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
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.
wake up
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
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
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
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.
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! 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
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
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
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