PALM SPRINGS WEEKEND 2018

[+ azdr0710]

@Robster and we desert lovers are sick of the joke, but I'll trot this out for you outlanders

 

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/beemerdons/January%202014/2013-07-03-Santa-Clarita-News-Z1-1-1-Its-a-Dry-Heat1.jpg

 

because of the low humidity, many actually feel very cold when getting out of a pool in the summer because the water is very quickly evaporated from your skin and THAT effect is what cools a body off

[BabyBoomer]

We forgot about @Charlie. He's a year round resident.

 

~Boomer~

[+ Tygerscent]

PALM SPRINGS GAY RESORTS

2018

 

Oliver has decided that the Palm Springs Weekend this year will be held on April 14th and 15th. That weekend will also be the first weekend of the Coachella Festival. Beyonce has already announced that she will be performing after having to cancel last year. Her appearance means that rooms in Palm Springs will be even more difficult to book as time passes.

I highly recommend that if you are even remotely considering attending the Palm Springs Weekend you book a room as soon as possible. If later you decide that you will be unable to attend you can simply cancel your reservation. With this in mind I am providing the following list of gay resorts you might consider booking. I have divided the resorts into three price groups: 1.) Moderate, 2.) Moderately Expensive, and 3.) Expensive. I have recently visited ALL of the facilities listed below. They are all clothing optional, escort friendly and are all listed on tripadvisor. I have included each sites street address, web address and a few personal comments.

 

Moderate

 

Canyon Club

www.canyonclubhotel.com

960 N Palm Canyon Drive

Includes a coffee and Danish breakfast

 

Escape

www.escapepalmsprings.com

641 E. San Lorenzo Dr

Includes a continental breakfast

 

Triangle Inn Palm Springs

http://www.triangle-inn.com/triangle-inn-palm-springs

555 E San Lorenzo Dr.

Includes a continental breakfast

 

Moderately Expensive

 

INNdulge

www.inndulge.com

601 S. Greenfall Rd.

Includes a continental breakfast

 

Vista Grande Resort

www.vistagranderesort.com

574 Warm Springs Dr.

Includes a continental breakfast

 

Expensive

 

Santiago Resort

www.santiagoresort.com

650 E. San Lorenzo Rd.

Includes a continental breakfast and a box lunch

 

The Hacienda Warm Springs

www.thehacienda.com

586 S Warm Springs Dr.

Includes elaborate continental breakfast and a great number of choices for a cold lunch

 

As I stated in the introductory paragraph I have visited ALL of these facilities and ALL of them are acceptable. Some offer more amenities and are more elaborately landscaped than others but they come at a price.

You guys are always the best of planners~

Tyger~

Tygerkink@yahoo.com

971.400.2633 (phone calls must be scheduled in advance thru texting or email. thx)

https://rent.men/AAATygerscentXXX

http://www.daddysreviews.com/venue/usa/oregon/tyger_portland

[Bearofdistinction]

I'm booked at INNdulge and looking forward to the event as well.

 

Note - the Casa Ocotillo, www.casaocotillo.com - This property is now a private home and is no longer being operated as an accommodation.

 

Otherwise, the list above is a great help in finding accommodations. Also, for those of you who may be flying in, PSP airport may be expensive, you may want to consider ONT, SNA, LAX as alternative gateways. Depending on your day/time of your arrival driving from SNA or LAX may be challenging.

 

I did find a connecting flight from PHX to PSP that was reasonable and flying into PHX is relatively affordable.

 

Also --- Check Days Times == AMTRAK goes from LA to PS 2-3 times a week. No traffic or tension and the rental car company met me with a car at the PS platform (not really a station). I flew into LAX -- Then flew out of PSP - Rental Car Company Right to the Luggage Check-in at the Airport when ready to leave. Also There is a Bus from LAX which is Express to the Train Station -- Train Fares to PSP started under $20 bucks ---

 

ALL - Considered Easier - Faster - Less Time and Less $$ than a flight with a layover (PHX/DEN/HOU) into Palm Spring and less than flight into LAX then connect to PSP. I took a 4pm train on a Friday -- and got to laugh at the folks stuck on the 110 while I am sipping a cocktail and watching an HBO Movie on the free wifi!

