IW Coffee

Best of the Best: 2018

How do we know what’s the best of its kind in Greater Palm Springs? Because our readers — residents and visitors — tell us.

Emily Chavous Foster Best Of, Current PSL, Restaurants

IW Coffee
Where is the Best Coffehouse in Indian Wells? IW Coffee.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY @BEARLEADERCHRONICLE

Each year, we ask for — and you tell us —your favorite services, experiences, and attractions and report back in our Palm Springs Life Best of the Best feature. We’ve tabulated the results in more than 35 categories, from coffee shops to veterinarians. Here are the 2018 winners.

HIT SNOOZE

INDIO

Hotel / Resort: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

INDIAN WELLS

Hotel / Resort: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

CATHEDRAL CITY

Hotel / Resort: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Golf Resort Palm Springs

Vacation Rentals: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Golf Resort Palm Springs

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Boutique Hotel / Resort: The Spring Resort & Spa

Hotel / Resort: Two Bunch Palms

PALM SPRINGS

Boutique Hotel / Resort: Sparrows Lodge 

Hotel / Resort: Saguaro Palm Springs

Vacation Rentals: Oranj Palm Vacation Homes

LA QUINTA

Boutique Hotel / Resort:The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

Hotel / Resort:La Quinta Resort & Club

Vacation Rentals: Royale Vacation Rentals

RANCHO MIRAGE

Hotel / Resort: Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

PALM DESERT

Hotel / Resort: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

Resort&Club

La Quinta Resort & Club was voted Best Hotel/Resort in La Quinta.

 
 

Built in the 1950s by actor Don Castle and fully restored in 2013, Sparrows Lodge is the locals’ pick for Best Boutique Hotel in Palm Springs.

Twenty modern-rustic rooms decked in dark woods and stone accent walls surround a pool and garden, tranquil massage tent, and farm-to-fork restaurant.

Sparrowslodge
wake up
IWCoffee

IW Coffee

INDIO

Breakfast: The Café at Shields Date Garden

Coffeehouse: Starbucks

Sunday Brunch: Jackalope Ranch

COACHELLA

Breakfast: Café 54 at Augustine Casino

INDIAN WELLS

Breakfast: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Coffeehouse: IW Coffee

Sunday Brunch: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

CATHEDRAL CITY

Breakfast: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

Coffeehouse: Starbucks

Sunday Brunch: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Breakfast: The Shop Café

Coffeehouse: Starbucks

PALM SPRINGS

Breakfast: Lulu California Bistro

Coffeehouse: Koffi

Sunday Brunch: Spencer’s

LA QUINTA

Breakfast: Louise’s Pantry

Coffeehouse: Old Town Coffee Company

Sunday Brunch: La Quinta Baking Company

RANCHO MIRAGE

Breakfast: Acqua California Bistro

Coffeehouse: Koffi

Sunday Brunch: Acqua California Bistro

PALM DESERT

Breakfast: Wilma & Frieda

Coffeehouse: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Sunday Brunch: Louise’s Pantry

get moving

INDIO

Gym / Health Club: Dedicated Strength

Public Golf Course: The Golf Club at Terra Lago

INDIAN WELLS

Gym / Health Club: Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Public Golf Course: Indian Wells Golf Resort

CATHEDRAL CITY

Gym / Health Club: In-Shape Fitness

Public Golf Course: Date Palm Country Club

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Gym / Health Club: World Gym

Public Golf Course: Desert Dunes Golf Club

PALM SPRINGS

Bike Rental: Bike Palm Springs

Gym / Health Club: World Gym

Hiking Trail: Indian Canyons

Public Golf Course: Indian Canyons Golf Resort

LA QUINTA

Bike Rental Pedego Electric Bikes

Gym / Health Club Evolve Yoga

Hiking Trail Bear Creek Trail

Public Golf Course SilverRock Resort

RANCHO MIRAGE

Public Golf Course Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

PALM DESERT

Bike Rental (tie) Funseekers; Tri.A.Bike

Gym / Health Club Thrive Fitness Studio

Hiking Trail Bump and Grind

Public Golf Course Desert Willow Golf Resort

BikePalmSprings

Bike Palm Springs

 
 

Home to the BNP Paribas Open, the sprawling Indian Wells Tennis Garden also hosts annual music and art festivals and offers public tennis club memberships, making it the Best Attraction in Indian Wells.

