A California resort town known for its desert beauty and therapeutic climate, Palm Springs earned its reputation as Hollywood’s playground in the 1920s. Secretly, it was also becoming America’s most glamorous LGBTQ2S+ playground.
Though the studios did their best to control their stars’ reputations—telling them who to date and who to marry—the resort city’s compact neighbourhoods and the abundance of booze-fuelled parties around private swimming pools made it easy for talent to fraternize in unofficial ways. The public persona might be lady killer, femme fatale or sweetheart, but behind the scenes, Palm Springs life was much queerer. And it wasn’t just the stars. For every Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Rock Hudson or Tab Hunter, there were dozens of LGBTQ2S+ directors, designers, writers and composers who found safety in the desert oasis, a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. It was the perfect place for someone like the pianist Liberace, who lived in Palm Springs for 25 years until his death in 1987, to walk the tightrope between a flamboyantly gay self presentation and just not having found the right girl.
The postwar decades introduced mid-century modern architecture with its clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and indoor/outdoor spaces. Palm Springs went gaga for it in the 1950s and ’60s, further attracting gay architects, designers and tastemakers who left a lasting imprint on its aesthetic identity. Starting in the ’70s, gay men, in particular, started buying homes in greater numbers, drawn by affordable real estate, permissive zoning and a climate that encouraged outdoor socializing. For a while mid-century modern fell out of fashion, but gay owners were among those who held on to the properties, conserving the look, which has had a 21st century revival. Architecture geeks come from all over the world to look at the picture-perfect properties.
Also by the ’70s and ’80s, after New York City’s Stonewall Uprising of 1969, the closet seemed less appealing for many LGBTQ2S+ Americans. As more people came out, it became apparent that Palm Springs had an amazingly high number of queers. When actress Dinah Shore began hosting a women’s golf tournament in nearby Rancho Mirage in 1972, people started joking about—or maybe they were merely pointing out—how many lesbians were in attendance.
When the HIV/AIDS crisis hit in the mid-’80s, Palm Springs habitué Rock Hudson was the most famous early casualty, dying in 1985. In 1989, the late promoter Jeffrey Sanker launched the White Party, which became a preeminent HIV/AIDS fundraiser and a template for what Sanker called “fly-in,” parties, that is a party so big and glamorous that people would fly across the country to attend—what today we’d call a circuit party. By the late ’90s and early 2000s, Palm Springs had fully embraced its international status as a gay resort town. But unlike other gay-friendly destinations, Palm Springs integrates queer life throughout the city. Gay bars, restaurants and resorts existed alongside LGBTQ2S+-friendly and -run mainstream businesses, and local politics reflects LGBTQ+ leadership. Though it has a lot of glamour, it’s also very casual—shorts, even extremely short shorts, will get a visitor through all but the most formal occasions.
Unfortunately, the White Party is no more, and the hedonistic lesbian party named after Dinah Shore’s golf tournament, Clubs Skirt Dinah Shore Weekend, is under new ownership. Don’t worry. Palm Springs has essentially become a 365-day-a-year LGBTQ2S+ party town. Why wait for an annual party when there’s always a good time to be found? For a city with a population of just 45,500 residents, the array of nightlife options and assorted social gatherings is mind-bending. Some sources suggest that 40 or 50 percent of residents are LGBTQ2S+. Add in the high number of gay visitors and you’ve got a clear queer majority. The city has had all-LGBTQ2S+ councils in the past, and the current mayor Ron deHarte, sworn in December 2024, is the first openly gay Mexican American mayor. The city regularly gets a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. In 2025, as rainbow crosswalks were being painted over and ripped up in Texas and Florida, Palm Springs installed a flagpole for flying a massive Pride flag and unveiled a rainbow sculpture in a downtown green space.
And even by California standards, Palm Springs is very, very friendly.
Dining and drinking options are one thing, but Palm Springs has earned a special place in the hearts of gay men for its gay clothing-optional resorts, particularly in the Warm Sands district. El Mirasol Villas, opened in 1976 (Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe had stayed at the address in the 1940s), is believed to be Palm Springs’ first gay resort, while Vista Grande, which opened in 1984, was the first clothing-optional gay resort. These spaces promise easygoing poolside sociability that has launched a million hookups and a million more friendships.
