Wally's Desert Turtle: Old-Fashioned Palm Springs Ice Cream Shop

Discovering Wally's Palm Springs

Nestled in the heart of downtown Palm Springs lies a hidden gem for dessert lovers - Wally's Desert Turtle. As a local favorite for over 30 years, Wally's serves up delicious homemade ice cream, pastries, and other sweet treats that you won't find anywhere else in the desert.

The Legend Behind the Dessert Shop

Wally's Desert Turtle was founded in 1989 by Wally Schirra and his wife, Dotty. The name pays homage to Wally's NASA career as an astronaut and his Mercury space flight on the Sigma 7 spacecraft, playfully nicknamed the "desert turtle."

As a veteran of America's early space program, Wally traveled to Palm Springs frequently to enjoy the warm desert climate. On one such trip, Dotty joked about opening an ice cream parlor that could satisfy her husband's unrelenting sweet tooth. And so, Wally's Desert Turtle was born out of lighthearted conversation, though it has endured as a landmark on Palm Canyon Drive.

Delicious, Decadent Desserts

The display cases at Wally’s showcase heavenly fresh-baked fruit pies, cookies, brownies, and cream puffs that will leave you drooling. But most customers flock here for the extensive variety of dense, creamy ice cream. Over 60 flavors of ice cream and sorbet rotate through the menu depending on the season.

Some customer favorites include:

• Turtle Tracks - vanilla ice cream with caramel and chocolate pecan turtles
• Coconut Almond Fudge - coconut ice cream with almonds and fudge swirls
• Strawberries and Cream - sweet strawberry ice cream with ribbons of cream
• Date Shake - an iconic Palm Springs flavor made from vanilla ice cream and dates

Can't decide on just one or two scoops? Go for the epic Banana Split, served perfectly balanced on a fresh-cut banana in a classic pedestal dish.

A Cozy, Family-Friendly Environment

Wally’s Desert Turtle exudes charm with its polka-dot color scheme and whimsical turtle logo. Inside, customers are greeted by display cases brimming with tempting choices and a handful of small tables for enjoying your treats.

Dotty’s vision was to create an ice cream parlor reminiscent of those found on Main Streets across America in the early 20th century. With its warm lighting, classic soda fountain stools, and family-friendly vibe, Wally's Desert Turtle transports patrons back to simpler times.

On warm sunny days, grab your cone or sundae to go and take a short stroll to relax in the park behind the shop. The ideal place to soak up the atmosphere of old Palm Springs!

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Wally's

Wally's Desert Turtle is a beloved local institution founded on charm, whimsy, and most importantly - amazing desserts. For the best ice cream in Palm Springs, no visit is complete without a stop at Wally’s. One lick of their fresh, homemade flavors will have you saying “turtle-y awesome!”

So next time your sweet tooth calls, make a beeline for Wally’s Palm Springs. Bring the whole family to create special memories with every tasty bite. And don’t forget to snap a selfie with the turtle on your way out!

FAQs

What are Wally's hours?

Wally's Desert Turtle is open daily from 11am to 9pm.

What payment methods are accepted?

Wally's accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards.

Do you offer ice cream cakes?

Yes, ice cream cakes are available to order in chocolate, vanilla or assorted flavors. Call ahead to place your order.

Is there seating inside?

Wally's has a few small tables inside for enjoying your treats. During busy times, limited seating is available.