El Paseo Shopping District, the desert's premier luxury shopping and dining destination, has a variety of special events scheduled for the month of February, and the numerous shops and restaurants have exclusive offers for Valentine’s Day. Featured events include Swing ‘N Hops, The Gardens on El Paseo concert series, and a variety of First Weekend activities.
The month kicks off with festivities that are a part of City of Palm Desert’s First Weekend celebrations. On Friday, February 3, El Paseo Cruise Night takes place from 3:15 to 6 p.m. The classic and custom cars will be on display on the upper level of the parking structure behind The Gardens on El Paseo. The vintage cars then cruise El Paseo from 4 to 6 pm. Also taking place is the renowned El Paseo Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. in which the public is invited to visit the many art galleries that stay open later for this event, with many offering special artist receptions, opening exhibitions, and other events. As part of El Paseo Art Walk, Coda Gallery’s ArtWalk@Coda event will feature the exhibitions of Trevor Goss and Theodore Gall, with Gall present for the reception and an event to remember the talented Trevor Goss. Refreshments for ArtWalk@Coda are sponsored by Organic Wine Exchange and wine purchases benefit Animal Samaritans, who will also be at the event.
Following on Saturday, February 4, is the 2nd Annual Swing N’ Hops Street Party, an outdoor extravaganza celebrating swing dance, craft beer, and live music. Happening from 1 to 5 p.m. El Paseo will be blocked off between San Pablo Avenue and Larkspur Lane for this free one-of-a-kind event in the desert that transports guests to a time when swing was king and everybody danced. With live music from the Jennifer Keith Quintet and swing dance instruction, everyone can boogie-woogie outdoors, while also enjoying a variety of microbrews in craft beer gardens and gourmet food booths. There will also be a swing performance during the event and attendees are encouraged to revive the glamour of the swing era by wearing fun fashion representative of the 1920’s through 1940’s!
The Gardens on El Paseo presents four concerts in February featuring Desert Sol on February 4, which benefits American Cancer Society; Lao Tizer Band benefitting VNA California on February 11; Slim Man Standards on February 18 benefitting Gilda’s Club Desert Cities; and on February 25, Machin benefitting Women Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley. The concerts take place on the Center Lawn of The Gardens from 5 to 6 p.m., with ticket sales and a wine reception preceding the concert. A $15 ticket helps benefit the charities, and includes two glasses of wine and lite bites.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, El Paseo offers everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry and specialty artwork, to designer clothing, handbags, and bath and body indulgences, dining galore, and more. Jewelry is one of the most popular gifts on this special day and the many jewelers on El Paseo offer exclusive lines, with selections from simple to extravagant. Among them are Diamonds of Splendor, Estate Jewelry Collection, Elegante, Emrick, Leeds & Sons, Tiffany, El Paseo Jeweler, B. Alsohns, Ozel, Gails, Deluca, Denise Roberge, and Frasca.
Cherished by the ladies are spa treatments and body care indulgences such as those offered by The Body Deli with their Valentine’s Day ensemble called "The Love Kit," a dead European sea salt scrub with organic body oil and mist. Others with pampering products and services include Sephora, Jack Turner Salon, Al Michael's Luxury Day Spa & Salon, Labonte Salon & Spa, and Phoenician Sugaring & Day Spa, as well as more advanced treatment options at Laser Med Spa and Renaissance Cosmetic Surgery.
For a very memorable gift, designer apparel from clothing to handbags are offered at St. John, Louis Vuitton, Presage, GRAYSE, Ralph Lauren, Escada, Gucci, and Kate Spade. Kate Spade’s Valentine Collection features novelty pieces that include uniquely whimsical dinosaur and typewriter bags. For a more traditional Valentine’s surprise, El Paseo’s flower shops deliver extraordinary red roses, or a creative bouquet with that favorite flower of choice, such as those from Flowers by Veronica.
Celebrating the day itself, El Paseo’s fine restaurants have special Valentine’s menus planned, some with added touches of roses, chocolates and champagne. Delectable dining includes a culinary flavor for every palette – fine French cuisine at La Paon or Café de Beaux Arts, exotic Thai Smile or The Venue Sushi Bar and Sake Lounge, exceptional steak houses such as Sullivan’s and Mastro’s, and of course Italian restaurants Mamma Gina, Il Corso and Piero's PizzaVino. Sullivan’s is offering a three-course Wine, Dine, and Be Mine dinner from February 10th through the 14th, for $69 before 5 p.m., or for $79 after 5 p.m. Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill is catering not only to those dining in-house, but for those dining at home. The fun Valentine’s Day To-Go Pizza Kits will be available beginning on February 1, and $1 from the sale of each kit will benefit the American Heart Association.
Overall, El Paseo offers an abundance of activities around an upscale shopping experience of over 250 retailers. Among celebrated retailers are boutiques for men and women, home furnishings, and accessories from shoes and handbags to jewelry, collectibles, as well as fitness facilities. A variety of exceptional restaurants offer something for everyone, from casual dining and American cuisine, to fine dining and extraordinary cuisine.
For more information about the shops on El Paseo and scheduled special events, please visit www.ShopElPaseo.com.