Just as summer of 2018 started, my little sister and I launched it off with a 24-hour #staycation in Palm Springs, Ca. Given that we had not had much time together in the past couple of years I planned it so that we would be left with some opportunity for quality #sistertime.
For local Southern Californians, Palm Springs is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's a place to lounge by the pool, pull out a good book, have a spa day and get some sun. We, on the other hand, decided to do something a little different. In today's blog post I will be sharing how we maximized 24 hours in Palm Springs while glamping near Joshua Tree plus a surprise bonus at the end.
Here's what we did:
BRUNCH
339 S. Balardo St., Palm Springs,
Imperial County 92262, US
Our First stop was food, of course! I have to be honest, I found this place on Instagram and had to see it for myself. We were delighted to see that the photos you see on the gram are not just hype, the place looks better in person, and the food meets the expectations. My sister and I enjoyed breakfast with fresh squeezed grapefruit/ orange juice and a plate of fresh fruit. We enjoyed watching the guest lounge by the pool reading their books while tanning. Including the pregnant couple that was taking that perfect shot to capture the essence of the relaxing stay at La Serena.
Having our first stop at La Serena Villas was the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of our trip. This place is so peaceful and has the perfect touch of colors to uplift your spirits. I highly recommend making reservations before you arrive at Azucar.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
A little stroll and a $5 donation can't possibly stop you from visiting this family owned 1-acre garden. We were happily greeted by a member of the Moorten family who gave us history on the grounds. He asked where we were from and when I mentioned I live in Rancho Cucamonga (I moved here almost two years ago) he reminisced on the days when we would deliver glass milk jars to people that lived in Rancho decades ago. He also shared how much Palm Springs has evolved over the years and how the gardens have been there through it all.
The one thing I was fascinated by while strolling through the gardens was the amount greenery there was. There was also this reminder of what once was Mexican territory by all the names given to the native plants and cacti of the region.
A moment I am so grateful for was sitting in front of the greenhouse underneath a big tree with some refreshing shade next to my sister. As you can imagine, Palm Springs can past the 100-degree mark on any given day in the summer, we were drenched in sweat and took in this moment underneath the tree where a gentle breeze would surprise us from time to time.
POOL VIBES
1551 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
What is Palm Springs without lounging by the pool? One thing many people don't know is that you can call up many of the properties in Palm Springs and see what their day rate for pool access is. Because our visit was during the weekend the boutique hotel pools were not accessible however there are two pools you can lounge at. The first is the Ace Hotel and Swim Club and the second is a newly opened hotel called ARRIVE Palm Springs. My sister and I are not big fans of huge crowds nor the young "party scene" which you can expect at the Ace so we went with ARRIVE. This pool has a mature hip vibe. It was a vibe of people wanting to go there to chill out with friends, play a few games and grab a drink or two.
There is no fee to access this pool but it is a first come first serve basis. I also recommend coming hungry because the food here is Yumm!
Don't forget to stop by Ice Cream & Shop(pe) on your way out and grab an ice cream!! They have an array of delicious non-dairy options which can sit well on all of our tummy's :). Dairy-free is my way to go there is no negotiating this one for me. After talking with some of the employees at Ice Cream & Shop(pe) we learned that they change their flavors often which can be a nice treat.
GLAMPING NEAR JOSHUA TREE
Thanks to Airbnb
Initially, I wanted to go camping but let's face it I'm not much of a camper. Glamping is just right for me. We arrived at Sophie's place and were pleasantly surprised to get more than we expected. The place is so cute in pictures but has way more attention to details in person. Maybe it has to do with our expectations but my sister and I were happy to have a roof over our heads, warm water, security, and safety.
Since we had a couple of bites to eat at the pool earlier in the day we were set for the evening. We bathed in the bathtub using minimal water since neither of us likes baths. We later got in our pajamas and hoped into bed.
I was soooo looking forward to having a late night chat with my sister about life, love, goals, what's happening in our lives right now but... she fell asleep! She was lights out by 8 pm if not sooner. I begged her to stay up to look at the stars with me but I had no luck.
My sister and I are 8 years apart. Essentially we've grown up in 2 different eras and almost completely differently. As a big sister, I feel there are times that I had failed her. This is one of my biggest regrets in life it still brings me to tears to this day. I am optimistic about opportunities where I can show up for her, support her in any way possible and love. The fact that she was able to rest while we were together was a huge compliment. I remember a psychologist friend of mine once said that if you fall asleep while hanging out with someone it just means you were that relaxed and comfortable. This has always stuck with me throughout the years.
We woke up well rested. My sister must've slept for 12 hours and me about 6. The night was filled with coyotes howling and me looking over to see if my sister was awake.
THE NEXT MORNING
We packed a breakfast meal. We brought all sorts of delicious snacks for us to enjoy in the morning. We got a cooler packed it in with some fresh fruit, water, and GoMacro Bars. I had fun making our breakfast pretty. Some of you might have seen this in my Instagram stories. It was a delightful meal and yes, my sister did the dishes.
MATCHA
1101 N Palm Canyon Dr
We had to top off our trip with some coffee + matcha. My sister loves coffee and me, I'm #matchagirl all the way. We found the perfect place that makes authentic matcha (not the stuff you see at Starbucks). This place is super cute and all sorts of unique concoctions.
We're off... But first, One last stop!
WHITEWATER RIVER IN PALM SPRINGS
Off the 10 freeway
I accidentally discovered this place a year ago while driving on the 10 freeway back from Arizona. I mentioned it to my sister, and she was gamed to take a little detour to see a river running through the desert.
I highly highly recommend visiting this place. The water is crystal clear, fresh and cold. I would NOT recommend getting entirely in the water as the current can be fiercely dangerous. We spent about 40 minutes hanging out on the edge of the river as we dipped our feet and eventually got on our knees to dip our heads in the water.
Anytime I'm in nature I love talking with it. As we sat next to the river, I thanked the water for being so miraculous. I conversated with it about how happy I was to be hanging out with my little sister and to experience this moment with her. I give nature thanks all the time, but this time I had to hold my tears back because I did not want my sister to know I was emotional over us being together. It had been years since we had had some alone time for this long which wasn't even that long. Although we didn't get to chat a lot about life itself the energy exchange was there. I am very grateful to have experienced such a lovely 24 hours away with her.
Since Palms Springs is only an hour away from me you know, I will be back. Until then I'd love to hear some of your favorite places while visiting the desert?
Cheers,
Angie Sanchez
For $40 towards your next airbnb stay click here.