A 3-Day Getaway for Cigar Lovers in Palm Springs, California

‍

Cigar lovers have good reason to flock to Palm Springs. A boutique cigar scene, an easily walkable downtown restaurant and bar scene, and weather that makes relaxing outdoors the natural choice for most of the year make Palm Springs an ideal setting for a smoking getaway.

Palm Springs has more places to stay that you might expect for a locale with very few tall buildings, but Kimpton The Rowan , Thompson Palm Springs, and The Palm Springs Hotel should top your list.

Special Event:

The Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert will be hosting a Cigar Social at Hotel Zoso on Saturday, October 26 from 2 to 5 PM. Smoke a freshly-rolled cigar during PS Leather Pride 2024.

Now let's get to how you can make the most of Palm Springs over a long weekend.

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Downtown Palm Springs

Morning Arrival and Check-In

Drop your bags at the front desk and head out to South Palm Canyon Drive. The stretch south of Alejo Road and north of Ramon Road packs in a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shops catering to visitors.

Lunch or Brunch at Farm

Many restaurants face the street in Palm Springs, but Farm has a garden dining area that will have you thinking of Europe even before the menu arrives. You cannot go wrong with the sweet or savory crepes this French bistro. Same with the sandwiches. Farm is the perfect place to recharge after the journey.

An Afternoon of Cigars and Drinks at Fame Cigar & Wine Lounge

Cross South Palm Canyon Drive to a lively restaurant and shopping area and look for Fame Cigar & Wine Lounge. There you can pick your favorite of the ten beers on tap or wines served by the glass or the bottle. Browse limited edition cigars from Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, and Padron, have a chat with the staff, then settle down for a lazy afternoon of people watching from the outdoor seats.

Dinner at Rooster & Pig

When you have an appetite again, spend a little time browsing the shops along South Palm Canyon Drive as you make your way to Rooster & Pig, a an upscale Vietnamese restaurant, on the other side of Indian Canyon Road, just a block east (away from the nearby mountains) from the main drag. This place takes no reservations, so try to time your arrival just before five o'clock, or else you may have to wait until the first round of patrons finishes their meal. The spicy okra and pork belly fried rice is a favorite.

Evening Drinks at a Tiki Bar

The Tiki craze of the 1950s and '60s lives on in Palm Springs, just like the many mid-century modern houses. You have several Tiki bars to choose from, but Bootlegger Tiki is worth hopping into a car to check out. It's just a short drive north of the main concentration of entertainment on South Palm Canyon Road, but the lively atmosphere and outdoor patio more than justify the trip. Make reservations before you go, just in case.

Day 2: Get a Wider Perspective of Palm Springs

Breakfast or Brunch at Sherman's Deli & Bakery

Sherman's is an old school New York deli-style dining teleported into the desert with just the right menu to banish a hangover or fortify you for a bit of the great outdoors. Big portions and warm service will perk you right up.

Ascend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Make sure to wear layers for this part of your getaway, because the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you up 8516 feet (about 2600 meters) of elevation, and the weather is always much colder up there. You might even find yourself walking in the snow at the top if you visit during the winter. The visitor center at the top has several restaurants with gorgeous views of Coachella Valley when you feel ready for lunch.

Light Up the Afternoon at Tinder Box

Head back down to the lively part of South Palm Canyon Road and step into the Tinder Box. The staff here will make you feel welcome, and you can take a seat on the patio furniture out front to sample the cigars you have chosen without delay.

Happy Hour at the High Bar

Just one block south and one block west of the Tinder Box you will find the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, a new high rise property that you can spot without taking out your phone to navigate. On the top floor is the High Bar, a poolside bar with a view of the mountains that's just as appealing as the Happy Hour drinks and snacks.

Dinner at Pomme Frite

Once the sun goes down, you can walk down South Palm Canyon Drive and reach Pomme Frite in under ten minutes. There you will find steaks, mussels, and other hearty bistro fare, plus an excellent selection of Belgian beers, French and Californian wines, and apertifs.

Unwind at Pívat Cigar Lounge

Down Ramon Road, just before it crosses over Interstate 10 in Rancho Mirage is the Agua Caliente Resort Casino. From the outside it looks like a a piece of Las Vegas teleported into California, but inside, you will find the Pívat Cigar Lounge. This place has special events like Cigars Under the Stars and private tastings, not to mention live music from time to time. They stay open until 2 AM too.

Day 3: Last Hours of Relaxation

Breakfast or Brunch at Cafe Mon Amour

Start your last day with coffee and a sandwich at Cafe Mon Amour, a genuine French cafe with French owners. Sit outside under an umbrella and decide if you're up for one more stop.

Take a Walk in Palm Canyon

Less than a twenty minute drive south of downtown Palm Springs, you can take a short walk into Palm Canyon, an actual desert oasis. You won't need any special gear to make your way down from the parking area to a grove of native palm trees that bring home how Palm Springs earned its name.

Lunch at Tac/Quila

Finish your Palm Springs getaway at Tac/Quila, a Michelin-rated Mexican restaurant for gourmet tacos, tamales, and fajitas. Do not skip desert here.

Stop by your favorite cigar shop and get yourself something to go before you hit the road or make your way to the airport.

‍

Driving Distance (within a 2-5 hour drive)

Las Vegas, NV - About 4 hours away

Los Angeles, CA - About 2 hours away

Phoenix, AZ - Roughly 3.5 hours away

San Diego, CA - Approximately 2.5 hours away

Santa Barbara, CA - Around 2.5 to 3 hours away

Tucson, AZ - Approximately 4.5 hours away

‍

Short Flights (under 3 hours)

Los Angeles, CA - About 1 hour

San Francisco, CA - About 1.5 hours

Las Vegas, NV - About 1 hour

Phoenix, AZ - About 1.5 hours

Seattle, WA - About 3 hours

Denver, CO - About 2 to 2.5 hours

‍

Other Flight Options (slightly longer but feasible for a 3-day trip)

Austin, TX - About 4 hours

Chicago, IL - Approximately 4 hours

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX - Around 3.5 to 4 hours

Portland, OR - Approximately 3.5 hours