Edited September 15, 2017 by Bearofdistinction

[+ azdr0710]

NON STOPS TO PALM SPRINGS AIRPORT (PSP):

 

 

NONSTOP ROUTES AIRLINES SERVING PSP

Bellingham, WA (BLI) ALLEGIANT

Calgary, Alberta (YYC) WESTJET

Chicago, IL (ORD) AMERICAN, UNITED

Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) AMERICAN

Denver, CO (DEN) UNITED

Edmonton, Alberta (YEG) WESTJET

Houston, TX (IAH) UNITED

Los Angeles, CA (LAX) UNITED

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (MSP) SUN COUNTRY, DELTA

New York, NY (JFK) VIRGIN AMERICA, JETBLUE

Phoenix, AZ (PHX) AMERICAN

Portland, OR (PDX) ALASKA

Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) DELTA

San Francisco, CA (SFO) ALASKA, UNITED, VIRGIN AMERICA

Seattle, WA (SEA) ALASKA, DELTA

Toronto, Ontario (YYZ) WESTJET

Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR) WESTJET, AIR CANADA

Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG) WESTJET

[bigvalboy]

@Robster and we desert lovers are sick of the joke, but I'll trot this out for you outlanders

 

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/beemerdons/January%202014/2013-07-03-Santa-Clarita-News-Z1-1-1-Its-a-Dry-Heat1.jpg

 

because of the low humidity, many actually feel very cold when getting out of a pool in the summer because the water is very quickly evaporated from your skin and THAT effect is what cools a body off

 

I'm just going to throw this out there. @azdr0710 is correct. Having been a native of SoCal and a very frequent visitor to the California deserts...like Lake Havasu in July and Palm Springs in August, believe me when I say this, "It is a dry heat" in California, and that makes all the difference in the world. Summers in Florida are just brutal sometimes. It's a daily battle dealing with the humidity. Don't get me wrong, I'm not leaving here, but give me California heat anytime...

 

OK...back to the real topic at hand.

Edited September 16, 2017 by bigvalboy

[+ José Soplanucas]

What do you advice, guys? Renting a car or just using Uber? I am going to be staying in Canyon Club.

[+ stevenkesslar]

You can walk to Trio (the restaurant) and Downtown Palm Springs from Canyon Club. The main distance is from CC to the pool party.

 

There also is usually some informal car pooling to and fro. I know I have people I've picked up to bring to places.

 

Uber is an option in Palm Springs. I've never used it, but maybe others who have can weigh in.

 

Also, the place the party will be next year is on a smaller, windy street. Epigonos and I drove by it recently and discussed that parking could be a little more difficult. So that suggests car pooling or Uber could make a bit more sense than other years.

 

It really is your call. But you certainly don't need a car. I've offered before and will offer again: I've got an economy car but I'm happy to shuttle people, like from Canyon Club to the party and back.

[Epigonos]

Latbear4blk from the Canyon Club you will definitely be able to walk to the Saturday night dinner which in the past has been at Trio. You will also be able to walk into downtown Palm Springs. You will not, however, be able to walk to Oliver's new digs but hitching a ride with another attendee should NOT be a problem. If you want to do some sightseeing in the Palm Springs area you will definitely need a car. It all just depends on what you want to do.

[+ stevenkesslar]

Epigonos and I drove by it recently and discussed that parking could be a little more difficult. So that suggests car pooling or Uber could make a bit more sense than other years.

 

Speak of the devil!

[+ José Soplanucas]

Thank you @stevenkesslar and @Epigonos . It looks like Uber is the best option, besides carpooling with the friends.

I did not buy yet my flight tickets, I will probably need to rent a car to drive from the airport to PS, and then another rent car for the drive back. No car during the staying seems to be the best option.

[+ stevenkesslar]

I will probably need to rent a car to drive from the airport to PS

 

That was a little confusing. You don't need to rent a car to get from the airport to PS.

 

I just checked and Canyon Club is 3 miles from the airport.

 

I do think Uber can pick up at the airport, but again I don't use Uber.

 

My house is 4.5 miles from the airport. I often take a taxi there, and it's $20 plus tip one way - sometimes less. So I'm pretty sure you could get from the airport to Canyon Club via taxi for $20 or less.

 

There also is a decent bus system which I use sometimes, even though i have a car, just because I don't have to park at the airport. It's $1.25 per ride with a transfer.

