Palm Springs Gay Guide / LGBT Guide
Set amidst the Southern Californian desert, Palm Springs is a popular destination amongst gay tourists looking for adventure, sunshine and an opportunity to relax in a laid-back and non-judgemental environment. In Palm Springs, there are numerous restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, shops and other establishments that are open to customers of all sexual orientations, ages and backgrounds. There are also plenty of gay-orientated events to enjoy, with various parties, parades and other forms of entertainment aimed at a LGBT crowd held throughout the year. Plus, Palm Springs’ setting and good weather makes it the ideal location to engage in outdoors activities and take in the scenery.
Palm Springs is a desert city located in the Coachella Valley, which means it rarely sees rain and temperatures can reach very high figures. Consequently, tourism thrives in the area during the winter months, when it isn’t quite as hot. Palm Springs has a high concentration of same-sex couples living together in the city and so throughout the area there is a welcoming attitude towards LGBT tourists. You will find that most of the gay resorts are based in the same area of Warm Sands, which is located towards the south-east end of the city, although there are also a few located in the San Lorenzo Road area.
Unlike many of the popular gay-friendly tourist destinations, Palm Springs is not located alongside the ocean, but it does have many other things going for it. You can go hiking in the Joshua Tree National Park, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the San Jacinto Peak, hire a bike and explore the area, go horse riding, play golf, go rock climbing or take a visit to the Living Desert. Palm Springs is a great place to visit if you enjoy being active, but even if you prefer to do something more relaxing, you should find there is something that suits your needs, since there is plenty of drinking and dancing to be done!
Also, Palm Springs can be the ideal place to go if you’re interested in finding casual partners, since most of the gay resorts have clothing-optional policies and attract men who are after the same thing. If that isn’t what you’re after, there are other resorts that are aimed more at couples or that are gay-friendly and cater for a mixed clientele. The resort you choose will undoubtedly depend on what you want to get out of your holiday and how much you are prepared to pay for it.
Besides, you may not even end up spending that much time in your hotel when there are so many things to do. Even at night, you will find there are plenty of clubs and bars where other gay men hang out. In the Arenas Road area there is Hunters Video Bar – the largest and most popular gay bar in the area. There is also Score, which is a somewhat more low-key bar, and Streetbar, which is generally aimed at those aged 40 and over. Plus, there is SpurLine that is targeted at those 30 upwards, as well as a number of other bars and establishments located in different parts of the city.
Of course, Palm Springs has its very own Gay Pride festival that is held in November. The Greater Palm Springs Pride festival is held over two days and features a number of appearances from famous guests, with lots of music, parties and entertainment, as well as food and drink. The Palm Springs White Party is also an extremely popular event. It takes place in April and basically involves three days of drinking and partying! Even if this isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of gay-friendly attractions that make Palm Springs a worthwhile tourist destination.
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USA Useful Resources
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