Other Articles in this section
No one does beautiful "desert oasis" like California.
Rather than the stereotypical visions of stark scenery seen in movies,
Trip Length: 2 Days
Day One: Joshua Tree/Palm Springs
Start your day with a hearty breakfast bagel on the go at Park Rock Café then head to Joshua Tree National Park to take in the views.
For lunch, try Matchbox Vintage Pizza, which serves up a slice of New York heaven with its crispy thin-crust pies, like the Fire & Smoke—fire-roasted red peppers, sweet onions, chipotle-pepper tomato sauce, smoked gouda
Or, try local landmark Las Casuelas Terraza, which has developed a reputation for having some of the best Mexican food in Southern California . Check out their award-winning margaritas or try a shot from one of the most extensive tequila collections north of Mexico
One of the best-rated restaurants in the area for dinner is Copley’s on Palm Canyon where Chef Manion Copley cooks up the most innovative cuisine in the desert, like such appetizers as roasted beet and warm goat cheese salad or perfectly gingered charred prawns, scallops and mussels.
If you’re in town on a Thursday, you’ll have the opportunity to see downtown Palm Springs Palm Canyon Drive
Day Two: Palm Desert Area/Temecula
In the morning, play a round of golf or tennis, or pamper yourself at a local spa. For lunch, try Café des Beaux Arts, which brings a little bit of Paris
Vegetarians may want to try Native Foods, a contemporary and totally vegan restaurant. The Bali surf burger contains tempeh, lettuce, tomato, plus other fixings, but no meat.
In the afternoon, oenophiles will be dying of thirst – not for water, but for the wines of the Temecula wine region about 90 minutes southwest of Palm Springs
Callaway Vineyard and Winery offers complimentary daily tours where guests get a glimpse into Callaway’s history and what it takes to produce handcrafted wines.
For dinner, head back to the desert to the community of La Quinta, where you can enjoy Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant across from the Palmer-designed golf course. It features 8,000-square-feet of space and 250 seats -- with an outdoor putting green for patrons waiting for a table.
Or raise the bar at Blend, where the classics get a makeover. Chef Kevin Kathman, who spent two years at the Napa Valley
**This itinerary was created based on feedback from various destination marketing organizations, so we apologize if there are any minor inaccuracies. Dates and hours may vary, so we suggest you confirm dates and hours in advance of visit.
Discover California Wine
The Inside Scoop
Featured Videos
©2008 California Travel and Tourism Commission. All rights reserved.