Greater Palm Springs: The California Desert with an Undeniably Cool Arts + Culture Scene

With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, there is plenty to experience in Greater Palm Springs. Radiant days reign supreme, but the Coachella Valley is also packed with an array of creative finds, from midcentury cocktail bars to new age spa treatments. Here are our top picks to create an inspired getaway that's filled with just as much substance as fun in the sun.

Festival Season
Coachella and Stagecoach Festivals are right around the corner, but that's just the beginning of what Greater Palm Springs has to offer this spring and summer.

Desert X – Contemporary Art in the California Desert runs through April 21, but did you know there's plenty of (mostly) free art to explore in Greater Palm Springs throughout the year? Check out Backstreet Art District's First Wednesday Art Walk or The Art Place Art Walk where you can discover original fine art, home d�cor, and interior design inspiration.

Jeffrey Sanker's White Party Palm Springs celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. This legendary event draws upwards of 30,000 revelers for a series of themed parties that inspire outrageous costumes and bring together some of the world's best DJs including Oscar Velazquez (Military Ball, April 26), Nina Flowers (Legend, April 27), and Dani Toro (Papa Tribal, April 28).

The pool party gets a major makeover with Splash House as electronica, disco and house music descend upon three stunning hotel resorts: The Renaissance Palm Springs, Riviera Palm Springs, and rainbow-hued Saguaro Palm Springs. A combo pass includes admission and shuttle transportation to all three resorts, plus access to our favorite event, the after-hours party at the Palm Springs Air Museum. (June 7-9, August 9-11)

Any Time of Year
Maybe low-key is more your style? Nine cities comprise Greater Palm Springs, and while the namesake often wears the crown, there's a spectacular renaissance among her sisters. Here are two unique destinations to explore at your own pace:

Discover the murals throughout Coachella, where you'll stumble upon impactful public works of art throughout the city streets as well as soaring artistic expressions in the nearby desert.

The Agnes Pelton Murals Path, featuring murals and mosaics by artists commissioned by the Agnes Pelton Society, which appear on the exterior of private homes and celebrate the region's diverse cultural heritage.

The newly renovated Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre now boasts a state-of-the-art 203-seat theatre. Catch playwright David Lindsay-Abaire's critically acclaimed "Good People" May 1-19.

Cathedral City has also welcomed the recent opening of two LGBTQ-friendly bars. Roost Lounge offers happy hour from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., music videos on five flat-screen TVs, and Sunday night showtunes. AMP Sports Lounge broadcasts premiere sporting events along with special programming from stand-up comedy to "Amp'd Up Karaoke."

Take a Bite
Whether you're looking for a casual bite or a multi-course feast, Greater Palm Springs' expansive dining scene delivers a wide array of options. And there's no better time to have a taste than during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week (May 31 - June 9).

"Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity for food lovers, locals and visitors alike, to celebrate a sampling of what local eateries are cooking up," said Scott White, President & CEO of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Thanks to our dineGPS partners and creative chefs, we're excited to showcase all the innovative culinary options that our region offers. Whether it's fine dining in midcentury retro or contemporary surroundings, cozy bistros, urban-inspired gastropubs, global cuisine, casual hangouts, stylish eateries with indoor/outdoor dining – we really have it all."

Stay a While
Sands Hotel & Spa – High tea in the desert? You have to experience it to believe it, especially among the new digs by celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, who has created a midcentury Moroccan paradise. (Reservations required, weekends only.) The eloquently appointed rooms showcase marble counter tops, unique color palettes in blush, gold and soft blues, with many rooms featuring a private patio or balcony.

Greater Palm Springs offers accommodations for every style and budget. Click here for a comprehensive list.

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