Shake It, Cali
Growing up, we always spent our spring breaks in Palm Springs, California visiting my grandparents. They live in Grand Rapids during the warm months, and then head out west right after Christmas. I always felt so left out going to CA for spring break rather than Florida where all of my friends went. I didn’t even make it to Florida until my junior year of high school!
Now that I am older, I have come to really appreciate all of the time I was able to spend here in Cali with my grandparents. I feel so blessed to still have them around, and I am incredibly lucky to be as close to them as I am. I will always hold next to my heart my mornings here spent out on the back patio with my grandma, eating fresh fruit she just bought from the market the day before, watching the golfers from her comfy lawn chairs (their home is on the 17th hole of the golf course).
Besides it being sentimental, I love vacationing in Palm Springs because you can always rely on good weather! It is tucked into the mountains so you barely ever get rain, and the temps are always steady between 70 and 80. It was almost in the 90s this time around – makes me question why I choose to live in Michigan??
So, here’s a mini play-by-play of my trip that can double as a travel guide if you ever choose to take a trip to this desert paradise.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
My brother flew in from Denver for a few of the days so we made the short trip to Joshua Tree. I decided to stay off my phone, so I barely have any pictures, but this place is breathtaking. It’s so bizarre and unique, definitely a must see. I am already starting to plan my trip back so I can spend a few nights camping here!
SAN DIEGO
Jack and I also made a day trip to San Diego, an easy two hour drive from my Grandparents’. We spent the first part of the day at the Hotel del Coronado shopping and laying out at the beach.
After a couple of hours at the beach we walked around town and found the most amazing taco shop called Mikes Taco Club. Easily the best fish tacos I’ve ever had and one was more than enough to fill you up.
We stopped at Ballast Point Brewing Co on our way back to the desert to catch the end of the Super Bowl. We love their beer (my brother is a huge beer snob) and the food was really good too!
LA QUINTA RESORT
A trip to PS is never complete without a stop in at the La Quinta Resort. This place is covered in flowers and has some really amazing restaurants/shops.
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS
The next time I visit, I will definitely spend a few nights downtown. They have super cute boutique hotels (ARRIVE and Saguaro are at the top of my list) and really fun shopping. Not to mention, there are plenty of restaurants (I recommend LuLu) and froyo stops. TO MAKE THINGS EVEN BETTER… Lisa Vanderpump’s star is here. You can find it right in front of Ruby’s Diner.
SHIELDS DATE GARDEN
I looooove dates. Love them. Shields offers free date samples of all different varieties AND they have the most amazing milkshakes (plus they have a pretty decent food menu). I normally wouldn’t indulge myself with a milkshake but you just can’t say no to a Shields Date Shake.
Aside from all of these “pit stops”, I was able to relax by the pool and catch up on reading. I miss the hot sun already!
Scroll for more pictures from my trip and don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already!
xx,
Nicole
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