For LGBTQ2S+ travellers, Palm Springs offers something rare: a cosmopolitan destination where pleasure and history reinforce each other. The pools, parties and polished hotels are not disconnected from the past; they are the standard bearers of decades of chosen family, self-invention and community solidarity. Whether a visitor wants to tap into “the scene,” or would rather the solitude of desert hikes and quiet moments by the pool, Palm Springs can be the stage for their adventure. Here is our tip sheet for finding the best of LGBTQ2S+ Palm Springs.
Pride & other queer events
Greater Palm Springs Pride (November 5 to 8, 2026). Palm Springs Pride organizers were thoughtful enough to plan their festival for one of the best times of year, weather wise, to visit the area. Though locals provide the energy and colour—this is most definitely a show of pride for the community—visitors bring the excitement. There’s a full street festival, a highly attended parade down Palm Canyon Drive, live music, drag performances, community booths and nightly parties that spill in the Arenas District and beyond. Unlike larger urban Prides, Palm Springs Pride feels accessible: performers mingle with attendees, bars coordinate themed nights, and the crowd skews older, friendlier, and less corporate.
Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend (September 30 to October 4; 2026). Affectionately dubbed “The Dinah,” expect a few changes at the next edition of the world’s largest and longest-running lesbian party. Founder Mariah Hanson has passed the baton to After 35 historic years, the sapphic mecca will change hands as Mariah Hanson has passed the baton to longtime Dinah team members Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia. Though the duo is sure to introduce some new twtists, they seem committed to continuing the tradition of empowering queer women and their allies, promoting queer female talent and making everyone involved feel comfortable enough to go completely wild.
Modernism Week (October 15 to 18, 2026; February 11 to 21, 2027). On paper, Palm Spring’s Modernism Week is not a queer event. But hey—visitors are riding a bus past or getting to peek inside the homes of the likes of Liberace, Dinah Shore, Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, William Haines and Arthur Elrod, so it’s definitely light in the loafers. Palm Springs’ mid-century modern identity has long been intertwined with gay architects, designers, collectors and homeowners. The week includes guided home tours, architectural lectures, cocktail receptions and design exhibitions that attract a disproportionately LGBTQ2S+ crowd. Many private homes are opened to the public only during this event. Lucky patrons of the double-decker bus tour will get Charles Phoenix as their guide; his dry cheekiness goes down like a stiff 1950s-style Martini. Of course, any time of the year, visitors can walk or drive around the city looking at the modernist buildings.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19, 2026; Empire Polo Club in Indio, California). Though this ridiculously fashionable music festival happens at the other end of the Coachella Valley, queer attendees—and boy, are there a lot of queer attendees—often stay and play in Palm Springs while Coachelling. Bad news, though. The 2026 festival (headlined by Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Karol G and Anyma) sold out within days of the ticket drop in September 2025. Those planning to attend in 2027 should have their finger poised right above the “buy” button when tickets go on sale.
What to see and do
The Pride Monument (near W. Alejo Road and Indian Canyon Drive). Designed by Palm Springs artist Jim Isermann, the rainbow-coloured monument, unveiled in October 2025, is composed of 700 triangular blocks forming geometric patterns. From above, it’s in the shape of the Lambda, which in 1974 was declared the international symbol for gay and lesbian rights by the International Gay Rights Congress.
Forever Marilyn (Museum Way, Palm Springs). Fussbudgets debate about whether American icon Marilyn Monroe lived in Palm Springs or was just a frequent visitor, about whether she was discovered at the Palm Springs Racquet Club in 1949 or at a munitions factory in 1944. Fussbudgets also argue about how silly it was for the city to spend US$1 million to move the 26-foot-tall, 34,300-pound sculpture of her less than 100 feet, from the middle of Museum Way to the middle of a cluster of palm trees, as the city did in February 2025. We’re not taking sides. But we will be taking selfies with this representation of the moment in Billy Wilder’s The Seven Year Itch (1955) when a gust of wind from a passing subway train sends the screen icon’s dress flying into the air.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (1 Tram Way, Chino Canyon, Palm Springs). Considered one of Palm Springs’ must-do attractions, the tram takes visitors from desert floor to alpine forest in just 10 minutes, rotating slowly as it ascends the cliffs of Chino Canyon to Mountain Station in the San Jacinto Mountains. From 8,500 feet up, there are sweeping views over the Coachella Valley. Energetic types can then explore over 50 miles of hiking trails that start from the station, though most visitors will just hang out on the observation decks.
