Shields Date Garden – Indio CA

While on our visit to Palm Springs we took a Retro Roadmap detour south for a date at Shields Date Garden. They've been in the Coachella Valley, Indio specifically, since 1924!

Of course we watched the surprisingly informative “Romance & Sex Life of the Date” film - I mean we were on a "date" after all. It was surprisingly interesting, learning how date trees came to be planted here and the way the trees are pollinated. It was a bit old fashioned, so the kitsch factor also helped!

While most people insist that when you go to Shields you should get a Date Shake, Retro Roadhusband and I were in the mood for something a bit more savory. We were in luck as the patio cafe at Sheilds' serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks too. Per the suggestion of our travel pals, we ordered some of their delicious stuffed dates wrapped in bacon.

Don't worry if you're not sure if you are a date fan, not everything on the menu includes them!

Of course if you do want a Date Shake you can get one at the vintage counter located in the fun gift shop. I was happy to explore and decide what perfect box of dates I would bring home to share a taste of the Coachella Valley.

Retro Roadmappers, stop at Shields' and have a swell date!