 

https://www.sunline.org/riding-sunline/routes-and-schedules

 

https://www.sunline.org/transit_routes/route/line14?transit_routes_direction=Norhtbound

 

Route 14 picks you up on Farrell which is a 10 minute or so walk from the airport front door and takes you downtown, but if you get off at Palm Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon (by Hard Rock Hotel) you'd still have a brief walk (1 mile) to Canyon Club. But that time of year walking is pleasant and good exercise. Sometimes I actually just take the bus to get to the airport from my home, if I'm going on a longer trip and don't want to pay to park my car. If you haven't been, the PSP airport was described by one poster as being like a park. It's small and very easy to get around.

Edited September 15, 2017 by stevenkesslar

[+ Eric Hassan]

I just booked my room at INNdulge from Thursday, 4/12 to Tuesday, 4/17. There's a chance I may arrive 1 day earlier and/or stay a day later. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

[+ José Soplanucas]

That was a little confusing. You don't need to rent a car to get from the airport to PS.

 

I just checked and Canyon Club is 3 miles from the airport.

 

I do think Uber can pick up at the airport, but again I don't use Uber.

 

My house is 4.5 miles from the airport. I often take a taxi there, and it's $20 plus tip one way - sometimes less. So I'm pretty sure you could get from the airport to Canyon Club via taxi for $20 or less.

 

There also is a decent bus system which I use sometimes, even though i have a car, just because I don't have to park at the airport. It's $1.25 per ride with a transfer.

 

https://www.sunline.org/riding-sunline/routes-and-schedules

 

https://www.sunline.org/transit_routes/route/line14?transit_routes_direction=Norhtbound

 

Route 14 picks you up on Farrell which is a 10 minute or so walk from the airport front door and takes you downtown, but if you get off at Palm Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon (by Hard Rock Hotel) you'd still have a brief walk (1 mile) to Canyon Club. But that time of year walking is pleasant and good exercise. Sometimes I actually just take the bus to get to the airport from my home, if I'm going on a longer trip and don't want to pay to park my car. If you haven't been, the PSP airport was described by one poster as being like a park. It's small and very easy to get around.

 

My English is often confusing.

I did not buy my flight tickets yet. I saw that many friends are recommending not to fly to PS because of the high price. I may be landing further.

[+ stevenkesslar]

My English is often confusing.

 

Not at all. Espero que pudiera hablar inglés tan bien como tú hablas español.

 

I wish I could speak English as well as you speak Spanish. (Assuming that's actually what people in Argentina speak. ) Oops, back to the woodshed.

 

Some other practical tips:

 

LAX is usually the cheapest in terms of flight costs of all the regional airports. My most frequent destination is Chicago, and often its a few hundred dollars less to fly from LAX than flying out of PSP. But you have to drive a few hours (not counting rush hours traffic delays, which can be really awful). If you are renting a car at LAX and returning it to LAX, it can be pretty cheap, especially at a weekend rate. Usually the drop fees to pick up a car at LAX and drop it at PSP are expensive Not so much the other way around - I've picked up cars at PSP and dropped them at LAX with no drop fee.

 

ONT (Ontario) is the closest airport to Palm Springs. I've also flown out of John Wayne/Orange County (SNA), which is further from PSP than ONT.

 

If you look at sites like Kayak, some airlines - like Southwest - do not use it. So you have to go to Southwest's website to check prices. They used to often be the least expensive. Today, not so much.

 

My own 2 cents is that more often than not when you add in the cost of renting a car (or in my case parking my car) and the inconvenience of driving, you don't save a lot by avoiding the extra cost of flying into PSP. But if you plan to rent a car anyway, my guess is it may be cheaper to rent a car at LAX than PSP.

 

One final factor which is a frequent hassle for me is connections. A lot of places I fly require a connection at LAX or SFO, since I mostly fly United. That can be a bitch, especially SFO because with morning flights there are often delays due to fog at SFO. My biggest problem is having to worry about missing a connection. That's one nice thing about direct flights to someplace like LAX - it mitigates that problem.

 

Buen suerte!

[+ José Soplanucas]

Not at all. Espero que pudiera hablar inglés tan bien como tú hablas español.

 

I wish I could speak English as well as you speak Spanish. (Assuming that's actually what people in Argentina speak. ) Oops, back to the woodshed.

 

Some other practical tips:

 

LAX is usually the cheapest in terms of flight costs of all the regional airports. My most frequent destination is Chicago, and often its a few hundred dollars less to fly from LAX than flying out of PSP. But you have to drive a few hours (not counting rush hours traffic delays, which can be really awful). If you are renting a car at LAX and returning it to LAX, it can be pretty cheap, especially at a weekend rate. Usually the drop fees to pick up a car at LAX and drop it at PSP are expensive Not so much the other way around - I've picked up cars at PSP and dropped them at LAX with no drop fee.

