Romance blooms like desert wildflowers in Palm Springs, and if you’re looking to sweep your sweetheart of their feet in this desert oasis, this is the post for you. As a Palm Springs local, I love sharing my favorite things to do with visitors coming into town–especially for date night!
In this post, I’ve rounded up my favorite Palm Springs date night ideas. Whether you’re looking for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Palm Springs or date night ideas in the Coachella Valley, you’ll find the perfect way to celebrate your love in the desert. Let me show you the most enchanting experiences for a love-filled getaway in Palm Springs!
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Romantic Dinners & Date Night Restaurants in Palm Springs
Dinner dates in the desert can be incredibly romantic–if you pick the right restaurant. These favorites are sure to impress on your next Palm Springs date night!
Spencer’s
Spencer’s is a quintessential Palm Springs experience. This lovely restaurant is nestled just off the main drag of downtown Palm Springs, nestled right at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. Talk about stunning! I highly recommend a seat on the garden patio just for the views of the desert night sky under twinkling lights with that mountain view. Talk about romantic!
The menu here doesn’t disappoint, either. Honestly, this is one of those places where you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. That being said, I highly recommend starting with the beef wellington sliders (YUM!), ahi tuna tartare (served with truffle oil and to your level of spice, also YUM!), or the gazpacho (made with Maine lobster!). They also serve a mean steak, and the Chilean sea bass is another one of my favorites. You really can’t go wrong here, and it’s the perfect setting if you want to truly sweep your significant other off their feet.
The Edge Steakhouse at Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
My other go-to romantic restaurant in Palm Springs is The Edge Steakhouse at Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. Talk about stunning views! The night is set for romance when you see the view from your table at The Edge: sweeping vistas of the Coachella Valley from high up on a mountainside. How’s that for romantic?? It’s a view that will take your breath away.
The food here is phenomenal, too. Personally, I like to start with their roasted pork belly or the Oysters Coachella, and then enjoy a perfectly seared New York strip with bordelaise and a side of Southwestern mac and cheese (made with hatch chilies, aged cheddar, gouda and pepper jack) and their duck fat house fries (truly as good as it sounds). This is one of the best steakhouses in town, and paired with the incredible views of the desert, this is definitely one of my top spots for a romantic date night in Palm Springs.
Unique Proposal Ideas in Palm Springs
If you’re planning on popping the question, you have to do it in style! And luckily, there are a few ways to craft an unforgettable proposal in Palm Springs. Here are my faves:
Sunset Gondola Ride at JW Marriott Desert Springs
One of my absolute favorite recommendations for a romantic date in the desert is to enjoy a gondola ride at sunset at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. Yes, you read that right, a gondola ride in the desert.
Desert Springs is a sprawling resort (over 400 acres) with two championship golf courses and tranquil waterways throughout the resort. What better way to explore all of this than on a gondola?
The gondola picks you up right in the lobby–that’s right, there’s water features in the lobby of this resort. Once you board, your gondola driver–or gondolier–takes you on a serene ride along the picture-perfect resort, where you’ll ride alongside stunning green backdrops from the two championship golf courses as you watch the sun set against the silhouette of the San Jacinto Mountains. Talk about romantic!
While you can buy tickets for the public rides, I’d highly recommend calling ahead to arrange for a special private gondola ride to pop the question.
Sunset Hot Air Balloon Ride
What could be more romantic than sweeping your sweetheart, off of their feet and onto a hot air balloon ride over the Southern California desert? For a romantic surprise your special someone won’t soon forget, book a hot air balloon ride over the Coachella Valley at sunset. Don’t get me wrong, sunsets are already a pretty magical affair in Palm Springs, but when you watch the sunset from a hot air balloon? Incredible. Fantasy Balloon Flights offers group hot air balloon rides as well as private charters—perfect for a proposal!
Romantic Date Ideas in Palm Springs
The Spa at Sec-he
Without a doubt, The Spa at Sec-he is one of my absolute favorite spas in Palm Springs. If luxury, pampering and relaxation are on your list for a romantic getaway, look no further than The Spa at Sec-he.
My full review of this brand new Palm Springs spa is here, but the TLDR is that this is the most luxurious and comprehensive spa you’ll find in the desert. I’d plan to make it a full day of relaxation; after your couples’ treatment, you can soak in the mineral waters, lay out by the pool, enjoy poolside bites and drinks, and indulge in all of the fun amenities offered (including meditation rooms and grounding chairs).
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Romance is in the air (ha! get it?) at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world’s largest rotating tram whisks you up to the top of Mount San Jacinto, where you’ll have incredible views of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Here, you can enjoy a nature walk, hike, picnic, or a meal at the onsite restaurant, Palms to Pines.
In the winter time (especially around Valentine’s Day), the top of the tram is often dusted in a few inches of snow, too, making this an extra picturesque spot for a romantic date!
What’s your favorite pick for a Palm Springs date night? Let us know below!
