Palm Springs feels like it was designed with queers in mind (actually, we’re pretty sure queers did design it – go us). So much sunshine, Wes Anderson-style, everywhere you look, plenty of queer events, and stunning desert backdrops for those gram-worthy pics.
Whether you’re planning on checking out Palm Springs, either side of hitting up Coachella, Palm Springs Pride, or heading over for The Dinah, or perhaps you need a sun-soaked sapphic reset with your pals, this guide has everything you need to know.
- Best time of year to go to Palm Springs
- Queer events in Palm Springs
- Where to stay
- Things to do while in Palm Springs
- Where to eat
- Nightlife & sapphic bars
Best time of year to go to Palm Springs
Palm Springs rewards good timing and punishes poor planning.
The best months:
November to April is the sweet spot. Warm days, cooler evenings, and weather that allows you to leave your hotel room. You’re looking at a comfortable 20 – 35°C (68 – 95°F).
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Avoid summer.
June to September is aggressively hot – we’re talking highs of 40–45°C (104–113°F). This is not the time for sightseeing. That said, parts of downtown Palm Springs do have street-side water misters, which help take the edge off the heat.
Queer events in Palm Springs
If you’re choosing when to visit based on events alone, start here.
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Palm Springs Pride
Palm Springs Pride takes place in November, and it’s one of the best Pride weekends in the US. The parade runs down Palm Canyon Drive, the city fully leans in, and everything from pool parties to nightlife is turned up a notch.
It’s social, celebratory, and genuinely easy to navigate – especially if you stay central.
The Dinah
The Dinah is sapphic legend. It’s the longest-running lesbian party in the world and still one of the biggest weekends for queer women. Plus, if you didn’t already clock, it’s the pool party weekender that’s in The L Word.
Daytime pool parties, headline DJs, packed dance floors, a star-studded red carpet you can get very close to and thousands of queer women. Dates have historically been in autumn, but they announced last year that it’s shifting to March, which is ideal Palm Springs weather. To get the full picture of The Dinah, read our Guide on How to do ‘The Dinah’ in Style.
Cinema Diverse
Cinema Diverse is Palm Springs’ annual LGBTQ+ film festival and a must for queer cinema lovers. The festival spotlights LGBTQ+ stories from around the world, with a packed programme of feature films, documentaries and shorts that span joy, heartbreak, politics, love and everything in between. Expect filmmaker Q&As and a community vibe. It typically runs in September, across two weekends, and takes place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
Where to stay
Kimpton Rowan Hotel Palm Springs
Kimpton Rowan Hotel Palm Springs is downtown Palm Springs’ slickest stay – modern, stylish and perched right in the heart of everything you want to explore. The rooms and suites feel fresh and elevated with large windows framing the San Jacinto Mountains or vibrant cityscape, and the rooftop pool deck delivers panoramic desert views you won’t forget. It’s the only hotel in downtown with a rooftop pool and restaurant, meaning you can sip and swim above the city before heading out for nightlife or brunch just steps away.
The hotel also offers valet parking included with the resort fee, making arrivals and departures seamless whether you’re cruising in or grabbing a rental. On-site dining here goes beyond basic hotel fare: 4 Saints, the Michelin-recommended rooftop restaurant, serves refined plates and cocktails with breathtaking valley views, and there are multiple bars and lounges ready for anything from sunset drinks to a late-night nightcap.
Stay here if you want a place that feels Palm Springs – elevated, social and effortlessly cool – with all the conveniences of downtown at your doorstep and a killer view to boot.
Royal Sun Palm Springs
Mid-century, boutique and very pleasing to the “design” eye. Royal Sun Palm Springs is a laid-back desert dream. Palm-filled gardens and a pool that basically demands an afternoon cocktail. It’s stylish and calm, and close enough to Palm Canyon Drive that queer nightlife and brunch are an easy walk – but far enough away to actually relax. Plus, you can hire vintage bikes to get around on. Stay here if you want Palm Springs to look as good as it feels.
Its restaurant, High Moon, is tucked into the property with a relaxed but refined vibe, serving creative, desert-cool dishes that match the hotel’s aesthetic and keep you satisfied without needing to trek downtown for dinner. The whole place strikes a balance between a laid-back hangout and a getaway that actually feels like a treat. Its location just south of Palm Canyon Drive also means brunch, bars and queer nightlife are all an easy walk away.
