Palm Springs: A Year-Round Desert Paradise Awaits You, Part I

There’s something for everyone in this desert oasis that from the 1940s to 1960s was the favorite playground of famous Hollywood celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Doris Day and Lucille Ball, to name just a few. Located less than two hours by car from Los Angeles and San Diego, Palm Springs has long been a popular destination for Southern Californians. Its desert hiking, golfing and laid back atmosphere attract visitors from all over the world and can be conveniently reached by air from such cities as New York, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Miami and San Francisco.

There’s a very large gay population here, which some jokingly refer to as a “gay retirement village”. In fact, it’s a wonderful place to grow gay and gray, but you’ll see every age and type of person under the sun here. There are plenty of cool gay bars with mixed crowds but visitors tend to be more focused on the daytime sun and fun. This favorite gay vacation getaway in Southern California’s Mojave Desert has a large variety of gay bars, piano lounges, dance clubs, and restaurants to complement its many museums, galleries, shops and outdoor activities. There’s a reason this is the West Coast’s leading resort getaway among the LGBT set, especially from Fall through Spring, when temperatures here are mild and inviting.

Below is just a sample of the many popular events that occur each month of the year here:

#Jan. >> Palm Springs International Film Festival
#Feb. >> Modernism Week, International Bear Convergence
#Mar. >> Cathedral City LGBT Days
#Apr. >> Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival
#May. >> Palm Springs Hot Gay Rodeo
#Jun./Jul. >> Swing & Mix (gay squaredancing)
#Aug. >> Pool parties everywhere!
#Sept. >> Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival
#Oct. >> Leather Pride, Halloween
#Nov. >> Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival and Parade
#Dec. >> Christmas/New Year events galore!

Getting around is simplified by the Buzz Bus, a motorized trolley offering free transportation every 15-minutes Thursday through Sunday between North and South Palm Springs, making numerous stops throughout the downtown business and entertainment district. If love visiting tourist attractions Palm Springs won’t disappoint you…

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Ascend two-and-one-half miles from the desert floor to a pristine wilderness on Mount San Jacinto aboard the world’s largest rotating tramcar. In summer there can be as much as a 30-degree temperature difference at the top of the tramway, making this a popular destination to cool down from the summer heat. Hiking trails, gorgeous vistas and several dining options are available at the summit of this popular year-round tourist destination.

Joshua Tree National Park

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park, located just an easy 30-minute drive north of Palm Springs. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast Southern California wilderness.

In part II of my Plam Springs blog post I’m going to write about some highly frequented gay hot spots, e.g. the Hunters Nightclub and I will recommend my favorite restaurants, e.g. the Alibi and Azul’s. So, be aware of my Palm Springs blog post part II, which will be published soon.

Some facts about me

I’m your welcoming ebab host offering two spacious guestrooms in my Palm Springs condo located one block from the south terminus of the popular Buzz Bus. My Junior Suite with king bed and private bath is ideal for one or two people, while the Master Suite with two double beds, en suite bath and private patio comfortably accommodates one to four guests.