By: Matthew Wexler, EDGE Media Network
Palm Springs continues to shine as one of the country’s top LGBTQ travel destinations, offering year-round sunshine, dramatic mountain views, outdoor adventures, incredible dining, and a welcoming community that celebrates individuality. Whether you’re planning a relaxing poolside escape, a design-forward stay in a midcentury modern home, or a getaway filled with hiking, resort fun, and nightlife, Palm Springs is the ultimate gay oasis.
Billy Porter in Palm Springs. Photo credit: Palm Springs Life.
Where to Stay: Gay-Friendly Hotels, Resorts & Unique Homes
Palm Springs offers a diverse mix of accommodations — from luxury estates and boutique hotels to celebrated gay resorts and fully-furnished vacation rentals that showcase the city’s famous midcentury modern design.
We're incredibly excited about the unique rental properties in Palm Springs that will immerse you in the region's legendary architectural and design history. There is nothing more uniquely Palm Springs than its abundance of midcentury modern architecture. Sure, you can take a tour, but why not stay in one of these stunning properties instead?
Luxury Vacation Rentals
Palm Springs Luxury Vacation Homes — If you're traveling with a bubble of loved ones and close friends, these epic homes offer the ultimate retreat. Their curated collection of midcentury and modern homes is within close distance of Palm Canyon Drive, where you'll find plenty of restaurants and retail options. Of course, with all of the gorgeous house perks, you may never want to leave.
ModMansions — To really feel like you're staying in a home and not a rental property, look no further than the properties by ModMansions. From a songwriter's sanctuary to a Spanish estate with rich woods and Spanish accents, each property tells a story of Palm Springs' design legacy.
The Twist Palm Springs — For the best of both worlds, consider The Twist, a modern luxury resort with fully furnished apartments and kitchens and breathtaking views of Mt. San Jacinto. Insider Tip: Our favorite suite is #219, featuring a massive wrap-around deck and stunning mountain views.
Clothing-Optional Resorts & LGBTQ Accommodations
For those who want to shed their inhibitions (and their clothes), the Palm Springs gay oasis boasts a broad range of gay resorts and clothing-optional hotspots. The inclusive environments welcome everyone, whether you choose to bare all or just enjoy the view. There are a dozen gay resorts in Palm Springs — here are two to consider, but no matter which one you choose, you're bound to have a memorable time:
Vista Grande
Vista Grande — As Palm Springs’ first clothing-optional motel, Vista Grande has built a loyal following over 27 years. Guests enjoy lush landscaping, two pools, and private villas — all in an atmosphere that celebrates relaxation and freedom.
The Hacienda at Warm Sands
The Hacienda at Warm Sands — Known for its Spanish-inspired charm and bougainvillea-filled courtyards, The Hacienda offers luxurious suites and inviting cabanas. LUXlife Magazine named it the Best LGBTQ Resort Hotel in North America (2020).
Things to Do: Palm Springs From Morning to Night
Sometimes, it's more relaxing when someone else takes charge of the planning, so we've curated a full day's worth of activities to make the most of your next Palm Springs vacation. Pick one or schedule them all — you'll be sure to leave this desert dream with memories to last a lifetime.
Morning: Explore Indian Canyons
Start your day with a hike at Indian Canyons, ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
- Murray Canyon → ideal for beginners
- Palm Canyon Trail → a scenic 15-mile challenge for experienced hikers
Get the Guide: Hike Indian Canyons: A Complete Trail Guide to Sacred Oasis
Lunch & LGBTQ-Owned Dining
After your hike, refuel at some of the city’s most loved queer-owned restaurants:
Dean Lavine's BlackBook offers plenty of outdoor seating and is at the epicenter of the Arenas District, Palm Springs' LGBTQ hot spot. Lavine has spearheaded efforts to unite queer-owned businesses, fostering community and promoting inclusive diversity.
Other LGBTQ-owned restaurants around town with outdoor seating include Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge (we love the carne asada tacos); Tropicale (we can't resist their signature coconut martini); and Trio Palm Springs, where elevated comfort foods like cola-braised short ribs and baby back ribs reign supreme.
Nightlife: LGBTQ Bars, Clubs & After-Dark Fun in Palm Springs
When the sun sets behind the San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs shifts into one of the most vibrant LGBTQ nightlife scenes in the country. Whether you're in the mood for high-energy drag shows, craft cocktails, dance floors, or relaxed neighborhood bars, the city’s after-dark offerings deliver something for every vibe.
Arenas District: The Heart of Gay Nightlife
The Arenas District is Palm Springs’ LGBTQ epicenter, a compact, walkable cluster of clubs, lounges, and bars where the energy stays high well into the night.
BlackBook - A stylish, queer-owned bar and restaurant offering inventive cocktails, a lively atmosphere, and the perfect place to start (or end) your night.
Hunters Nightclub - A Palm Springs institution known for its inclusive dance floor, theme nights, drag shows, and DJs spinning everything from pop hits to classic remixes.
Quadz Video Bar - A fun, high-energy video bar famous for showtunes and its devoted musical-theater-loving crowd.
Streetbar - The oldest gay bar in Palm Springs, Streetbar offers a friendly, welcoming vibe, perfect for cocktails, conversation, and people-watching. Very popular among locals.
Chill Bar - A contemporary bar featuring DJs, events, and a welcoming atmosphere with indoor and outdoor spaces.
Beyond Arenas: More LGBTQ Hotspots
Palm Springs nightlife extends outside downtown, with unique options for every mood:
Toucans Tiki Lounge - Known citywide for drag — especially its legendary Sunday night erag show and weekly performances featuring both local queens and national stars.
Tool Shed - A beloved leather and Levi’s bar, in the Warm Sands neighborhood, where locals and visitors gather for themed nights, gear parties, and a more alternative scene.
Read more about Gay Bars & Nightclubs in Palm Springs.
Late-Night Eats
When hunger strikes after hours, downtown Palm Springs offers plenty of late-night bites. Many spots along Palm Canyon Drive and the Arenas District keep their kitchens open late—perfect for refueling before heading home to your resort. Get the list of Where to Eat Late at Night in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Solo Travel Guide: Resorts, Dining, Shopping, and Nightlife for LGBTQ+ Travelers
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