A Palm Springs Bachelor Party Itinerary

A Palm Springs bachelor party is all about sun and sand. This retro California city is situated in the Palm Desert, after all! A few hours east of Los Angeles, this stylish resort town is known for its trendy hotels, indulgent spas, and miles and miles of golf courses. What more could a Palm Springs bachelor party need?

Whether you’re up for adventure, down for a killer cocktail, or are all about that early tee time, there’s a Palm Springs bachelor party for every type of groom.

What to Do

You may be in the heart of the Palm Desert, but Palm Springs and the surrounding area are full of activities for an exciting bachelor getaway. Two not-to-be-missed sights lie south of the city. The first is Salvation Mountain, a monumental masterpiece made of local adobe and donated paint covered in colorful themes of love and peace.

The second is Joshua Tree National Park, a dramatic series of landscapes set between the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Adventure-seekers will love the plethora of hikes and rock-climbing opportunities, while the park’s 18-mile geology motor tour will lead you through 16 stops in the park’s most dramatic landscapes. While you’re in the park, be sure to check out Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School. Book an outdoor lesson right in Joshua Tree with a school that’s been climbing in the park since 1988. Begin with bouldering as you practice body positioning and hand holds, then move on to belaying and climbing real rocks in one of America’s most spectacular National Parks.

Want to get even higher? Hop into a 1940 Stearman biplane with Palm Springs Biplanes for a view like no other. Rides range from 15 minutes to a full hour, and there’s space for two riders (plus the pilot, of course) in the cockpit. 

Of course you can’t have a Palm Springs bachelor party without playing a round of golf! The oasis is home to nearly 125 public and private courses, hitting every skill level and price point. If you’ve got a soft spot for midcentury design as well as a low handicap, head to Escena Golf Club. The course features ample challenges, from bunkers and water hazards to drives pushing 7,200 yards, but also has four sets of tees to accommodate a group with a variety of skill levels. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a table at Escena Grill, pairing eye-catching design with California fusion cuisine.

If you really want to up your game, turn your Palm Springs bachelor party into a golf mini camp. Bird Golf Academy has put down roots at the Classic Club and is ready to get your swing in order with a 3-, 4-, or 5-day course with 18, 24, or 30 hours of individual instruction, respectively. You’ll be put up at the nearby Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in a room overlooking the course, and will have access to unlimited practice and play on the Arnold Palmer-designed championship course. Throw in player evaluation and daily lunch with your PGA pro, and you’ll be swinging like a master (pun intended) in no time.

Where to Eat

Nothing soaks up a hangover or gets you ready for a big day like brunch, and no one does brunch in Palm Springs like Cheeky’s. Get in line early for the fresh and local menu, which changes weekly and features mouthwatering options like crispy potato pancakes with corned brisket or buttermilk and fresh corn pancakes, plus a flight of five types of bacon. If the house Bloody Mary isn’t your speed, there are also pressed green juices, acaï kale smoothies, and nitro coffee.

Surrounded by mountains and deserts, Palm Springs is full of killer views and no one does views better than 4 Saints. This rooftop restaurant is on the top of the Kimpton Rowan Hotel, currently the tallest building in the city at 7 floors. Pair 270-degree views with a menu of globally-inspired small plates, shareable platters, and innovative craft cocktails and boutique wines. For a real guys’ night, book the private dining room, with its own bar, an outdoor dining terrace, and a billiard table for an after-dinner game of pool.

Eat like a local during your Palm Springs bachelor party at Shanghai Red’s Oyster Bar, settling in on the patio with a bucket of beers and some peel-and-eat shrimp before the band takes the stage. The seafood-heavy menu has everything from oysters Rockefeller and shrimp scampi to a lobster tail and prime steak combo and world-famous fish tacos that the late Anthony Bourdain raved about.

After a full day, grab a drink at Bootlegger Tiki, where two daily happy hours (4 to 6 p.m.and 12 to 2 a.m.) will help you get the night started or wind it all down. This bar is tiki royalty, located in the same space as the original Don the Beachcomber restaurant that opened in 1953. Go in on the False Idol punch bowl, enjoy a new classic in the form of the Pina Colossus, or brace yourself for the one-two-three punch of a Zombie (yes, that’s three kinds of rum!). Don’t forget to ‘Gram the garnishes!

Where to Stay

For a Palm Springs bachelor party that’s seriously California cool, check in to the Riviera Palm Springs. Set in the Uptown Design District, this property is a little funky, a little retro, and the perfect home base. Fashioned after the glamorous hotels of old Las Vegas, the Riviera offers boutique-style guest rooms and spacious suites overlooking the pool, private cabanas, a full-service spa, two restaurants, and four bars. Reserve a VIP cabana with the Bachelor VIP Package, which includes 12 beers and a shotski, plus chips & salsa and fresh fruit. Make sure you’re on the pool deck from noon to 5pm on Friday, Saturday or Sunday for a live DJ!

Hipster grooms will love the Ace Hotel, a motor lodge-turned-boutique hotel that’s a stone’s throw from downtown. No-nonsense rooms feel like the dorm room of that one college buddy who was way cooler than you (in an ironic way, of course) - make sure someone books a patio room with a fireplace, which has a private patio and fire pit perfect for late-night lounging. King’s Highway, a former Denny’s-turned-hotel-diner, is home to Monday night Bingo and delicious diner fare, while the adjacent Amigo Room has 21 craft beers on tap and a menu of artisanal cocktails.

If you want more of a camp vibe, check into Sparrows Lodge, a restored 1950s retreat with a rustic aesthetic that’s relaxed and totally comfortable. Closets are replaced with footlockers, mattresses are topped with Swiss army blankets, and the concrete floors are inlaid with pebbles. There are no phones or TVs, making it easier to unwind and encouraging you to make new friends around the pool or firepit. In addition to daily breakfast, the Barn Kitchen serves lunch, plus chicken dinners on Wednesdays and steak dinners on Saturdays. Make the most of the lodge’s townie bikes and explore the neighborhood hot spots, from local vintage shops to fresh fruit margaritas at El Jefe at The Saguaro.