Your Desert Questions, Answered — Camping, Coffee & Cakes

Welcome to another edition of Ask Lindsay! Today, I’m answering your questions about Stagecoach camping, my favorite coffee shop, where to find beautiful cakes locally, and more. Enjoy!

XO, Lindsay

What’s your favorite coffee shop in the desert?

I was asked this by one of my fellow Leadership Coachella Valleyboard members and struggled to land on an answer because a) I love coffee and drink a LOT of it and b) the desert has such an abundance of truly excellent coffee shops.

But if I had to pick just one, I’d say Café La Jefa. As detailed in my recent Coachella Valley Happy Places newsletter, I adore the Flannery Exchange for so many reasons—the architecture, the pops of pink, the great boutiques, and the beautiful patio. A visit to Café La Jefa, located on the building’s ground floor, lets me enjoy all of those things while sipping on a delicious iced latte. (I hear the Chagaccino there is also great, though I’ve never sampled it!)

Honorable mentions:

Koffi Palm Springs North — Another spot from my Happy Places newsletter, Koffi serves excellent espresso drinks and boasts a beautiful rear courtyard that makes it especially lovely to linger awhile.

Sunnylands Café — The setting here is simply unparalleled. Sipping coffee while overlooking beautiful gardens? Yes, please.

D’ Coffee Bouteaque — A charmingly whimsical café with some of the most deliciously inventive coffee offerings around.

Where would you go for a birthday dinner with great food & atmosphere?

A friend planning her birthday texted me asking, “If you had to pick the best restaurant with an amazing atmosphere and menu (not crazy expensive) in Palm Springs or Palm Desert, what would you recommend?” This was back in August, so indoor dining was also a must. My suggestions:

Bar Issi (pictured) — With its warm blushes, lush greens, and bold patterns, this White Lotus/Madonna Inn-inspired stunner at the Thompson is easily one of the prettiest restaurants in town. And the Italian-inspired menu is every bit as impressive as the surroundings. This is where my friend ultimately chose to celebrate—and she loved it!

Bar Cecil — Fine dining in the absolute non-stuffiest way, this swanky Palm Springs favorite absolutely lives up to the hype. The eclectic, art-filled setting is fabulous and the fare is some of the best around. Don’t miss Cecil’s Bread Rolls, Steak + Frites (the fries are insane!), or the Chocolate Chip Cookies, served straight out of the oven.

Paul Bar/Food — Classy, classic, and intimate with a decidedly NYC feel, this local favorite delivers on all fronts: fabulous food, stellar cocktails, top-notch service, and one of the best atmospheres in the Valley. Be sure not to sleep on the massive Meatball w. Marinara appetizer!

Porta Via — Stunning from top to bottom, this “neighborhood restaurant with a world-class feel” pairs spectacular fare with an absolutely gorgeous setting. Inspired by both the iconic Elrod House and the Sunnylands Estate, the space is as picturesque as the food is delicious. I’ve yet to order anything here I didn’t love.

Zin American Bistro — The atmosphere may not be quite as showstopping as some of the others on this list, but the food more than makes up for it. A longtime family favorite (we once ate here every single night of a weeklong Palm Springs staycation!), the varied, seasonally changing menu is consistently fantastic. And the XXX Adult Macaroni & Cheese alone is worth a visit.

And while I’ve never been—and it’s definitely on the pricier side—the legendary bread service at Mister Parker’s seems worth the price of admission alone, especially on a special occasion.

Would you recommend car camping at Stagecoach?

Personally? Absolutely not. Between the dust, the heat, the crowds, and the long shower lines, camping at Stagecoach is not my idea of a good time. Though that’s camping anywhere, truth be told.

A friend recently asked me this question after booking car camping for Stagecoach 2027—and in the same breath mentioned that her husband HATES camping. My immediate response: You cannot do that to him!

The only place I’d personally camp for Stagecoach—or Coachella—is Rancho 51 Campgrounds, a grassy, secluded two-acre glamping oasis just minutes from the festival grounds. Removed from the festival chaos without sacrificing any of the fun, the vibe is decidedly calmer, with a pool, air-conditioned restrooms and showers, 24-hour security, DJs, food vendors, a coffee stand, hair and makeup stylists, facialists, permanent jewelers, IV drips, shuttle service, and more. And if you really don’t want to rough it, they even have deluxe tents outfitted with actual beds. Now THAT is my kind of camping. Needless to say, my friend promptly canceled her car camping reservation and booked Rancho 51 instead.

Where can I get a really pretty cake in the desert?

A friend recently reached out looking for a place to buy a beautiful, homemade cake for his husband. My answer was immediate: Con Amor, Nina y León.

Owned by my friend Kassandra Jimenez, the bakery turns out creations that are every bit as beautiful as they are delicious. Festooned with festive florals, colorful fruits, and sparkly dustings, her cakes are genuine works of art—and fully customizable. While Kassandra creates everything from matcha baked goods for Buena Matcha to pastries and other sweet treats, she’s especially known for her Tres Leches cakes.

You can currently DM her directly to order, but exciting news: she’s on the brink of opening her first brick-and-mortar bakery, outfitted with equipment passed down from her mother, a lifelong professional baker.

(Pictured: One of Kassandra’s beautiful custom creations.)

Another great option is Exquisite Desserts, a longtime local bakery especially known for its gorgeous cakes. They also offer an impressive selection of specialty desserts, including gluten-free and vegan options. Just be sure to plan ahead—their calendar tends to book up well in advance!

Thanks for reading!

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Ask Lindsay! As always, please send your desert questions my way. I love hearing what you’re curious about – and sharing my own two cents!