With nine dynamic cities to explore and the legendary Joshua Tree National Park in its backyard, Greater Palm Springs is a desert oasis that invites visitors to be as active or chilled out as they desire on any given day. Always iconic and classic, the region continues to evolve and grow thoughtfully, with compelling new resorts, restaurants, and attractions opening year after year. Simultaneously, Visit Greater Palm Springs and our community partners are working behind the scenes to develop and optimize infrastructure as well as collaborating on initiatives that maximize the destination’s potential and elevate the region’s hospitality industry ethically and sustainably. Following is a round-up of the most newsworthy, exciting developments awaiting visitors to the region in Fall 2022 and beyond.
GETTING TO GREATER PALM SPRINGS: AIRLIFT & GROUND TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENTS
Regardless of which city is home-base for your desert adventures, getting to Greater Palm Springs is easier than ever. Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) was named “one of the fastest growing airports in the country” last month, and PSP will be among the top three “most recovered airports in the country” this fall. Beginning November 11, Avelo Airlines will offer seasonal nonstop service to PSP from three new direct-flight destinations: Santa Rosa/Sonoma, CA; Bend, OR; and Eugene, OR. The addition of these routes brings the total number of airports with nonstop flights to PSP to 37 via 13 airlines.
On the ground transportation front, FlixBus recently introduced a new direct, year-round service between Palm Springs and Las Vegas, giving weekend travelers a convenient option to travel between the two cities. The new bus line will run from Friday through Monday with one trip in both directions each day.
ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY FOR VISITORS WITH AUTISM
Across the region, organizations are mobilizing to welcome autistic visitors and their families by implementing training to become a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) that is awarded to organizations that complete training and certification. The Living Desert is the first destination partner to earn the certification, joining the wider movement initiated by Visit Greater Palm Springs to achieve the Certified Autism Destination (CAD) designation. The CAD designation means that visitors have multiple trained and certified options to choose from when in the area, including entertainment, recreation, and hotels.
THE LATEST DESERT CITY OFFERINGS
CATHEDRAL CITY
Cathedral City continues to shine as a haven for the arts, attracting artists and creatives—particularly to the city’s art and design district on Perez Road, where visitors will find the smallest art gallery in Greater Palm Springs, the Free Little Art Gallery. Not much larger than a mailbox, the gallery/social experiment is open to any artist in any medium to leave their work; the only requirement is that it fits. The works change regularly, and visitors are welcome to take a piece of art home if it resonates.
Complementing that creative spirit, The Paloma Resort is a colorful, 66-room full-service resort hotel. The property originated as a date grove in the 1930s and served as the desert’s first beauty resort founded by the Elizabeth Arden Corporation. Today, it features an inviting restaurant and lounge, spa services, and event facilities for small to midsize corporate and social events. Nearby Luchador Brewing is set to launch a brewpub with 20 beers on tap and a Mexican-inspired menu of tacos and street food. While their flagship products are Mexican beer and Micheladas, they also brew IPAs and seltzers and plan to sell wine.
COACHELLA
Color comes alive in the City of Eternal Sunshine, Coachella. The community’s rich Mexican heritage shines through in its distinctive events and cuisine. Run With Los Muertos returns to Old Town Coachella November 6 with a lineup that includes a 5K race, art walk, classic car show, food, vendors, and live entertainment. The latest culinary masterpiece unveiled in Coachella is the creative blend of American and Mediterranean cuisines served up at Cross Road Grill, where customers can dig into a tantalizing menu of grilled meats, kebabs, and mouth-watering burgers.
