Palm Springs is the coolest oasis in the Coachella valley. Since the heyday of the Golden Hollywood age, it has been a glamorous destination. The city offers a well welcomed reprieve for the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Liberace, the Great Garbo and even Elvis Presley, all of whom have had homes in the city. Small desert towns are usually quite conservative, but the decadent stars we have all come to love, have also come to call this city home.

Palm Springs is a hotspot for gay visitors because of their acceptance long before being gay was acceptable in the USA. Here’s a look at some fabulously fantastic things to do, to help you start your planning for a delicious trip to Palm Springs, California.

Things To Do

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Explore the cliffs of Chino Canyon and limb aboard the world’s largest rotating tramcar. Experience breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon’s sheer cliffs. The 10-minute ride at the 2,643 ft. Valley Station and rise to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft. Here you’ll gain access to over 50 miles of hiking trails and experience 30 degrees temperatures at Chino Canyon’s peaks. There are fantastic views of Palm Springs. Inside the summer day lodge there is a natural history museum, gift shop, and bar.

Book your experience at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Windmill Tour

Windmills are a breathtaking experience that only few will ever have the experience of setting eyes on. But with a windmill tour you can take a self-guided tour through the fields of windmills that call Palm Springs home. You’ll learn why Coachella valley is home to these green energy beauties and see how they harness the naturally flowing winds in the valley to convert it into green energy.

Forever Marilyn Statue

Fans of Marilyn Monroe will want the chance to take a picture with a 26-foot statue of her. You will find it conveniently located in front of the Palm Springs art museum. When Marilyn Monroe first began her career, she was discovered in Palm Springs, and you can live her experience in person. Meanwhile you can view the best art the city has to offer.

Learn more about the unforgettable Forever Marilyn Statue experience.

The Walk of Stars

Throughout the streets of downtown Palm Springs, you’ll discover the Walk of Stars. These are tributes to members of the community who have made a positive impact and left a legacy on the desert city.

Palm Springs Cultural Center

The Palm Springs cultural center is your hub for fun in the city. You’ll find a variety of events from movies to live Jazz. Here the best minds in the city come together to bring you mind boggling artwork that will leave you with wide eyes. The Palm Springs cultural center is the epicenter of creativity for the city that you can visit to experience film festivals, farmers’ markets, live performances, art installations and lecture series—all of which act as creative inspiration points. Expand your learning and build meaningful relationships with the people and the environment around you today.

Create an unforgettable experience at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Arenas District

If you’re wondering where to mingle with gay singles and experience a grand old gay time, you can do so in the arena district. It is the most popular area for gay bars, and the most condensed area of gay-owned businesses. Here you’ll find everything from bars and clubs to restaurants and boutique shops.

Shopping

Downtown Looking to find a treasure trove of boutique shopping experiences to tingle your senses? Palm Springs offers everything from couture to candy, cosmetics to coffee, and is a shopping mecca.

Live the ultimate experience by visiting Destination Palm Springs – a boutique store with Palm Springs mid-modern style products specifically designed and produced for their store. You can purchase any item you wish from clothing and swimwear to t-shirts and drinkware, to Christmas ornaments and patio dishware. It’s cute, fresh, and uniquely Palm Springs!

Hike Museum Trail

Hike the 1.6-mile out-and-back trail and live the experience people are talking about across America. The route is considered a challenging and takes an average of 1 h 20 min to complete. But the route is highly coveted an a very popular area for hiking, offering beautiful views of the city. Bring a water bottle and wear hiking boots.

Classic Car Shopping

Palm Springs is your ideal destination to view and purchase classic and vintage cars. It is one of the top places to find both original unrestored and fully restored vehicles. There regular auctions held, and you will find numerous vintage car dealerships throughout the city.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Arenas District

A fun night out is not lacking in the beautiful city of Palm Springs. Dicks, Quadz (the sister bar to the one in the fruit loop in Las Vegas), Hunters, and Chill Bar offer you unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re looking for casual cocktails, meeting new people, dancing, or a drag show, head to Arenas for a block full of options.

Drag Brunch

Drag shows have become a staple in our culture. There are several drag brunches on weekends in Palm Springs. One of the newest is at V Lounge Palm Springs. Traditional brunch favorites like waffles, hamburgers, and salads, plus pitches of mimosas, Cosmo’s, and Bloody Mary’s. Palm Springs is the ultimate destination for local and nationwide talent sure to have you holding your belly from nonstop laughter and unforgettable moments with friends and family.