GET READY

INDIO

Hair Salon: Jesus Yvette Salon

INDIAN WELLS

Hair Salon: Karl Vasquez Salon & Spa

Spa: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa

CATHEDRAL CITY

Hair Salon: Denny’s Barber Shop

Spa: Body Concierge Spa

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Spa: Two Bunch Palms

TwoBunchPalms

Two Bunch Palms, Desert Hot Springs

 

PALM SPRINGS

Hair Salon: Salon 119 Beauty & Spa

Spa: Salon 119 Beauty & Spa

LA QUINTA

Hair Salon: Alankara Aveda Salon

RANCHO MIRAGE

Hair Salon: Chakra Aveda Hair Studio

Spa: Sunstone Spa at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

PALM DESERT

Hair Salon: Alankara Aveda Lifestyle Salon

Spa: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

Do Something

 

INDIO

Casino: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Kid-Friendly Attraction: Shields Date Garden

Museum: Coachella Valley History Museum

COACHELLA

Attraction: Augustine Casino

Casino: Augustine Casino

INDIAN WELLS

Attraction: Indian Wells Tennis Garden

CATHEDRAL CITY

Kid-Friendly Attraction: Mary Pickford 14 / D’Place Entertainment

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Attraction: Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Kid-Friendly Attraction: Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Museum: Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

PALM SPRINGS

Attraction: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Casino: Spa Resort Casino

Gallery: The Michael Weems Collection

Kid-Friendly Attraction: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Live Theater: Desert Ensemble Theater

Museum: Palm Springs Art Museum

LA QUINTA

Museum: La Quinta Museum

RANCHO MIRAGE

Attraction: Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Casino: Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

Gallery 1st Gallery

Kid-Friendly Attraction: Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert

Live Theater: Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre

Museum: Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert

PALM DESERT

Attraction: The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Kid-Friendly Attraction: The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Live Music: McCallum Theatre

Live Theater: McCallum Theatre

Museum: Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert

AerialTramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

 
 

North Dakota–born Cabot Yerxa, an early Desert Hot Springs–area homesteader, began construction in 1941 on a mazelike pueblo in which he lived and operated an art gallery. More than 75 years later, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum remains the Best Attraction in Desert Hot Springs. Tour the 35-room structure and visit the trading post for collectible artisan gifts.

Cabot'sPuebloMuseum
care for fido

INDIO

Veterinarian: James Clark, DVM, at Animal Hospital in Indio

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Veterinarian: Rachel Reedy, DVM, at Animal Hospital of Desert Hot Springs

PALM SPRINGS

Veterinarian: Brittany Yates, DVM, at Palm Springs Animal Hospital

LA QUINTA

Veterinarian: Village Park Animal Hospital

PALM DESERT

Veterinarian: Terry R. Hicks, DVM, at Palm Desert Pet Hospital

 

shop vintage

 

CATHEDRAL CITY

Consignment Store: Revivals

Vintage Clothing: Revivals

PALM SPRINGS

Consignment Store: Revivals

Resale: Revivals

Vintage Clothing: Iconic Atomic

LA QUINTA

Consignment Store: Encore Consign + Design Studio

Resale: Finders Thrift

RANCHO MIRAGE

Consignment Store: Misty’s Consignments

Resale (tie): Misty’s Consignments; Eisenhower Collector’s Corner; Victoria’s Attic Antiques

PALM DESERT

Consignment Store: Revivals

Resale: Revivals

 

Eat Casual

 

INDIO

Barbecue: Jackalope Ranch

Burger: In-N-Out Burger

Mexican: El Mexicali Café 

Pizza: Your Pie

COACHELLA

Burger: Café 54 at Augustine Casino

Mexican: Asadero Los Corrales

INDIAN WELLS

American: Eureka! Burger

Burger: Eureka! Burger

Mexican: Don Diego’s of Indian Wells

CATHEDRAL CITY

American: AJ’s on the Green

Barbecue: Zobö & Meester’s

Burger: AJ’s on the Green

Mexican: La Tablita

Pizza: Upper Crust

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

American: The Shop Café

Burger: The Shop Café

Mexican: Zapopan Mexican Food

Pizza: Rocky’s New York Pizza

PALM SPRINGS

American: Lulu California Bistro

Barbecue: Smoke Tree BBQ

Burger: Smokin’ Burgers & Lounge

Mexican: Las Casuelas Terraza

Pizza: Bill’s Pizza

LA QUINTA

American: La Quinta Cliffhouse

Burger: In-N-Out Burger

Mexican: Casa Mendoza

Pizza: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

RANCHO MIRAGE

American: Acqua California Bistro

Barbecue: Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse

Burger: Acqua California Bistro

Mexican: Las Casuelas Nuevas

Pizza: Acqua California Bistro

PALM DESERT

American: Kaiser Grille

Burger: Grill-a-Burger

Mexican: Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill

Pizza: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

Eureka!

Eureka! Burger

 

Dine Out

 

