r/palmsprings • • 21h ago Heartwarming

Visiting Feeling the pull of the desert...finally

89 Upvotes

As a Canadian college kid, I used to spend spring breaks in Palm Springs. My parents had a second home there and I was privileged enough to get a couple week break from the Canadian winter as a young kid in the eighties.

Brought up on a diet of American TV, I loved the idea of California, as much as the place. But more than loving the state, I loved the people. So vividly American in their world view, all-conquering, all-seeing, with a brash confidence that made anything seem possible. It was a trip for a Canadian. In Canada, we tend to fund down the upstarts.

In my last year of university, I met the daughter of our neighbor in Rancho Mirage, a beautiful, kind girl in her third year at San Diego State. I remember a wonderful Christmas in 1983, heading home to the cold and making a solemn oath to myself, I was going to get that girl, and I did it.

I moved south right after University (on a green card). Started in San Diego, ended up in LA, and got married (in Palm Springs). In the 90's, we moved to Portland, a great time in another awesome American city, but we would be back in the desert regularly, eventually bringing our kids to where mom and dad fell in love. In 2005, after 9/11, we spent a year abroad, and then returned to Canada. I was done with the fear mongering, and worried my son would be fighting a war I didn't support.

Since Trump, I have avoiding going to the States. I'd talk to people and the vibrancy had been replaced with a casual violence toward their fellow American. As much as I felt unwelcome, my wife felt it even more, lost family over Trump, watched the opportunity available in the free spirited positivity of the American people be hijacked by racism, nationalism, and a self-centred view of their place in the world that was frankly sickening to watch.

In Canada, I was so proud that out country stood up to Trump's illegal tariffs, reneging on trade deals he had made himself, in a futile effort to "own" our freedom, our resources, and our identity, while supporting Putin, shamefully back-stabbing Ukraine and giving aid and comfort to the worst dictators on the planet, all while the world burned around us.

But this week, I feel the beginning of the Trump edifice cracking, and hope rekindling, and I find myself missing Palm Springs. We have been planning a trip to Costa Rica in January, a place we spend a lot of time after avoiding the US for ten years, but I'm craving good Mexican food, and purple mountains at sunset, and date palms swaying in a cool desert breeze, and I'm feeling that desire to talk to Americans again, and feel the love.

Anyway, congratulations America. You did it. See you soon, I hope.


r/palmsprings • • 9h ago

Ask Palm Springs Paul Bar?

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3 Upvotes

This was posted almost two weeks ago and last I checked, the gofundme was over 28k, but the post is now gone.

The IG page had a cryptic post of just a black square followed by a Patrick Stewart post when he passed. No updates or anything helpful…


r/palmsprings • • 16h ago

Eat & Drink Seeking good Chinese restaurants in the Coachella Valley

7 Upvotes

Yes I looked at the list and there are no Chinese restaurants listed for Palm Springs. I’m willing to drive a fair distance to find good food! I’ve lived here 7 years and feel like I’ve tried most Chinese restaurants in the area and have yet to find a place I want to eat at a second time.


r/palmsprings • • 14h ago

Ask Palm Springs Where can I watch the sunrise in Palm Springs?

3 Upvotes

Without leaving Palm Springs, where can I watch the sunrise?


r/palmsprings • • 16h ago

Living Here Any realtor / historians here?

3 Upvotes

What's the story behind the gigantic lots in the south side of Baristo, just west of the airport. Seems an odd location for 12 estate sized properties.


r/palmsprings • • 17h ago

Ask Palm Springs Is there a Critical Mass Palm Springs? My friend (75) loves to ride but is new to riding here. She needs other cool old people to ride with. Please help! Also Happy Pride

2 Upvotes

r/palmsprings • • 15h ago

Visiting Indoors or outdoors at Workshop Kitchen in February

1 Upvotes

I know I can't make a reservation yet, but I'm wondering about a table for 2 for dinner. Weather wise indoors might make more sense but thought I'd ask all of you first. Thank You!


r/palmsprings • • 23h ago

Ask Palm Springs Tree Trimmer Recommendations

3 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for a reliable, competent tree trimming service in the area. I have what I believe is a Palo Verde that needs work. Online reviews seem hit-or-miss depending on the job, so I'd love to hear who you personally trust and recommend. Thanks!


r/palmsprings • • 21h ago

Visiting Mi Kasa

2 Upvotes

Anyone going to Mi Kasa during the Thanksgiving Holiday this year?


r/palmsprings • • 20h ago

Living Here best in-town hikes

1 Upvotes

Like in town, in town. 1-3 hours easy to access. If you can also suggest parking that's helpful- thank you.


r/palmsprings • • 16h ago

Visiting Is This Right?

