If you're traveling to Palm Springs, California, you should check out Indian Canyons Golf Resort. This resort has two 18-hole courses situated in a desert valley below the San Jacinto Mountains. The North Course, at 6,943 yards and a par of 72, contains the Walt Disney fountain with its 100-foot water jets. The 6,582-yard, par-72 South Course has five lakes and hundreds of palm trees. Since you're in southern California not far from the Mexican border, you may want to try the local Mexican restaurants after you're done on the links.
Las Casuelas Terraza
A member of the local family-owned chain of Las Casuelas restaurants, this establishment serves authentic foods, such as enchiladas, burritos and tamales. Its specialties are its mole sauce and Grandma Maria Fajardo's fresh guacamole. The bar has more than 50 tequilas, plus Monte Alban mescal complete with the worm. Come in on Saturday or Sunday mornings for a special brunch of Mexican omelets in five different styles. This restaurant is a favorite among the locals, so you may want to make a reservation unless you don't mind waiting at the bar.
222 South Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(703) 325-2794
lascasuelas.com/
Blue Coyote Grill
This restaurant specializes in both Mexican and Southwestern dishes. If you like dining outdoors, you may be impressed with its extensive patio, complete with palm and yucca trees. Mariachi bands visit on a regular basis to entertain guests. The chef's specialties include Yucatan lamb, which is marinated in garlic and grapefruit juice, and filete jalapeno, which is a beef tenderloin in jalapeño cream sauce. You can also get the traditional chimichangas, burritos and tacos with beans and rice. The tequila menu is fairly small compared to other area restaurants. The specialty drink is the wild coyote margarita, with lime juice instead of sour mix. A private party room, with its own private patio, is available for rental.
445 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 327-1196
bluecoyote-grill.com/bcg.html
Margarita's
It's not too often that you find a Mexican restaurant with a sushi bar, but you will at Margarita's. You can also get raw oysters and several pasta entrees. But don't rule it out if you're in the mood for a taco or fajita. These types of dishes still make up the majority of the menu. A few house specialties are camerones rancheros, which is shrimp, bell peppers and tomatoes in ranchero (red) sauce; carne asada, which is strip steak garnished with guacamole and pico; and carnitas, which are pork chunks with homemade spicy sauce. And what would Margarita's be without its signature drink? Choose from 14 varieties, including strawberry and canyon peach.
1000 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 778-3500
margaritasrestaurant.net
About The Author
Based in Washington, D.C., Kate Evelyn has been writing professionally since 2000. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, including "Elle" magazine, "Brass|CU" magazine and the "Credit Union Times." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Western Maryland College.