INDIO

Alfresco Dining: Jackalope Ranch

Caterer: Jackalope Ranch

Continental: Jackalope Ranch

Italian: Mario’s Italian Café

Japanese: Dragon Sushi

Mediterranean: Divino Trattoria

Seafood: Chop House at Jackalope Ranch

Steakhouse: Chop House at Jackalope Ranch

COACHELLA

Asian: Ha Ha Chinese

Steakhouse: JEM Steakhouse at Spotlight 29 Casino

INDIAN WELLS

Alfresco Dining: The Nest Indian Wells

Seafood: Vicky’s of Santa Fe

Steakhouse: Vicky’s of Santa Fe

CATHEDRAL CITY

Alfresco Dining: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

Asian: Wang’s Chinese Cuisine

Caterer: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

Greek: Santorini Gyro

Italian: Piazza Trilussa Ristorante

Japanese: Umami Seoul

Mediterranean: Super Shawarma Mediterranean Grill

Seafood: Oceans

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Asian: Kam Lun

Alfresco Dining: Capri Italian Restaurant

Italian: Capri Italian Restaurant

Sushi: Domo Sushi

Vegetarian / Vegan: The Gray Café

PALM SPRINGS

Alfresco Dining: Spencer’s

Asian: Thai Smile

Caterer: Lulu California Bistro

Continental: Spencer’s

French: Pomme Frite

Greek: Greek Islands

Italian: Johnny Costa’s

Japanese: Gyro, Gyro

Mediterranean: Evzin Mediterranean Cuisine at Caliente Tropics

Seafood: Fisherman’s Market

Steakhouse: LG’s Prime Steakhouse

Vegetarian / Vegan: Native Foods Café

LA QUINTA

Alfresco: Dining Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

Asian (tie): Canton Bistro; Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar

Caterer: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

Continental: Lavender Bistro

French: La Brasserie Bistro & Bar

Italian: Chapellis Italian Restaurant

Japanese / Sushi: Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar

Seafood: Fisherman’s Grill

Steakhouse: LG’s Prime Steakhouse

RANCHO MIRAGE

Alfresco Dining: Acqua California Bistro

Asian: P.F. Chang’s

Caterer: Acqua California Bistro

Continental: Acqua California Bistro

French: Cuistot

Italian: The Slice

Japanese: Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Mediterranean: Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant

Seafood: The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

Steakhouse: The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

Vegetarian / Vegan: Acqua California Bistro

PALM DESERT

Alfresco Dining: Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant

Asian: City Wok

Caterer: Kaiser Grille

Continental: Kaiser Grille

French: Café des Beaux-Arts

Greek: Evzin Mediterranean Cuisine

Italian: Castelli’s Ristorante

Japanese: Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge

Mediterranean: Evzin Mediterranean Cuisine

Seafood: Pacifica Seafood Restaurant

Steakhouse (tie): Mastro’s Steakhouse; Sullivans Steakhouse

Vegetarian / Vegan: Luscious Lorraine’s

 

 zoboandmeesters

Zobo and Meesters

 

Swoon

 
 

INDIO

Romantic Dining: Chop House at Jackalope Ranch

Wedding Venue: Jackalope Ranch

INDIAN WELLS

Romantic Dining: Vicky’s of Santa Fe

Wedding Venue: The Pavilion at Indian Wells Golf Resort

CATHEDRAL CITY

Romantic Dining: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

Florist: Desert Floral Importers

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Romantic Dining: Essence at Two Bunch Palms

Wedding Venue: Two Bunch Palms

PALM SPRINGS

Florist: Palm Springs Florist

Romantic: Dining Spencer’s

Wedding: Venue Spencer’s

LA QUINTA

Romantic Dining: Lavender Bistro

Wedding Venue: La Quinta Resort & Club

RANCHO MIRAGE

Florist: Rancho Mirage Florist

Romantic Dining: Acqua California Bistro

Wedding Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

PALM DESERT

Florist: Lotus Garden

Romantic Dining: Kaiser Grille

Wedding Venue: The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

DesertZoo

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

 
 

Drink Up

 

INDIO

Craft Cocktail: Jackalope Ranch

Karaoke: Neil’s Lounge

Live Music: Jackalope Ranch

Sports Bar: Jackalope Ranch

INDIAN WELLS

Craft Cocktail: Eureka! Burger

COACHELLA

Live Music: Spotlight 29 Casino

CATHEDRAL CITY

Craft Cocktail: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

Gay Bar: The Barracks Bar

Karaoke: Studio 111

Live Music: AJ’s on the Green & Splash! Bar & Lounge

Sports Bar: Trunks Bar

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Craft Cocktail: Capri Italian Restaurant

PALM SPRINGS

Craft Cocktail: Lulu California Bistro

Karaoke: Streetbar

Live Music: Michael Holmes’ Purple Room

Sports Bar: Smokin’ Burgers & Lounge

LA QUINTA

Craft Cocktail: Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar

Karaoke: Cunard’s Sandbar Restaurant

Live Music: Old Town Tavern

Sports Bar: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

RANCHO MIRAGE

Craft Cocktail: Acqua California Bistro

Live Music: The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

Sports Bar: Yard House

PALM DESERT

Craft Cocktail: Kaiser Grille

Sports Bar: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

 lulucaliforniabistro

Lulu California Bistro

Pencil It In

 

INDIO

Festival Riverside: County Fair and National Date Festival

Fundraising Event: Rock the Ride Desert Cancer Foundation

COACHELLA

Fundraising Event: Augustine Casino Toy Drive

INDIAN WELLS

Festival: BNP Paribas Open

CATHEDRAL CITY

Festival: Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival

PALM SPRINGS

Festival: Modernism Week

Fundraising Event: Dining Out for Life

LA QUINTA

Festival: La Quinta Arts Festival

RANCHO MIRAGE

Festival: Rancho Mirage Art Affaire

Fundraising Event: Ramblin N Gamblin Rodeo

PALM DESERT

Festival: Golf Cart Parade

Fundraising Event: Brew at the Zoo