Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Vacations
Palm Springs
Your gay Palm Springs vacation
Just a two- or three-hour drive from L.A., Palm Springs has been a queer getaway as early as the 1930s, when Hollywood stars came here to live their lifestyles far from prying eyes. Together with sister cities Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Rancho Mirage, it lines the Coachella Valley, bordering the Mojave Desert and fortressed by the towering San Jacinto Mountains. But most LGBT travelers come to this desert oasis to simply bask in the warmth by a swimming pool. Pack a canteen and explore canyon trails with the kids, or show off your dance moves until the wee hours of the morning. But one thing remains the same: Perfect weather is a sure thing in Palm Springs.
Featured Hotels
LGBT-welcoming Palm Springs hotels
Hotel Zoso
Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Riviera Palm Springs - A Noble House Resort
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay Palm Springs hotels
The Horizon Hotel
Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Viceroy Palm Springs
Riviera Palm Springs - A Noble House Resort
Colony Palms Hotel
Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | Palm Springs | Wed, Feb 20 - Sat, Feb 23 | $138 |
| Minneapolis | Palm Springs | Sun, Feb 17 - Thu, Feb 28 | $278 |
| Seattle | Palm Springs | Tue, Feb 12 - Tue, Feb 19 | $193 |
| Portland | Palm Springs | Mon, Feb 4 - Sat, Feb 9 | $189 |
| Chicago | Palm Springs | Fri, Feb 8 - Sat, Feb 16 | $290 |
| New York | Palm Springs | Wed, Feb 27 - Tue, Mar 5 | $285 |
| Newark | Palm Springs | Sat, Jan 12 - Tue, Jan 15 | $310 |
| Denver | Palm Springs | Mon, Jan 14 - Sat, Jan 19 | $168 |
| Sacramento | Palm Springs | Tue, Jan 22 - Wed, Jan 23 | $158 |
| Philadelphia | Palm Springs | Tue, Feb 26 - Tue, Mar 5 | $318 |
| Detroit | Palm Springs | Wed, Feb 27 - Wed, Mar 6 | $279 |
| Boston | Palm Springs | Fri, Feb 8 - Tue, Feb 19 | $285 |
Why book on Orbitz?
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Miss Richfield 1981 says it best in this video—not all travel sites are created equal. When you book on Orbitz, your travel dollars work harder. Here’s why:
- We’re the ONLY leading travel agency with a perfect Corporate Equality Index Score from the Human Rights Campaign, with two GLAAD Media awards to boot.
- We’re the ONLY leading travel site with filters for hotel reviews by other LGBT travelers.
- We feature the top gay-friendly accommodations, including Best in Stay hotels and gay resorts.
- We’re proud sponsors of many LGBT charities and events, year after year.
Palm Springs highlights
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Downtown Springs
The downtown of Palm Springs still retains a lot of its original charm, with art galleries and chic shops and restaurants lining the main drag of North Palm Canyon Drive.
LGBT Palm Springs
Palm Springs also enjoys one of the highest gay populations per capita in the U.S. The town is home to a good selection of LGBT bars and businesses, the bulk of them found on the "gay block" of Arenas Road near Indian Canyon Drive.
Plenty of parties
And don't forget the town's major LGBT parties, including the enormous lesbian circuit event, The Dinah, in late March, with crazy pool parties and dancing all night long. For guys, there's the White Party at the city's convention center -- with outdoor parties as well -- in early April.
Year-round events
May brings a local gay rodeo, and Palm Springs Pride is in November. The Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association Palm Springs Open also takes place in November. The town is well known for its many film festivals, including the celebrity-studded Palm Springs International Film Festival in early January, and the LGBT fest Cinema Diverse in September.
Mid-century modern sights
And architect buffs should plan ahead for February's 11-day Modernism Week, showcasing Palm Springs' stunning collection of Mid-century Modern homes and buildings.
Mother nature
Wide-open nature and weather are a major draw for the Palm Springs area, which enjoys over 360 sun-filled days a year. About a 45-minute drive from downtown P.S. is the mystical and monumental Joshua Tree National Park.
Insider tips for Palm Springs gay travel
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Fly direct
It's worth a few more bucks to fly directly into Palm Springs airport, which has many direct flights from across the U.S. and Canada. There's also the Ontario Airport, about an hour away from Palm Springs.
Opt for a rental car
Many out-of-state visitors make the mistake of not renting a car, but you'll miss the nightlife and the natural attractions in the area. Public transport is good, but the spread-out area is not really walkable.
Summer has lower rates
Although Palm Springs is becoming something of a year-round destination, room rates are lower in the summer when temperatures can easily top 100 degrees.