Palm Springs is one of the gayest cities in the world. An estimated 30-50% of the population of 45,000 people are estimated to be LGBTQ+. Tourism is the city’s biggest industry, and it boasts 11 gay resorts, more than any other place on the planet.
Both American and United fly nonstop to Palm Springs from O’Hare from late September through May and of course, there are plenty of options if you are okay with catching a connecting flight all year round. Southwest spokesman Chris Perry told Windy City Times that the airline plans Saturday-only nonstop flights to Palm Springs from Midway Airport. But those flights don’t begin until Feb. 13, 2027 and end on April 3. The nonstop flights take a little over four hours.
Palm Springs is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles in good traffic, but the traffic is seldom good. It is about an hour’s drive from the Ontario, California, airport but if you can get a good airfare to the Palm Springs airport, it is worth the hassle of not having to deal with the traffic, especially LA traffic.
Fall under the palms
Palm Springs is gearing up for a busy fall highlighted by the 40th anniversary of Pride planned for the weekend of Nov. 6-8. The Pride festival on Saturday, Nov. 7 is free and the Pride parade steps off on Sunday, Nov. 8. If you can get there early, the Pride block party will be on Arenas road starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
Before Pride, women take center stage with The Dinah which runs this year from Wednesday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 4. The Dinah 2026 includes headliner Hayley Kiyoko, alongside Da Brat, Sasha Keable and The Aces. Leather Pride kicks off the weekend before Pride, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Leather will overlap with Halloween this year. Arenas Road will host its annual Halloween block party on Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The desert rewards those who can brave the heat in September with the Greater Palm Springs Spa Month. If you have never been to Desert Hot Springs, spa month is a good time to relax in mineral water for which the city is named. Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis is one of the best with indoor and outdoor mineral baths and famous pebble-lined stream “reflexology” walkway giving you a foot massage and soak.
Another good day trip outside Palm Springs city limits is Indio. Its downtown is undergoing a major resurgence highlighted by its new City Hall and library. Indio unveiled a public art installation last summer in the heart of downtown. The 65- and 75-foot colorful robot-like sculptures called “The Messengers” were first displayed at the Coachella music festival in 2023 and are now permanently on display in Indio. Be sure to check out “The Place”. It is an indoor collective of local, independent and inspiring artists. Two of those artists are Indio native Adolfo Vasquez and his husband, former LA resident Vincent Sandoval. They run the Chicano Candle company which includes a candle bar where you can put together a unique scent that inspires you.
Palm Springs has two new queer landmarks put up over the past year. In October, a 65-foot Pride flagpole was installed at the corner of Arenas Road at Indian Canyon Drive, across from the Arenas District. Also in October 2025, the 8-foot tall multicolored Pride Monument was unveiled at Frances Stevens Park, 500 N. Palm Canyon Dr., about a 15-minute walk from Arenas Road.
The space occupied by the legendary Barracks bar in Cathedral City will soon be reborn as the Cathedral City Eagle. Major construction has been underway at the property for months and it is scheduled to be open some time in October. Although the address is on E. Palm Canyon Drive, it is a little hard to find even with GPS, because it is set back off the street behind the Arco station.
The other two gay bars in Cathedral City are One Eleven and Roost and Runway, which is part of CCBC. The biggest concentration of queer nightlife is on a one-block strip of Arenas Road in downtown Palm Springs. On the north end of town, Toucans Tiki Lounge is going strong on Thursdays through Sundays.
If you can get to Palm Springs by Oct. 18, be sure to check out the exhibit “A Queer Arcana” at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The exhibit explores queer art and culture in the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum is free on Thursdays 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can combine it with a visit to the Palm Springs Village Fest street fair on Palm Canyon Drive that runs 7-10 p.m.
Where to stay
Palm Springs offers 10 gay male resorts in city limits and neighboring Cathedral City has the largest resort in the area, Cathedral City Boys Club (CCBC). Sadly, Palm Springs’ only downtown gay resort, Canyon Club Hotel, closed in December and is being converted into a mainstream property.
All the gay resorts are clothing optional. Most provide free continental breakfast and some throw in a free lunch. The fabulous Santiago resort has the largest pool of any of the gay resorts and like its sister resorts, Twin Palms and Descanso, has a 24-hour free canteen where guests can help themselves to snacks and beverages. All three properties offer a free lunch and are known for pampering guests.
The Triangle Inn is kitty-corner from Santiago and is an historic property in the mid-century modern motif for which Palm Springs is known. It has a well-deserved loyal following.
The other gay resorts are in the Warm Sands neighborhood and include Palm Springs’ first gay resort, El Mirasol Villas, Casa Oliver, Desert Paradise, Vista Grande, Hacienda Palm Springs and InnDulge. CCBC, Desert Paradise Resort and Casa Oliver are the only gay resorts that offer day passes.
Where to eat and drink
The Palm Springs restaurant scene doesn’t disappoint. Boozehounds, on the north end of town, across from Toucans, is one of the more unique restaurants in town. They welcome dogs on the expansive patio and the huge restaurant feels spacious even during the busiest times of the year. Be sure to try the pastrami sandwich.
The other mainstays are the fab Trio, the upscale but down-to-earth Eight4Nine and in the heart of downtown, Lulu’s and Pinocchio’s. If you are looking for a late night bite, check out BlackBook on Arenas Road for casual gourmet bar food.
For a uniquely queer overall tour of Palm Springs, check out Drag & Fly Tours, which features stadium-style sideways seating on a bus. A drag queen shows off highlights and history of the city. Red Jeep Tours is another great option if you want to explore the desert’s natural beauty. No visit to Palm Springs would be complete without a visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The summit atop Mt. San Jacinto has great hiking trails where you can comfortably hike even in the summer with temperatures as much as 20 degrees cooler than the city.
If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy lower hotel prices, summer through September is a good time to visit. It’s also slower in the desert in the weeks just after Thanksgiving. Crowds pick up in Christmas week through New Years and then things usually slow down in January until around Valentines Day.
