Palm Springs is a desert vacation city in California. It became a popular tourist attraction in the 1950s and 1960s, when Hollywood film stars descended upon it in droves. Nowadays, the region provides amusement for people of all ages, however the majority of residents are seniors. Palm Springs is a mecca for indoor and outdoor recreation. Palm Springs is well-known for its hiking, mid-century modern architecture, breathtaking natural beauty, and dazzling pools. It’s the ideal combination of outdoor activity and informal leisure.
Palm Springs is also a popular destination for homosexual visitors and naturists.
With 1.6 million tourists in 2011, tourism is a significant part of the city’s economy. Over 130 hotels and resorts, multiple bed and breakfasts, and over 100 restaurants and eating establishments are located throughout the city.
Palm Springs is reviving its Downtown, or “the Village,” after the recession of the late 2000s/early 2010s. Reconstruction began in January 2012 with the destruction of the Bank of America building, with the Desert Fashion Plaza set for demolition later that year.
The preservation of many of Central Palm Springs’ structures and residences of notable celebrities, merchants, and politicians is sponsored by architectural aficionados, creative designers, and local historians.
Palm Springs has a hot desert environment with over 300 days of sunlight and an average rainfall of around 4.83 inches (122.7 mm). The winter months are mild, with the majority of days reaching 70 °F (21 °C), and in January and February, days frequently reach 80 °F (27 °C) and occasionally exceed 90 °F (32 °C), while there are an average of 17 nights per year with temperatures falling to or below 40 °F (4 °C); freezing temperatures occur less than half of the time. The lowest temperature ever recorded was 19 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) on January 22, 1937. Summer temperatures often exceed 110 °F (43 °C) throughout the day, with mild nightly lows maintaining over 80 °F (27 °C). The mean annual temperature is 74.6 degrees Fahrenheit (23.7 degrees Celsius). There are 180 days with a high of 90 °F (32 °C), and 116 days with a high of 100 °F (38 °C). The hottest temperature ever recorded in Palm Springs is 123 degrees Fahrenheit (51 degrees Celsius), which occurred on July 28 and 29, 1995.
Palm Springs is situated in the Sonoran Desert at 33°49′26′′N 116°31′49′′W (33.823990, 116.530339). The city has a total area of 95.0 square miles (246 km2), of which 94.1 square miles (244 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) is water (1%). Palm Springs is located in the Coachella Valley desert area and is protected to the north and south by the San Bernardino Mountains, the Santa Rosa Mountains, the San Jacinto Mountains, and the Little San Bernardino Mountains.
While celebrities continue to flee to Palm Springs, many now make their homes in other parts of the Coachella Valley. The city’s economy is currently based on tourism, and municipal government is mostly funded via associated retail sales taxes and the TOT (transient occupancy tax). Numerous festivals, conferences, and international events, like the Palm Springs International Film Festival, take place in the city.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has the world’s biggest revolving aerial tramcars (cable cars). Von Roll Tramways’ vehicles rise two and a half kilometers from Chino Canyon to the terminal at 8,516 feet (2,596 m). The San Jacinto Wilderness is accessible from the tram’s highest station, which also has a restaurant with spectacular views.
Mayor Will Kleindienst oversaw a multimillion-dollar expansion and restoration of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Mayor Kleindienst and City Council Member Chris Mills appointed a subcommittee of the City Council to pick Fentress Bradburn Architects of Denver, Colorado for the makeover.
Numerous hotels, restaurants, and activities appeal to visitors, while downtown and uptown Palm Springs offer a selection of high-end retailers. The city is home to more than a dozen clothing-optional resorts geared for homosexual men.
