Hey fabulous explorers! If you’re craving sunshine, poolside cocktails, and a community that’s unapologetically queer 365 days a year, Palm Springs is calling your name. I’ve been lucky enough to soak up the rainbow desert magic more than once, and it truly is a top-tier destination for LGBTQ+ travelers looking to relax, connect, or turn up the heat.
Here’s your full LGBTQ+ guide to Palm Springs from legendary events to must-visit bars and iconic attractions.
🎉 Major LGBTQ+ Events in Palm Springs
Planning your visit around one of these is a very good idea:
- Palm Springs Pride (First weekend of November)
A huge, free, and family-friendly Pride celebration with a vibrant parade, street festival, and live music.
🌐 pspride.org - White Party Palm Springs (Spring, usually April)
The largest gay dance music festival in the U.S., packed with top DJs and wild pool parties.
🌐 whitepartyglobal.com - Desert Heat Weekend (Summer, typically July)
A sexy, high-energy circuit party weekend focused on Latinx and POC LGBTQ+ communities.
🌐 desertheatweekend.com - The Dinah (Fall, typically late September)
The world’s largest lesbian/queer women’s party — a must for sapphic travelers.
🌐 thedinah.com - International Bear Convergence (IBC) (February)
A beefy weekend of fun for the bear community and their admirers.
🌐 ibc-ps.com
🏩 Top LGBTQ+ Resorts in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is legendary for its men-only resorts, though many are now welcoming to all queer travelers:
1. Santiago Resort (Men-only, upscale)
A stylish, clothing-optional resort with a dreamy pool and mountain views.
📍 Address: 650 E San Lorenzo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
🌐 santiagoresort.com
2. The Hacienda at Warm Sands (Men-only, boutique luxury)
Romantic, intimate, and consistently rated among the best gay resorts in the U.S.
📍 Address: 555 Warm Sands Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
🌐 thehacienda.com
3. INNdulge Palm Springs (Men-only, mid-range & iconic)
One of the longest-running gay resorts — vintage charm with modern flair.
📍 Address: 601 S Grenfall Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
🌐 inndulge.com
4. Ace Hotel & Swim Club (Queer-friendly & mixed crowd)
Trendy, stylish, and inclusive — great if you want a diverse, artsy vibe.
📍 Address: 701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
🌐 acehotel.com/palmsprings
🍸 LGBTQ+ Bars & Nightlife in Palm Springs
Whether you’re into drag, DJs, or down-to-earth dive bars, Palm Springs has your night covered.
1. Hunters Nightclub
An iconic gay club with high-energy dancing, theme nights, and friendly vibes.
📍 Address: 302 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 huntersnightclubs.com/palmsprings
2. Chill Bar
Trendy lounge with indoor/outdoor space, drag shows, and a youthful crowd.
📍 Address: 217 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 chillbarpalmsprings.com
3. Quadz Video Bar
A compact, retro-style video bar playing classic divas and musical throwbacks.
📍 Address: 511 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 facebook.com/QuadzPalmSprings
4. Blackbook
Modern gastropub-meets-bar that’s stylish, inclusive, and known for great food.
📍 Address: 315 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 blackbookbar.com
5. Toucans Tiki Lounge
Fabulous drag shows and a tropical vibe — a local favorite for a reason.
📍 Address: 2100 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 toucanstikilounge.com
🏞️ Things to Do in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is more than pool floats and party nights — here are some incredible attractions worth checking out:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Ride a rotating tramcar up to 8,500 feet into the San Jacinto Mountains — unbeatable views and cool hikes await.
📍 Address: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 pstramway.com
Palm Springs Art Museum
Home to an impressive collection of contemporary art and desert-inspired installations.
📍 Address: 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
🌐 psmuseum.org
Moorten Botanical Garden
A quirky, historic cactus garden that’s perfect for a stroll (or photoshoot).
📍 Address: 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
🌐 moortenbotanicalgarden.com
Tahquitz Canyon
A sacred site with a stunning seasonal waterfall and short, scenic hiking trail.
📍 Address: 500 W Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264
🌐 agua-caliente.com
Downtown Palm Springs
Walkable, palm-lined streets full of queer-friendly boutiques, ice cream shops, and mid-century modern design stores.
🚌 Getting Around
Palm Springs is car-friendly but also very bikeable. Uber and Lyft are readily available. The BUZZ trolley service has been discontinued, but walking around the Arenas Road area will still get you to most of the nightlife.
More Accomodation Options
✨ Final Word
Palm Springs is one of those rare places where LGBTQ+ travelers can fully let their hair down — and feel celebrated, not just accepted. Whether you’re soaking in the sun poolside, dancing all night, or hiking with a view, the desert’s queer magic is waiting for you.
Pack the sunscreen, your cutest swimwear, and a spirit of adventure. 🌈☀️
🏳️🌈 About Cramberts
From our home base in Amsterdam, we frequently explore some of Europe’s most vibrant cities, and we’ve compiled detailed guides to share our insider knowledge. Whether you’re seeking the canals and culture of Amsterdam itself, the sunny beaches of Gran Canaria, the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto, the bustling energy of Barcelona and Madrid, the refined elegance of Paris and Munich, the unique character of Sitges, or the diverse landscapes of the Randstad region, you’ll find comprehensive information and recommendations in the links below.
🔗 See Also
Amsterdam | Barcelona | Chicago | Cologne | Gran Canaria | Iceland | Lisbon | London | Madrid | Munich | Paris | Porto | Randstad | Sitges | Sydney | Washington DC
Note: Some of these links are affiliates which means using them won’t cost you any extra but we do receive a small commission for each referral. You’re not obligated to use them but we appreciate it if you do. Thanks in advance for supporting our site if you choose to use our links.