Joshua Tree National Park. About an hour’s drive outside of Palm Springs is where you’ll find one of the weirdest landscapes, something out of The Flintstones or by an abstract artist let loose on the desert. It’s not just the Joshua trees themselves, spiky slow-growing succulents that only grow in the Mojave Desert, but also the sculptural rock formations. Visitors come for hiking, bouldering, photography and stargazing, with trails ranging from short interpretive walks to longer backcountry routes.
Drag & Fly Tours (267 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs). Learn the history of Palm Springs in the campiest way possible with this drag-themed city tour. Guests sit sideways looking out a picture window in the side of a special-purpose vehicle as a local queen mixes lip syncing and storytelling to make local history entertaining.
Palm Springs Art Museum (101 Museum Dr., Palm Springs). Though Palms Springs is not a huge city, its art museum punches way above its weight. Might it often be on the receiving end of bequeathments by well-heeled residents? That’s just idle speculation, though they’ve got Louise Bourgeois, Anselm Kiefer, Dale Chihuly, Andy Warhol, Joan Mitchell, Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso. The museum also overperforms with queer content; though LGBTQ2S+ art is often featured in special exhibits, they have one prominent gallery that always features a selection of queer art. Their café, Livs, is a lovely place for lunch, its patio sheltered under the impressively brutalist museum building.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (140 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs). Dedicated to the history, art and cultural legacy of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, this museum’s exhibits and programming create a deeper understanding of the region’s Indigenous roots, offering context that many visitors miss in the resort narrative. Much of Palm Springs is on tribe-owned land, though it is intermingled with non-reserve land. On some historic maps and souvenirs you can see the checkerboard pattern of the reserve alternating with non-tribal land.
The Spa at Séc-he (200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs). Palm Springs made its reputation as a wellness destination because of the hot springs after which the city was named. It was popular in the 1950s and ’60s, but the last hot-springs bathhouse closed in the 2010s. When The Spa at Séc-he opened in 2023, it was both a return to the past and a huge step forward. The large modern facilities feature various pools and water treatments, including private mineral baths, all accessible to those on a day pass. The changing rooms are gendered, though there are private places to get changed. Swimsuits are required except in private experiences like massages and mineral baths.
Superbloom (1555 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite G-102, Palm Springs). When you arrive at Superbloom, the proprietors introduce you to their unique 10-colour palette and the meanings for each colour. But the interactive studio experience—where patrons paint objects and garments—can be as meaningful or silly as you want. It’s a judgment-free creative zone where even the least imaginative guest will be able to produce something fashionably funky. Bring some friends and make it a party.
Indian Canyons (38520 South Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs) and Tahquitz Canyon (500 W. Mesquite Ave., Palm Springs). These two nature reserves of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation are perfect places for desert hikes that will make a visitor feel connected to the land and to Indigenous culture. The addresses given are for the trail heads. Guided tours with rangers, offered several times a day, are included with the admission.
Sunrise Grounding with Timothy State (starts at the Sukha Life Studio, 1572 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, then hiking the South Lykken Trailhead along Oswitz Canyon). Palm Springs has several hiking trails winding their way up into the mountains surrounding the city. Timothy State offers a regular guided tour and meditation, starting before sunrise, that’s designed as a mental and physical reset. Beautiful and soulful.
Where to stay
Palm Springs is known for its all-male clothing-optional resorts. These are listed in a separate section below called Where to stay for men.
Trixie Motel (210 W. Stevens Rd., Palm Springs). You’ve seen drag star Trixie Mattel on RuPaul’s Drag Race. You’ve watched her transform a run-down motel into a retro-camp boutique resort on the HBO Max show Trixie Motel. Now it’s time to stay at said motel, where each room is individually themed. The emphasis is on cultural statement and community, with frequent poolside events and social gatherings in the communal spaces. Interesting fact: Properties that would be called motels anywhere else in the U.S. are almost never called motels in Palm Springs—they’re resorts. What a troublemaker Trixie is!
