The 2023 Palm springs International Film Festival takes place from January 5 - 16.  The film festival is one of the largest in North America, welcoming thousands of attendees each year for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries.  The festival is also known for its annual Film Awards Gala, honoring the achievements of the year in cinema by a celebrated list of celebrities.  Brendan Fraser, Cate Blanchett, Austin Butler, Viola Davis and Colin Farrel are some of the celebs expected to attend the Gala this year.  With over 130 films, there is something for everybody to see at this years event.  Click here to learn more about the event and to purchase tickets.  

 

Howdy Stagecoachers! The 2023 lineup has just been announced and features Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Chris Stapleton, Jon Pardi, Old Dominion, Brooks & Dunn and so many more. The festival dates are April 28 - 30, 2023.  Passes go on sale Friday, September 16 at 10AM PT.  Some of this year’s highlights include the return of Guy Fieri's Stagecoach Smokehouse experience, Nikki Lane’s Stage Stop Marketplace, and the Compton Cowboys. For those ready to scoot your boots, the Honky Tonk Stage is heating up a notch, with artists curated by Diplo himself, all weekend long. Head over to their new website for all the latest updates, pricing and availability.  Head over to the Dry Heat Resorts website to book your luxury vacation home.

 

                           South Lykken Trail to Josie Johnson Vista Park (North Approach)

I've hiked the South Lykken trail in Palm Springs a million times since moving to Palm Springs 18 years ago.  I've always started the hike at the S. Palm Canyon Drive trailhead and hiked up for about 30 minutes and then back down.  Consequently, I only saw a small part of the trail and a experienced a certain view of the city.  I knew the trail went much further and eventully came back down at another trailhead in the North.  I didn't know where that was.  I stumbled upon it over the weekend and check it out.  The North trailhead is at the end of Mesquite Ave.  It's another amazing hike and features a completely different view of the city.  I think it's a nicer view.  In addition to the city views, you also look down upon TahquitzCanyon.  

The South Lykken trail from the Mesquite Ave trailhead is a great intermediate hike containing a few steep, but mostly moderately inclined switchbacks. Toward the top I found a "park" called the Josie Johnson Vista Park.  Park is in quotes because it ain't much more than a few wooden picnic tables surrounded by cacti, rock structures and mountains.  Having written that, if you like to hike and like to eat, I think it's a great place to take a lunch break with friends and family.  

To get to the trailhead, take Palm Canyon Drive to Mesquite Ave and head West on Mesquite towards the mountain and towards Tahquitz Canyon.  You can park on Mesquite before Belardo.  It's a great hike and you should really check it out. 

And yet another film festival for Palm Springs visitors to check out is happening on May 21, 2022.  The Bow Wow Film Festival at the Palm Springs Cultural Center is a one-night only event that will include a VIP Reception along with a number of short films starring man's best friend.  The event will benefit both the Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Palm Springs animal Animal Shelter.  General admission is only $10.  Priority seating and group seating pricing is also available.  

The Palm Springs Cultural Center produces and encourages arts and cultural programs including film festivals, live performances, art installations and lectures.  The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is a public no-kill shelter that helps thousands of animals each year.  Both are worthy causes in my book, so while in town, why not enjoy a fun filled evening while supporting some good local organizations.  

If you're a fan of tiki culture and mid-century modern tiki in particular, being in Palm springs on Sunday, April 17 is a must. The bi-annual Alohana Spring event is a colorful, jam-packed tiki-themed event that features tiki cocktails, Hula dancers, a market filled with tiki-themed merchandise plus beautiful art, crafts, vintage and handmade apparel and jewelry and more. This event is a celebration of tiki culture that can't be missed. https://www.facebook.com/alohanapalmsprings/

                                          Glow In The Park at The Living Desert

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is an amazing zoo and gardens that showcases plants and animals from the world's deserts.  They also have beautiful nature and hiking trails that allow you to experience the natural state of our Colorado desert.  If you haven't been there, I highly recommend it.  

From March 27 - April 29, 2022, the park will feature a new nocturnal event called Glow In The Park.  Their description follows:  "This extraordinary nighttime event will feature intricate, immersive, and truly awe-inspiring animal and nature-scape lantern creations representing wild places from around the globe. Dozens of displays featuring illuminated lanterns and light displays will create unforgettable moments and experiences.

Watch the desert come alive with spectacular installations that will delight guests of all ages. Explore the lighted pathways, immersive photo-opportunities, and see The Living Desert in a whole new light. Unlike any other light festival in Southern California, don’t miss your chance to experience Glow in the Park – A Spring Lantern Festival."  Live a little and drive from your Palm Springs vacation home to Palm Desert's Living Desert to check out this limited event.  Sounds like a lot of fun and something different to do while you're here.  

You know Palm Springs has hit the world-class luxury bigtime when it's featured in a BMW Superbowl commercial staring Arnold Schwarzenegger.  The commercial has Schwarzenegger playing a ready-to-retire Zues.  And where else would the ruler, protector, and father of all gods and people retire to than Palm Springs, California.  To see the commercial, click here.