Holiday Gift Guide, Pictures With Santa And More: El Paseo

PALM DESERT, CA - From El Paseo Shopping Center: The tree has been lit, the lights have been hung, and holiday cheer is in the air on El Paseo. The streets are bustling with shoppers, and for those of you who still have names to check off your list, we are giving you a holiday gift guide that you can accomplish while strolling along, enjoying the beautiful weather or looking for a place to stop in for a bite to eat. And if you’re done with your shopping, but looking to dine out for your holiday dinner, we have recommendations for locations offering a special holiday menu.

There are many fun events happening all month long on El Paseo. On Saturday, December 9, “Playtime with Santa” is from 10 a.m. to noon at The Gardens. A donation of $15 benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters and provides an opportunity for photos with Santa, as well as creating crafts, enjoying sweet treats and refreshments. The Gardens also has a special “Paws n’ Claus” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. onSaturday, December 16, in which there will be fun pet activities and canine treats, and a photo opportunity of your canine pal with Santa for a $15 donation to benefit Animal Samaritans.

Holiday Gift Guide:

1. For the ones in your life looking to start the New Year by stepping up their fitness, pick up some new work out gear at Lorna Jane.
2. Who wouldn’t love to have the new iPhone this year? Stop by the Apple Store to pick up an iPhone X and “say hello to the future.”
3. Looking for something more personalized? Tumi is offering free in-store monogramming on bags for men and women. The Holiday Edition, 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-On and Voyageur Calais Leather Backpack are especially popular this year.
4. Whether enjoying the year-round sunshine offered in the desert, or preventing snow blindness while you’re hitting the slopes, new sunglasses would be a hit with any of your loved ones. Oliver Peoples, Spectacular Shades and Sunglass Hut are full of great options for the sun-seekers in your family.
5. Know someone with a caffeine addiction? Both Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Starbucks offer gift cards and more coffee accessories than you can dream of. Or stop in to Teavana and pick up a cast iron teapot and some loose-leaf tea that are sure to impress.
6. Got a loved one in serious need of some pampering? El Paseo has you covered. With L'Occitane gift sets starting under $30, facial gift certificates from Alankara Aveda starting at $75, and manicures and pedicures from Desert Nails & Spa there is pampering to be found in every budget this year. Want to pamper your man while also finally getting rid of his “No Shave November” beard? Treat him to a hand shave at The Art of Shaving.
7. For the music lover in your life, head over to Bang & Olufsen where you’ll be blown away by their wireless speaker systems and portable Bluetooth speakers.
8. For the fine art lover, visit one of the many art galleries along El Paseo and pick up something like this charming bronze pot, "Two's Company," at Desert Art Collection.
9. There’s nothing like starting the year off with a new ‘do. Treat your loved ones to a new cut and style at one of the many first-class salons on El Paseo: Sherry Mesa, Shear Hair Design, Thairapy Salon & Suites, Jake Turner Salon, and Jeffrey Alen Salon, to name just a few of the great options.
10. For the football fanatic in your life, Tommy Bahama has recently launched the most recent Tommy Bahama NFL Collection. Comfortable knits, performance fabrics and playful prints are interpreted in high quality sportswear styles detailed with NFL team logos, colors and trims available in both men’s and women’s styles.

Still don’t know what to get for that person on your list who already has it all or the one who always hates everything? Pick up a gift card from The Gardens where they are sure to find something they love, and let them choose a gift for themselves.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, many of the restaurants on El Paseo expect to be busy. Restaurants open on Christmas Day include Mastro’s Steakhouse, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant which is offering a special Christmas menu, and Le Paon is also offering a Christmas menu at $40 per person for groups of 10 or more. Mitch’s on El Paseo and Tommy Bahama, among others offer a variety of cuisines, will be closed on Christmas Day, but they are open for your Christmas Eve dinner and some will have special menus for the holidays.

Don’t forget to make your New Year’s Eve dinner reservations early! Café des Beaux-Arts is offering a special New Year’s Eve menu and Sullivan’s Steakhouse has a prix fix New Year’s menu starting at $75 per person.

About El Paseo
El Paseo, located just south of Highway 111 between Monterey/Highway 74 and Portola Avenue in the heart of Palm Desert, offers an upscale shopping experience and much more. Boasting over 250 retailers including well-known brands and local one-of-a-kind boutiques, home furnishings, accessories from shoes and handbags to jewelry and collectibles. And, to quench the desires of discerning palettes, the mile-long drive is lined with a variety of exceptional restaurants and dining destinations. Visit www.ShopElPaseo.com for additional information, and follow El Paseo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Renee Schiavone