Out with Dr. Bill: Palm Springs Pride and a Southwest Soujourn

Palm Springs Pride: A Weekend to Celebrate and Connect

Palm Springs Pride, unlike many others, takes place later in the year to avoid the intense summer heat, filling the cooler fall season with vibrant energy. Luckily for Eric and me, our friends Mark and Brad decided to stay in the desert for Pride this year, hosting an unforgettable weekend at their 5-star-rated, Tiki-inspired, beautifully appointed Mid-Century Modern vacation rental. I'd admired their PalmspringscoolrentalsLLC (Facebook) and Palm Springs Stay (Instagram) pages for years, but until now, I'd never had the pleasure of staying in their stunning 4-bedroom, resort-style pool home. And wow, it was a treat!

Their house is a dream–a perfect blend of retro charm and modern luxury. The Tiki-inspired décor, complete with tropical accents and vibrant pops of color, transported us to another world. The backyard featured a sparkling pool surrounded by lush landscaping and mountain views that seemed to stretch forever. It was the kind of space that made you want to cancel all your plans and spend the day lounging in the sun, cocktail in hand.

But this was Pride weekend, and there was no time to lounge! The schedule was packed with events–street parties, mixers, poolside gatherings, and, of course, the 38th annual Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade.