Sugar Rush
Ice cream, candy, epic desserts… you’re on vacation, time to indulge your sweet tooth and treat yourself! Here are some of our hospitality team’s favorite sweet spots in Palm Springs. And remember, vacation calories don’t count.
Lolli and Pops
111 N Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 140
Got candy? This elegant outpost of the Lolli and Pops sweet shop will satisfy all of your candy cravings, from dark chocolate truffles to champagne gummi bears. Surprise your sweetie with chocolate-covered strawberries, or get creative and make up a mixed bag of candies to snack on by the pool. Also, don’t forget the peanut butter cups. Open daily.
Balboa Candy
112 N Palm Canyon Drive
If you like a heavy dose of nostalgia with your sugar rush, you’re going to love Balboa Candy. Grab a basket and choose from a mind-boggling array of over 70 salt water taffy flavors, plus oodles of fun retro candies like Abba-Zabas, Razzles, and Atomic Fireballs. For you old-school bad boys out there, Balboa Candy still carries candy cigarettes and black licorice pipes. Open daily.
Brandini Toffee
132 S Palm Canyon Drive
Founded in Palm Desert, Brandini Toffee serves up award-winning, handcrafted toffee that puts the stuff in the pink tins to shame. Made with only the best ingredients, Brandini’s is a favorite of both Oprah and Martha, so you know it’s going to be good. Pick up a bag of Almond Toffee for late-night snacking back at the resort, and don’t leave without getting a Toffee Ice Cream Bar for the road. You can thank us later. Open Sunday-Wednesday until 9 PM, Thursday-Saturday until 10 PM.
Ice Cream & Shop(pe)
1551 N Palm Canyon Drive
As luck would have it, there’s a fabulous artisanal ice cream shop within easy walking distance from Descanso. Shop(pe) scoops up unique ice cream flavors like Lavender, Avocado, and Pomegranate Chip. Nothing is basic here and everything is yummy (including the vegan options and sorbets). Seating is available inside, or grab a spot on the patio and watch the world go by. Open Friday-Saturday until 11 PM, and Sunday-Thursday until 10 PM.
Gelato Granucci
301 N Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 104
If you’re out and about downtown, make sure and duck into Granucci’s for a scoop or two of their celebrated homemade Italian gelato. Granucci’s is dedicated to capturing the flavor of local and seasonal ingredients at their best, and it shows. Recent offerings included a classic Stracciatella, a lovely Torta Paradiso with Strawberries, and a knockout vegan Yellow Peach, made with fresh peaches from Frog Hollow Farms. Soooo good! Open daily until 10 PM.
Kreem Artisanal Ice Cream + Coffee
170 E Palm Canyon Drive
The folks at this amazing little shop make all of their ice cream flavors by hand in small batches using premium natural ingredients and no preservatives. Flavors change on a daily basis, but rotating favorites include Lemon Meringue Pie, Heart Roasters Decaf, and Rosemary. Kreem also offers a delicious selection of dairy-free and vegan options. Located in the south end of town, it’s worth going a little out of your way to give Kreem a try.
Sherman’s Deli
401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Sometimes only a slice of cake will do. When you walk into this “New York-style Family Restaurant” and see the giant case of homemade layer cakes, cheesecakes, and pies you’ll quickly understand why Sherman’s has been a Palm Springs favorite for both local sweet tooths and visitors alike since the 1950s. Everything in the bakery is made in-house, fresh, daily. Deserts here are huge, we recommend sharing the love! Open daily until 9 PM.
Crepes de Paris
245 S Palm Canyon Drive
The vibe at this lovely spot downtown is decidedly French, and the sweet (and savory) crepes are absolutely delicious. Crepe de Paris is the perfect place to sweetly close out your day and a great spot to sit and enjoy people-watching with a date. Open daily until 9 PM.
Last but not least … how can we not share our favorite bakeries?
Peninsula Pastries Palm Springs
611 S Palm Canyon Drive
Fans of French pastries and breads flock to this very special bakery on the south end of town for their delicious croissants, fruit tarts, and cakes made with imported French flour and butter. For the best selection make sure to go early. Open days and hours vary by season. Temporarily closed for summer break until September 7, 2022.
Over the Rainbow Desserts
1775 E Palm Canyon Drive
If you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to pick up something to enjoy back at Descanso, there’s an incredible little bakery in Smoke Tree Plaza called Over the Rainbow. Everything they make is as beautiful as it is sweet. Stop in on the earlier side of the day and choose something from the case, or call ahead to have a festive custom cake or box of cupcakes waiting for you. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM until sold out.