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
Those in search of total relaxation and wellness escape to Desert Hot Springs. This healing oasis is home to some of the purest hot and cold natural mineral springs in the world thanks to an underground aquifer beneath the city. At Azure Palm Hot Springs, in addition to soaking in flow through hot spring mineral water tubs nestled among desert foliage, guests will have access to new health-promoting activities this fall including a weekly LunaEssence Soundbath; as well as Qi Gong and Yoga classes. Expanding upon the resort’s successful juice cleansing options, those who are experienced cleansers can engage in a self-guided cleanse at the resort, setting their own schedule for treatments and activities.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, located on Miracle Hill in Desert Hot Springs, has announced events for Fall: Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos will be celebrated on October 15 with five Altars honoring loved ones, including Cabot and Portia and Cole Eyraud. Also, Desert Hot Springs Pride Festival will be held at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum on November 12.
INDIAN WELLS
Nestled in a cove of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the city of Indian Wells blossoms with palm trees, gardens, and breathtaking scenery in all directions—setting the stage for a robust events calendar. November 5-13, the 2022 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships returns to Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where competitors will play on 48 championship pickleball courts and one stadium court. Come December, the City of Indian Wells will make the winter holiday season especially merry and bright. Their inaugural Indian Wells Winterfest will feature an ice-skating rink, oversized holiday tree, live entertainment, holiday décor, daily activities, and so much more at locations including Indian Wells Golf Resort, Hyatt Indian Wells, Renaissance Esmeralda, Indian Wells Resort, and Miramonte Resort.
“Spa Under the Stars” at Miramonte Resort beckons all wellness seekers. This enticing new experience (available on Fridays exclusively) pairs the health benefits of stargazing sessions with a signature spa treatment. You choose your Well Spa treatment, which will be delivered in your personal spa casita, followed by a mindful meditation and special fireside toast—complete with a canopy of stars twinkling overhead.
INDIO
Dubbed the “City of Festivals,” Indio has become a favorite destination for foodies and music lovers, attracting more than one million visitors annually for its major events, including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. This fall, The Forum Tent at the legendary Empire Polo Club will be the canvas for Beyond Van Gogh, a multimedia experience that takes the viewer on a journey through over 300 iconic artworks. Featuring cutting-edge projection technology and an original score, the exhibition will be open to the public September 30-November 27.
December 3-4 marks the 30th annual Indio International Tamale Festival featuring tamales, libations, live entertainment, vendors, and more. In other fall foodie news, La Quinta’s popular Cork & Fork restaurant (known for their wine dinners) will be moving to a new building at Jefferson & 50th in Indio. Residents and visitors alike will appreciate the expansive main dining room, sizable patio, beautiful private dining rooms, and full bar. Equally exciting, Shields Date Garden will debut a new coffee shop dubbed “The Knight” after their famous roadside sign. Patrons can expect a selection of coffee drinks and pastries—naturally, their locally grown dates will be featured in some items!
LA QUINTA
A premier playground for active living, La Quinta is renowned for its pristine surroundings and picture-perfect views. The community draws visitors and residents through its art and culture, health and wellness, and overall sense of serenity. That said, adrenaline-fueled fun is also on the menu thanks to the new La Quinta XPark which features a pro shop, a concrete pump track course for multiple disciplines, and a trio of bowls designed for all skate levels. November 11-12, the park will host the El Gato Classic, a skateboard competition created by skateboard legend and two-time World Champion skateboarder, Eddie "El Gato" Elguera.
After a day at the park, bring the family to the newly opened second location of Slice Italia. This hybrid concept of a New York-style pizzeria and full-service Italian restaurant offers family-friendly, casual dining in an upbeat atmosphere. New moms and dads will appreciate Roam.e Boutique, a new curated shopping experience in Old Town La Quinta showcasing quality goods for baby and home. Don’t miss the Arts La Quinta Celebration on November 10-13. The La Quinta Civic Center will host enthusiastic art patrons and best in class artists for a weekend of fine art exhibits, food and live music.
