Exclusive | Palm Springs: When and How to Go

Most visitors to Palm Springs drive in from Los Angeles or San Diego; it's a two-hour drive from either city. There is nonstop air service into Palm Springs International Airport from nearly 20 cities at peak season, including San Francisco and Los Angeles (both year-round) and as far away as Atlanta and Chicago. If you fly in, you will need to rent a car to get around, unless you're staying at a resort that's close to downtown and you truly don't plan on exploring the area much. Palm Springs' high season runs from mid-October through late April (but with the slowest time of the year being from Thanksgiving to New Year's).

It does get beastly hot in the summer (with average high temperatures approaching 110 degrees), but Palm Springs doesn't close down -- many resorts remain busy throughout the year. The city hosts two of the biggest gay parties of the year: Dinah Shore Week for women, and the Easter Weekend White Party for men (see PLAY). The women's event in particular overruns the town -- the "mostly men" resorts become "women only" for a few days, and it's hard to miss the lesbians strolling, shopping and, oh yeah, watching the golfers, all over town.

Palm Springs: Introduction
Palm Springs: Where to Stay
Palm Springs: Where to Eat
Palm Springs: Where to Play/Meet
Palm Springs: What to See & Do
Palm Springs: Resources