Palm Spring Chosen One of 20 Best Places For Snowbirds

Expedia recently came out with their list of the 20 best places snowbirds Winter in the U.S..  Palm Springs was on the list, and with an average January high of 71 degrees, the city had the highest average January temperature with the exception of the two Hawaii destinations.  Following is what the article had to say about Palm Springs:

Sunshine and palm trees await in this desert haven. No matter the season, it’s always the right time to order a cocktail and lounge on a chaise poolside in Palm Springs. However, the winter months are arguably the best time to visit as the desert heat eases up, leaving ideal temperatures perfect for all the best things to do in Palm Springs, like a stroll through the Palm Springs VillageFest and a hike on Andreas Canyon Trail.

Snowbirds love to: Stake a spot at the trendy Ace Hotel & Swim Club when a DJ’s on deck, and venture to nearby Desert Hot Springs for a pampering spa day—relaxation just hit new levels.

To read the entire article, please click on the following link:  https://viewfinder.expedia.com/features/20-best-places-snowbirds-winter/

New Modern Luxury Palm Springs Hotel Opens Today

Palm Springs is excited to welcome the opening of The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel in downtown Palm Springs on November 17,  serving as the anchor to the City’s downtown revitalization project.  This seven story trend-setting property with 153 rooms is set to offer visitors a unique experience in this exciting location.  The light-drenched guestrooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the magnificent views of the San Jacinto Mountains and glimmering desert.  The Rowan includes two restaurants, three bars, and over 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

Greeting you in the lobby is the Window Bar surrounded by bookshelves with a relaxed vibe.  On the first floor you will also find Juniper Table, a casual all-day Mediterranean café featuring seasonal and organic ingredients.  For those looking for grab-and-go, a barista provides coffee, fresh juices and light takeaway items as well as a concise menu of made-to-order cold and hot items. By mid-day the menu moves to sharable snacks, salads, sandwiches, cheeses and select entrees.

Head to the seventh floor rooftop and you’ll experience 4 Saints’ Restaurant, a mix of sophistication and convivial spirit. Perched on the tallest rooftop in Palm Springs and adjacent to the pool, the restaurant will boast stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains and Coachella Valley.  The restaurant incorporates global cuisine with a strong French influence, presided over by executive Chef Stephen Wambach, formerly of the Four Seasons in Chicago.

Guests and locals can visit High Bar, a bungalow-filled retreat and chic poolside lounge.  The rooftop pool, the only one of its kind in the Palm Springs area, is surrounded by daybeds with canopied misters, and cabanas, all boasting a 360 degree view of Palm Springs. 

New Film Festival Comes to Palm Springs November 9 - 11

A new film festival that showcases animated movies is coming to Palm Springs this month.  The above picture is actually taken from the animated short, "Rocket Man", featuring Elton John’s iconic song of the same title.  The film festival is called the Palm Springs International Animation Festival (PSIAF), and will feature 273 animated shorts and six full-length animated films. 

The festival is the brainchild of Brian Neil Hoff who started the event in his own backyard:  

In 2008, Hoff (a Palm Springs resident), held the first Backyard Film Festival behind his house complete with pop-up screen and projector. “When I launched [the Backyard Film Festival] in November 2008, I initially received 10 submissions, most of which were from animation directors I had kept in contact with over the years,” says Hoff. “They had additional shorts they wanted to submit, and after some intense work gaining Hollywood’s trust, we started to see the entries pour in.”

Hoff began to organize his thoughts over the next nine years. He created a method of logging entries and established communication with filmmakers. He developed relationships with animation magazines and blogs. Finally, he pitched the idea to Dimitri Halkidis, Boo2Bullying’s president and founder who was a recent recipient of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission Community Service Award.  To learn more click on this link: https://www.palmspringslife.com/animated-expression/