Thompson Palm Springs (414 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Downtown, Palm Springs). One of the most talked-about new luxury hotels in the Coachella Valley, the Thompson opened in 2024 after almost 10 years of planning and construction. It’s got 168 bungalow-inspired suites and 18 luxury suites. With refined mid-century-inspired design and many cool communal places for socializing, including two pool decks, it’s stylish and fun. Situated on Palm Canyon Drive, it’s also the best place from which to watch the Pride parade. The upper stories are adults-only.
The Palm Springs Hotel (2135 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Uptown, Palm Springs). Affordable, low-key but also as mid-century modern as you’re hankering for, this LGBTQ2S+-friendly property is less social than other options—it’s only got nine rooms—making it a good place for those who want to spend their time exploring. Timeless and practical.
The Parker Palm Springs (4200 E. Palm Canyon Dr., South Palm Springs, CA 92264). Arguably one of Palm Springs’ most iconic boutique resorts, this is a property where design, landscape and service converge. Originally the Desert Inn by TV magnate Merv Griffin, it was re-imagined by gay designer Jonathan Adler in 2004 (with a 2017 refresh) into a bold, whimsical take on modernism.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs (100 West Tahquitz Canyon Way, Downtown, Palm Springs). At seven storeys, this hotel is easily the tallest building in this low-rise desert town. Which means its rooftop pool and lounge has one of the best views of the city and the San Jacinto Mountains. It’s frequently rated as among the most loved hotels in California. Rooms are modern, clean and thoughtfully appointed.
The Getaway (68110 Club Cir Dr., Desert Hot Springs). For those who want to be a step or two outside the scene, or are thinking about a longer-term stay, these full-funished apartments might fit the bill. Each of the five apartments comes with a full kitchen, walk-in closets, central heat and A/C, open floor plans and original mid-century details. Just a 15-minute drive from Palm Springs itself, and close to shopping and other services. Pet and kid friendly.
Where to stay for gay and bi men
Santiago Resort Palm Springs (650 E. San Lorenzo Rd., Warm Sands, Palm Springs). This classic adults-only, clothing-optional gay men’s resort, which has 24 rooms, is known for its calm ambiance, mature greenery, poolside camaraderie and understated social culture. The staff know how to set the mood and expectations just right. Loyal guests return again and again with the intention of catching up with the friends they’ve made here. With breakfast and lunch included, the pool so enticing, the conversation so easy, guests are just one meal delivery away from never having to leave the property.
Descanso Resort (288 E. Camino Monte Vista, Palm Springs). From the team behind Santiago Resort, Descanso Resort is also a clothing-optional men-only boutique resort that’s known for inter-guest socializing. It’s a bit closer to downtown and has lush gardens. The third boutique sibling, Twin Palms (1930 S. Camino Real, Twin Palms, Palm Springs) has the same sociability but leans more into a cleaner, more mid-century look.
INNdulge (601 S. Grenfall Rd., Warm Sands, Palm Springs). Opened in 1995, INNdulge is one of the longest-running all-male clothing-optional resorts in Palm Springs. Known for its 24-hour pool and 12-person hot tub, it’s laidback, no-pressure social vibes. Suites here often include kitchenettes and more flexible layouts, making longer stays comfortable and practical. The evening social hour is where many friendships start.
Casa Oliver Hotel & Resort (535 S. Warm Sands Dr., Warm Sands, Palm Springs). All Worlds Resort was probably the most notorious of Palm Springs’ all-male clothing-optional resorts, known for the interaction of its day-pass visitors and guests in its maze. That property and legacy has been reinvented with Casa Oliver, which has turned the maze into Oliver’s Den, a 6,000-square-foot social and play space. So the party vibe might have been reinvented, but not banished. The aesthetic is Mediterranean-meets-Palm Springs.
Vista Grande Resort (574 S. Warm Sands Dr., Warm Sands, Palm Springs). Yes, the view is, indeed, grand. And we’re not just talking about the mountain view. Opening in 1984, it’s Palm Springs’ first gay clothing-optional resort. With 30 rooms, Vista Grande is also one of the biggest, especially if you include its one-acre Garden Sanctuary of Earthly Delights. Luxurious but unpretentious.
