Palm Springs is especially known for boutiques, vintage clothing, midcentury-modern furniture, art galleries, home décor, resort wear, and locally made gifts. The two main areas to focus on are Downtown Palm Springs and the Uptown Design District along North Palm Canyon Drive. (Visit Palm Springs)
Plaza Investment Co
Plaza Investment Co Web Address: 115 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States Phone: +1 760-325-1347
Location: South Palm Canyon Drive / Indian Canyon Drive area
Best for: Boutiques, gifts, art, jewelry, clothing, restaurants and walkable shopping.
Downtown is the easiest area for visitors who want to park once and walk between multiple stores. Palm Canyon Drive and surrounding streets have independent boutiques, galleries, specialty shops and Palm Springs-themed merchandise. (Visit Greater Palm Springs)
Website: Palm Springs Downtown Shopping Guide
Location: North Palm Canyon Drive, approximately Alejo Road to Vista Chino
Best for: Midcentury-modern furniture, vintage clothing, art, home décor and design.
This is probably the best shopping area in Palm Springs for design enthusiasts. The district contains vintage furniture stores, design showrooms, art galleries and fashion boutiques. (Visit Palm Springs)
Notable shops include:
Modern Way — Midcentury furniture and décor, particularly pieces from the 1950s–1970s.
Bon Vivant — Vintage glass, ceramics, accessories and Atomic Age collectibles.
Iconic Atomic — Vintage clothing, retro collectibles and Palm Springs-style décor.
The Shops at Thirteen Forty-Five — Collection of design-oriented shops in a historic E. Stewart Williams building.
A La Mod — High-end midcentury furniture, lighting and collectible design.
Shag Store — Colorful midcentury-inspired art, books and gifts.
Trina Turk / Mr Turk — Fashion and resort-oriented clothing.
Just Fabulous — Gifts, books, cards and home décor. (Visit Palm Springs)
Website: Uptown Design District Guide
Location: Downtown Palm Canyon Drive
When: Every Thursday evening
Best for: Handmade products, art, jewelry, crafts, food and local vendors.
VillageFest turns downtown Palm Canyon Drive into a pedestrian street fair with 180+ vendors, along with restaurants, galleries and shops staying open later. During June–September it runs 7–10 p.m.; October–May it runs 6–10 p.m.
Website: Palm Springs VillageFest
Smoke Tree Village
Smoke Tree Village Address: 1775 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States
1775 E Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264
Best for: Everyday shopping, groceries, services, casual dining and practical purchases.
Smoke Tree Village is in South Palm Springs and is more of a convenient neighborhood shopping center than a tourist shopping district. It's useful if you're staying in the southern part of town and need groceries, everyday goods or services.
Smoke Tree Commons
Smoke Tree Commons Web Address: 2465 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States
2465 E Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92264
Best for: Practical shopping, personal care, sporting goods, pet supplies, crafts and casual dining.
This is another South Palm Springs shopping center, useful for errands and everyday retail rather than specialty Palm Springs shopping.
The Springs
The Springs Address: 5200 Ramon Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States Phone: +1 310-247-0900
5200 E Ramon Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92264
Best for: Value shopping, national retailers, home goods and everyday necessities.
The Springs is a large, car-oriented retail center rather than a boutique district. It's a good option when you want practical shopping or recognizable national retailers in one location.
Mercado Plaza
Mercado Plaza Address: 125 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
125 S Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best for: Combining shopping with restaurants and downtown sightseeing.
Mercado Plaza is centrally located on Palm Canyon Drive and works well as a stop during a downtown walking/shopping day.
If you don't mind leaving Palm Springs, Palm Desert's El Paseo is the area's major upscale shopping destination.
El Paseo Shopping District
El Paseo Shopping District Web Address: El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260, United States Phone: +1 877-735-7273
El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Best for: Luxury fashion, jewelry, art galleries, home décor and upscale boutiques.
El Paseo is an open-air shopping district with a more luxury-oriented retail mix than Palm Springs proper. It's a good choice for designer shopping and an afternoon of shopping plus restaurants. (Visit Palm Springs)
Website: El Paseo Shopping District
The Gardens on El Paseo
The Gardens on El Paseo Web Address: 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260, United States Phone: +1 760-862-1990
73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Best for: Upscale fashion, jewelry, beauty, dining and leisurely outdoor shopping.
This is one of the more polished shopping centers along El Paseo and is particularly appropriate if you're looking for premium brands and an upscale shopping experience.
| Area | Best for |
|---|---|
| Downtown Palm Springs | Boutiques, gifts, art, clothing |
| Uptown Design District | Vintage, midcentury furniture, design |
| VillageFest | Local vendors, crafts, jewelry, food |
| Smoke Tree Village | Groceries and everyday shopping |
| The Springs | National/value retailers |
| Mercado Plaza | Shopping + dining downtown |
| El Paseo, Palm Desert | Luxury shopping |
| Gardens on El Paseo | Upscale boutiques and fashion |
For a visitor specifically looking for unique Palm Springs shopping, I'd prioritize: Uptown Design District → Downtown Palm Canyon Drive → VillageFest (Thursday evening). (Visit Palm Springs)
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