Eating, Drinking, and Exploring During the BNP Paribas Open

A local's guide to finding the magic beyond Tennis Paradise

I moved to Palm Springs in 2005. That first March, I was in the hot tub behind my condo, staring up at Mount San Jacinto. Snow had settled on the distant peak, as if it had been dusted in powdered sugar. Palms swayed in the foreground. Bountiful bougainvillea vines spilled over a nearby wall, as if they were running late and racing to catch up.

The whole scene felt dialed up a notch. Color-saturated, high-gloss, almost unreal.

It’s been like that every year since. This is the time of year when the valley locks in. The air is warm but still kind. Restaurant patios hum. You sit outside at 2 p.m. and feel lucky instead of punished.

And then there’s the tennis.

If you’re here for the BNP Paribas Open (March 1–15, 2026), you’ve nailed the timing. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden hums with energy and feels both hyper-local and international. And the matches are always spectacular — this is the largest combined men's and women's tennis tournament in the world. (Plus Venus is returning this year!)

But here’s what the brochures won’t tell you:

The tournament is the spectacle. But the Coachella Valley is the main character. And if you never wander beyond Stadium One, you’ll miss the part that actually makes this place feel magical.

Here’s how to get to know the East Valley.

One year at the BNP, I saw Gavin Rossdale — and for some reason those are the only photos I can find right now

Where to Stay

You’ve probably sorted this out already. But in case you’re still looking: The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells (formerly Hyatt Regency, formerly Hyatt Grand Champions) just completed a $64 million renovation and glow-up, and it’s spectacular.

Also the La Quinta Resort & Club is approaching its centennial year with a stunning renovation of its own, and if you haven’t stayed on those grounds since before the refresh, it’s worth reconsidering.

If you want design-forward without leaving the East Valley, the Sands Hotel is it. Moroccan-inspired interiors, candy-colored walls, and a pool that feels like Slim Aarons by way of Indian Wells. It’s intimate and memorable.

Here’s Gavin Rossdale again

Grab a Bite

Chúla Artisan Eatery — La Quinta

Start here. Chef Katherine Gonzalez has created a farm-to-table breakfast place rooted in her Mexican and Spanish heritage. Ingredients are sourced from local farms with everything made from scratch. If you’re closer to Indian Wells, her sister spot, The Blushing Peony, carries the same DNA with a slightly dressier feel.

Beautiful Day — La Quinta

Beautiful Day in La Quinta is a veggie‑forward café that feels like it was air‑lifted from Silver Lake and plopped down into the desert. The colorful menu includes mushroom shawarma, huckleberry hotcakes, vegan poke bowls and so much more. Open daytime only, which makes it ideal before you commit to five straight hours of tennis.

Tía Carmen and Carmocha at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells

Chef Angelo Sosa has brought two distinct restaurants to the newly renovated Grand Hyatt. Tía Carmen honors the landscape and farmers of the Southwest; Carmocha swings international with small plates that roam the globe. Try Tía Carmen for dinner before an evening session.

Gabino’s Creperie East — Indio

Desert native Marcel Ramirez opened Gabino’s as a pop-up, took it brick-and-mortar in Palm Springs, and in April 2024 opened a second location in downtown Indio’s vibrant Miles Avenue corridor. These savory crêpe cones are perfect for a quick and casual bite while you’re out and about.

Lavender Bistro or Arnold Palmer’s — La Quinta

If you’re looking for a dress‑up dinner that isn’t inside a resort, book a table at Lavender Bistro or Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant, both in La Quinta. Lavender leans romantic, with a lantern‑lit garden patio and New American dishes, while Arnold Palmer’s delivers a classic steakhouse vibe alongside golf‑legend memorabilia.

This is Gavin Rossdale at La Quinta Resort

Where to Drink

Everbloom Coffee — Indio (Two Locations)

This is the coffee shop people can’t stop raving about. Founded by Matthew Ortega and Efrain Mercado, Everbloom started as a handmade coffee cart during the early pandemic and became one of the most beloved spots in the valley almost entirely by word of mouth.