 

ONT (Ontario) is the closest airport to Palm Springs. I've also flown out of John Wayne/Orange County (SNA), which is further from PSP than ONT.

 

If you look at sites like Kayak, some airlines - like Southwest - do not use it. So you have to go to Southwest's website to check prices. They used to often be the least expensive. Today, not so much.

 

My own 2 cents is that more often than not when you add in the cost of renting a car (or in my case parking my car) and the inconvenience of driving, you don't save a lot by avoiding the extra cost of flying into PSP. But if you plan to rent a car anyway, my guess is it may be cheaper to rent a car at LAX than PSP.

 

One final factor which is a frequent hassle for me is connections. A lot of places I fly require a connection at LAX or SFO, since I mostly fly United. That can be a bitch, especially SFO because with morning flights there are often delays due to fog at SFO. My biggest problem is having to worry about missing a connection. That's one nice thing about direct flights to someplace like LAX - it mitigates that problem.

 

Buen suerte!

 

Thanks for complimenting my exotic English. Tu español suena fantástico.

And thanks for the advice, I take it. I like comfort and easiness and often I am willing to pay extra for it. I have to compare the prices, but it makes sense to fly to PSP paying the extra cost in exchange for the comfort.

[+ José Soplanucas]

Not at all. Espero que pudiera hablar inglés tan bien como tú hablas español.

 

I wish I could speak English as well as you speak Spanish. (Assuming that's actually what people in Argentina speak. ) Oops, back to the woodshed.

 

Some other practical tips:

 

LAX is usually the cheapest in terms of flight costs of all the regional airports. My most frequent destination is Chicago, and often its a few hundred dollars less to fly from LAX than flying out of PSP. But you have to drive a few hours (not counting rush hours traffic delays, which can be really awful). If you are renting a car at LAX and returning it to LAX, it can be pretty cheap, especially at a weekend rate. Usually the drop fees to pick up a car at LAX and drop it at PSP are expensive Not so much the other way around - I've picked up cars at PSP and dropped them at LAX with no drop fee.

 

ONT (Ontario) is the closest airport to Palm Springs. I've also flown out of John Wayne/Orange County (SNA), which is further from PSP than ONT.

 

If you look at sites like Kayak, some airlines - like Southwest - do not use it. So you have to go to Southwest's website to check prices. They used to often be the least expensive. Today, not so much.

 

My own 2 cents is that more often than not when you add in the cost of renting a car (or in my case parking my car) and the inconvenience of driving, you don't save a lot by avoiding the extra cost of flying into PSP. But if you plan to rent a car anyway, my guess is it may be cheaper to rent a car at LAX than PSP.

 

One final factor which is a frequent hassle for me is connections. A lot of places I fly require a connection at LAX or SFO, since I mostly fly United. That can be a bitch, especially SFO because with morning flights there are often delays due to fog at SFO. My biggest problem is having to worry about missing a connection. That's one nice thing about direct flights to someplace like LAX - it mitigates that problem.

 

Buen suerte!

 

It is done. I am landing in PSP on Friday noon and departing on Monday morning.

Your advise was sound, the extra money I pay for close landing is compensated by not renting a car. Thank you again.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lymn29KREC1r3gup8o1_400.gif

[+ stevenkesslar]

It is done. I am landing in PSP on Friday noon and departing on Monday morning.

Your advise was sound, the extra money I pay for close landing is compensated by not renting a car. Thank you again.

 

Tu español suena fantástico.

 

Pan comido. Soy un sueno fantástico.

[mike carey]

As @stevenkesslar said, taxis are easy. Took 5 minutes in line at the taxi stand at the front of the terminal, cost something like $15 to the CC. Make sure you have the street address for your hotel, my driver hadn't heard of it but she had GPS and used the address to find it with no trouble.

 

I haven't even thought of booking flights yet, but I've started due diligence. This year I flew into PSP (SYD-SFO-PSP). Indicative costs for next year at this stage has PSP about $AU100 more each way than LAX or SFO (interestingly SFO-Seattle-PSP is the same as SFO-PSP, both options Qantas codeshare on Alaska). This year I had looked at options from LAX, and has been mentioned Amtrak starts at about $19 each way to Palm Springs, twice a day by train then bus from Fullerton (IIRC) as well as the less frequent rail service. Decided it wasn't worth the effort. I might rent a car next year to get out around the area.

