What began as a social dinner and variety show in the grand ballroom of the Riviera Palm Springs Resort in 1968 now consists of a downtown block party, a Pride parade and a free Palm Springs Pride Festival (five stages packed with entertainment over three days). Not to mention year-round sunshine, which makes it the perfect winter getaway.Īll that is why, during the first week of November each year, more than 125,000 people celebrate Greater Palm Springs Pride. Unlike its East Coast counterpart, though, Palm Springs has a lot more to offer than fancy parties and Sunday show tunes, including blue skies, top-notch entertainment, sensational food and breathtaking views. Sure, Palm Springs may not have the Meat Rack, but for what it’s worth, it does have the CCBC Resort. Both offer incredible architecture, it’s where sexy (and often wealthy) gays go to hideaway and clothes are for the most part optional. Some describe Palm Springs as the Hamptons of Los Angeles, but after visiting for the first time last year, it felt more like Fire Island to me.