Rosemary Hi Fi — Indio

This is where you go when you want the night to slow down instead of speed up. Tucked on Oasis Street in downtown Indio, Rosemary Hi Fi is built around serious sound — vinyl spinning through beautiful analog equipment — and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. It’s the opposite of a pretentious scene. Come for a glass of wine and stay for an entire listening session.

The Golf Bar — La Quinta

For a low‑stakes, high‑laughs way to blow off steam, head to The Golf Bar in La Quinta, a new hangout built around full-swing simulators, cold drinks, and comfort food. Here you’ll find serious golfers, total beginners, and people who just want to play zombie dodgeball on a screen.

The Nest — Indian Wells

If you want one night that feels unmistakably old-school desert, head to The Nest, which has been doing its thing for decades. It’s a piano bar with a multi-generational dance floor that gets loud and chaotic, but in a good way.

Gavin Rossdale and his son. This must’ve been a million years ago.

What to Do Between Matches

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is a world-class botanical garden and conservation center with more than 600 amazing animals. If you have little ones with you, the Oasis Splash Pad is also a fun stop.

Old Town La Quinta is worth an afternoon stroll, particularly if you want to browse local art galleries and boutiques and don’t want to drive all the way to Palm Springs.

For a unique souvenir, make your own candle at Chicano Candle Co., a Mexican-owned brand launched by husbands Vincent Sandoval and Adolfo Vasquez. During the session, you’ll sniff through dozens of scents, design your own custom blend, and pour an 8-oz coconut wax candle to take home.

Paradise Pickleball: If watching all that tennis has you itching to pick up a paddle yourself, you’re in the right corner of the desert. Paradise Pickleball, tucked just off Highway 111 on the border of Palm Desert and Indian Wells, has 21 outdoor courts, open play for all levels, clinics, and leagues, and you don’t need a membership.

Rocks & Records: I don’t know how one shop seamlessly combined two of my favorite things into one, but here it is in downtown Indio. This shop pairs vinyl with minerals — used and new records alongside crystals, fossils, and geodes, run by husband-and-wife duo Cristina and Holger Nagel. Grab your Everbloom, then wander over.

Art and culture: If you want to understand the East Valley beyond resort gates and tennis matches, drive into downtown Coachella to check out the public art — bold, saturated tributes to farmworkers, music, and desert life. Then stop by the Coachella Valley History Museum, which tells the story of agriculture, migration, and resilience in the desert.

Shields Date Garden in Indio is obligatory. Date shake, date shake, date shake. You cannot live here — even for a week — and not get the date shake.

Have a Spa Day

Spending hours outside in the desert can be exhausting. So take some time to unwind.

Spa La Quinta at La Quinta Resort is the classic choice. With a day pass, you’ll enjoy soaking pools, an outdoor relaxation garden framed by the Santa Rosa Mountains, and a day pass that feels like a steal for what is essentially a private estate for an afternoon. Call ahead to confirm current day pass availability during tournament week, as it fills up.

Spa Rosa at Tommy Bahama Miramonte The former Miramonte property got a Tommy Bahama makeover, now offering desert-inspired treatments and a serene soaking pool area. This is a solid pick if you’re staying in Indian Wells and want something close to the tennis gardens.

The Spa at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells is a bit more of a splurge, but it’s worth it if you’re in the mood for something genuinely luxurious. The newly renovated property elevated the spa along with everything else.

One more Gavin Rossdale for the road

A Note on Getting Around

The valley runs east-west along Highway 111, and it’s longer with far more traffic lights than people expect. Traffic often moves at a crawl. Also the 10 freeway on the way home after the evening session can be chaotic. Budget extra time for getting around or just don’t be in a hurry. You’re in the desert now — enjoy it.