[+ azdr0710]

as of now, I'll be going in 2018 and will be staying at the Canyon Club again......will have a car and am glad to be the forum taxi driver again as much as possible......

[+ Socalguy]

Hi Palm Spring peeps,

I noticed a lot of Uber mentions and was wondering how popular Lyft is in Palm Springs? It sounds like it might be a good idea for the pool party and I'm not a huge fan of Uber. Thanks!

[TruthBTold]

Just booked a non-stop from Chicago to PS (International - it even seems funny writing it). It is non-stop which for me, because of the few times I fly a year, is well worth it. Last year it took me about two seconds to get a cab and very little time and money to get to my hotel. As Mike said, have the address ready. I am unable to drive (no, not DUI) but everyone (especially Azdr) was really gracious last year in schlepping my big ass around town, particularly from one planned event to another. I walked downtown a couple of times and it really was nice temp wise.

[Bearofdistinction]

Just to keep you up to date. Just booked two rooms poolside at Canyon Club. The reservationist indicated that there was only a choice of three rooms. I am not sure if he meant on that level or in the hotel in general. In either case, 7 months out and the rooms at this site are leaving quickly. IF you are considering staying at the Canyon Club, the unofficial home of this Palm Springs weekend, I would put a refundable deposit down. Also, ask for the fourth night free option since they were a bit reluctant to give it to me until I mentioned that I had stayed there before and that friends told me about this option. See you in April.

 

AS FOR CANYON CLUB --- I have been to PS for other events at Canyon Club but found my self closed out of the host hotel. Now never as much fun being off-site but was in crawling distance of the pool/tub/playroom/maze/gardens . . .

 

I stay right across Indian Creek Drive (Directly Across from CCs back entrance). The Seven Springs Inn and Suites -- Reasonable Rates - Very Clean -- Large room with Full Jacuzzi Bath and Shower -- 3 Pools - Very Gay Friendly - Easy Parking ---

 

Kids -- Wish I could join you this year I do love PS - But even with offers of "help with schlepping my fat ass around town" I cant seem to schleep my delightfully robust ass out of Philly ---

 

Have Fun -- Send Dirty Pics!

Edited September 16, 2017 by Bearofdistinction

[+ Charlie]

Just a couple of notes. LA-PS train service is notoriously unreliable, especially going from PS to LA, where the infrequent trains have been known to arrive many hours late. The train station is in the middle of nowhere, with very few services, and if the train is not on time, you can find yourself locked out on the platform waiting. Some of the flights on azdr's list are only seasonal, and many are not daily. The Virgin America (now part of Alaska) service non-stop between PSP and New York is only once per week, and goes to JFK. There is actually more service between PSP and SFO than between PSP and LAX, because United has cut out most of its turbo-prop commuter service to LAX.

 

My in-laws are coming later this month and flying from DFW into and out of ONT, because the flights were cheaper than to PSP. However, they have to rent a car at ONT, and their return flight from ONT is at 5:30am. I will pass on their experience with ONT after their visit.

[desertguy1954]

That was a little confusing. You don't need to rent a car to get from the airport to PS.

 

I just checked and Canyon Club is 3 miles from the airport.

 

I do think Uber can pick up at the airport, but again I don't use Uber.

 

My house is 4.5 miles from the airport. I often take a taxi there, and it's $20 plus tip one way - sometimes less. So I'm pretty sure you could get from the airport to Canyon Club via taxi for $20 or less.

 

There also is a decent bus system which I use sometimes, even though i have a car, just because I don't have to park at the airport. It's $1.25 per ride with a transfer.

 

https://www.sunline.org/riding-sunline/routes-and-schedules

 

https://www.sunline.org/transit_routes/route/line14?transit_routes_direction=Norhtbound

 

Route 14 picks you up on Farrell which is a 10 minute or so walk from the airport front door and takes you downtown, but if you get off at Palm Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon (by Hard Rock Hotel) you'd still have a brief walk (1 mile) to Canyon Club. But that time of year walking is pleasant and good exercise. Sometimes I actually just take the bus to get to the airport from my home, if I'm going on a longer trip and don't want to pay to park my car. If you haven't been, the PSP airport was described by one poster as being like a park. It's small and very easy to get around.

Uber cannot pick you up at at the airport. What you have to do, is go across the street on the cover of el cielo and tachquitz and they will pick you up. City hall is on that corner