A Desert Pause in Palm Springs

Trade the holiday hurry for mountain views, leisurely meals and a little time to recharge.

Between the gatherings, gift lists and packed calendars, the holiday season can leave little room for a getaway. Palm Springs offers an appealing reason to make room anyway. For Santa Clarita Valley travelers, this desert destination invites a weekend built around a different kind of schedule: a slow breakfast, an afternoon of exploring and dinner worth lingering over.
With its distinctive architecture, palm-lined streets and dramatic mountain backdrop, Palm Springs makes even a short escape feel like a change of scenery. This season, consider giving yourself something that never needs wrapping: a little time away.
Check Into Desert Style
For a contemporary home base, Thompson Palm Springs brings together downtown convenience and resort amenities. Its two outdoor pools offer space to settle into vacation mode, while the property’s restaurants, wine tasting room and retail spaces put several diversions close at hand. Plan an afternoon with no particular agenda beyond enjoying the setting.
When dinner calls, Lola Rose Grand Mezze offers Levantine-inspired shared plates, a natural fit for an evening centered on conversation. The hotel’s dining options also include mountain views at The Perch and wines at HALL Napa Valley Tasting Room & Wine Lounge. Choose one experience at a time and give each room to become part of the weekend.

Make Time to Unwind
A visit to The Spa at Séc-he offers another way to slow down. Its centerpiece is a collection of 22 private mineral baths fed by the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring. Sacred to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the spring connects the experience to a history that reaches far beyond the city’s resort reputation.
The spa’s “Taking of the Waters” experience includes a private mineral bath, with day-pass options that provide access to additional amenities. Reserve ahead and leave enough time to enjoy the visit without watching the clock.
Find Something Unexpected
Palm Springs also rewards an afternoon spent browsing. Its vintage shops, boutiques and design destinations offer inspiration for both holiday gifts and your own home. Look for a piece of glassware, an unusual accessory or an artful object that will bring a little of the weekend back with you.
For another creative stop, consider the Palm Springs Art Museum. Pair a visit with shopping and an unhurried meal, allowing time between destinations for whatever catches your attention.
The pleasure of this escape is how little you need to fit into it. A thoughtful dinner, a quiet afternoon and a morning without obligations can be enough. As the year draws to a close, Palm Springs offers a welcoming place to pause before the next celebration begins.
Your 48-Hour Desert Escape
Friday: Check into Thompson Palm Springs, settle in and enjoy dinner at Lola Rose Grand Mezze.
Saturday: Reserve a spa experience at Séc-he, followed by time browsing downtown. Keep the evening open for dinner and drinks.
Sunday: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, explore the city’s art and design offerings, and head home with a little breathing room restored.
Add a Little Holiday Sparkle
Give your getaway a seasonal touch with boutique gift shopping, a festive dinner or an evening holiday event. Check the current calendars at Visit Palm Springs and Visit Greater Palm Springs for dates, tickets and reservations.

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