In
its heyday, L.A. had its Sunset Strip and Chicago had its miracle mile. Minneapolis
still has its Nicollet Mall and Eat Street. Many cities across the country have
their own branded tentacles of food, drink, lodging and entertainment. Now Palm
Springs has done them one better with its own ‘Hip Strip’ of food, drink,
lodging and plenty of skin in the name of entertainment. Throw in a splash
party or two and it’s a poor man’s version of ‘Caligula’ for the masses…as long
as they’re all under thirty years of age.
Back
when Palm Springs was basking in its glory days, the city was a classic example
of heighten expectations clashing with the reality of desert star gazing. But in
reality it was only the well-heeled or coastal connected that got to hang out
with the stars. For the average visitor Palm Canyon Drive was just a welcome
respite from the normalcy back home even while it harbored high hopes for seeing
one of their favorite stars on the sidewalk instead of in the sky.
Over
the last several years Palm Springs has slowly regained its panache. The town
is now a happening place once again. After years of economic stagnation and
entertainment limbo Palm Springs has risen like a Phoenix once again. But it’s
no longer your parents or grandparents vacation spot.
Palm
Springs is fast becoming just about the hippest hot spot this side of Brooklyn,
Silver Lake and West Hollywood. West Coast hipsters, designers, remodelers,
artists, musicians and actors are all rediscovering what their forefathers knew
all along. That washing the warm sun over blue pools with a healthy shot of
alcohol can bring out a hedonistic nature in the best of us.
The
city is even carving up areas of the town and giving them distinct labels such
as SOPS (South of Palm Springs) and the Uptown Art and Design District. While the
hint of change had been in the air for a long time, it took the turnover of an
old motel to kick-start the entire process. Most observers would agree that it
was the conversion of an old Howard Johnson motel on Palm Canyon Drive into the
new hip ACE hotel that became the catalyst for the hipsters to start coming to
town. Now there is a whole cache of hotels and motels changing hands and
branding themselves as ‘hip.’
The
Hacienda Pool and Swim Club claims to be a sun lover’s paradise during the day
and a posh Vegas-style lounge act at night. The Curve just changed hands after
years as a tired old Ramada Inn. Their new owners are promising big changes.
The
ACE comes replete with its well-earned reputation as a hipster hangout.
The
Saguaro is distinguished by its colorful paint schemes throughout the building
and its grounds.
The
Purple Room is considered by locals to be one of Palm Springs ‘original’ Rat
Pack hangouts where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to eat, drink and
carry-on.
The
Parker covers thirteen lush acres and has become ‘the place’ where Hollywood
hangs out during the International Palm Springs Film Festival and the rest of
the year.
In
the heart of downtown a new Klimpton Hotel will be the central showcase for a
brand new downtown Palm Springs. The Palm Springs Art Museum continues to draw
large crowds to its special exhibits.
The
Uptown Design District continues to draw designers, artisans and other
enthusiasts of modern style with shops that reflect this growing interest in
Mid-Century Modern furnishings, clothing, art, lighting and accessories.
There
is still something magical about the surrounding mountains, desert scape, warm
winter months, and hip happenings all over town. Palm Springs is now a virtual
cornucopia of cultural, artistic, sexual, musical and intellectual stirrings
for just about everyone from the most ballsy art culture-types to the more
modest of minds. It all seems to be happening here.
It’s
a new era for Palm Springs and I’m lucky enough to be ‘stuck in the middle’ of
it.
