The Barn Kitchen at Sparrows Lodge in Palm Springs is a Gwyneth Paltrow fave…

• In Palm Springs:  The place in Palm Springs where you’re most likely to run into stars is at the Parker Palm Springs Hotel.  I’ve run into celebs at their Mister Parker’s restaurant (young actress, Chloe Moretz), & their more casual restaurant Norma’s is where you may spot a celeb dining solo.  The Tropicale’s colorful, lounge environment is a draw for locals & celebs looking to soak in tropical vibes ~ while newer LULU California Bistro & old-standby Las Casuelas Terraza both sit right on Palm Canyon, making for prime people-watching ~ celebs or not.  Melvyn’s at Ingleside Inn is where to soak in old-Hollywood vibes, & mingle with celebs looking to capture that “Rat Pack” feel.  Rooster & the Pig serves up some of the finest Vietnamese-American food in town, which attracts a high-end clientele, & The Barn Kitchen at Sparrows Lodge is a Gwyneth Paltrow favorite….that she recommends to friends & Goop readers.  The Kardashian sisters were filmed partying it up at Toucans Tiki Lounge.  And finally, the “Selling Sunset” girls have been spotted at popular Colony Club restaurant, inside Colony Palms Hotel & Bungalows.

The famous Kardashian sisters living it up at Toucans Tiki Lounge, in Palm Springs. Photo: Goss.ie

• In Palm Desert/Rancho Mirage: Any potential celeb-sightings in Palm Desert will likely happen around high-end shopping district El Paseo.  Try popular steakhouse Mastro’s ~ where you’re most likely to star-spot in Palm Desert.  Or upper-level Tommy Bahama’s, which has some of the best views in the desert.

The cast of “Selling Sunset” dining at the Pink Cabana restaurant, in Indian Wells. Photo: House Beautiful.

• In Indian Wells: One of my favorite spots is the Pink Cabana restaurant at the Sands Hotel….a very likely place for celeb encounters.  The girls from “Selling Sunset” also dined there ~ with much drama!  And the Sands also has happening nightlife spot: The Nest, where you’ll find minor (& major) celebrities behaving badly all year-round!  It’s especially popular during the March tennis tournament. 
• In La Quinta:  Here, you may run into pro golfers like Phil Mickelson at Ernie’s Restaurant, inside PGA West’s Clubhouse (open to the public), or at popular happy hour spot: Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, in Old Town La Quinta.  This is my family’s restaurant….so I know all about celeb-sightings here: I’ve personally met Clint Eastwood, Kurt Russell, Oliver Hudson (Kate Hudson’s brother), & fitness guru Denise Austin many times at Stuft!  My brother still runs the restaurant, & he tells me that Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker like to come in “low-key,” & sit in a back corner for privacy.  They also frequent Stuft Pizza in Palm Desert….my niece has gotten a picture with Kourtney outside the restaurant!  One more place to celeb-spot is at the beautiful La Quinta Resort.  This January, my friend & I were having brunch there (at Twenty-Six) ~ & spotted a ton of “Bachelor” stars: Ben Higgins, Kaitlin Bristowe, Jason Tartick, Ashley Iaconetti, & Trista Sutter…all there for the “Golden Bachelor” wedding.  Their gym is also a popular place for stars to work out: my friend & I took a photo with former tennis pro Andy Roddick there, once upon a time…

Old Town La Quinta is where you’re most likely to run into celebs….like Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker, at Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill.

• In Indio: All potential celebrity action in Indio is centered around one place ~ the Polo Fields. Even when Coachella’s not in town, try hitting up Tack Room Tavern, a cowboy-saloon styled local’s favorite, or The Cantina, a great place to have Bloody Mary’s & take in a polo match on a Sunday morning.

Pull up a seat at The Cantina for front-row seats during polo season…

The hotel where you’re most likely to spot celebs in Palm Springs is by far the Parker Palm Springs.  Especially around Film Festival time (in January).  Hidden behind a tall fortress of green hedges: the Parker is the ultimate celebrity hideaway….for those who don’t want to be seen ~ but in reality, kind of do!  The outdoor terrace of Norma’s, along with Mister Parker’s, are both great spots for potential celebrity sightings, & Norma’s is great for breakfast as well. 

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie made the Parker world-famous when they held their iconic “W” photo shoot here, but the hip decor & ultra-private setting has kept the Parker a celebrity favorite through the years.

Check prices at the Parker here, & while you’re at it ~ book a spa treatment.  You may end up in the lounge next to JLo….

• Hotels Where You’re Likely to Find Privacy-Seeking Celebs: A truly privacy-seeking star will rent a house when in the desert.  But there are a few Palm Springs hotels where you may get lucky: the very small, very exclusive Sparrows Lodge is a stand-out for Gwyneth & her high-end Goop audience. 

Sparrows Lodge is high-end desert chic ~ favored by Gwyneth Paltrow & her GOOP readers.

For more articles on the desert, check out my top five hikes ~ or read about some of the most scenic golf courses in town.

xoxo Noelia 

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