Where to eat
Alice B. (1122 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Downtown, Palm Springs). Founded by award-winning chefs Susan Feniger (an out lesbian) and Mary Sue Milliken, who rose to fame co-hosting the Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales, Alice B. is their tribute to lesbian icon Alice B. Toklas, long-time partner of Gertrude Stein. A painting of Alice B. looms over the elegant dining room. That’s a lot of setup. As for the food, think Mediterranean-inspired with Southern California flair: roasted salmon, crab cakes, pasta and steak. They also do a Taco Tuesday. The restaurant is located inside Living Out, a residential community focused on LGBTQ2S+ seniors.
Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge (849 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Uptown, Palm Springs). People watch while dining on the large patio, or make like a celebrity who needs privacy and tuck yourself away in one of the smaller dining rooms. Eight4Nine revels in being swanky—in that Palm Springs casual sense of the word. Crisp white décor with bursts of colour. The food is highly rated, ranging in style from beef pot pie to carne asada.
Cafe La Jefa (750 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Uptown, Palm Springs). This Latin-influenced, uber-contemporary coffee house is known for specialty coffee and healthy, chef-driven breakfast options. Founded by local hospitality veterans, it’s a place where design meets nutrition and community. An ideal place for starting a day.
Clandestino (Suite 160, 175 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Downtown, Palm Springs). This hidden gem dinner destination focusing on the flavours of Jalisco, Mexico, is tucked behind Johnny Was and features an al fresco cantina space. Authentic eats plus craft cocktails, it’s the perfect spot to meet new friends whose tastes and budget you’re unsure of.
Juniper Table (100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Downtown, Palm Springs). Located at the Kimpton Rowan, this contemporary daytime dining venue is known for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients in its casual fare like salads, sandwiches and breakfast tostadas. Brunch or a draft, or draft with your brunch. Sit outside for the mountain view.
Ash & Vine Restaurant (19 La Plaza, Downtown, Palm Springs). Launched by renowned chef Matt Resler and housed in a charming 1930s Spanish-bungalow right in the heart of the city’s historic La Plaza neighbourhood, the restaurant has quickly earned a reputation for elevated, chef-driven cuisine that marries Italian sensibilities with contemporary global influences and seasonal California ingredients. Most of the dishes are ideal for sharing. The grilled cheese dumplings, the hamachi crudo and the burrata are the most popular items—try them and you’ll see why.
Lola Rose Grand Mezze (414 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Downtown, Palm Springs). An all-day Mediterranean and Levantine-inspired restaurant perched on the second floor of Thompson Palm Springs, Lola Rose is an elevated dining experience under the supervision of chef Quentin Garcia. The dining room is chic and bronze-y, but you can also sit by the pool.
Where to party
Most of Palm Springs’ gay nightlife is on or around Arenas Road (with some notable exceptions). Marked by a giant flagpole and giant Pride flag, which was inaugurated in October 2025, Arenas is a walkable district where visitors can survey how busy a bar is—and how hot its crowd is—before stepping inside. We will start there before heading to some of the other venues.
Hunters (302 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). A cornerstone of Palm Springs’ gay nightlife, Hunters attracts a more pan-acronym crowd than other spots, frequently featuring women DJs and hosting occasional women’s nights, as well as karaoke, drag shows and events that have broad appeal. That said, a patron could also find themselves in the middle of a go-go boy show or leather party. Arrive early for a cocktail, then find your way to the dancefloor.
Streetbar (224 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). Opened in 1991 as Streetbar Named Desire (a play on gay playwright Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, this is considered the oldest surviving gay bar in Palm Springs. A favourite place for locals to grab a drink, it’s a very friendly and relaxed indoor-outdoor place that fits easily into any nightlife tour.
Dick’s on Arenas (301 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). The name tells you most of what you need to know: this is a cheeky, flirty, testosterone-fuelled bar where bears and fans of leather and denim will feel right at home—but a crop-top works, too, and they’re not afraid of drag. It gets packed during happy hour.
QUADZ (200 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Arenas District, Palm Springs). About a two-hour drive from Hollywood, and with a long history of being a place where creative types have taken refuge, is it any wonder that Palm Springs has a very busy show tunes bar? Video screens play sing-a-long moments from many different eras of musicals, from classic film to contemporary television, and guess what, everybody sings along.
Blackbook (315 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). This is a gay bar in so far as the clientele and staff are mostly gay, and they might have go-go boys if you go at the right time. But the décor, sensibility and especially the well-regarded food (L.A. Eater called it one of the best restaurants in Palm Springs) make it feel more like one of those indie-chef kinda places.
