CB TRAVELS | COPPER BOTTOM BEGINNINGS & A GUIDE TO PALM SPRINGS

The idea to build Copper Bottom came while poolside on vacation in Palm Springs in 2017, so it only seemed right to dedicate one of the early journal posts to sharing a little more about how we came to be, and how to spend a magical few days in Palm Springs.

Looking around the pool, it became clear that the men’s swimwear market was lacking, and that most options seemed to be ill-fitting and unflattering, overly trendy, and generally, lower in quality and produced in mass. We wanted to solve that problem. In creating swim trunks timeless in style and made to last, we aim to encourage our customers to consume less, while at the same time offering an exceptional experience and a promise to look and feel great. 

HOW WE SPENT FOUR DAYS IN PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs often seems to get attention when swept into conversation about Coachella, but let us tell you — this gorgeous desert city is entirely worthy of its own itinerary. We spent four days exploring Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Joshua Tree, and found ourselves so inspired that we dreamt up the seemingly crazy idea of launching a swimwear brand — and here we are. We hope this list of things to see and do inspires you too.

EAT & DRINK

Birba - Great vibes, charming al fresco dining and a rotating menu of delicious eats and craft cocktails. What more could you ask for?

Cheeky’s - Palm Spring’s most famous brunch haunt. Go for the candied bacon, it’s worth the inevitably long wait list. Grab a coffee + pastry at the cart and enjoy the morning sun.

Workshop Kitchen + Bar - Our favourite dining experience in Palm Springs and a place not to be missed. Clean, modern architecture indoors with a cozy courtyard patio for outdoor dining. Splurge on boozy cocktails and truffle risotto -- and then eat your way through the rest of the menu before venturing over to Truss & Twine.

Truss & Twine - A modern cocktail bar with industrial ambiance, only steps from Workshop Kitchen in the El Paseo Building. You name it, they make it, but we recommend their takes on the classics — negronis, manhattans and boulevardiers.

Seymours - While not officially a speakeasy, the cozy back room bar at Mr. Lyon’s Steakhouse left us feeling buzzed and as though we’d discovered a local secret. Stop in before dinner, or after dinner, or both.

SEE & DO

Rent a convertible and drive through Joshua Tree National Park for a day. Gawk at the beauty of the Yucca Trees, visit the Cholla Cactus Garden and hike the loop around Skull Rock. Plan ahead and check out the lineup at Pappy & Harriets, known to be one of the best music venues in SoCal.

People watch at the Ace Hotel. Fun fact: if you’re silly enough to book a trip to Palm Springs during Coachella and not attend the festival, the daytime people watching is exceptionally good.

Explore the desert on horseback at Smoke Tree Stables. The one-hour ride on four-legged friends takes you through the base of the Santa Rosa mountains. Two-hour rides are available, but one hour was plenty in the scorching desert heat.

Daydream of early retirement while riding bikes through drool-worthy neighbourhoods, stopping to snap photos of mid-century modern homes with the perfect pink doors. We rented from Bike Palm Springs and loved the service. The yellow cruiser to match my yellow loafers was icing on the cake.

Wander through Moorton’s Botanical Garden. Take a cute photo of your girlfriend/wife — without a doubt, she’ll want an Instagram post.

STAY

The Saguaro Palm Springs - a Palm Springs icon known for its rainbow exterior and large, inflatable flamingo pool floats. Looking much like Candyland in real life, Saguaro is considered by some to be the most Instagrammable hotel — ever.

Ace Hotel & Swim Club - a legend amongst Palm Springs hotels, the Ace is retro yet modern. Lounge poolside in your Copper Bottom trunks for drinks during the day and relocate to the onsite bar, The Amigo Room, at night. You can roll out of and back into bed with very few steps required in between.

Sparrows Lodge - when you’ve had enough of the party scene and graduate to the adults club, Sparrows Lodge is where you want to be. Rustic-chic rooms, outdoor dining and a communal courtyard with pool and fireplace.

JW Marriott Palm Springs - not quite as charming as the boutique hotels the city is know for, but beautiful nonetheless. For non-SINKS/DINKS, this place is a little more appropriate if kids are in tow. Bonus? If you’re a frequent traveller like I once was, you can burn through some of your racked up Marriott points.

Have any Palm Springs favourites we missed? Drop a comment below.