Move over, Las Vegas! Palm Springs is making a splash as the new favorite destination for bachelorette parties. It's partially the Coachella effect, but #PalmSpringsBeforeTheRings is also a commonly used hashtag, thanks to the city's low prices, easy access from Los Angeles, and sunny year-round weather. It also has all the trappings for groups of women who want to celebrate the future bride: hotel pools, a walkable downtown area, a buzzing nightlife scene, and some out-of-the-box activities to keep everyone entertained. If you want to throw the best bachelorette party in Palm Springs, check out our tips below.
Make sure there’s a pool at your Palm Springs hotel.
Spending an afternoon by the pool is a Palm Springs bachelorette party requirement. You can go full service and rent a cabana at the Kimpton‘s stunning rooftop pool (with epic mountain views). The cocktail list is exceptional and cabana rentals come with bottled water, a seasonal fruit plate, and towel service. The Saguaro‘s multi-hued pool attracts young partiers with its endless bottles of rosé. Pro tip: ARRIVE‘s postcard-worthy pool allows non-guests to hang poolside free of charge. Whichever pool you choose, floating pink flamingos are optional, but highly encouraged.
Rent a suite in Palm Springs.
We’re not suggesting that every single bachelorette party participant splash out on their own individual suite. However, it’s an excellent idea to have at least one hotel suite where the bride-to-be sleeps and everyone else meets up. This way, there’s space for pre-dinner Champagne toasts, putting together last-minute outfit looks, and taking all the group shots and selfies you need. Gathering in the suite for coffee or room service breakfast is another fun way to bond. You can draw straws for who gets to bunk with the bride, or leave it to the maid of honor. The Parker Palm Springs has gorgeous suites and private villas designed by Jonathan Adler. For something more budget-friendly and almost as hip, the suites at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel aren’t too shabby either.
Plan daytime activities in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs is loaded with everything from beautiful nature to kitschy attractions. Join a group tour that allows you to explore the area’s mid-century modern architecture. Elvis Presley’s honeymoon house is definitely worth driving by. If your friends are into the spiritual scene, a sound bath at Integratron in the desert is a must. There’s also hiking, biking, and horseback riding in Joshua Tree. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is an unexpected and thrilling way to check out the desert and mountain landscape from above. Or, book a room at Two Bunch Palms and spend the day hopping from one hot mineral bath to the next before taking a free yoga class. Palm Springs really does have something for everyone.
Plan nighttime activities, too.
Palm Springs is home to its fair share of retirees, but that doesn’t mean the city shuts down after dark. The downtown area is rife with cocktail lounges and bars, and there’s a free bus, the Buzz, to drive bar hoppers up and down the strip. Lulu California Bistro offers a 12-hour happy hour menu, cotton candy machine, and DJ sets. Toucan’s Tiki Lounge hosts regular drag queen performances and dancing. Costas Nightclub (inside the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa) is open on weekends and has a chic lounge and a specialty cocktail with edible diamonds. (We’re pretty sure they invented the cocktail to appeal to bachelorettes.)
Eat out at restaurants in Palm Springs.
Depending on your group of friends, eating may be even more important than drinking during a bachelorette party. Don’t worry, because Palm Springs has an incredible dining scene. Workshop Kitchen + Bar specializes in locally sourced small plates. On Friday nights, The Pantry serves family-style fried chicken meals by the pool. If your crew wants to get all dressed up for an old-school Palm Springs steakhouse dinner, head to Melvyn’s for an over-the-top Frank Sinatra-style experience. A meal out at TRIO, a local favorite, is a requirement. Call ahead so the staff can arrange penis-shaped confetti and cake for your table. Pappy + Harriet’s, in the middle of nowhere, combines live music, honky-tonk style, and delicious barbecue. Oh, and Del Taco’s drive-through tacos are the ultimate hangover cure.
Time it with an event or festival in Palm Springs.
Musical festivals and cultural events have turned Palm Springs from a sleepy retirement town (and celebrity escape from Los Angeles) into a millennial bucket-list destination. If you can time your bachelorette party for April, you’ll be just in time for the three biggest events: Coachella in mid-April, Stagecoach at the end of April, and the White Party (the biggest gay dance party in the U.S.) at the end of April. Of course, hotel prices soar during this busy month and you’ll have to book in advance. But it’s hard to think of a more epic bachelorette party than Coachella.
What to Bring: Supergoop!
Don’t let the Palm Springs sun ruin your skin, lather up in some Supergoop! and forget sunburn.
You’ll Also Like:
- The 6 Most Popular Destinations for Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
- The 6 Most Unexpected and Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs
- The Most Delightfully Retro Hotels in Palm Springs
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on March 3, 2019.
All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission.
