By Bill Malcolm*
I was in Palm Springs for the IGLTA Global Convention. Over 750 attendees from 32 countries attended—a new record. And this is despite the drop in large corporate sponsorship support (as has also been seen at Pride events). A highlight was the IGLTA Foundation fundraiser at the Dinah Shore estate (owned by Leonardo Di Caprio). It sleeps 16 and has 6 bathrooms and it can be yours for around $5,000 a night.
WHAT TO DO
See the new “Section 14: The Untold Story” at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and Cultural Plaza downtown 140 N. Indian Canyon. This and other exhibits give a frank assessment of their fight to hold onto their land and culture. They also have a spa and casino.
Swim at the Palm Springs Swim Center. The $16 nonresident fee is steep but worth it.
Walk with the Frontrunners at 8 a.m. daily. They go through the new Prescott Reserve, formerly a golf course. They meet at the Mizell Center Parking Lot.
Thursday night is Village Fest downtown. It’s a farmers market/art show and more. The Museum is also free that night.
Rent a bike at Bike Palm Springs and ride on the new CVLink trail all the way to Cathedral City and beyond. (www.bikePSrentals.com)
Enjoy a drag show tour of the city. Drag & Fly presents “A Love Letter to Palm Springs.” Drag queens are your guide on a mini bus tour of the city. It combines fact based storytelling with the colorful art of drag blending music, narration, and videos while you see the city. Details and tickets at dragandflytours.com. You will learn something new about the city from a unique perspective.
WHAT TO EAT
Townie Bagels (650 East Sunny Dunes) has great soft bagels and a cult following. Try to build your own sandwich on a pumpernickel bagel with a café Americano to wash it down.
Peninsula Pastries has great French pastries including a lemon tart that is to die for. In the same plaza (south of downtown across from Motel 6), try freshly squeezed carrot juice and Teriyaki Bowl with salon at the Palm Greens Café (611 S. Palm Canyon).
Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar and Grill has great burgers and salads. You will find them just north of downtown (301 N. Palm Canyon).
WHERE TO STAY
I always stay at Motel 6 Palm Springs Downtown (660 South Palm Canyon Drive). The room rates are lower than the resort fees at some of the other hotels. The location is across the street from the French bakery, health foods café, Revolution Theater and wrap restaurant. Around the corner of Sunny Dunes is the Townie Bagel shop and Tool Shed bar. And you can walk downtown and the bars on Arenas. Catch the #2 bus from City Hall across the street from the airport to the motel.
Rates at the Motel 6 are lower during the week (as the LA crowd comes over on the weekend.) I met 2 new friends at their pool. If you get hungry, the Jack in the Box is 2 doors down. I love their tacos and Breakfast Jacks (2 for $3.50). I also checked out the Hilton which is downtown and has a great pool scene. The Renaissance (where IGLTA was held) was also nice.
Not a bargain traveler?
Twin Palms is my favorite resort, and I also like the Descanso. Both offer a fun pool scene and free bikes.
Thompson is the new luxury brand. The Kimpton Rowan is nice too. I have also stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott. IGLTA was the Renaissance Hotel (recommended) and also had a pool party at the Hilton (also recommended).
But check (and avoid) hotels and resorts with junk fees (aka resort fees, destination fees, amenity fees, and the like).
NIGHTLIFE
The V Bar is a lot of fun. Most of the bars are on Arenas Road downtown. Check out the Monday happy hour at my favorite, Hunters, of Wilton Manors/Fort Lauderdale fame. Do check the prices at all the bars. One wanted $14 for a glass of wine.
GETTING THERE
I took Southwest. They now charge for bags and are about to charge for and assign seats. No more checking 24 hours in advance to get an A group boarding pass which assures a window seat at no extra charge.
Worse, they have now outsourced their staffing to a third party at Palm Springs so what remains of the Southwest spirit (and great customer service) is long gone. I also connected on SW through noisy and expensive Harry Reid Las Vegas International Airport ($5.50 for a diet coke).
I might author a book: “How to destroy a brand and alienate your loyal passenger base: the demise of Southwest Airlines.” Southwest founder Herb Kelleher must be rolling into his grave. It’s now a race to the bottom of the carrier that once was the model of transparent pricing, on time departures, extremely low fares, and service into less congested airports. And great customer service with top notch employees.
All the major airlines go to Palm Springs so next time I will be taking them.
INSIDER TIPS/FOR MORE INFORMATION
Fly directly into Palm Springs Airport. It’s super cute and you can sit outside and work on your tan before boarding.
Skip LAX at all costs. You’ll need a rental car to get to Palm Springs and the trip out on I-10 can be congested (not to mention the endless Southern California sprawl).
You won’t need a rental car if you stay downtown Palm Springs. Rely on UBER or Sunline Transit instead. Or walk or bike.
KGAY (106.5) is number one for what is happening in greater Palm Springs. You can stream them at KGAYPalmSprings.com. Also check out gaydesertguide.lgbt for events, hot deals, bars, and more.
GED Magazine (gedmag.com) is the monthly publication. It has great ideas and events too.
The Coachella Valley Independent is the weekly alternative voice. They have great hike ideas and community events.
Palm Springs is always a great visit. I go there often.
*Bill Malcolm is North America’s only syndicated value travel columnist. Rev 11/5/25