Eating & Sleeping
Palm Springs 1
5 Koffi Coffee Shop $
(www.kofficoffee.com; 515 N Palm Canyon Dr;
snacks & drinks $3-6; h5:30am-7pm; W)
Between the art galleries and vintage
consignment shops, this minimalist cafe serves
strong organic coffee. A more architecturally
mod branch stands at 1700 S Camino Real, off E
Palm Canyon Dr.
5 Manhattan in
the Desert Diner, Bakery $$
(http://manhattaninthedesert.com; 2665 E
Palm Canyon Dr; mains $9-20; h7am-9pm
Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat; c) It feels like Nu
Yawk inside this old-school Jewish deli with vinyl
booths. Simply massive slices of cake mirror the
enormity of the sandwiches.
4 Caliente Tropics Motel $$
(%760-327-1391, 800-658-6034; http://www.caliente
tropics.com; 411 E Palm Canyon Dr; r $55-205;
aWsc#) Impeccably kept tiki-style
motor lodge, where Elvis once frolicked
poolside, is a premier budget pick with spacious
rooms and beds with dreamy mattresses.
4 Orbit In Boutique Hotel $$
(%760-323-3585, 877-996-7248; http://www.
orbitin.com; 562 W Arenas Rd; r $149-259;
asW) Swing back into the 1950s during
complimentary ‘Orbitini’ happy hour at this
fabulously retro hotel. Throwback touches
include LP turntables and Mid-Century Modern
furnishings.
Lake Hemet 5
4 Lake Hemet Campground $
(%951-659-2680; http://www.lakehemet.org; 56570
Hwy 74, Mountain Center; tent/RV sites from
$21/35; c#) Offering more amenities than
national forest campgrounds closer to Idyllwild,
these lakeshore campsites, with outdoor
play areas and hot showers, are designed for
families.
Idyllwild 6
5 Café Aroma Californian $$
(%951-659-5212; 54750 N Circle Dr; mains
$10-24; h7am-9pm Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri &
Sat; Wc) Inside a country cabin sheltered by
pine trees, a classically trained chef puts new
spins on his Italian grandmother’s recipes. The
outdoor deck has panoramic mountain views.5 Nature’s Wisdom Health Food $
(54235 Ridge View Dr; dishes $5-10; h11am-
5:30pm; Wv) Inside a health-food store,
locals chat over fresh-baked Danishes and
strudels with steaming cups of chai tea or juicy
smoothies. Order a homemade panini and
veggie soup for a take-out picnic.4 Fireside Inn Inn $$
(%951-659-2966; http://www.thefiresideinn.com;
54540 N Circle Dr; d $65-145; c#) Clean, tidy
cabins and cottages, some with wood-burning
fireplaces, air-conditioning and kitchens, are an
easy walk from Idyllwild’s town center.4 Quiet Creek Inn B&B $$
(%951-468-4208, 800-450-1516; http://www.quiet
creekinn.com; 26345 Delano Dr; d $90-160;
iWc) Eco-conscious creekside duplex
cabins, with studios and air-con suites,
beckon you to unwind in hammocks on decks
overlooking woodsy acres. Grab popcorn and
borrow DVD movies from the converted-barn
lounge.Cabazon 7
4 Morongo Casino
Resort & Spa Hotel $$
(%951-849-3080, 800-252-4499; http://www.
morongocasinoresort.com; 49500 Seminole
Dr; r $109-299; aiWsc) Over 300
cookie-cutter rooms and suites accommodate
gamblers and weary road-trippers inside a
high-rise tower. Scarf cheap eats at the casino’s
buffet or 24-hour cafe.SOUTHERN.CALIFORNIA..34
.PALMS TO PINES SCENIC BYWAY