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36 INTERVAL WORLD Spring 2015 IntervalWorld.com
For a Good Time
Thursday nights in Palm Springs are known far and wide for Palm
Springs VillageFest, a community event that takes over downtown
and is equal parts farmers’ market, craft show, and street fair. In other
words, whether you’re on the prowl for some locally grown ingre-
dients to use back at your unit or a painting to hang on your living
room wall back home — or you just want to mingle with the locals
and listen to some live music — this is the place to be every Thursday,
June through September, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. (The fun starts an
hour earlier the rest of the year.)
Area casinos offer additional entertainment options, and typically
host a variety of popular acts. Besides big-name performers playing
special engagements, though, the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs
features some pretty fun gigs (think Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin
tributes) every weekend.
And even if you’re not into
heavy guitar riffs and drum
solos, it’s hard to beat the
fact that the shows are free.
Name-Brand
Attraction
There are boutiques, malls,
and markets around seem-
ingly every corner in this
region, but there are two
shopping Shangri-Las that
are absolute must-visits.
Palm Canyon Drive in Palm
Springs is a funky mix of trends and traditions. Wander along this
street and there’s no question you’ll discover all manner of objects
you had no idea you needed, from antiques to zebra-patterned
home furnishings.
Palm Desert’s El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, is a mile-
long stretch of stores fronted by various pieces of outdoor public
art that can be nearly as fascinating as the apparel, gifts, jewelry,
and other items for sale inside. If you’re looking for specific designers,
stroll through the adjacent Gardens on El Paseo and Shops on
El Paseo, where you’ll find Coach and Louis Vuitton goods and
Burberry, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren merchandise, respectively.
Menu, Please
The El Paseo district is the place to eat, too. There are scores of
cafes, casual bistros, and some more formal eateries. And in the
middle of all the action is Pacifica Seafood Restaurant. In addition
to serving the self-proclaimed freshest seafood in the desert, regular
specials include various half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and
a daily prix fixe sunset dinners menu. Pacifica also has a comfortable
rooftop terrace and vodka bar stocked with 150 bottles from more
than six states and 20 countries.
If variety is the spice of your life, make plans to take advantage
of Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week. For 10 days at the
beginning of June, more than 100 area establishments — from the
renowned Copley’s on Palm Canyon to the fashionable Lulu California
Bistro and many more — show off select three-course culinary
creations for a set price of either $26 or $38 per person. Reservations
are definitely recommended.
Greater Palm Springs CVB
10
Palm Springs
Cathedral City 10
Palm Desert
Indio
111
Fantasy Springs
Resort Casino
Indian Wells
Golf Resort
Mount San Jacinto
State Park
Joshua Tree
National Park
San Jacinto
Peak
El Paseo
Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway
Palm
Springs
Los Angeles
San Diego
California
RESORT DIRECTORY:
r pages
143 to 145
CLIMATE: June-through-
August highs average above
100°F, dipping upwards of
20°F at night.
INTERVAL TRAVEL:
RENTAL CAR:
Recommended
CONTACT: Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway,
palmspringsaerialtramway.org;
Palm Springs VillageFest,
villagefest.org; Fantasy
Springs Resort Casino,
fantasyspringsresort.com;
The Gardens on El Paseo,
thegardensonelpaseo.com;
The Shops on El Paseo,
theshopsonelpaseo.com;
Pacifica Seafood Restaurant,
pacificaseafoodrestaurant.com;
Palm Springs Desert Resorts
Restaurant Week,
palmspringsrestaurantweek.com
VISITOR INFORMATION:
Palm Springs Visitors Center
800.347.7746
Palm Desert Visitor Center
800.873.2428
fast FACTS
Dine alfresco at any one of many dining establishments in Palm Springs’
thriving restaurant scene.
Heat It Up
Make an exchange or buy a Getaway at
The Getaway price is valid April 1 — August 31, 2015.