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CULINARY ITINERARY: DESERT AREA
No one does beautiful “desert oasis” like California. Rather than the stereotypical visions of stark scenery
seen in movies, California’s Desert Region is full of life and amazing beauty, from the coolest outdoor
adventures to celebrity-drenched restaurants to surprising nearby wine regions.
Day One: Joshua Tree/Palm Springs
In the morning, drive about 45 minutes northeast of Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National park for a
morning of hiking or rock-climbing in the dramatic scenery made famous on the U2 album, Joshua Tree.
Before entering the park, stop in the town of Joshua Tree to enjoy a hearty breakfast at Crossroads Café and
Tavern (760-366-5414). This rustic, friendly treasure has special items like stuffed French Toast, multi-grain
pancakes, the ultimate bagel sandwich, Willie Boy Hash and Vegan Sunrise. Or grab a hearty breakfast bagel
on the go at Park Rock Café (www.joshuatreevillage.com/338/338.htm)
For lunch, head back to the laid-back-but-still glamorous Palm Springs, where you can enjoy everything
from local joints to chic eateries. Matchbox Vintage Pizza (www.matchboxpalmsprings.com) serves up a
slice of New York heaven in the bustling Mercado Plaza. Matchbox features crispy thin-crust pies baked in a
wood-burning brick oven. You can sink your teeth into the Fire & Smoke—fire-roasted red peppers, sweet
onions, chipotle-pepper tomato sauce, smoked gouda, and fresh basil—but be sure to keep a napkin nearby
to dab the sweat off your forehead. If pizza’s not your thing, Matchbox also has a full bistro menu. Or try
local Mexican favorites such as El Mirasol (760-323-0721), a family-run eatery that has grown into one of the
area's best loved, in part for its terrific grilled meats, fantastic guacamole, potent margaritas, and rich, fullbodied sauces. Some dishes aren't listed on the menu, so if you're adventurous, ask for a verbal run-down of
the more exotic options. Or try local landmark Las Casuelas Terraza (www.lascasuelas.com), which after
opening in 1958 soon developed a reputation for having some of the best Mexican food in Southern
California, and it’s still drawing raves. Check out their award-winning margaritas or try a shot from one of
the most extensive tequila collections north of Mexico. For a friendly “ladies who lunch” vibe, try Le
Vallauris (www.levallauris.com) in the historic Roberson House. The French menu changes daily, and each
day it's handwritten on a white board.
In the afternoon, try visiting some galleries or quaint boutiques in charming downtown Palm Springs, or
take an afternoon ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's largest rotating tramcar. Here you
will experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon to the 8,516-foot-high Mountain
Station where you can hike and camp most of the year and cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter.
Enjoy an afternoon coffee or snack at the lounge with spectacular views of the desert below. If you’re
enjoying your mountain high, stay for dinner at Peaks Restaurant (www.pstramway.com), offering fine
contemporary California cuisine with local produce and breads from the Coachella Valley (Reservations are
suggested).
If you prefer your dinner in, you’ve got many options to choose from. One of the best-rated restaurants in
the area for dinner is Copley’s on Palm Canyon (www.copleyspalmsprings.com), where Chef Manion
Copley cooks up the most innovative cuisine in the desert, drawing fans region-wide. Start with such
appetizers as roasted beet and warm goat cheese salad or perfectly gingered charred prawns, scallops and
mussels. Oh My Lobster Pot Pie is deservedly the biggest hit on the entrée menu. And save room for
Copley's sweet and savory servings of herb ice cream. The rustic, casual eatery is in a hacienda that was once
owned by Cary Grant. Or try the Villa Royale’s romantic, award-winning Europa Restaurant
(www.villaroyale.com). AAA's Westways magazine calls this eatery "a charming hideaway where you'll feel
as if you've been transported to an intimate castle in Europe." Here continental dishes, such as the signature
Salmon in Parchment and Duck Confit, are inspired by the flavors of France, Italy, Spain and Greece. Savor
them fireside in the warmth of Europa's intimate dining room, or by trickling fountains under the desert
stars. Speaking of stars, you might just see a celebrity at the oh-so-fabulous Viceroy Resort’s Citron
(www.viceroypalmsprings.com) restaurant, reminiscent of the Regency style of Hollywood's "Golden Era."
Vibrant, lemon yellow walls imitate the warmth of Palm Springs, while crisp, white furnishings echo the
desert's pure environment as well as Viceroy Palm Springs's signature relaxed, outdoor living atmosphere.
Custom-designed mirror panels and white, marble-tiled floors reflect the desert's sunlight or starlight from
every angle. Citron restaurant features California modern cuisine, featuring both traditional and unique
selections of meat, poultry and seafood.
If you’re in town on a Thursday, you’ll have the opportunity to see downtown Palm Springs transformed
into Village Fest (www.palmspringsvillagefest.com). Featuring a diverse display of arts and crafts, a
certified farmer's market, food, and live entertainment on beautiful Palm Canyon Drive, the market is open
until 10 pm. If not, try your luck at one of the great casinos in town.
For more information on Palm Springs, go to www.VisitPalmSprings.com.
Day Two: Palm Desert Area/Temecula
In the morning, play a round of golf or tennis, or pamper yourself at a local spa in the Palm Desert
communities near Palm Springs. For lunch, try Café des Beaux Arts
(www.palmsprings.com/elpaseo/cafedesbeauxarts/), which brings a little bit of Paris to the desert, with
sidewalk dining, colorful flower boxes, and a bistro menu of French and Californian favorites, such as a
broiled Portobello mushroom with duck confit served with a sherry sauce, and ravioli stuffed with lobster.
