If It’s Good Enough For Elvis, It’s Good Enough For Us
Written By: Lynne Eodice Palm Springs Honeymoon
Once you’ve planned your storybook wedding, you’ll want to follow it up with an equally-magical honeymoon. From stays at intimate boutique hotels to hot-air ballooning, we have many recommendations for romantic things to do in Palm Springs. With options from secluded twilight drives, cliffside dining and relaxing spa treatments to choose from, you’ll be sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. Palm Springs Honeymoon
Luxury at Your Fingertips
La Quinta Resort & Club offers numerous accommodations to choose from for the perfect romantic honeymoon. Each of their room options has distinct luxuries. Their Spa Villa King fireplace suite has direct access to a lap pool, the Hideaway Suite offers a private patio with a personal hot tub, while the Starlight Casita has a king-sized bed and an outdoor fireplace. Stop at The Spa, which offers massage and body treatments; you can even take relaxing yoga classes with your sweetie.
Native Knowledge: La Quinta Resort & Club encourages you to explore the desert with options that include hiking, pottery and craft classes, a ride on the Palm Springs Tramway or a visit to The Living Desert.
La Quinta Resort & Club
49-499 Eisenhower Dr
La Quinta, CA 92253
760.564.4111
Your Romantic Corner of the World
L’Horizon Hotel and Spa
You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood when you honeymoon at this luxury resort, which has played host to movie stars and other dignitaries throughout the years. Designer Steve Hermann, who is famous for his high-end homes, recently redesigned this hotel. L’Horizon’s 25 bungalows have the feel of private residences, and guests must be 21 and over, making it the perfect honeymoon hideaway. It’s one of the most romantic hotels in Greater Palm Springs.
Native Knowledge: L’Horizon was originally built in 1952 by architect William F. Cody as a private retreat for TV producer Jack Wrather and his wife. It’s every bit as glamorous today as it was back then.
L’Horizon Resort and Spa
1050 E Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.323.1858
Palm Springs Honeymoon
Desert Canyons by Horseback
Smoke Tree Stables
Want to get back to nature on your honeymoon? Then you may want to take in the scenery on horseback led by guides from Smoke Tree Stables. You’ll experience the beauty and solitude of the Agua Caliente desert canyons, and you can book a ride for an hour or all day long. And no worries if you’re not an experienced horseback rider! Smoke Tree Stables is a family-owned business that leads beginner and advanced horseback riding tours regularly.
Native Knowledge: Smoke Tree Stables has provided horses for movies and television, including Bravo, Oprah and Playboy TV.
Smoke Tree Stables
2500 S Toledo Ave
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.327.1372
A Honeymoon Fit For a King
Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway at the Alexander Estate
Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned at this incredible mid-century estate after their wedding in 1967. Their honeymoon hideaway at the Alexander Estate has been featured in publications like Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor’s, and Time. You can tour this estate and the Presley Honeymoon Hideaway daily at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. For a post-nuptials, couples getaway in Greater Palm Springs, it’s a must do.
Native Knowledge: This is the most popular place in the desert to have your picture taken.
Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway / Alexander Estate
1350 Ladera Cir
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.322.1192
Romantic Dining With a View
The Edge Steakhouse at the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
Imagine sipping Champagne and eating filet mignon or a New York rib-eye steak while viewing an awesome sunset high above the desert. You can do this at The Edge Steakhouse, which is perched high on a cliff overlooking the Coachella Valley. The full menu is available in the bar or dining room, which offers a semi-private chef’s table and open-viewing kitchen. Pamper yourself — you’re on your honeymoon!
Native Knowledge: Bruno Lopez, the executive chef of The Edge Steakhouse apprenticed at Hotel Ritz in Paris.
The Edge Steakhouse at Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage
68900 Frank Sinatra Dr
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760.321.8282
Unique Spa Experience
The Spa at Two Bunch Palms
You can get spa services and healing treatments at Two Bunch Palms that you won’t find anywhere else! Choose from options like Chakra Balance Massage, Desert Detox Clay Wraps and Water Shiatsu, among others. Some of these pampering treatments take place at Two Bunch Palms’ outdoor treatment gazebos and river rock alcoves.
Native Knowledge: The Spa’s mineral water flows from a natural, 600-year-old spring.
The Spa at Two Bunch Palms
67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
760.676.5000
Palm Springs Honeymoon
On Top of the World
Coachella Valley Vista Point
Highway 74 is a narrow, winding road with hairpin turns once it climbs up out of Palm Desert, so drive carefully! Five miles out of the city, you’ll come to an overlook with awesome views below of Bighorn Country Club, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta. Plan on arriving at the Vista Point around sunset or dusk when you can take in the twinkling lights of the city below.
Native Knowledge: If you continue taking Highway 74, the road will lead to Idyllwild and other communities in the mountains above the desert. Hence the name, “Palms to Pines” Highway.
Coachella Valley Vista Point
Palms to Pines Hwy / Hwy 74
Palm Desert, CA 92260
909.382.2600
Premier Shopping Destination
The Shops on El Paseo
The two of you can easily spend a whole day on El Paseo, scoring great clothing and jewelry at designer boutiques like Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Escada and Bottega Veneta. For lunch, stop over at Il Sogno or FIX on El Paseo. If artwork is what you’re after, there are a number of wonderful art galleries on this street, like Melissa Morgan Fine Art.
Native Knowledge: Shopping on El Paseo is the next best thing to Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive in SoCal.
The Shops on El Paseo
Located in Palm Desert on El Paseo
Between Highway 74 / Monterey and Sage
Palm Springs Honeymoon
Flying High
Fantasy Balloon Flights
If you’re honeymooning in the desert between September and May, you won’t want to miss an adventure with this family-owned and operated hot air balloon company. You’ll soar above natural deserts, golf club resorts, date palm groves and polo clubs during a one-hour flying tour. A Sweetheart Flight for two is also available, and these hot air balloon flights can be booked for occasions like weddings and proposals.
Native Knowledge: Your pilot will toast your adventure with Champagne or sparkling juice, and present you with flight awards.
Fantasy Balloon Flights
Meeting Space at Cafe Italia
74901 Hwy 111
Indian Wells, CA 92210
760.568.0997
Lynne Eodice is an accomplished writer & photographer. She is the former Features Editor for Petersen’s PHOTOgraphic magazine, and has contributed her writing and/or editorial expertise to Photographer’s Forum, Rangefinder, DoubleExposure.com, California Tour & Travel, Family Photo and Adorama’s Learning Center. She is also the author of Photos That Inspire: Photo Workshop, an instructional book that’s illustrated with more than 200 images by various photographers, published by Wiley & Sons.
