Baristo - Palm Springs, CA Area Guide

In the 1880s, much of the land in the Coachella Valley was divvied up between the Agua Caliente Indian tribe and the Southwest Pacific Railroad. With the coming of the railroad, tourists began to flock to the new community of Palm Springs to enjoy the health benefits of the crisp desert air. In the early 20th century, the area became a winter destination for Hollywood movie stars. Once air conditioning became common, the residential explosion began, with the Baristo neighborhood growing up on land still owned by the Agua Caliente tribe.

Just to the northwest of Baristo, you'll find the Palm Springs Art Museum, with its carefully curated collection of modern and regional art. The Annenberg Theatre at the museum features performances by some of the top names from Broadway. Check out the McCallum Adobe and Agua Caliente Museum to get a sense of the area's history.

While most of the dining options in Baristo take the form of casual Italian, Mexican or quick-serve American spots, you can also find some of Palm Springs renowned high-end dining just outside the neighborhood boundaries. Drive down Sunrise Way or Ramon Road to find the widest range of choices.

Mario's Italian Cafe on Sunrise Way wins praise not just from Palms Springs residents, but also from local newspapers that single out its pizza and other dishes. Locals dig into tender veal Parmigiana, spaghetti carbonara and sausage marsala, and know to save room for a huge serving of house-made tiramisu. Mario's features many lunch and dinner specials to keep your wallet happy, ensuring you become a regular in no time at all.

Stop by Aspen Mills Bakery when you need a quick yet excellent sandwich to keep you going. Try the turkey sandwich, served with guacamole and horseradish on cranberry bread, or go for the baguette stuffed with prosciutto, ham, capacolla, provolone and peppers to perk up your taste buds. Make your life easier by calling in your lunch order ahead of time, and don't forget to grab some luscious cinnamon rolls or muffins for tomorrow's breakfast.

Head to Tropicale, just north of Baristo, when you want to delve into a classic Palm Springs Rat-Pack vibe. The attentive service and excellent cocktails make your evening better, and don't be surprised if Tony, the owner, comes to pay your table a visit. Locals snap up the Moroccan meatballs with hummus and tabbouleh, the swordfish and the crunchy, tender fried chicken.

For a fun night out, a ton of options await. Head just a few blocks west to Indian Canyon Drive or Palm Canyon Drive to keep your evenings fun. SpurLine, a friendly gay bar, substitutes videos from Broadway shows in the place of sports and encourages you to join in with the singalongs as you order your next drink. The simply named Bar brings you DJs and live music on the weekends, a spacious patio filled with lawn games and intriguing murals, and craft cocktails and whiskey, all served with an ultra-cool vibe.

Baristo's central location means that plenty of bus routes, run by the SunLine Transit Agency, cross through the neighborhood. Hop on a bus to get to Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Indio. Airport shuttles, taxis and Uber can all by ordered by phone when you don't want to wait at a bus stop.

The spread-out nature of the Coachella Valley means that most residents of Baristo rely on their cars to get around town. State Route 111, which sits near the neighborhood, connects all the desert communities to one another, and provides access to Interstate 10, which leads out of the Valley toward Los Angeles to the west and Arizona to the east. Public parking remains free and abundant throughout the Palm Springs area.

Many roads around Baristo can be considered bicycle friendly, but no dedicated bike lanes exist in the immediate vicinity of the neighborhood. The shopping areas of Palm Springs are particularly friendly to pedestrians, though those on foot or on a bike should stay aware of weather conditions, since the extreme daytime heat of the region can make it dangerous to exercise outside midday.

Baristo doesn't include many urban parks, but the neighborhood sits on the edge of stunning wilderness. The 2-mile hike up Tahquitz Canyon serves as a gentle way to introduce those unaccompanied to hiking to the region. For a small fee, hike a well-marked path through the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation to discover a small oasis with a free-flowing waterfall.

Twice a year, during late spring and late autumn, more seasoned hikers gear up for the extremely challenging Cactus to Clouds Hike up Mount San Jacinto, the mountain that towers over Palm Springs. This steep, 20-mile hike ascends 10,000 feet, sometimes moving from temperatures higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit to ice and snow within a few hours. If you decide to challenge yourself with this hike, take at least 2 gallons of water per person and plenty of food, or consider taking the San Jacinto Tram for part of the journey. Closer to home, Sunrise Park provides playgrounds for kids to play in and grassy areas for walks with your dogs.

The cost of living in Baristo runs neck-and-neck with that of Palm Springs overall, and 6 percent lower than the California average. While you'll have to pay 20 percent more than the national average for a gallon of gas, if you choose to take public transportation, you can get all over the Coachella Valley for only $1. A one-bedroom apartment runs about $760 per month, and if you plan to grab a beer at your local bar, it'll set you back anywhere from $5 to $10.

Baristo residents who want to do high-end shopping head to Palm Springs' famous El Paseo shopping district to browse through Baccarat, Louis Vuitton, the Sharper Image, Escada and Gucci — among many other weel-known names. Closer to home, you'll find plenty of little shops to make your life convenient and pleasant.

Near Baristo, several fascinating art galleries stand as inspirations for home decoration. Stop in at Imageville to check out fun, creative photography of the Palm Springs area. The Michael Weems Gallery features handmade jewelry and housewares made of repurposed metalwork.

The trendy clothes at Lush Couture range from a casual, boho look to all the glam you need for a night of clubbing. Ask the helpful salesgirls to help you put together a perfect outfit, all the way down to the shoes and handbag.

Most residents of Baristo head to the local Ralphs to get their grocery shopping done. The Certified Farmers Market Palm Springs takes place just to the east of Baristo, featuring fresh fruits, veggies and meats.