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Discover the Desert Oasis: Top 10 Fun Facts About Palm Springs You Never Knew!

illustration of palm-springs
Dive into the oasis of trivia with these fascinating fun facts about Palm Springs that are sure to quench your thirst for knowledge!

1. Date-licious Shields Date Garden

Get ready to "date" back to the 20's, shake up some history, and take a "date-cation" in Palm Springs: Shields Date Garden, a historic gem since 1924, serves up classic date shakes alongside peaceful walkways adorned with statues that chronicle the life of Christ, informative plant displays, and a store filled to the brim with date delights.
Source => tripadvisor.com

2. Celeb-studded Walk of Stars

In Palm Springs, stars don't just twinkle in the sky – they're immortalized on the sidewalks too, gleaming for anyone who dares to walk amongst the legends: Over 400 celebrities have found their names forever engraved on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, including the iconic William Powell, Ruby Keeler, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Elizabeth Taylor. You can catch these star-struck tiles along Palm Canyon Drive, Museum Way, and Tahquitz Canyon Way in Downtown Palm Springs, making it the perfect promenade for star-gazers and nostalgia-hunters alike.
Source => palmsprings.com

3. LGBTQ+ Paradise

Who needs a fairy godmother when Palm Springs is your happily LGBTQ+ ever after: A popular safe haven for the community, Palm Springs was once the private oasis of Golden Age Hollywood's discreet LGBTQ+ celebs and is now home to the annual Dinah Shore Weekend, a massive lesbian event founded by Mariah Hanson, boasting Lizzo-level entertainment, and bursting with gays of every shade.
Source => contiki.com

4. Sky-high Aerial Tramway

Feeling on top of the world and hungry for a killer view? Strap in and join us on the Palm Springs' famous "stairway to (almost) heaven": The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisks you over 2.5 miles up the dramatic cliffs of Chino Canyon in a rotating tram car, serving up panoramic vistas of the valley below. At 8,516 feet high, the Mountain Station awaits with restaurants, observation decks, a museum, theaters, a gift shop, and over 50 miles of hiking trails β€” talk about breathtaking in more ways than one!
Source => pstramway.com

Coyote Neighbors & Living Desert

5. Coyote Neighbors & Living Desert

In Palm Springs, the coyotes aren't just the stars of Looney Tunes – they're your real-life neighbors too: This desert oasis is home to a rich ecosystem with over 1,400 plant species and a flurry of native wildlife including the elusive bighorn sheep. Swing by the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to see nature's showreel and immerse yourself in the area's stunning conservation efforts.
Source => livingdesert.org

6. OG Oasis Hotel Tower Pool

In a city where pools are hotter than the Kardashians and the Kardashians themselves flock to frequently, there exists a humble abode that housed Palm Springs' first ever swimming pool – talk about an OG oasis: Behold the Oasis Hotel Tower, built in 1924 by architect Lloyd Wright, son of iconic Frank Lloyd Wright. Commissioned by Pearl McCallum McManus as an homage to her trailblazing father, it features a striking tower rising from the desert floor, adorned with an intricate slip-form pattern. Though its original 24-room design was deemed "woefully inadequate" for the burgeoning tourist town, it has been preserved and expanded upon over the years as an enduring symbol of Palm Springs' rich architectural legacy.
Source => desertsun.com

7. Daring Skyline Trail Adventure

Whoever said "getting high" was just for hippies and feathered-friends couldn't fathom the dizzying heights you'll reach in Palm Springs – the legal way: The Skyline Trail, aka Cactus to Clouds, boasts the highest elevation gain in the continental US, with a knee-wobbling 8,000 feet ascend from the desert to Long Valley, plus another 2,600 feet to San Jacinto Peak. This treacherous trek isn't for the lily-livered – hikers have been injured or died – so prepare to test your mettle, or opt for the scenic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway instead, the perfect alternative for cautious yet adventurous souls.
Source => alltrails.com

8. Palm Canyon's Natural Red Carpet

Hey there, all you cool cats and desert kittens! Are you ready to palm your way through a Californian oasis that's just the right amount of shady? Say hello to Palm Springs' very own, natural red carpet rolled out by the mighty Cahuilla people: Palm Canyon is a beautifully picturesque spot boasting a wealth of California Fan Palms surrounded by rocky gorges. Follow moderately graded footpaths or trot along on horseback to witness this stunning scenery. To top it all off, swing by the Trading Post to get your paws on some authentic Indian art, artifacts, books, jewelry, pottery, baskets, weaving, and hear a tale or two about the canyon's rich cultural lore.
Source => indian-canyons.com

9. Coachella: Iconic Desert Festival

Before you grab your flower crowns and dust off those dancing shoes, ask yourself: are you ready to party in the desert oasis known for its star-studded lineup and impeccable fashion sense? Seriously speaking: Palm Springs' Empire Polo Club in Indio is home to the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, which has been rocking the world for the past 20 years, featuring diverse acts from rock bands to pop icons like Lady Gaga and BeyoncΓ© across two consecutive weekends.
Source => visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

VillageFest: Artsy Foodie Extravaganza

10. VillageFest: Artsy Foodie Extravaganza

What do artists, foodies, and entertainment enthusiasts all have in common? They congregate in Palm Springs every Thursday night like kids in a candy store! Or like adults in a wine cellar... or something: The Palm Springs VillageFest is a festival full of art, food, crafts, and entertainment that draws in visitors and locals alike. Downtown Palm Springs transforms into a bustling playground for both artisans and observers; come hungry, and leave culturally satisfied!
Source => villagefest.org

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