From Morning Until Night, Here’s What To Do If Time Is Limited

Only have one day in Palm Springs with your dog? Jen on the Run has the perfect itinerary for you!

Palm Springs is filled with restaurants, shopping, events, and outdoor activities that you and your dog can enjoy together. This stunning desert oasis with near-perfect weather year-round offers a unique mix of relaxation, adventure, and entertainment.

Just a short drive from Los Angeles and San Diego, Palm Springs makes a great weekend getaway. And fortunately, there are ample opportunities to bring you pup with you to dog parks, restaurants, and window shopping.

Don’t forget to snag your free map of all the places mentioned at the end of this post!

So without further ado, let’s dive into my guide on How to Spend One Day in Palm Springs with Your Dog:

MORNING

8:00am: Wake up in your very own room at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel (pets always stay free!) and take in the stunning mountain views. Located right in downtown Palm Springs, the Rowan has a unique and artistic vibe. Head to the rooftop first thing in the morning and you might be lucky enough to have it all to yourself.

Quite possibly the best view, period, in Palm Springs, the rooftop and pool here can’t be missed.

The lobby is also super chic with the decor well-suited for Palm Springs, which is the epicenter of mid-century modern design in Southern California. And better yet, dogs stay free at the Rowan!

Looking for other Insta-Worthy Hotels in Palm Springs? Check out this post.

10:00am: Once you’ve gotten your fill of views from the roof (and maybe a mimosa or two from the rooftop bar), walk just 10 minutes up Palm Canyon for coffee and pastry at Koffi.

One of local’s favorite spots, Koffi is a small chain with four locations in the area known for its freshly roasted beans and custom blends.

It’s the largest independent specialty coffee retail and roasting company in the Coachella Valley. Bring your pup along and grab yourself a honey vanilla iced latte along with a banana walnut muffin. Yum!

Koffi. 515 N Palm Canyon Dr.

AFTERNOON

12:00pm: If the weather isn’t too hot, the afternoon is the perfect time to head out on a dog-friendly hike. If you just have one day in Palm Springs with your dog, I recommend a short but pleasant one: The Butler Abrams Trail in Rancho Mirage.

[ Photo: Google ]

Technically, this trail is outside the perimeter of Palm Springs proper, but it’s not far from downtown – about a 20 minutes’ drive. Depending on what time of year you arrive, you’ll see beautiful bougainvillea flowers, cacti, and plenty of date palm trees along your walk.

At 2.4 miles total, the trail takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Avoid coming on windy days, as there is sand along this trail which might pose a challenge in high wind conditions.

Generally considered as an easy walking trail, many dog parents bring their pups of all sizes here for a relaxed afternoon stroll.

2:00pm: Now that you’ve had the chance to work up your appetite, it’s time for a little lunch. Head back to Palm Springs and stop by Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, a local favorite. This popular restaurant gets crowded pretty quickly, so it’s best to avoid the rush and come later in the day.

Sherman’s has a lot of seating both inside and out, and the patio is dog-friendly. I recommend the classic tuna melt or beef brisket sandwich served on a French roll. Also, their homemade potato latkes are out of this world. I hope you came hungry!

Sherman’s Deli & Bakery. 401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.

4:00pm: It’s time to shop ‘til you drop! Most of the shops along Palm Canyon Drive (the main drag in Palm Springs) are dog-friendly. Stop by Cold Nose Warm Heart, a charming boutique pet store where furry friends of all kinds are welcome.

Find toys, pet food, collars, leashes, and more and this adorable shop, then continue to head down Palm Canyon for more shopping, including West Elm, H&M, Trina Turk, etc.

Cold Nose Warm Heart. 187 South Palm Canyon Dr.

EVENING

7:00pm: Round out the day in Palm Springs with your dog at Boozehounds. This restaurant is centered all around dogs, so definitely bring your pup for all the fun!

They have a menu made especially for your pup, with options like a loaded sweet potato with ground chicken, a teriyaki salmon bowl, a doggie tv diner with beef meatloaf, and even watermelon gazpacho! And of course, the options for humans are delicious, too.

The open-air atrium at Boozehounds is so cute, and the cabana bar and patio out back are everything your pup has been dreaming of and more. Bring your furry pal and they’ll get to make friends with other doggos there, too!

Boozehounds. 2080 N Palm Canyon Dr.

9:00pm: Once dinner’s over, it’s time to head back to the Kimpton Rowan for the night. After all these fun activities, your pup (and likely you, too!) will be dog-tired, pun intended. Cheers to spending one day in Palm Springs with your dog!