Happy Holidays everyone! If you have been a fan of the Standard Magazine over the years, you will know that we do a special Holiday Guide every year at this time. And, if you have been reading my column, you would also know that Christmas is my very favorite time of the year!
Each year I have strived to bring you the best unique local finds, creative décor and suggest places for fun and inspiration. Well, you cannot imagine that this year would be any different, could you? For 2024 I want to offer you an opportunity to be inspired by the entire season, not just the shopping. I hope to jog your memory of the days when you reveled in the magic that is Christmas. There is so much to see and enjoy in and around the Valley so, take some time and join me as I attempt to wrap you up in the Spirit of the Season.
Things To Do: A few of my favorite spots transformed for Christmas.
123 Farm
A short drive from Palm Springs is the family owned & operated 123 Farm. This is a real working farm and has been for over 90 years. Christmas is as magical as you can imagine at the farm. Lights everywhere, literally over 1 million lights! Live music, festive food & drinks, a S’mores pit, and yes, there is also Santa Claus. Spend an evening under the stars, come hungry and shop the small crafts boutiques set up in the cabins. It is a place to roam and explore.
Be sure to preorder your tickets, as they do NOT sell them at the door.
Knotts Berry Farm
I threw this one in for an alternative to the crowds and cost of Disneyland. The original Anaheim theme park has one of the only remaining wooden roller coasters left in the U.S. and other extreme thrill rides galore! You don’t want to miss lunch, or dinner at the Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner restaurant, where they serve handmade biscuits and their world-famous boysenberry jam along with the best fried chicken. Truly fun for all ages and the whole family. You can do it in a day or you can stay at their lovely hotel overnight for more park time.
The Living Desert Holiday Lights
It’s part zoo, animal park and part light show. They call it Wild Lights and it has been a tradition at the zoo for more than 30 years. It has been nominated by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Zoo Lights”. Bring the entire family to the walk-thru light exhibits. They have festive holiday music, food and wild animals like rhino, giraffe and zebra, among others. There’s even a S’mores station and holiday-themed carrousel.
Places To Eat: What’s Holiday fun without lots of delicious food and drink!?
Crudo Cervicheria, Palm Springs
A new face on Palm Canyon Drive, Crudo is a casual stop-in kind of eatery
offering ceviches, seafood and tacos. You must try the Shrimp Tacos, Ahi Tuna Nachos, and do not miss the sweet potato fries! Indoor and patio seating available. They have a selection of wines and beer to enhance your experience.
Tac/Quila, Palm Springs
By now a go-to on Palm Canyon Drive, you cannot miss the amazing food
and incredible cocktails from their creative mixologist. People watch from
the outdoor patio, or make new friends at the lively bar, or find a quiet cozy more intimate spot in the dining room. You must try the lobster tacos, served with a whole lobster tail! The upscale Jalisco cuisine, original cocktails and the gorgeous interiors (by Foley & Stinnette) will make your holiday socializing even more fun and delicious.
4 Saints, The Rowan Palm Springs
Modern American fare offered with California wines, showcasing the bounty of California, is how they describe themselves. The dining room Is chic with leather booths and natural woods, the views of the mountains and their roof top pool are stunning. The food is seasonal, creative and beyond delicious, and the service is truly some of the very best you will find in Palm Springs. They also specialize in whiskeys and offer wine tasting dinners which will make for a fabulous holiday party location. Be sure to try one of my favorites, the Snap Pea Ravioli w/Pancetta.
Fun Shopping:
From El Paseo to Cabazon, our small Valley has a world of luxury goods to choose from, in just about every price point. Shopping may be a national pastime but, Holiday shopping brings an extra sparkle to my eye. I love choosing the perfect gifts for family and friends and I don’t have to go far living in Palm Springs!
El Paseo
It is called the Rodeo Drive of the Desert for a reason. From Saks Fifth Avenue, to
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Bottega Veneta, Apple, LuLu Lemon and many many more. You can shop until you drop but, you don’t have to because El Paseo is also filled with fabulous cafes and restaurants to satisfy any taste. Stroll along the street, window shop, sit in a café and people watch with lunch dinner or cocktails, however you want your holiday shopping trip to go, you can find it here.
Cabazon
In the desert is Cabazon California, only about 12 minutes from Palm Springs, just through the pass. If you are looking for literally, every luxury brand at discount prices, there is no better place in the U.S.! There are even designer factory stores here that you cannot find anywhere else. For you Gucci lovers, they actually have a huge boutique with current season product and a separate store just for your Gucci kids! Come in comfortable shoes because the outlet mall is enormous and spreads out far and wide. It is all outdoors and it tends to be a good bit cooler than Palm Springs, so bring a jacket. You can find valet parking, discount coupons at the visitor’s center and plenty of snacks along the way to keep your blood sugar levels up!
Palm Springs, Downtown & Design District
I write about Palm Springs every year because we have such a plethora of unique, single location boutiques. You can find selections and merchandise that you won’t see at the mall and there is plenty of Palm Springs focused paraphernalia and gifts for those out-of-towners on your list. I am giving you my top 5 favorites but, they are by no means the only fun, fabulous stores along Palm Canyon Drive.
o Wil Styles, Men’s & Women’s clothing, modern styles & designers
o Trina Turk, Men’s, Women’s clothing & Home
o Frank’s, Men’s clothing & accessories. For the Palm Springs coolio
o Garo Jewelers, family owned & operated, jewelry, watches, repairs
o Greetings, cards, gifts, art, all with a cool, funky, Palm Springs vibe
Gift Of Charity:
Giving during the holiday season is one of finest ways to give back, enrich the lives of others in need and a reminder of just how lucky we are. The old adage, it is better to give than receive, is never truer than during Christmas. Dig deep and feel good. Try these long-time Valley charities…
Animal Samaritans, Thousand Palms
This incredible organization is celebrating 40 years of good work in the Valley. This nonprofit group takes in animals from across our desert and they offer pet services, shelter and veterinary clinic in Thousand Palms. Their adoption center is a place where volunteers love and care for unhoused pets.
You can make donations to the organization directly or find their list of animal needs for the adoption center on Amazon. It can be as simple as a bag of food, toys or a pet bed. Every bit is needed and appreciated.
Well Of The Desert, Palm Springs
For 27 years The Well of the Desert has been serving meals 5 days a week and bag lunches on Saturday to the homeless population of the desert. That is more than 77,000 meals per year. There are men, women, children and families who go without food in our Valley of such abundance. No donation is ever too small or too big, this is how they put food on the table. They give sustenance, hope, love, compassion and dignity to those they serve. It is way beyond food. They advocate for the poor through services vital to our community.
Holiday Prep:
Gift Wrapping is one of my favorite holiday tasks. I have a gift wrapping & bow making tutorial on Youtube. Check it out and you can be a gift-wrapping master this Christmas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtgQAa465kc
No matter your plans, try adding some of these fun and meaningful things to enhance your holiday season. I wish you and yours, all the very best of the Holiday’s!
Live Well!
Designer Dann
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