Leisurely dining is encouraged, which allows more time to savor the well-chosen French and domestic
wines. Husband-and-wife team Jay and June Trubee are the stars behind the trendy and contemporary
Jillian’s (www.jilliansfinedining.com), filled with antiques and art and one of the media darlings in Palm
Desert. Try the monumental appetizer called Tower of Crab (layers of crab, tomatoes, avocados, and brioche)
and main dishes such as salmon baked in parchment and fettuccine with lobster. Save room for the
Hawaiian cheesecake with macadamia nut crust. Vegetarians looking for a more casual atmosphere may
want to try Native Foods (www.nativefoods.com), a brightly lit, contemporary and totally vegan restaurant.
The Bali surf burger contains tempeh, lettuce, tomato, plus other fixings, but no meat. Same story with
Spike's BBQ, made with soy "chicken," barbecue sauce, and caramelized onions.
In the afternoon, oenophiles will be dying of thirst – not for water, but for the wines of the Temecula wine
region about 90 minutes southwest of Palm Springs. California’s southernmost wine region, Temecula is one
of the state’s emerging wine regions, a surprise for many because it is so near the desert. But vintners here
are proving that the combination of cool nights, proximity to the Pacific Ocean breezes, and 1,500-foot
elevation can produce sophisticated warm-climate reds, plus excellent examples of reds and whites typically
grown farther north. Wine country visitors are also learning that Temecula supports a whole range of
options in addition to wine tasting, such as great restaurants, golf courses, spas and concerts.
There are many wineries to enjoy in Temecula, but a great one to start at is the Falkner Winery
(www.falknerwinery.com), which offers a Wine Appreciation Class every 2nd Saturday of the Month
conducted by Sommelier, George Meyer. The class combines some of the best features present in the
Introductory and Advanced Classes into a single, three-hour class. After a class or a tasting, the winery’s
Pinnacle restaurant offers great panoramic views (1,500 feet up), outstanding Mediterranean style food, and
high quality service for lunches seven days a week.
Callaway Vineyard and Winery (www.callawaywinery.com) offers complimentary daily tours where guests
get a glimpse into Callaway’s history and an informative look at the present vineyard management practices
as they view the demonstration vines up close. They will see the time honored techniques it takes to produce
handcrafted wines while visiting the crush pad, fermentation cellars and barrel room. All aspects of the
winemaking process are discussed and tour guides are available to answer questions. No reservations are
required. Other notable wineries include Baily Vineyard & Winery (www.baileywinery.com), South Coast
Winery Resort & Spa (www.wine-resort.com), Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery
(www.palumbofamilyvineyards.com) and Maurice Carrie Winery (www.mauricecarriewinery.com). In
Escondido try Orfila Vineyards & Winery (www.orfila.com), which has won more than 1,000 competition
medals since 1994, or Ferrara Winery (www.ferrarawinery.com), designated as a state historical point of
interest.
For dinner, head back to the desert to the community of La Quinta, where you’ll find two of the hottest
restaurants in the region. The splashy Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant (www.arnoldpalmersrestaurant.com),
across from the Palmer-designed golf course, features 8,000-square-feet of space and 250 seats -- with an
outdoor putting green for patrons waiting for a table. The restaurant is divided into four dining rooms,
appropriately named British Open, Masters, US Open, and The Palmer Room. Billed as offering “progressive
American cuisine served in a unique private club setting,” the restaurant has a steakhouse menu featuring
American standards such as steak and ribs, and some of Arnie’s personal favorites, such as, mac and cheese,
and brownies with vanilla ice cream. Palmer’s also has an impressive wine cellar, with an emphasis on
California wines. Or raise the bar at Blend (www.blendrestaurant.com), where the classics get a makeover.
Chef Kevin Kathman, who spent two years at Napa’s storied French Laundry, has updated old favorites, and
blended new combinations. Step into the brash, brightly colored dining room and savor the maple-brined
pork prime rib with black-eyed peas, braised red cabbage, and bacon sauce, or opt for one of the chef’s
tasting menus. Clint Eastwood fans will want to try his Hog’s Breath Inn
(www.hogsbreathinnlaquinta.com), featuring gourmet American comfort food.
For more information on Temecula wineries, visit www.temeculawines.org. For more information on the
Palm Desert Communities, including restaurants, visit www.giveintothedesert.com.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The above itinerary was created based on feedback from various destination marketing organizations, so we
apologize if there are any minor inaccuracies. Dates and hours may vary so we suggest you confirm dates
and hours in advance of visit. Updated June 2009.
MORE RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn (Palm Springs)
www.inglesideinn.com/frames/melrestaurant.html
Hollywood playground and old Sinatra haunt.
Sherman's Delicatessen and Bakery (Palm Springs)
www.palmsprings.com/dine/shermans/index.html
Kosher, NY-style deli.
Cuistot (Palm Desert)
www.cuistotrestaurant.com
French farmhouse setting and cuisine.
Oceans (Cathedral City)
760-324-1554
This bistro tucked into the back corner of a shopping center serves a surprising selection of beautifully
prepared seafood.
Shame on the Moon (Rancho Mirage)
www.shameonthemoon.com/
Old-fashioned ambience, complete with big booths, friendly service, a great, eclectic menu, and modest
prices make this one of the most popular restaurants in the desert.
For more information on wine and food activities, go to www.landofwineandfood.com.
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