If you’re looking for a home in Palm Springs, and you’re not from the southwest, the landscaping around here may be unfamiliar, even confusing. On the one hand, you’ll see lush, Mediterranean gardens, with green lawns, tropical-looking palms, bougainvillea, olive and citrus trees. On the other, lots of rock and gravel, some spikey-looking things, and a few trees that don’t appear to have much going on in the leaf or shade department. And if you’re into gardening, trying to figure out what to do with your new yard can be intimidating.

Golf courses in a desert?

People forget: this is a desert. All Southern California is dry. And we just came out of a years-long drought, with water rationing, rate hikes, and a mandated push toward drought resistant…

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If you have a dog, you’ll see that Palm Springs is a very welcoming place for your best friend. If you don’t have a dog, you may just decide to get one (or two) after you settle in to your new home here.

Dogs are everywhere in Palm Springs, and the chill atmosphere seems to effect them just like it does its human residents. You’ve never seen such an assembly of the most well-behaved, laid back pups. Maybe it’s because of all the places they can go with you and all the other dogs they get to meet. 

People clearly love their dogs here and take them everywhere – to restaurants, parks, shopping and on hikes. 

Patio Dining

If you haven’t already noticed, the Palm Springs climate lends itself to outdoor dining, and many restaurants and coffee shops…

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When you pull up listings on various real estate search sites, you might find a “walkability” rating. Tired of always having to get in the car to go somewhere, more people are looking for neighborhoods where they can walk to shops, restaurants and entertainment. Sure, driving around in Palm Springs is nothing like driving around LA (local traffic reporters get all excited when there’s a backup on the 10 during Coachella). But, still, having a “walkable” neighborhood is considered a plus.

So, what are the best walkable neighborhoods in Palm Springs? It depends somewhat on what you’re walking to. But for our purposes, let’s say you want to be able to walk to stores, restaurants, nightlife and, maybe, some hiking.

The oldest neighborhoods in Palm…

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It used to be called Gay Pride, and it began as a commemoration of the June 28, 1969, Stonewall Rebellion in New York City. And originally, in New York and San Francisco in particular, the event was held in late June and was more of a march and demonstration than a parade and festival. Through the Anita Bryant and AIDS crisis years, there was a lot to demonstrate about.

Now many cities throughout the world host some version of Gay Pride; most are in late June or in the summer months. “Gay Pride” has often been truncated to “Pride” to be more inclusive of the entire LGBTQ community, and the demonstrations are more parade-like, with floats, music, dancers plus a festival featuring stages for performers and weekend-long events. 

Late June would not be…

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Beautiful mountain scenery, gorgeous weather, and an endless surplus of the best golf courses around encompass the greatness that is Palm Springs. Just imagine waking up every morning with the sun peeking over the mountains just outside your window and starting your day in a sunny paradise. With its high end hotels, modern architecture, and an accepting atmosphere, it’s no wonder so many people choose to live there. 

If you live and work here, you’ll probably never want to leave. However, no matter how much you may not want to leave, sometimes travel is unavoidable. If you know anything about Southern California, you know that the traffic can get a little much to say the least. Luckily, there are a handful of tips and tricks to getting around the city,…

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Yes, the global gay conspiracy has had one of its early successes in the city of Palm Springs. It may be the one city in the US where restaurants and clubs can be referred to as “straight-friendly.”

Recently, Palm Springs received media attention as being the only city in the U.S. with an all-LGBT city council. All five elected members trouped up to Sacramentoto receive official recognition from the state legislature.  Indeed, Palm Springs has more gay couples per household than any city in the U.S. 

How did the city become such a gay mecca? The truth is that Palm Springs was always a place for privacy; for people, including gay people, to be themselves, away from the constraints of so-called “acceptable behavior.”

 

A Remedy for Hollywood

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Palm Springs

It’s a Dry Heat!

For a place where the weather doesn’t change much, people in Palm Springs sure talk about it a lot. Mostly about the temperature. And as the thermometer starts climbing, it’s all you hear.

When the local news describes upper 90s as a “cool down,” you know it’s getting hot. People start making plans to leave, the Canadians go home, traffic clears, and you can get a table at a restaurant without making a reservation.

“Dry heat” or not, when it’s 110 degrees or more during the day, what do full time residents do? If you have a day job, it’s no big deal. You’re indoors; it’s air conditioned, and you’re not paying for it. But what about folks who don’t work full time anymore? Besides the perks of having the town almost to…

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Palm Springs Green HomesMaking the decision to be greener in your home is not only great for the climate but has recently become more economically viable for most. Most green appliances or energy efficient updates to the home are no longer out of reach for middle class Americans; as the technology driving these items has improved the costs of these items have become much more affordable and accessible to the public. 

The public’s acceptance of climate change has grown substantially in the past ten years, and it’s no longer strange to be concerned about your own carbon footprint if for no other reason than saving money. The goal of this post is to help the average home owner find ways to lower their impact on the environment and in turn, save some green as well. Here are some…

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Palm Springs has always attracted a luxurious crowd. In the 50s and 60s, Palm Springs was considered a glamorous weekend getaway for socialites and ruling celebrities of the hour. The entire city, which was built on and around naturally occurring hot springs, has quickly risen to fame as a locale for relaxation and wellness. Add to that a temperate, breezy climate year-round and you have a recipe for endless healthy living options. Palm Springs is home to an endless number of spas, workout facilities, healthy dining options, and outdoor recreation activities for those looking to rejuvenate body, the mind, and the soul. 

1. Join a Group Fitness Class and Find a Community

Palm Springs is brimming with gyms and unique fitness classes. The area has…

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So it's that time of year – spring cleaning. We all dread it. it's one of those things that we really don’t look forward to doing but feel really good about it when we are done. It's time to roll up those sleeves and get to work on the interior and exterior of your home. Both are just as important! Although most of us clean either every day or a couple times a week, it's really important that we focus on a few things that are easy to forget about at least once annually.

 

Here is a list of 5 things you should clean once a year. Let’s get to work!

1. Your Closet

We all need a change of style every now and then. We buy clothes and accessories and shoes and soon start to realize, unless you have unlimited walk-in closets in your house, that we…

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