites, it is also just an hour away from California’s version of Wimbledon, and I was lucky enough to catch the men’s BNP Paribas Open semi-finals at Indian Wells. I’ve never been more engrossed – and yes, I probably was that one voice shouting “C’mon Fiiiillllls” to support Arthur Fils in the tense game, which had me enjoying plenty of the free champagne and biting my nails down to the quick.
The next day involved something even more nerve-wracking: attempting to surf in the desert! I know this sounds like an oxymoron, but the new state-of-the-art wave pool at Palm Springs Surf Club delivers cranking swell for all levels – and as one of five girls taking the session who had never donned a wetsuit before, it was quite an experience. After a couple of hours of pretty much messing about in the waves, it was time to chill out in the hot tub and watch the next lesson from a private cabana. There’s always next time to master the “popping up” and catching the wave.
Next, it was time to venture to the iconic Joshua Tree National Park, where you get to really tune in to nature. I met my guide, Conan from Joshua Tree Connectivity, who led the group on a meditative hike through the park’s surreal terrain. With a quiet reverence for the land, Conan shared insights on the ancient rock formations, spiny cacti, and even wild berries once used by Indigenous communities for nourishment. Vibing with his passion, the hike became more of a pilgrimage, where the giant boulders felt almost otherworldly. Then, as the sun began its descent, I layered up for what felt like the true heart of the experience: a sound bath beneath the desert sky. Wrapped in warm blankets, I closed my eyes as the crystal singing bowls began to resonate through the air. The gong vibrated through my body, as a coyote called faintly in the distance, and the sky melted from soft peach into deep indigo. This was a remarkable experience – something you feel more than hear, embodying the hippie roots of California.
Revived with the earth’s energy, it was time to explore Palm Springs’ vibrant nightlife, which ranges from Drag Bingo to cocktails by the pool. The cool cats eat at Del Rey tapas restaurant at Villa Royale hotel, and as I’m not on the cool spectrum, I’d have been happy to dine at Mr Lyons Steakhouse every day, which also serves up a whopping veggie selection. Plus, you can enjoy a nightcap at its attached speakeasy, Seymour’s. Head to the Trixie Motel – a creation of Trixie Mattel, a former contestant on the TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race for a high camp after-hours wonderland. With seven individually themed bedrooms, including flower power and cowgirl suites, you can expect a party vibe every night of the week.
From maximalist hotels to a minimalist design tour, my last excursion involved a guided tour of the famous Mid Century Modern properties the city is famed for. Beginning with Twin Palms, once Frank Sinatra’s estate, where the angular roof and piano-shaped pool ooze Old Hollywood glam. From there, my guide, not only a walking encyclopaedia of Eames chairs and Wexler homes, transported me through California’s A List history. Crawling past the homes of Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe, and regaling tales of the architects and parties that had taken place in this once sleepy town, over the years. We completed our circuit at the Kaufmann House – designed by Richard Neutra, it was like a living sculpture, whilst the restored Alexander home still retains its sunken living room, which intriguingly never took off.
By the end of the trip, I’d played, wandered, shopped, sweated and floated. Each experience somehow folds into the next like chapters in a really good book. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree aren’t just places you visit; they’re places that shift your rhythm. I left sandy, sun-kissed and with a pair of new Converse to prove it.
FACTBOX
STAY: Rooms at the Royal Sun start from £170/$223 a night.
Superbloom painting experience ranges from $95.00 – $165.00.
Joshua Tree Connectivity and hike private half day experience includes a nature walk, cacao ceremony and guided meditation/sound bath – $175 Adults | $87.50 Children.
Palm Springs Surf Club lessons – $200.
BNP Paribas Open price varies based on session and day.
Architecture Tours – Ask for David, tours from $90 – $200pp.
Get more information check out Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Words by Sara Darling
If you are heading to California check out Sara’s guide to SONOMA here.
