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
This all-villa resort offers just-like-home accommodations suffused with signature Westin brand style and personal services to help you unwind. Here youll discover the essence of desert tranquility in Southern California. Your fully furnished villa offers all the amenities you need to relax and feel at home. Prepare... More
Award winning villa resort with a large spa and wellness center Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas is a great choice for travelers who dream of a sun-splashed golf vacation. The villa resort is adjacent to a pair of 18-hole courses named for PGA pros Pete Dye and Gary Player. The hotel boasts newly refurbished guest... More
La Dolce Vita Resort and Spa - A Gay Resort
Palm Springs, California
Weeknight Special - Save $20 on your stay
Palm Springs, California; This beautiful Gay Men's resort hotel and spa consists of twenty elegant accommodations and a full service day spa on an acre of land in central Palm Springs. It is surrounded by desert and tropical landscapes with magnificent mountain views in a clothing optional environment. Of the variety of... More
Chic, luxurious hotel in the middle of Palm Springs Hotel Zoso is geared toward striking a balance between modern style and traditional hospitality. The spacious four-acre getaway in the center of Palm Springs combines eclectic decor, stunning artwork, stainless steel accents and faux fur rugs. The result is an edgy,... More
Stylish Palm Springs hotel with mountain viewsThe Curve Palm Springs Hotel offers modern accommodations, up-to-date facilities and breathtaking mountain views. Situated close to downtown Palm Springs, The Curve is an ideal retreat for business and leisure travelers who want to enjoy the best of the... More
Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Indian Wells, California
Rate includes breakfast
Reawaken your sense of wonder at our stunning Indian Wells resort. Set against the Santa Rosa Mountains at the foothills of Palm Springs' Coachella Valley, the Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort & Spa creates an atmosphere of luxury and relaxation unmatched anwhere in Indian Wells or Palm Springs. Enjoy... More
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Palm Desert, California
Escape Spa Package
Palm Desert mountain area resort/spa/convention complex on 450 acres When visitors walk the palm-lined path into JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa's newly refurbished lobby, they know they're in for a treat. A distinctive lobby bar welcomes guests with a backdrop of cascading water, a Starbucks and a sushi bar.... More
Riviera Palm Springs - A Noble House Resort
Palm Springs, California
Save 25% Off 4 Nights or More
Chic, glamorous hotel evokes the feeling of 1960s Palm Springs Riviera Palm Springs is a luxurious center of ultra-chic cool. The iconic resort underwent an extensive, $70 million renovation that resulted in sumptuous rooms, outdoor fire pits, tented pool, gardens and Thai-inspired spa. The decor is a blend of rich... More
Best in Stay
LGBT Best in Stay Palm Springs hotels
The Horizon Hotel's spacious 2.5 acre grounds include 24 beautifully appointed rooms restored to 21st century standards with only the finest finishes and materials...the perfect setting for a secluded getaway. Melt into our European beds with Italian linens or enjoy an outdoor shower in select rooms. The glamour and... More
HighlightsChic hotel offers funky decor and spa services in Palm SpringsAce Hotel and Swim Club is built on the foundation of a 1965 Howard Johnson hotel and the property has been revamped to maintain the 1960s era charm. Funky, edgy decor creates a distinctive look, and rooms combine well-worn leather couches with... More
Distinctive, elegant Palm Springs resort and spa offers style and luxury Designed in a modern interpretation of Regency style, Viceroy Palm Springs features artistically manicured grounds, private villas and exquisite pool areas. The resort's stylish decor pairs sleek furnishings with classic sculpture and mixes bright... More
Riviera Palm Springs - A Noble House Resort
Palm Springs, California
Save 25% Off 4 Nights or More
Chic, glamorous hotel evokes the feeling of 1960s Palm Springs Riviera Palm Springs is a luxurious center of ultra-chic cool. The iconic resort underwent an extensive, $70 million renovation that resulted in sumptuous rooms, outdoor fire pits, tented pool, gardens and Thai-inspired spa. The decor is a blend of rich... More
Elegant, chic luxury spa and resort close to downtown Palm Springs Chic and elegant, Colony Palms Hotel offers a distinctive spa experience in a historic space. Once owned by a reputed mobster in the 1930s, the extensively renovated hotel now boasts stunningly decorated rooms with luxurious furnishings and abundant... More
Located close to Palm SpringsSleek, ultra-modern decorClose to major attractions and Palm Springs Convention Center Elegant Palm Springs resort with mountain views near major attractions Located at the foot of the spectacular San Jacinto Mountains, Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel is a haven for business and... More
Flights
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | Palm Springs | Wed, Jun 26 - Sat, Jun 29 | $138 |
| Minneapolis | Palm Springs | Tue, Jun 11 - Tue, Jun 18 | $400 |
| Seattle | Palm Springs | Sat, Jun 8 - Wed, Jun 19 | $240 |
| Portland | Palm Springs | Wed, Jun 5 - Wed, Jun 12 | $224 |
| Chicago | Palm Springs | Wed, Jul 3 - Sat, Jul 13 | $408 |
| New York | Palm Springs | Tue, Jun 4 - Wed, Jun 5 | $312 |
| Newark | Palm Springs | Thu, Jun 13 - Tue, Jun 18 | $506 |
| Denver | Palm Springs | Wed, Jul 10 - Wed, Jul 17 | $302 |
| Sacramento | Palm Springs | Mon, Jul 15 - Thu, Jul 18 | $282 |
| Philadelphia | Palm Springs | Wed, Jul 3 - Thu, Jul 4 | $458 |
| Detroit | Palm Springs | Sat, Jun 22 - Thu, Jul 4 | $478 |
| Boston | Palm Springs | Fri, Jun 7 - Tue, Jun 11 | $322 |
Why book on Orbitz?
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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.