Food & drink
PalmSpots keeps this list short on purpose — rooms we would send a friend to, with the patio and happy-hour details that matter in the desert.
American · Joshua Tree · $$
The climbers' canteen: big breakfasts, veggie-heavy plates and a permanent queue on weekends. Crossroads Cafe is an American spot in Joshua Tree. Prices sit in the mid range. Served here: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for breakfast before the park.
American · Idyllwild · $$
Idyllwild's long-standing sit-down restaurant, with a fireplace and mountain-town portions. Gastrognome is an American spot in Idyllwild. Prices sit in the mid range. Served here: brunch, lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for dinner in the pines.
American · Idyllwild · $$
Mountain brewpub with house beers, burgers and a big deck under the pines. Idyllwild Brewpub is an American spot in Idyllwild. Prices sit in the mid range. Worth knowing: craft beer, deck, mountain views. Served here: lunch, dinner, happy hour. Hours: Daily 11:30am-9pm. There is a patio. You get a view from the tables. Kids are comfortable here. Dogs are welcome on the patio. Best for lunch in the pines.
American · Indio · $$$
An enormous ranch-styled restaurant with waterfalls, patios and a mesquite grill. Jackalope Ranch is an American spot in Indio. Prices sit in the upper-mid range. Served here: brunch, lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for groups, festival weekends.
American · Joshua Tree · $$
Burgers, cold beer and live music a mile from the park entrance. Joshua Tree Saloon is an American spot in Joshua Tree. Prices sit in the mid range. Served here: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for post-hike burger and beer.
American · Indio · $$
Date shakes, date-crusted salmon and a garden patio inside the historic date farm. Shields Date Garden Cafe is an American spot in Indio. Prices sit in the mid range. Served here: breakfast, brunch, lunch. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for date shakes, lunch stop.
American · Bombay Beach · $
The lowest bar and grill in the western hemisphere, papered in dollar bills. Ski Inn is an American spot in Bombay Beach, Salton Sea. Prices sit in the budget range — easy for a quick, cheap meal. Worth knowing: dive bar, burgers. Served here: lunch, dinner, happy hour. Hours: Daily 11am-8pm. Dogs are welcome on the patio. Best for a salton sea landmark stop.
American · Rancho Mirage · $$
Comfort-food kitchen at the Westin with a fire-pit patio and a solid brunch. State Fare Bar + Kitchen is an American spot in Rancho Mirage. Prices sit in the mid range. Served here: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for brunch, casual dinner.
American · La Quinta · $$$
A steak and seafood room built into a rocky outcrop, with a wraparound view patio. The Cliffhouse La Quinta is an American spot in La Quinta. Prices sit in the upper-mid range. Served here: brunch, dinner. There is a patio. Best for sunset drinks, steak dinners.