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a Palm Springs classic with serious desert cool – relaxed, bohemian and always soaked in sunshine. The mid-century-modern-meets-hipster vibe shows up everywhere: two deep outdoor pools begging for daytime drinks, fire pits to linger by as the sun goes down, and an organic spa if you actually feel like self-care between margaritas and naps.
The on-site Kings Highway restaurant and poolside bites keep you fed without schlepping into town, and there’s a stargazing deck and chill cocktail bar tucked into the property for laid-back evenings. Free parking and free Wi-Fi are nice extras too, so you’re not fussing about logistics.
Stay here if you want a place where daytime drinking, pool lounging and spontaneous social hangs are basically built into the resort’s DNA – and where naps between cocktails feel like a legitimate itinerary.
Also worth knowing:
If you want something slower or more indulgent, places like Korakia Pensione or The Parker Palm Springs are great options. Plus, plenty of amazing Airbnbs to choose from.
Things to do while in Palm Springs
Spend a full day at Palm Springs Surf Club
This is not a pop-in situation. Palm Springs Surf Club is a one-of-a-kind desert wave paradise – a state-of-the-art surf pool set against the mountains where you can actually catch real, surfable waves inland. Beyond the surf tech, there are resort-style pools, a lazy river, food and drinks and a full-day vibe that’s part waterpark, part desert playground. Whether you’re learning to surf or just floating with a cocktail, it’s easily one of Palm Springs’ most surreal and unforgettable experiences.
Take a day trip to Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is about an hour from Palm Springs and absolutely worth the detour. Go early to beat the heat and crowds, bring more water than you think you’ll need, and time your visit around golden hour when the cacti glow, and everything feels a bit cinematic. You don’t need to hike for hours to get the magic – a couple of short trails, some desert quiet, and a moment to lie on a rock staring at the sky will do the job nicely.
Visit the Trixie Motel
Even if you’re not staying the night, the Trixie Motel is worth popping by. It’s camp, colourful and unapologetically queer — exactly what you’d expect from a Trixie Mattel project. Swing past the gift shop, take in the maximalist pink energy and prepare to want something you absolutely do not need but will buy anyway. It’s fun, silly and very Palm Springs.
Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
For views and a break from the heat, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is iconic for a reason. The rotating car takes you up Mount San Jacinto, where temperatures drop dramatically and the desert stretches out below you. It’s dramatic, slightly surreal and a great palate cleanser before heading back down for cocktails and a night out.
Wander Indian Canyons
Indian Canyons is where Palm Springs slows down a little. Think palm groves, canyon paths and — crucially — actual shade. It’s an easy way to see a softer, greener side of the desert without committing to a full hike, and a reminder that Palm Springs isn’t just pools and parties. The scenery is genuinely beautiful, and the calm hits differently after a few days of sun and spritzes.
Where to eat
Tac/Quila
Tac/Quila is Palm Springs’ downtown Mexican staple – elevated tacos, killer tequila and cocktails that are stunning. It’s one of the city’s buzziest spots with a vibe that naturally makes you stay longer than you planned, whether you’re grazing on street-style tacos or sipping mezcal flights in the lively patio atmosphere. The menu is vibrant and inventive, the space feels stylish yet unfussy, and it’s a reliably great pick for groups or pre-night-out energy.
Juniper Table (at The Rowan)
Juniper Table is an easy, reliable brunch base when you want good food without the fuss. Expect solid coffee, well-made cocktails and a menu that hits that sweet spot between indulgent and sensible — perfect for fuelling a pool day or easing into a hungover morning. The vibe is relaxed but polished, and the people-watching doesn’t hurt either.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
Save Workshop Kitchen + Bar for one elevated dinner. The industrial space is striking, the menu is thoughtful and seasonal, and it’s the kind of place where you slow down and actually pay attention to what you’re eating. Ideal for a grown-up night out when you want excellent food, good wine and a break from poolside chaos.
Arenas Road spots
Arenas Road is where you go for pre-drinks and late-night bites. The strip is packed with queer bars (often a bit more male-leaning) and casual food spots, all close enough to bounce between without thinking too hard. Start here, end here, or accidentally do both – it’s the heart of Palm Springs’ nightlife and best experienced without an itinerary.
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Nightlife & sapphic bars
Most nightlife is concentrated around Arenas Road, Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ district. Even when spaces skew mixed, Pride weekends and Dinah energy make the whole area feel very queer and very welcoming.
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
