Sweet Spots
Sometimes you gotta indulge your cravings, especially when you’re on vacation. Ice cream, candy, decadent desserts? Yes, please. Time to treat yourself! Here are some of our hospitality team’s favorite spots for sweet treats in Palm Springs. And remember, vacation calories don’t count.
Brandini Toffee
132 S Palm Canyon Drive
Founded in Palm Desert, Brandini Toffee serves up award-winning, handcrafted toffee. Made with only the best ingredients, Brandini’s is a favorite of both Oprah and Martha, so you know it’s going to be way better than the stuff in the pink tins. Pick up a bag of Almond Toffee for late-night snacking, 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.
111 N Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 140
Lolli and Pops will satisfy all of your sweet 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.
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.
Kreem Artisanal Ice Cream + Coffee
170 E Palm Canyon Drive
This wonderful artisanal ice cream shop is just a 15-minute walk from Santiago. All of Kreem’s ice cream flavors are made 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. One of our favorite places to walk to from Santiago! Temporarily closed for summer break until September 2022.
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.
1551 N Palm Canyon Drive
Located in the Uptown Design District near Descanso Resort, 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.
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 Spring’s favorite for both local sweet tooths and visitors alike since the 1950s. Everything in the bakery is made in-house, fresh, daily. Desserts here are huge, we recommend sharing the love! Open daily until 9 PM.
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 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
Just a 5-minute bike ride or 15-minute walk from Santiago, locals flock to this very French bakery for 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.
1775 E Palm Canyon Drive
If you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to pick up something to enjoy back at the resort, 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.