Chill Bar (217 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). Whether it’s Saturday drag bingo, Sunday drag brunch, a tasty lunch, an evening of drinks or perhaps a party or special event, Chill Bar has you covered at most times of the day. Laidback and friendly.
Oscar’s Palm Springs (125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way #108, Downtown, Palm Springs). Opened in 2013 in the striking Plaza Las Flores building, this show-focused club hosts the city’s most established drag brunches. In the evenings it’s also where you can see all sorts of cabaret-style performances as well as touring performers, from edgy to old school. Their weekly Sunday tea dances are also popular.
The Evening Citizen (220 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). Not explicitly a gay bar, but with a theatrical camp sensibility (their website looks like a newspaper front page with a photo of cult star Udo Kier above the fold), this speakeasy has a cooler vibe and a more mixed crowd than others in the area. No phones, no photos (unless you tag them), reservations recommended.
Toucans Tiki Lounge (2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Uptown, Palm Springs). With its tiki-inspired décor, the city’s most reliable purveyor of drag attracts a mixed crowd who arrive armed with fistfuls of dollar bills and an appetite for bottle service. It’s got performances every night of the week, mostly drag, though on Mondays male dancers take over. When the shows are over, the patrons take over the dancefloor.
Tool Shed (600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd., Warm Sands, Palm Springs). The patrons at this leather-and-denim bar are here for the cruising and flirting. The theme nights (underwear, singlets, cigars, leather, pups…show tunes bingo?) make sure everybody’s on the same page. Most of the socializing takes place on the large back patio, which gives beer garden vibes. Mostly a mature, unpretentious crowd.
Eagle Cathedral City (7625 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City). The Barracks, which opened in 1992, was the city’s long-time leather bar, catering to an older, beefier crowd; its Sunday Beer Busts were famous (notorious?). It closed in 2024. Now new management is opening a leather bar under the Eagle moniker in the same location. The grand opening is scheduled for summer 2026.
Where gay and bi men can find fun
Club541 (541 Industrial Pl E., Warm Sands, Palm Springs). For those who want a no-nonsense, no-flirting-for-hours-around-the-pool sexual experience, this is Palm Springs’ only sex club. No showers, but there are misting fans on the outdoor patio. For the Wednesday special that starts at 10 a.m., there can be a lineup of guys outside waiting to get in.
Where to shop
GayMart USA (305 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). This large emporium of swimwear, underwear, souvenirs and toys aims to be the Walmart of queerness.
Division Menswear (210 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). Several cuts above your typical gay garment outlet, this one-of-a-kind store has many unique designs, most inspired by a Palm Springs lifestyle where the uniform is colourful collared shirts and tight shorts. Considering the curation and the quality, the prices aren’t bad either.
Bear Wear (319 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). Specializing in relaxed, body-positive styles, this is where the bears shop. It’s also a bit of a gathering space for big boys. The selection is impressive.
Rough Trade Gear (321 E. Arenas Rd., Arenas District, Palm Springs). This clothes and gear shop caters to leather and fetish afficiandos—and those who have a soft spot for racy T-shirts. The staff is knowledgeable and non-judgmental.
Janssen Artspace (255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Warm Sands, Palm Springs). This friendly contemporary art gallery frequently exhibits the work of LGBTQ2S+ artists—and throws excellent opening parties.
Destination PSP (170 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Downtown, Palm Springs). Leaning into the retro aesthetic of 1950s and ’60s Palm Springs (plus a bit of rainbow merch), this is a fun place to pick up a souvenir, mod-style shirt or swimsuit, or a pretty book with gorgeous photos.
BAZAR Palm Springs (101-B, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Downtown, Palm Springs). This boutique has a reputation for sharply curated vintage clothing, accessories and gift items that reflect the city’s relaxed artsy vibe.
Market Market (Unit F, 1555 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs). This humongous multi-vendor emporium has oodles of things that you’ll want, from vintage funky clothes to designer housewares to gay-branded booze, even if they don’t sell anything you really, really need. A destination shopping experience.
The writer was a guest of Visit Greater Palm Springs; the hosts did not direct or review coverage. The views expressed are the writer’s own.