RANCHO MIRAGE
A luxurious lifestyle meets a playful, artful landscape in Rancho Mirage. Opening September 14, Sunnylands presents “A Place at the Table: Dining at Sunnylands,” an exhibition showcasing the exquisite china and tableware collections that Walter and Leonore Annenberg used to entertain U.S. presidents, British royalty, and Hollywood celebrities. Renamed “Rancho Mirage Celebration of the Arts,” the City of Rancho Mirage will present its annual art event November 5-6 at Whitewater Park, where a variety of art will be for sale accompanied by live entertainment. Another exciting development in Rancho Mirage is Desert Island Golf Club’s new restaurant, The Penney. Open to the public, the restaurant features a seasonal, locally sourced menu; a vast rare spirits library; sunken horseshoe bar; and terrace dining with spectacular views of the lake and the mountains.
PALM DESERT
Situated in the heart of Greater Palm Springs, Palm Desert has blossomed from a sandy cove at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains into a sprawling shopping, entertainment, and recreation mecca. The city is home to one of the most highly anticipated additions to Greater Palm Springs, the Acrisure Arena, opening December 2022. Sitting on 43 acres of land between Interstate 10 and the Classic Club golf course, the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment arena will host concerts and events and be home to the Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) franchise, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The venue will seat up to 10,000 people, complete with 20 luxury suites, four club areas, and abundant food and drink vendors.
Ruberry Tacos, the evolution of the popular Ruberry Salsa vendor at Palm Springs Villagefest, debuted a new brick-and-mortar restaurant in Palm Desert. In addition to three "Out of this World Awesomeness” salsas, the Mexican-Asian fusion taco menu features options such as chicken wasabi, Korean, and Hawaiian tacos. When an icy sweet treat is needed, look no further than Perfect Pint. The new Palm Desert shop serves hand-crafted frozen custard in interesting gourmet flavors including Southern Banana Pudding, Grand Marnier, Coachella Date and Walnut, Apricot Cobbler, and PBnJ Sandwich.
PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs is the perfect blend of mid-century and modern. The city’s laid-back vibe and year-round perfect weather have enticed sun-seekers, spring-breakers, and celebrities for a century. One of the city’s signature events, the 35th annual Greater Palm Springs Pride celebration will take place November 4-6. The free festival and parade bring together a diverse community to celebrate the strength, equality, and self-determination of the LGBTQ community. On October 15, Tracy Turco’s Modernism Museum will celebrate its grand opening and no doubt become a new community icon, too. Here, visitors will be inspired to learn about all things mid-century modern and engage with interactive photo displays. For a different type of entertainment, check out PRO VR USA, the new, high-tech entertainment arcade/venue providing virtual reality games and experiences. All ages and interests are welcome to visit to experience such simulated activities as gentle stroll through the savannah among elephants and giraffes or using a bow and arrow to fend off orcs, ogres, goblins, and dragons.
Palm Springs has one of the most exciting dining scenes in the Coachella Valley. Newcomers Hoja Blanca and Bar Chingona at Flannery Exchange in the heart of the Uptown Design District feature elevated, modern Mexican cuisine and specialty cocktails in an idyllic outdoor setting. Located inside The Cole Hotel by Sonder, Freddie’s Kitchen is a new modern bistro and bar serving French Californian cuisine. Classically trained French chef, Frédéric Pierrel, puts his spin on familiar dishes like escargot bourguignon and French onion soup as well as original creations like grilled vegetable Wellington, natural pork mignon, and braised short rib rigatoni Bolognese. Hotel Zoso debuted Pretty Faces Nightclub, an elevated entertainment experience featuring quirky interior designs, dazzling light shows, and a touch of avant-garde personalization to transport guests to a wonderland of whimsical sights and soundscapes.
Bode Palm Springs, a three-story, 30-room boutique hotel, is currently being built from the ground up in downtown Palm Springs. When it opens in late 2022/early 2023, the 43,000-square-foot property will also have its own café, bar, event space, and pool area. Sister property to the award-winning L’Horizon Hotel and Spa by Steve Hermann, the new Hermann Bungalows compound features 24 rooms (20 junior suites, two studio suites, and two one-bedroom suites), with custom mid-century modern furnishings and color palettes inspired by the surrounding desert landscape.
