Laidback and resort casual, Palm Springs is the American epicenter of the LGBTQ community. Boasting over 325 days of sunshine and a 50% gay population, residents here feel truly at home. From charming village shops to unique artsy stores, wrapped up in old-Hollywood glamour, this desert town is far from sleepy.
That’s the city’s nickname due to the large population of celebrities that live in Palm Springs. Located within Coachella Valley (yes that famous festival) the city is 107 miles east of L.A. Native Americans settled the area for thousands of years and many streets in the Palm Springs have Native American names.
The municipality became a booming resort in the 1900s when tourists arrived to treat health conditions with dry heat. Today, it is a sprawling desert empire where everyone and their mother are LGBTQ-friendly.
Here are some more fun facts about Palm Springs.
The cornerstone of the LGBTQ community in Coachella Valley, affectionately called “The Center,” they see more than 65,000 guests every year. Classes include everything from painting to yoga and AA.
The gay Chamber of Commerce, the Desert Business Association is a network of gay and gay-friendly businesses that offer a variety of resources to the community.
Palm Springs has a dry, desert climate. The winter months prove the most comfortable. Summer can get quite hot with an average July temperature of 108 degrees. So, it’s best to have your air conditioning ready to go before moving in.
This is a popular film event held every January that features hordes of A-list celebrities
This has widely been considered the largest gay dance festival in the country. Over the years, the event has evolved to become a social and cultural phenomenon. It is attended by over 30,000 people every year.
Named after the great Dinah Shore, Dinah Shore Weekend is the biggest girl party for the LGBTQ community this side of the Mississippi! The Dinah has been doing it for over 30 years now.
Gay Pride is a sanctioned Palm Springs event that happens every year and can’t be missed. It starts off with a parade, followed by food, fun, dancing, and live entertainment. The party doesn’t stop when everyone heads over to the many bars on Arena’s Street. The festival is free and held in downtown.
Palm Springs is half gay, so virtually anywhere you move you’ll feel comfortable. Two zip codes are both 30-times higher than the national average for LGBTQ residency. These are:
This neighborhood has a diverse economy with lots of recreation. The cost of living is 23% higher than the national average but the median commute is only 18 minutes. In this community, there are 12.4% LGBTQ couples per household. Homes range from 1-4 bedrooms with beautiful landscaping and Spanish flair.
The median sales price for 92264 is $337,500.
In this area, homes are selling for about $258 per square foot and the neighborhood typically has hundreds of homes for sale. Home appreciation in the last few years has been 2%.
This is a bustling residential area with many hotels, spas, and cafes right around the corner. This zip code is closer to North Palm Springs and in the same vicinity as the airport. There are 11.3% LGBTQ couples per household with 1-4 bedroom homes.
The median sales price for 92262 is $433,000.
Homes are selling for about $281 per square foot and there are currently over 350 homes for sale in the area.
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Every Thursday night, Palm Canyon Drive is closed off to traffic and becomes a lively street fair. Local vendors, artists, craftsmen, and residents all share in the free entertainment. The fest is held down the entire length of Palm Canyon Drive from one end to the other and is a great place to people watch.
Everyone has heard of this park, and it’s a favorite spot for hiking and off-roading. There are plants and rock formations that are entirely unique to this one spot on the earth. The region is named for the twisted and brittle Joshua Trees that pop up everywhere and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is known for the incredible views of the desert. Ascending to 5,783 feet (1,790 meters), the tram carries you to a peak in the San Jacinto Mountains. From Ponderosa trees to mountain spires and unspoiled wilderness, the ride ends at Mountain Station where you’ll be there just in time for a cocktail.
A fun evening of drag emceed by beloved James “Gypsy” Haake, meet your favorite stars like Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. You can choose a three-course meal and watch the world-record-holding oldest female impersonator.
Established over two decades ago, this is a fun and fruity spot that’s dedicated to everything tropical. It has the city’s longest-running drag show, with drink specials and a comedy cabaret.
Palm Springs is perhaps one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities you will find. With a long-running history of acceptance (the first all gay city council), it continues to flourish as the community grows steadily each year.
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