I don’t love the desert landscape, which is interesting because I’d say Big Bend is one of my favorite parks, though they are different deserts. I am also not much into rock climbing. The trees are cool, but I think we kinda messed up by going into the park for the first time through the south entrance. It led us on a long drive through generally unimpressive desert.
Like I said, my wife loves the park. I just kind of was unimpressed.
I will say, the stars are DOPE
I also think it depends which park entrance you go in whether or not you find it interesting. From the southern entrance it’s quite a long way to the nearest actual Joshua tree. Still really cool terrain but if you go in looking for one tree you could be disappointed
Edit: should’ve finished reading first
I think you’re spot on. West entrance is a totally different ball game. My first impression was the southern entrance.
One idea:
It’s called, appropriately for a grocery store theft, salami slicing.
(Turns out the kid was doing fradulent product returns)
Isn’t Slab city a place Chris McCandless lived for a while before going “Into the wild”??
Lol thank you for this. My uncle owns a small competing chain of grocery stores in Michigan and I grew up working at one. I sent it to my cousin whose now a VP there and we’re cracking up over the idea that 1- Kroger would let someone take 2 consecutive weeks off and 2- it would just happen to coincide with a high schooler ripping you for almost a mill. Kroger is not letting anyone take 2 weeks off unless it paternity leave.
According to the google machine you are correct. Into the Wild being one of the few books that I have actually read.
“You used to be able to get naked, with a six-shooter in one hand a can of beer in the other, and ride around the dunes on a motorcycle,” says Ganner, the old camp host. “Now they make you wear a helmet and put your beer down. And no guns. It’s no fun anymore.”
Can still be nekked though, right?
All that matters
1/2 Point for me, although I remember it from the movie more than the book. Read the book so long ago, but have read so little other books since then.
As a local that has lived in Palm Desert since 1990 with only about 8 years away in the middle of it, I’ll add a little to what Travis shared on the pod.
Places of interest
The Living Desert - If you bring a family out here with kids, it’s a good spot to entertain them. Small and really well run zoo with the largest model train setup west of the Mississippi.
Palm Springs Art Museum - In downtown Palm Springs (they have a satellite in Palm Desert as well).
Joshua Tree National Park - Not sure how anyone hates on this park. It is a truly unique place and you won’t find anything like it anywhere in the world.
Places to eat -
Mexican food
The three best authentic Mexican food meals you can get are in downtown Indio
Casa de Silvia (Silvia has won “best tamale” at the Indio Tamale Festival multiple times which features tamale makers from all over the country). Service can be a little underwhelming at times in terms of speed but it is worth it. Aside from the tamales, their chilaquiles and cafe de olla give me the feels just thinking about them.
El Mexicali Cafe (literally 5 yards from the train tracks)
Rincon Norteño
Both El Mexicali and Rincon Norteño are the two old establishment places that deliver extremely authentic and delicious food. You can’t miss with any of the three. Keep in mind these places ARE NOT FOR DINNER. Breakfast or lunch only.
If you are unwilling to drive to downtown Indio or looking for Mexican options for dinner then I would suggest Fresh Agave in Palm Desert on Highway 111. The bar scene is always happening and their food is serviceable. They have one of the best service staffs in the valley and they pour stiff cocktails. The twin bartenders Efrain and Jesus, who started Fresh Agave after leaving Armando’s are two of the best people you’d ever want to be around. Every time you leave they always say “See you tomorrow”. I love that.
Non-Mexican Food
Keedy’s (in Palm Desert). It is the go to greasy spoon breakfast diner in the desert. Their pancakes are near the top of my list for best pancake anywhere. Your chances of accidentally seeing a famous Champions Tour type player increase going to Keedy’s.
The Rooster and The Pig. In Palm Springs just off the strip in a strip mall. Incredible Vietnamese/asian fusion cuisine. They don’t take reservations, first come first serve.
La Quinta Brewery. My favorite local micro brew. They have locations in old town La Quinta and downtown Palm Springs.
Nightlife/Entertainment
The Nest in Indian Wells. In season this place is ground zero for cougars, sugar daddies, bachelorette parties, clowns (literal actual clowns), and anyone looking to people watch. It is almost always a wild mix of people.
Tack Room Tavern in Indio. Out at the polo grounds. Cool bar across the street from The Plantation. It can be hit and miss with the crowd but it’s a good spot to spend an evening.
Pappy & Harriets. P&H is in the high desert up near Joshua Tree. It is in Pioneertown which is an old location for Hollywood western shoots. Pappy and Harriets is one of the coolest restaurant/music venues I have ever been to. It is a favorite spot for many musicians to play. I can’t do it justice in words. Check out their website and look at who has played there. It’s impressive. Their restaurant serves really good BBQ as well.
The Little Bar in Palm Desert. Tiny bar, great burger. It’s on Hwy 111 and owned by one of the bigwigs at Goldenvoice who put on the Coachella Festival. He’s usually there hanging out.
I would have included The Red Barn in Palm Desert to this list but the owner is a QAnon MAGA freak and the clientele has gotten shadier and shadier every year. It used to be the go to dive bar.
Grocery Store Scene
Albertsons / Ralphs / Whole Foods / Trader Joes all tend to rule the macro grocery scene. There is a Bristol Farms and a Henry’s in the desert as well. Cardenas rules the Mexican grocery scene.
Then there is Jensen’s. Jensen’s is top of the food chain in my world. They source local produce, have the finest butcher/meat section in the valley, and arguably the best wine selection. They also tend to have finer quality boxed and canned goods. It feels elite when visiting because it is elite.
I’ll add more as I think about it more.
I guess we’d have to do a NLU meetup at the nest during the Dinah post covid.
Gang,
Headed to Palm Springs next week with a group of 50 idiots. 3 rounds at PGA West with lodging at Polo Villas for the entire group.
Three of us arrive a day early on the 15th. Staying downtown PS that evening.
Looking for the best dinner options in the area and any “can’t miss” spots for first timers.
polo pizza in indio is dope.
If you want to stay around downtown PS, my wife and I really enjoyed https://www.lascasuelas.com for casual Mexican.
Go to The Nest
For the night you’re in downtown PS, I’d hit up The Rooster & The Pig for dinner. Haven’t been there since lockdown but it’s just off the strip and is one of the better restaurants in the valley IMO. It’s Vietnamese/Asian fusion.
If you don’t want Vietnamese or Asian then I’d try one of these…
Melvyn’s for some old Rat Pack type atmosphere
Workshop is hit and miss with food/service but has a very LA/PS vibe
If you want to do what all the other tourists do then just go to Las Casuelas for Mexican. Food is decent, nothing to write home about. But it’s on the strip and is always busy.
There are a host of steak house type options as well.
Like @GremlinGolfer suggested, I’d send you to the Nest for drinks after dinner but it’s 25-30 min from downtown Palm Springs.
Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. I’ve lived in the Coachella Valley for over 30 years.
Heading to Palm Springs on Thursday for the National PGA Club Championship, enjoyed the podcast and appreciate the tips!
