Shopping

Survey after survey of American travelers tells us that there are three activities that are always at the top of the “must-do” list: dining out, shopping, and sightseeing. Even people who do little shop-hopping at other times feel the need to buy something when they’re in a new place—a memento of their visit, a gift for people back home, a hard-to-find item at a great price, even vacation necessities such as flip-flops or swimsuits. Though Palm Springs doesn’t measure up to such Southern California shopping meccas as Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Diego, or south Orange County, it has its share of national stores, specialty boutiques, and places that are unique to the desert.

Jewelry is a big deal here, as is the type of bright, glittery, casual women’s clothing known as resort wear. It’s telling that the Eddie Bauer store closed its doors and vacated its prime spot on El Paseo after only a few years. Its style of simple, rugged sportswear and plethora of sweaters and coats in the winter always seemed out of place in the perpetual sunshine and highly groomed surroundings, though under the guise of “value” as an outlet at Desert Hills in Cabazon, a northwoods/desert alliance ultimately was forged. On the other hand, St. John has a flagship store here, as does Tommy Bahama, and they sell lots and lots of clothing.

To help you in your hunting and gathering, we have included a brief rundown on the major shopping areas in the valley and the general type of merchandise you will find there. Otherwise, shopping options are presented by category of goods, making it easy for you to find antiques, toys, books, and more. Chain stores are not listed in the individual categories, but we do note where they can be found.

Shopping - Arts And Entertainment

Art is almost as big in the everyday life of the valley as are golf and shopping—a distant third, perhaps, but important in a big way for such a small area. Most cities now have an Art in Public Places (AIPP) program, following the lead of Palm Desert, which created the first AIPP back in 1986. That program requires developers to either install art in a public place or pay a fee for the arts program. The fee structure applies to every building project in the community and has become a national model for other cities.

From that program 100 works of art decorate the public places around Palm Desert and add to the already considerable beauty of the city. One of the largest collections of these pieces is installed every year on the grassy median that divides the two sides of El Paseo Drive. Sculptures of every genre decorate this strip, and a new exhibit is set up each January and is lighted at night—a nice accompaniment to dinner and drinks.

The city also has put together a sculpture walk as part of the visual landscape in the 72-acre Civic Center Park adjacent to City Hall and near College of the Desert. Palm Springs’ AIPP program has its own particular flavor, which nicely ties the major pieces into the city’s history and personality. The bronze statue of Lucille Ball on a park bench downtown at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive is a must-stop for tourist photos, as is the larger-than-life statue of Sonny Bono next to the fountain a few blocks south on Palm Canyon Drive. Palm Springs tends to go with large, statement pieces, such as the enormous Cahuilla Woman that stands on the median across from the Spa Resort Casino. Elegant classical bronze works and edgy modern pieces dot the downtown area and well-trafficked public places. Outside City Hall, Frank Bogert, the city’s “cowboy mayor,” is immortalized on his horse—a pose taken from a photo of the young wrangler when Palm Springs was just beginning to become known to the outside world. A fabulous construction by internationally famous glass artist Dale Chihuly hangs inside the Palm Springs Airport. Another Chihuly piece is the star attraction in the clubhouse for Palm Desert’s public golf course, Desert Willow.

The desert hosts a number of art events and festivals throughout the year. For listings, check the Annual Festivals and Events chapter.