Happy Wednesday, desert dwellers. It's June, it's hot, and Restaurant Week is almost over. Let's make the most of it.
TOP STORY
Restaurant Week Ends Saturday. Here's Your Last Chance Plan.
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week wraps up this Saturday, June 7. If you've been meaning to book a dinner and haven't yet, stop putting it off. Ten days of prix fixe menus across the valley, lunch from $15, dinner from $39, and once it's gone, it's gone until next year.
Here's what I'd do if I had three nights left: one dinner at somewhere you've never tried (that's the whole point of Restaurant Week), one dinner at your favorite spot to see what they put on the special menu, and one lunch at somewhere casual just to take advantage of the $15 prix fixe before it disappears.
A few spots still worth checking: Kestrel at Indian Wells Golf Resort (Richard Blais' menu is worth the trip), Copley's on Palm Canyon (classic Palm Springs dining on a patio that feels like a movie set), and any of the Agua Caliente Casino restaurants if you want to make a night of it.
Book through DineGPS.com so $1 from your reservation goes to FIND Food Bank. Last day is Saturday.
THIS WEEK IN THE DESERT
VillageFest (Thursday) Palm Canyon Drive, downtown Palm Springs, 6 to 10 PM. Free. The weekly street fair with art, food vendors, live music, and that perfect Thursday evening energy. Summer crowds are smaller, which means more space, less waiting, and better parking.
Al Jardine at the Plaza Theatre (Friday, June 6) Founding Beach Boys member Al Jardine performs with The Pet Sounds Band. The Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs is small enough that every seat feels close. If classic rock and intimate venues are your thing, this is the show of the week. Tickets at palmspringsplazatheatre.com.
Restaurant Week Final Weekend (through Saturday, June 7) Your last chance. Over 100 restaurants participating. Full list at visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/restaurant-week.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (anytime) Not an event, but a reminder: it's 30 to 40 degrees cooler at the top of Mount San Jacinto. The Tram runs year-round and it's the best $30 escape from the heat in the valley. Pack a light jacket (yes, really) and hike the trails up top. Summer mornings at the summit are genuinely perfect.
NEW & NOTABLE
Fourth of July Planning: Palm Desert has confirmed its annual Independence Day celebration at Civic Center Park with a free concert at 7:30 PM and fireworks. Palm Springs is expected to announce details soon. We'll publish a full valley-wide Fourth of July guide as the date gets closer.
Pageant of the Masters (Day Trip): Starts July 9 in Laguna Beach. Nightly shows at 8:30 PM through September 4. Living tableaux of famous paintings performed by real people. It's about a 2.5 hour drive from the valley and pairs perfectly with a day at Laguna Beach. Worth planning now because popular nights sell out. Tickets at pageantofthemasters.com.
Lakers G League Update: The Coachella Valley Lakers are gearing up for their first season at Acrisure Arena starting this fall. Season ticket deposits are still open at coachellavalleylakers.com ($100, fully refundable at seat selection). More details on the schedule and roster expected this summer.
THE LOCAL SCOOP: Your Summer Survival Guide
We're going to be above 100 degrees most days from now through September. Here's how locals actually survive and enjoy it:
Morning is everything. The window between 6 and 9 AM is when you do anything outdoors: golf, hikes, errands, dog walks. By 10 AM the heat is serious. Plan accordingly.
The pool is not optional. If you have one, use it daily. If you don't, most resorts offer day passes. The Saguaro in Palm Springs, the Riviera, and the Hyatt Indian Wells all have pool access options worth exploring.
Embrace air conditioning culture. Summer dining, shopping, movies, museums, and the Tram are all indoor or high-altitude escapes. The Palm Springs Art Museum is free on Thursdays. The Living Desert opens early in summer. The Agua Caliente casinos are always 72 degrees.
Hydrate like you mean it. The desert is deceptively dry. You're losing water faster than you think. Carry a water bottle everywhere. This isn't a suggestion.
Twilight is magic. The hour between 7 and 8 PM, when the sun drops behind the San Jacintos and the temperature finally breaks, is the best hour of the day in the desert. That's when you sit outside with a cold drink and remember why you live here.
QUICK HITS
High of 105 today. 107 on Thursday. Stay inside between 11 AM and 5 PM if you can.
Restaurant Week ends Saturday. Last chance. DineGPS.com.
VillageFest every Thursday. Free. 6 to 10 PM. Palm Canyon Drive.
Firebirds season is over, but Lakers G League starts this fall. Year-round sports in the valley is almost here.
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