How to Pack the Perfect Polo Picnic in Greater Palm Springs
The thrill of thundering hooves on pristine polo fields arrives with January's Polo Season in Greater Palm Springs. Grab your sunscreen, Trina Turk floral pants, whimsical hat, and casual flats, and prepare your picnic basket for one of the valley's most affordable yet sophisticated tailgate events.
Attending a polo match epitomizes desert winter style. The Greater Palm Springs area boasts two world-class venues: Empire Polo Club and Eldorado Polo Club. Spend a sunny Sunday afternoon fieldside, encircled by majestic mountains, watching one of the world's fastest sports. Eight players race at speeds up to 30 mph, chasing a ball while riding off opponents and hooking mallets in an exhilarating game of "hockey on horseback."
The experience is interactive too—guests are invited onto the field mid-match to stomp divots back into the turf. Pair this with a leisurely picnic on the grass with friends, all for just the cost of parking, and it's no wonder both clubs recommend arriving early for prime first-come, first-served tailgating spots. It's arguably the best value in town.
Opening Day kicks off at Empire Polo Club and Eldorado Polo Club in January, with competitive Sunday matches at noon and 2 p.m. Games continue every Sunday through April. General admission is free at both, with a parking fee. Note that Empire permits guests to bring alcoholic beverages, while Eldorado does not. Both offer on-site food and drinks for purchase.
Build Your Dream Polo Picnic:
1. Source a stylish picnic basket from Williams Sonoma at The Gardens on El Paseo.
2. Stock up on essentials from Kitchen Kitchen, like wine openers, cocktail shakers, lightweight Charles Viancin cutting boards, and sharp, safe plastic cheese knives.
3. Pick up creative, organic fabric napkins in native plant prints and handmade picnic blankets from upcycled materials by Tea With Iris. Napkins are also available at Whole Foods Palm Desert.
4. If BYOB is allowed, choose local spirits, wine, or beer: I-10 IPA or Monumentous India Pale Ale from Coachella Valley Brewing Co.; Indian Canyon IPA from La Quinta Brewing Company; or small-batch vodka/rum from Desert Distillery for crafted cocktails.
5. For food, opt for convenient yet upscale options. Order ahead from Jake's in Palm Springs for spreads like roasted lamb sandwiches with arugula, roasted peppers, feta, and basil aioli on ciabatta; Miami Vice salad with shrimp, romaine, avocado, and key lime vinaigrette; plus sides such as tarragon chicken salad, edamame quinoa, or roasted cauliflower with local dates.
Jensen's offers $11-per-person lunch boxes featuring sandwiches like The Sinatra or The Dinah Shore, with potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, chips, fresh fruit, and cookies. Bristol Farms provides pre-chilled picnic meals in ribbon-tied containers, such as Summer Jazz (lemon rosemary chicken, pasta salad, berry salad, roll, brownie) or Concerto (poached salmon, dill sauce, and more), plus charcuterie and cheese platters.
Don't skip dessert! Shields Date Gardens sells boxes of dates stuffed with apricot, marzipan, and walnuts, plus Coachella Valley grapefruit with date sugar crystals.
6. Delight guests with goodie bags featuring Greater Palm Springs specialties, like unisex Coachella Honey Date Scrub from The Body Deli or a one-pound box of Brandini Almond Toffee.
