Walking Food Tour in Palm Springs Center: Five Gourmet Stops

Five food stops and the stories behind Palm Springs' Desert Modern design

A guided walking food tour through downtown Palm Springs with five gourmet stops at Michelin-recommended restaurants and artisan vendors, led by Dave Ball, a guide with over 450 tours of the city's architecture and culture. The tour includes brunch, charcuterie and wine, tacos, candy sampling, and craft margaritas with dessert, all within three hours on foot through the city center.

Step-by-step itinerary

Palm Springs gourmet walking food tour

• Visit artful cafe for brunch
• Enjoy artisan charcuterie and wine
• Explore downtown Palm Springs history
• Dine at upscale Baja-inspired restaurant
• Sample candy at family-owned maker
• Taste craft margaritas and dessert

The experience

The tour starts at a hand-painted cafe where a rising-star Michelin-recommended chef serves brunch with a selection of coffees and teas. From there you move to a small gourmet market for artisan charcuterie and cheese boards with wine pours, then walk through downtown Palm Springs hearing the backstories of the Agua Caliente people, the pioneers and strong women who shaped the village, the Hollywood celebrities who retreated here, and the architects behind the Desert Modern style that defines the city. At the midpoint, an upscale Baja-inspired restaurant with late mid-century design serves Michelin-recommended tacos made with handmade tortillas and layered sauces.

The tour continues at a family-owned candy maker where you sample and learn how they craft small batches using only five high-quality ingredients, with an exclusive discount to shop. It finishes at a sophisticated restaurant described by its owners as the "moody sister" of their other Michelin-recommended venue, where you taste flights of craft margaritas in vivid hues followed by beautifully presented desserts. Dave Ball weaves the food stops together with humor and deep knowledge of local history, architecture, and culture accumulated over hundreds of tours.

What’s included

• Five gourmet food stops with brunch, charcuterie and cheese, tacos, candy samples, and dessert.
• wine and craft margaritas.
• personally guided by Dave Ball, the company owner.
• group discounts at two shops.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Artisan Food Tours

Is this one for you?The tour walks downtown Palm Springs on foot, so it suits travelers staying in the city center or without a car: Dave's deep knowledge of the neighborhood means the stops and the stories between them make the three hours feel like a local's insider route, not a standard circuit.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's included in the five food stops on this tour?

The five stops comprise a full lunch: brunch with coffee or tea at the first cafe; charcuterie, cheese, and wine at the gourmet market; tacos and sauces at the Baja-inspired restaurant; candy samples at the family maker; and craft margaritas with dessert at the final venue. Wine and margaritas are included throughout.

Who is Dave Ball and what does he bring to the tour?

Dave Ball is the company owner and guide who has led over 450 Palm Springs tours focused on celebrity homes and architecture. He grounds his storytelling in deep knowledge of local culture, history, architecture, and the food scene, and uses humor and surprise to entertain and educate visitors.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour takes three hours, moving on foot between five stops in downtown Palm Springs.

What is the Desert Modern architecture Dave mentions during the walk?

Desert Modern is the distinctive architectural style created by architects who shaped Palm Springs' look and feel. Dave shares the stories of these architects and their work as you walk through downtown, connecting the design movement to the city's history as a retreat for Hollywood celebrities and a gathering place for pioneers.

Can I get a discount at the shops on the tour?

Yes. The gourmet market offers a special group discount, and the family-owned candy maker provides an exclusive discount for tour participants who want to shop.