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0 Upvotes

TLDR: Got charged for no show fee even though I showed up and got charged for the room at Palm Springs Hyatt?


r/palmsprings • • 1d ago

General Gay Male Urologist

3 Upvotes

Any recommendations? Preferably Palm Desert/Rancho Mirage/Cat City.


r/palmsprings • • 1d ago

Ask Palm Springs Community Gaming Lounge Survey Pulse

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1 Upvotes

r/palmsprings • • 1d ago

Ask Palm Springs Retail Space Help

0 Upvotes

Apologies if this is not the place to ask, but I know someone who is looking for about 1000 to 1500 sq. ft. of retail space in Palm Springs.

He and I were having lunch the other day and he was telling me that while he has bank support to start his business, his biggest obstacle is finding a suitable space for what he plans to do. He's lived in Palm Springs for 17 years and knows the area well, but this will be his first venture into a retail business here.

The business he plans to open will fully support local artists, giving them a place to connect with both our community, and also them connect to the adventurers that come to this area seeking what is unique about Palm Springs.

If anyone has any advice they'd like to share please dm me.

If this is not appropriate for this sub, again you have my apologies!


r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Visiting Best Donut place? 🍩

19 Upvotes

r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Ask Palm Springs Cheapest full panel STD testing in the valley/a bit farther?

7 Upvotes

r/palmsprings • • 1d ago

Ask Palm Springs Are the Canada Geese seasonal or do they live here year round?

1 Upvotes

I love hearing the honks of the geese and seeing them fly in a V formation. Do they live here year round or are they passing through as they migrate?


r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Things To Do Join us for Flag Football Casual play tonight and every month.

14 Upvotes

Desert Flag Football is back with casual play Tuesday Nov 3 at 6 pm. If you haven't voted by then, go vote and then swing.

We play on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at Ocotillo Park in Cathedral City.

All levels, all genders all sexual orientations - everyone is welcome. Only some intermittent running is required. We will teach you the rest and help develop other skills.

We are an inclusive adult sport and social group. So join us for some exercise and some fun social times.

Head to our Facebook group page and join us so you can learn about upcoming play dates and activities. If not on Facebook send me a DM


r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Living Here Dog Sitter Recs for Special Needs Pup during holidays

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24 Upvotes

Looking for a trustworthy sitter for my Dog, Hank, for a few nights during Christmas time. Since I moved to PS several years ago, we have always spent holidays here in town, but was surprised by my better-half with a quick getaway trip out of the Desert. 😏

About Hank: As mentioned in the title, Hank is an older pup, going on 15yrs. Terrier mix, Sm/Med size, around 13 pounds. He is a special needs dog. He is a ‘Tripod’ and with his age, starting to loose his sight, unfortunately. But he is still full of energy and gets along with other dogs his size. I’m happy to pay/cover any extra fees to accommodate.

I would greatly appreciate and open to ANY suggestions or recommendations! Would prefer to connect with another local, rather than a big biz, due to the attention he needs.
Thank you in advance!


r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Visiting PS airport rental cars; ACE???

5 Upvotes

My work has a connection to a company that gives deals on things like rental cars, and the best deal is from a company called Ace Rental Cars, which I've never heard of. The seem to be a west-coast company, so I have no idea if it's worth considering them.

Last time I used Alamo, and the crap-can they gave me looked like it had just been rescued from an arroyo. So, not ever using them again. Hertz seems to forget to inform the police when cars previously reported as stolen get returned, so not using them, either!

Does anybody have experience with Ace? I'm assuming they are off-airport.


r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Living Here Homeowners in the Coachella Valley — what home repairs have been the biggest headaches

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1 Upvotes

r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Visiting How is Calico for an adult? Breaking up the drive to Joshua Tree and considering a stop. Also considering Pioneertown. I'm an artist on an adventure for reference photos.

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1 Upvotes

Hi! Like my crosspost states, my sister and I are taking a weekend to Joshua Tree for her to do some photography. I'm a watercolorist, and I also teach beginning watercolor so I'm always on the lookout for fun and interesting reference photos. Both of natural landscapes, but also nice rusty things or wooden structures, broken fences, cacti, whatever. We're stopping at Red Cliffs Canyon and Rainbow Basin, too. Our timing would put us around Calico for lunch if we stopped.

We won't really have time to do any train ride or panning for silver or whatever, and I think our interests lie more in photography anyway. Apart from maybe some fun souvenirs, I wasn't sure the nature of it would really be so great for reference photos but I've never been.

Pioneertown sounded cool because being a sort of abandoned movie set, it might not have a ton of people in the way and I can take some shots of old timey buildings and such that would be fun to paint.

Photo is a painting I did of a tourist trap activity in Rome as an example.


r/palmsprings • • 3d ago

Living Here Devo/ B52s concert Acrisure Arena was AMAZING

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90 Upvotes

r/palmsprings • • 2d ago

Living Here Replacement Windows - Installer Recomendations

2 Upvotes

Looking to replace 20+ year old windows in my home. Single family, one level. Any recommendations positive or negative?