Things To Do Beyond Coachella Music Festival

The Coachella Music Festival takes place over two weekends in April. In 2023 it will be on April 14 – 16 & 21- 23. The festival showcases various genres of music, including rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic dance music, and is known for its iconic performances and celebrity attendees. It also showcases large-scale art installations, sculptures, and outdoor exhibitions, making it a unique and immersive experience.

The following weekend is Stagecoach Music Festive. It’s often referred to as “Coachella’s country cousin” because it features many of the biggest names in country music.

With crowds of thousands of people attending these music festivals, Palm Springs can feel very crowded. Hotels are full and there is a lot more traffic. However, did you know they clear out of Palm Springs in the morning and don’t return until late at night? That makes it the right time to get out and support all our locally owned businesses.

Here are some ideas of things to do beyond Coachella in Palm Springs. Plus, many businesses offer special deals. See All Deals.

Eat at a New Restaurant

So you think you can’t get into a restaurant during these busy weekends? Not true! Most of the visitor base is at the music festivals. Making a restaurant reservation for a locally-owned Palm Springs restaurant during slow periods can be a great way to support your community and enjoy a unique dining experience. Plus, by avoiding peak hours, you can avoid long wait times and crowded dining rooms, making for a more relaxed and enjoyable meal overall.

New Upscale Dining

Palmina By Puglia Italian Restaurant is for those looking for an old-fashioned tableside show, Palmina by Puglia offers pasta caronara made at your table with owner Antonello Zio. For dessert, they also offer a flaming tiramisu made with 20-year-old rum. The menu includes authentic Southern Italian dishes, including traditional Neapolitan style pizzas. Salads are topped with fresh mozzarella that Zito makes himself.

Clandestino Palm Springs comes to us from the owners of Farm and Tac/Quila and Clandestino becomes the third installment featuring Mexican cuisine. It features a dialed-down food menu and larger bar menu that Tac/Quila. Think more tacos, fajitas and nachos. Less salmon and shrimp.

Sol Agave began as an upscale Mexican food truck in San Juan Capistrano. Lead chef and co-owner Oscar Parez created the business with two friends. They now have six restaurant locations with the addition of Palm Springs. This isn’t just the traditional Mexican dishes like burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Their menu include things like rack of lamb with mole, Chilean sea bass, and carnitas made from scratch. The quality extends to the drinks where they use it proprietary tequila mix and fresh-fruit purees to make signature cocktails. Complex flavors such as spicy mango, watermelon basil, tamarindo and cucumber cilantro margaritas.

New Casual Dining

Palm Springs also offers a variety of casual dining options for those looking for a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. Here’s some you might have missed.

The Thirsty Palms is a hip and trendy spot offering a laid-back atmosphere where visitors can enjoy tasty food, craft cocktails, and a variety of beers on tap. The menu features an array of mouth-watering options ranging from classic fare like pizzas, to more sophisticated dishes like pork schnitzel, grilled skirt steak, and garlic shrimp scampi pasta. French Miso Café is a quaint French & Japanese lunch café with a weekend brunch menu. Tucked away in La Plaza, they have a lovely floral terrace.

Low Desert serves modern Mexican food and is located in the Smoketree Plaza. Open 11 am – 9 pm. Closed Mondays. Starters include brussels sprout mix with cotija cheese, jalapeno mayo, and panela cheese. Entrees include tacos, tortas, huaraches, quesadilla, burritos, and tostada. There are also veggie options.

Casa Blanca Palm Springs is located in La Plaza They are proud to open their 4th location in Palm Springs. Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Reforma comes to us from the owners of Chill Bar, Reforma is a nightclub and supper club in downtown. Co-owner Rob Giesecke describes the menu as “being inspired by Latin America, from Mexico to Chile and Argentina.” DJs get the party started on Friday and Saturday nights. Those who prefer a relatively quieter evening can enjoy food and drinks in lounge areas away from the dance floor.

Right next door, Impala Bar & Grill is a new bar, grill and nightclub on the strip in downtown Palm Springs! The restaurant primarily serves Tx-Mex food, but also offers an array of American grill staples like sandwiches and salads. The space features two patios, with seating for 90 guests, a large dining room, large horseshoe bar, with seating for 32, six TV screens, including a feature wall with 18 foot by 12 foot screen.

Shop A Store You’ve Not Been Before

Now that the crowds are gone, let’s go shopping!

Clothing

Benjamin Perdereau clothing store features exclusive brands from Saint Tropez, France.

Fashion Fix Womenswear is a locally owned boutique specializing in trendy fashions fro women of all ages and sizes.

Another locally owned women’s clothing store is M Design Vintage and More  Here it’s all about high style including vintage pieces by designers Galanos, Gaultier, Oscar de la Renta and more.

Peepa’s  carries a wide assortment of products including men’s and women’s apparel, art, gift and seasonal goods. At Peepa’s they focus on bringing in artists and designers who are independent and/or local. This helps them keep their assortment unique and different. As a gay owned business, they like to especially support other LGBTQ, black and female brand/artists. This is a great time to get out and support Peepa’s.

Home Furnishings

Flow Modern specializes in contemporary furniture and lighting and includes a stunning collection of designs from top designers from around the world.

A La Mod is a vintage furniture store specializes in midcentury modern pieces that are hand-selected for their quality and style. You’ll find everything from chairs and tables to unique decorative items. The inventory is constantly changing.

Local interior designer Christopher Kennedy also has a local retail space. This stylish store showcases is hand-selected merchandise in a sophisticated and luxurious spaces with a Palm Springs vibe.

Bon Vivant is a hidden treasure that offers home decor items, furniture, and accessories with a French influence.

International

Locally owned and curated Wabi Sabi Japan Living is a home goods retail store that imports tableware, sake, chopsticks, knives, tea, cookware and food from Japan and Asia. There’s nothing like it in the valley.

Gifts & Collectables

bobo Palm Springs is the first boutique stationery store in the Coachella Valley offering high-end journals, writing and drawing tools, paper goods, artwork, and accessories.

Crystal Fantasy is an inspiring gift shop and metaphysical center in downtown since 1987.

Books

The Best Bookstore – Remember the fun of going into a bookstore and just browsing all the new titles? We’ll it’s here and open in Palm Springs. Find something fun to read poolside.

Local Stephen Monkarsh created Just Fabulous after realizing that downtown Palm Springs needed an upscale gift boutique and book store that features a wide selection of coffee table books, cards, calendars, candles, watches, novelties, home décor, art, and imported music.

Visit Moorten Botanical Garden

Moorten Botanical Garden is a family-owned and started in 1938 by Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten, a renowned horticulturist and collector of desert plants. The garden spans over 1 acre and features over 3,000 varieties of desert plants from around the world, including cacti, succulents, palms, and more. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the garden pathways and enjoy the stunning array of plant life on display. The garden also offers educational tours and workshops for those interested in learning more about desert flora and their care.  Learn More about its history.

Take A Tour

The Architecture and Design Center is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the rich architectural and design history of the region. The center features a variety of rotating exhibits and educational programs that provide visitors with an immersive experience into the world of architecture and design. A 1-hour tour is included with your admission at noon.

Book a Spa Treatment

If you’re not wanting to book a treatment at one of the many hotel spas, we recommend Beautiful Spa. Located downtown, they specialize in massage therapy treatments.

If you want to be pampered from head to toe, Salon 119 Beauty & Spa offers both a full service salon and spa.

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