Palm Springs Revival is Hip and Happening
Thanks to 60s Style, Desert Oasis Enjoys Cool Rebirth
The Signal - Business Section, May, 2006
Open up a travel, food, fashion or design magazine these days and somewhere inside you may surely find something about Palm Springs. Enjoying a full-blown post-60s revival, this desert hipster hotspot is where things are happening.
From destination articles on where to stay and eat, and what to do and see, to photo spreads of models in well-appointed vintage digs selling us fashion, jewelry, swimsuits, furniture or simply a lifestyle, it is all about Palm Springs. No big surprise, we have always enjoyed the Palm Springs desert. It is an easy, two-hour drive and weekend getaway for its nice weather, golf courses, and relaxing atmosphere. Now Palm Springs is the place the in crowd go for sunning, shopping, fine dining and most importantly, the retro coolness of the 1960s architecture that is so distinctly in vogue.
And that’s just the thing about Palm Springs. It is not a new development or even somewhere different; the town is an authentic product of the 60s. It is truly reflective of the bygone days of the Rat Pack era, yet remains oddly the same. This is not a town on the rise designed to look retro, Palm Springs is the real deal. Former 10-unit apartment buildings with a center quad swimming pool are transforming into trendy motels offering the authentic sense of community that first put this oasis on the map.
Palm Springs is my hometown. My family has enjoyed a history spanning more than 40 years and during this time, not so much has changed. Housing prices would be the exception. While the area is still affordable compared to other major metropolitan cities, it is now possible to buy a million-dollar home in Palm Springs, and people are doing just that. First homes, second homes, investment properties, flips, real estate is big because 60s architecture is all the rage for buyers.
Now back to travel. As a summer vacation, spring break or winter getaway, Palm Springs is a thriving year-round visitor destination. Big on outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, and the scenic tram ride to the top of the mountain, the desert is a beautiful location for exploring. Fun in the sun but without the mega resort, every hotel in town has a swimming pool and the same great weather. The golf courses are also a big attraction for vacationers.
With the transformation of Palm Springs from a retirement community to a hip town, many fine restaurants and unique boutiques have opened up along the downtown shopping district. Nightlife is alive with clubs, bars, casinos and an attractive singles scene so there is no shortage of fun during the day or night in the formerly sleepy desert community.
If you find the two-hour drive to the desert too long to bear, then do what the wealthy do and fly. Remember there is a commuter airport in Palm Springs too, used mainly by those with private jets. The flight from Burbank to Palm Springs is a quick 12 minutes, hardly enough time to read The Signal.
The allure of Palm Springs accommodations is the private housing and small properties that help transport vacationers to another time and place. Throw in the groovy 60s-style buildings and design, and it is no wonder the desert is so hot, literally.
What is old is new and hip again when it comes to Palm Springs as a destination. Does that count for people too?
For more information
contact Nicole Stinson, Public Relations
(310) 312-3368
