Clients looking to experience that legendary southern Californian contrast of palm trees and mountains are sure to lap up Greater Palm Springs. 

An easy drive from Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas – and lesser-known spots like Desert Hot Springs and Rancho Mirage – Greater Palm Springs offers a real smorgasbord of experiences. 

Escape, adventure and inspiration are all taken care of thanks to the region’s dramatic mountains, vast skies and natural wonders, including the rugged Joshua Tree National Park. 

Sun worshippers will welcome Greater Palm Springs’ 300 days of sunshine a year, mild winter temperatures and hot, dry summers, when some of the best deals can be found. The peak period is autumn-spring. 

FESTI-VALLEY

The most famous of Greater Palm Springs’ festivals is Coachella, taking place over two weekends in April (12-14 and 19-21) in the Coachella Valley, allowing time for mid-week exploration.

Clients more into their country music may be attracted to Stagecoach Festival, which takes place in the same spot as Coachella two weeks later (26-28 April). Visitors can expect all the biggest names in country music as well as a honky tonk dance hall to visit, a smokehouse for barbecued food and a marketplace to get decked out in authentic country clothes.

And if film is more your clients’ bag, suggest Palm Springs International Film Festival in its namesake city, which takes place in January and screens around 170 new films over 11 days. It starts with an annual gala and awards night, which is ideal for celebrity spotting and local screen festival releases.

EVENTS FOR ALL

Beyond the arts, clients who possess a penchant for architecture may enjoy Modernism Week – an annual festival in February and October featuring the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes, double-decker architectural bus tours, parties and talks.

For sports fans, the BNP Paribas Open takes place each spring at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Palm Springs has long been a vibrant holiday destination for the LGBT+ community. Events like Greater Palm Springs Pride (31 October-3 November), the Dinah (a music festival catering to the queer women/non-binary/lesbian community from 25-29 September) and LGBT+ dance party The White Party in March draw tens of thousands of revellers.

Last but not least, three-day poolside music festival Splash House takes place 9-11 and 16-18 August, focused on electronic, house, and disco music.