Welcome to Palm Springs California where depending on who you ask, 40 or even above 50% of its population is gay! That is like half a city of homos! Once I heard this (not to mention the average of 360 sunny days per year!!!) … I had to go and experience it for myself.

I decided to land in Las Vegas and drive through the desert in a convertible with my boyfriend.  Soooo Thelma and Louise … minus the trail of murder, robbery and destruction … oh … and not to mention death at the end.  I am sooo not that dramatic!  It is a wonderful drive and it was on my bucket list of things to do (check #24!)

Upon arriving in Palm Springs, we are greeted by wide open roads lined with palm trees.  It is gorgeous, green and not what you would expect from a city in the middle of the desert.  Thank god for those springs!  The main strip that takes you downtown is called Palm Canyon Drive.  The first thing we notice … a huge amount of rainbow flags!  There are gays in cars, restaurants, shopping, walking, working, biking, hiking … they are crawling out of the woodwork!  So this is what it is like where to be in a city where nearly half the residents are friends of the proverbial “family”!!

We make the short drive downtown to our hotel, The Willows (www.thewillowspalmsprings.com/) where a giant sliding gate opens to display the hotel’s hidden beauty.  It is a meticulously restored Mediterranean Villa that exudes luxury and comfort.  It has 8 rooms furnished with timeless antiques, fitted with fine linens and hosted by a wonderful staff that is there for your every need.  Within an hour of arriving, we are presented with wine and a platter of hors d’oeurves.  To our great delight, we are told this is served daily!  The breakfast area (by the way, breakfast is a gourmet 3 course meal) is served in the back of the house open to the waterfall and huge stone fireplace.  It is romance, luxury and comfort all rolled into one.  A wonderful private pool and hot tub are open 24 hours for the guests enjoyment.  I feel as though I never want to leave!

After being spoiled with our wine and hors d’oeurves, we head back to the room to shower and change.  We are told that every Thursday night, Palm Canyon Drive shuts down for Villagefest (www.palmspringsvillagefest.com)   The street is overflowing with people from all walks of life.  Up and down the street vendors display their wares.  You can find painters, woodworkers, jewelery designers, craftspeople and a huge selection of food for those who get peckish.  We end up buying a wood sculpted bowl for $35 but nearly lost it to a couple visiting from Germany.  When you see something you like … act fast!

I had heard that Palm Springs was a sleepy little town with little to do other than enjoy the sun or play a round or two of golf.  Much to the contrary … we find TONNES of great things to do.   Since the city is very easy to navigate, my suggestion is to rent a car and go explore!

Day 2 brings us to a guided tour of the San Andre’s Fault with Desert Adventures’ Jeep Tours (www.red-jeep.com).  Now, to be honest, I have never been one for a guided or “hand held tour” as I call them.  I have to say, it is informative and funny … our guide is a riot!!  I am very VERY surprised to learn that most deaths in the desert are caused by drowning.  HUH … who knew!  Of course along side that little tidbit, we also learn about the fault and earth quakes, plants, animals, how the Native Americans survived using plants for medicinal purposes and of course hike our little selves through some really tight terrain reminiscent of Planet of the Apes … cooooool!

You can not come to the Palm Springs area without popping into Joshua Tree National Park.  It takes its name from the Joshua tree and was declared a National Monument in 1936 and named a national park in 1994.  It is renowned for its rock climbing and people come from all over to enjoy the challenges it offers.  Now I am not much of a climber, or even hiker for that matter and given there are a bunch of little critters that bite, I found driving through the park to be inspiring enough.  My boyfriend on the other hand … lets just say he let out his inner monkey and away he went!

One of my favourite activities is eating (not that you can tell by looking at me) and Palm Springs has an abundance of fantastic restaurants.  A couple of my top picks are Cheekys for breakfast (www.cheekysps.com) mmmm Eggs Benny, Circa59 at the Riviera Resort and Spa (www.psriviera.com/riviera_dining.aspx) for upscale dining (eat poolside if you can!) and for a great little coffee joint, check out Koffi (www.kofficoffee.com).  Bring your appetite as Palm Springs offers every type of cuisine your pallet may desire!

Given that the gay population is so prolific, gay bars are plentiful.  There is a main little strip on E. Arenas that has several bars, pubs and of course the Gay Mart.  Here you can find ALL of your needs from porn to poppers and books to bikinis!  On Sunday we decide to check out the notorious Beer Bust at the Barracks (www.thebarracksbarps.com/index2.html).  Boys in power pumps, Prada and coiffed to the 9′s will feel a tad out of place.  Wear denim and a T … oh, and get ready for an eye opening experience!

There are also a multitude of gay resorts available to those who prefer a homo-ogeneous hotel.  Most can be found on a cute little street called Warm Sands.  Here you will find resorts that cater to luxury, sex, and everything in between!   If you are into it, you might be lucky enough to catch a XXX film being shot on location.

Day 4 and we decide to hop on the Aerial Tramway (www.pstramway.com/) to head to the top (literally!) of Palm Springs.  Ascending two and a half miles up in a Tram car is daunting.  Throw in the fact that it rocks, sways AND rotates and its a party for your innards!  It is a fantastic view and quite surreal going from the 90 degree weather below to the low 60′s up top.  The air is noticeably thinner and is crisp and fresh.  The view is outstanding.  Here, you get the big picture of how Palm Springs and the other desert cities lie in Coachella Valley.

Our last day we challenge ourselves to go for a hike into Indian Canyon.  I know what you are thinking, I said I was not a hiker!  Right, well they have different levels of intensity to suit every individual.  We (more so I) took the lolly gagging through the mall esque version … much more civilized!

Indian Canyon is surrounded by the Palm and Andreas Canyons and features the most palm trees of any canyon in the world!  (Indian Canyon – Cahuilla Indians 760.323.6018).  A must see, but go early morning or late afternoon as the mid day sun will cook you!

Later on we decide to go for a drive and check out some of the amazing architecture that we keep hearing about.   Palm Springs is known world wide for its mid-century modernism or ”dessert modernism” architecture.  Some of the houses are really quite spectacular.  I make sure to pick up a coffee table book to remind me of what I one day WILL own!  Check out this link to get an idea!  (www.curatorial.com/exhib_shulman.html)

What drew me to Palm Springs initially ends up being just a small part of why I fell in love with this desert oasis.  The city offers everything.  Wining, dining, dancing, shopping, outdoor activities galore, friendly locals, art and culture, golf and the list goes on.  Basically, if you can name it, Palm Springs has it.

So, I now find myself standing in the middle of the airport (which by the way is open air!) and as I look around, a few dozen people are spending their last minutes how it is meant to be … smiling and enjoying the sun.  Be careful Palm Springs, you might just find me closing escrow very soon!