‘Tis the season of gratefulness and there is truly so much to be grateful for in this beautiful Valley we call home – endless sunshine, gorgeous vistas, a laid-back lifestyle, excellent cuisine, exciting attractions, etc., etc. The list literally goes on and on! There is especially a lot to be thankful for this time of year, with fall temps finally upon us and a plethora of festive activities running all month long! Read on for a list of desert destinations sure to enhance your grateful season.
xo, Lindsay
ERNEST COFFEE’S
PSPS LATTE
I have never been a huge fan of pumpkin spice – the flavor is just a bit too saccharine and artificial tasting for my liking. But when fave café Ernest Coffee unveiled its PSPS (Palm Springs Pumpkin Spice) Latte, I had to try it based on the name alone! And it did not disappoint! The frothy concoction, made with Ernest’s own house-made syrup (which I asked to be halved to cut down on the sweetness), is absolutely delicious and not overly cloying in the slightest! It is the perfect beverage to ring in the season!
WEEKLY T-DAY FEASTS AT GRILL ON MAIN
Craving a turkey dinner with all the fixings prior to the big day? You’re in luck because The Grill on Main in Old Town La Quinta is serving up their popular Thanksgiving Feast every Thursday night all season long! Featuring freshly carved turkey paired with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and piping hot gravy, the entrée is certain to satisfy all your pre-holiday yearnings!
PAINT-YOUR-OWN THANKSGIVING PLATE
Fired Up Pottery in Palm Springs is hosting a slew of fall events throughout the month, starting with a Thanksgiving Plate session on November 15th, during which patrons can craft their very own plate for T-day dinner while imbibing on wine, pie, and other treats. Tickets run $10, plus the cost of pottery. Other November activities include a Kids’ Turkey Canvas Painting and a Harvest Moon Gnome Canvas Painting.
FRIENDSGIVING AT THE SANDWICH SPOT
The Sandwich Spot in downtown Palm Springs is hosting its annual Friendsgiving Party on November 20th, with food, drinks, and musical performances on hand. Guests are asked to bring canned food and cash donations to benefit Well in the Desert. Can’t make the event? Pop by the deli anytime all month to grab a Cornucopia sandwich, a seasonal delight featuring turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing, sure to get you in the holiday mood!
10TH ANNUAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
Think of it as the Valley’s version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as legions of balloons, many shaped like beloved characters, fill the desert skies during Cathedral City’s 10th Annual International Hot Air Balloon Festival, running from November 22nd through 24th. Daily balloon launches are free to attend, taking place at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage on the 22nd and The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa on the 23rd and 24th.
WILD TURKEY TROT
Get your T-day started off right with the Wild Turkey Trot, which kicks off at 8 AM in downtown Palm Springs, routing participants through some of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods on a “runner, walker, stroller, and doggie-friendly” course. The whimsical event “promises more bling than any of the other desert Turkey Day races,” with runners receiving a wild turkey hat and “crazy Thanksgiving-themed knee highs,” among other swag. Proceeds benefit Mizell Center’s Meals on Wheels program.
MARTHA’S VILLAGE THANKSGIVING DAY 5K
On the east side of town, the 18th annual Martha’s Village & Kitchen Thanksgiving Day 5K commences at 8 AM on El Paseo in Palm Desert. With food trucks, numerous vendors, a kids’ zone, a beer garden and countless onsite activities, the fundraiser promises to be a full-blown party for both participants and spectators alike, all benefiting a great cause – ending hunger and homelessness in the Valley!
AERIAL TRAMWAY
RIDE ‘N’ DINE
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with a view at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway! Those wishing to celebrate at 8,516 feet can hit up either of the Mountain Station’s eateries, with the cafeteria-style Pines Café offering a combo tram ride/Thanksgiving feast for $41 for adults/seniors and $27.50 for kids and the more upscale Peaks Restaurant serving up a fine dining turkey dinner experience at $51 per adult and $26 per child (tram ride not included).