Five Things I’m Currently Loving In Palm Springs: A New Breakfast Spot, A Celebrity-Inspired Art Installation & The Return Of Murph’s Fried Chicken

Celebrate the heyday of Hollywood with the new Neighbors installation by John Cerney, the Monterey-based muralist who was also behind Popsicles. Rising 12 feet on a vacant lot at 605 E. Sunny Dunes Rd., the largescale piece depicts five luminaries who resided in the desert during Tinseltown’s Golden Era (Monroe! Sinatra! Davis! Martin! Liberace!), all standing at their local mailboxes. The artist was inspired “to depict the iconic stars in an everyday act, getting the mail, after he took a celebrity house tour across the valley.” A man after my own heart!

I headed out of town for the holidays this year and was apprehensive about finding onsite parking at the airport shortly before Christmas. So I was thrilled to learn that PSP now posts live parking and TSA wait time updates on its homepage, both of which, in my experience, were 100% accurate. Upon arrival, I found plenty of open spaces in Section D and breezed through security in under 10 minutes, just as the website predicted, making my travel day that much smoother.

If you’ve traversed CA-111 in Palm Desert at any point over the past year, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a café with a large sign reading “Eat” under construction next to Thriftology. I am happy to report that Wonder has finally opened its doors – and it was worth the wait! Featuring a lovely blush schematic, the space is not only adorable, but also serves up some fabulous breakfasts, pastries, and lattes, which my mom and I happily partook of last week. (Lunch is offered, as well.) The eatery is a stellar addition to the PD restaurant scene!

I have long been obsessed with abandoned and desolate places, so the Salton Sea called my name as soon as I moved to the valley. Those with a similar affection should head straight to Andy Dickson’s new exhibit at the La Quinta Museum. The artist, who spent much of his childhood at his grandparents’ North Shore home, captures the area’s unique beauty with a series of haunting paintings and sketches on display through March. Bonus – Dickson is speaking about the collection at a special reception at the museum this Saturday at 5 pm.

There are few things I love more in this world than fried chicken, so I was devasted when longtime valley staple Murph’s Gaslight shuttered in 2020. But I am happy to report that the eatery’s famous “Original Pan-Fried” meals, complete with all the fixings (mashed potatoes, cornbread, veggies, and biscuits!), are now being served every Saturday at Neil’s Lounge in Indio, courtesy of Murph’s former owner Josh Rush. And the chicken is just as crispy and finger-licking good as I remembered! (Meals are also available to go.)