Karaoke

Got an urge to sing your heat out? Hunter’s Bar has karaoke every Tuesday beginning at 8:00pm and V Wine Lounge has bopping tunes on Wednesday’s from 6:00-9:00pm.

Barracks

Live out your best life and take a step on the wild side at Barracks. They have gear night every Tuesday, along with regular kink and fetish demonstrations (for the kinkiest in the bunch only), and beer bashes.

Dining

Eating delectable delights is always a favorite for everyone any vacation. And Palm Springs has a diverse collection of restaurants with amazing chefs. Elevate your dining experience beyond the standard American fare. Food lovers can feast on a variety of delicious restaurants serving up everything from healthy, low carb / high protein meals to steak and potatoes done just right. From brunch to cocktails, breakfast to dinner, here are some notable restaurants to try in Palm Springs.

MidMod Café [breakfast, lunch]

MidMod Café combines country delights and Rock n Roll for a delightfully zenful experience to keep your mind at peace and your heart beating fast. Here you will gain access to a hotspot of culture and have the freedom to express who you really are while dining on delicious foods. MidMod Café’s principal is “do less harm to yourself and change the world” and here they put their money where their mouth is.

Book your mouth-watering experience at MidMod Café.

Eight4Nine [dinner]

Want to experience fine dining in a vibrant upscale uptown design district restaurant? Here luxury meets casual dining. The interior design is to dire for with white, crisp interior lined with farmhouse tables and stylish chairs to create a luxurious yet comfortable ambiance. And the culinary expertise matches the style impeccably so your tastebuds are as delighted as your eyes.

Sip on fine wines and indulge on expertly crafted cocktails that are offered in the spacious lounge, featuring an all-white backlit onyx bar with Louis XIV ghost chairs and stools. They also have one of the largest outdoor patios in Palm Springs with beautiful views of the San Jacinto Mountains.  The breathtaking views and elegant sculpture décor in the the garden make this the perfect setting for your weekend brunch, dinner, or special occasion.

Book your private dining room with hot jewel-tone fabrics today at Eight4Nine.

Trio [dinner, drinks]

You can’t get any more Palm Springs delicious than TRIO.  They serve up timeless, dishes and warm, generous service. TRIO’s menu, inspired by owner Tony Marchese’s family heritage and Chicago childhood, is equal parts nourishing and indulgent, designed to express their love for Palm Springs.

Tropicale Restaurant [dinner]

Chic and sophisticated is the sense you’ll feel at Tropicale restaurant. The décor provides the setting for distinctive “world cuisine” and a provocative mix of zesty influences that creates a delightful dining experience in Palm Springs. Experience the food of the world in one small city with a boisterous ambience and plush high-backed semicircular banquettes surrounding you. The dining room and offers you unparalleled comfortable and private seating.

The cuisine has a light, exotic feel with an emphasis on Pacific Rim specialties, from Chilean Sea Bass baked in Banana Leaves or Kahlua-Barbecued Pork Chops to all sorts of tasty tapas, salads, wood-fired pizzas, and desserts. Your tastebuds will explode with excitement. Feel sexy and welcome in the Coral Seas Lounge, a hip midcentury style bar that’s lined with sexy black leather barstools and is reminiscent of the upbeat lounges of old Palm Springs.

Feel sexy in Palm Springs by booking your experience at Tropicale Restaurant.

Stay at a Clothing Optional Resort – INNdulge Palm Springs

INNdulge Palm Springs is the clothing optional resort to make your stay in Palm Springs unforgettable. You can dine in style, experience a day at the pool and even see some penis (if you’re lucky). The rooms are spacious and have all the amenities you end to satisfy your senses after a day hiking, dining in style, and experiencing a mind-blowing experience of local culture.

Learn more about the hotel by reading INNdulge Palm Springs the full review.

Plan Your Stay with The Help of Visit Palm Springs

The time is now to start planning your visit to Palm Springs. It’s the perfect destination to enjoy the hot sun, relax at a pool, and enjoy fine dining experiences with a handcrafted martini or chilled glass of chardonnay.

Visit Palm Springs is the ultimate resource to plan a fantastic gaycation. Get recommendations on the best places to stay, things to do, nightlife and dining options, and places to shop.

Plan your trip and book your accommodations now with the help of Visit Palm Springs.