“California dreamin’, on such a winter’s day …’’ —The Mamas and the Papas
Out-of-state license plates become common on Coachella Valley roads during the winter months—and if you work in the hospitality industry or on a golf course, you meet a lot of the snowbirds who descend upon Palm Springs. I can tell you that as a Canadian snowbird who drives thousands of miles every fall in order to reside here for a few months, there is a seductive draw to this desert town.
But it ain’t all about the sun. Sure, the winter weather is sublime in greater Palm Springs, but Florida and a whole lot of other U.S. destinations have warm sunshine, too. So what are the unique characteristics that draw snowbirds to Palm Springs?
Based on years of wintering here, I’ve compiled my top five reasons, beyond the beautiful weather, why Palm Springs is the ultimate snowbird winter home. In descending order …
5. Palm Springs International Airport: “Wait, didn’t you just say you drove here?” you might ask. Almost every snowbird who comes to Palm Springs for an extended period of time has family and friends who come to visit, too. Why pay for a trip to a Hawaiian resort when you can bunk for free with Mom and Dad in Palm Springs?
The compact size of PSP is a dream for picking up travelers, compared to the mega-hub airports elsewhere in the U.S. My experience has been that the Transportation Security Administration procedures at PSP are extremely efficient, in part due to the relatively small number of travelers in comparison to larger airports in the U.S.—and direct flights from many Canadian cities, including my hometown, are plentiful.
Then there are the aesthetics of PSP. It must be the prettiest airport in the country. It has almost a retreat-like feel with its outside area full of greenery and mountain views. There are also outstanding places to eat, with some of the offerings from local restaurants, allowing travelers to continue experiencing the California vibe until boarding time.
4. The small-town size: Large cities, of course, have a lot to offer—but those benefits come with drawbacks. For one thing, large cities are difficult to navigate. For snowbirds in larger metropolises, driving can be daunting, frustrating and stressful—but Palm Springs, with its small population and its with well-planned arteries such as Highway 111 and Palm Canyon Drive, is so easy to get around. Snowbirds drive a long way to get here, and we don’t want a lot more driving every day.
Shopping at secondhand stores in greater Palm Springs is my idea of yoga for the mind: The experience is both a meditation and a treasure hunt rolled into one.
Another stand-out benefit is the free parking in most areas, including downtown Palm Springs and the El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert. Comparable areas in large cities have paid lots, adding a little bit of irritation for snowbirds trying to find an easy place to park in order to enjoy an afternoon out on the town. Small-city structures also allow the beautiful views to stand out; there are no towering buildings that stand in the way. Traveling among the nine cities in the Coachella Valley is simple and easy—and we visit them all!
3. Shopping: The Coachella Valley has so many privately owned stores that sell a wide variety of distinctive merchandise. Sure, there are many of the beloved chain stores here, but there are also local clothing designers and artists, and stunning furniture and decor stores, from the very high end to the downright affordable—and what can I say about the vintage shopping options? Shopping at secondhand stores in greater Palm Springs is my idea of yoga for the mind: The experience is both a meditation and a treasure hunt rolled into one.
2. Recreation: I could write a whole column on how fabulous and varied the recreation opportunities are in greater Palm Springs. There is culture galore, with thoughtful and stimulating museums that are impressive for a small city. There are sporting events, such as the popular Firebirds hockey team that the Coachella Valley has warmly embraced, as well as golf, tennis, polo and other competitions to watch.
If one is a participant like I am, there are many recreation opportunities that appeal to snowbirds such as tennis, golf and pickleball. The facilities for all of these sports are well maintained, both on the private and public side.
The most outstanding recreation opportunity has to be hiking. The options for trails are so diverse, and the flora and fauna of the desert are so beautiful that they’re actually healing.
1. Community: Not every community is as welcoming as greater Palm Springs. What I really admire and deeply appreciate about the Coachella Valley is how welcoming and respectful the residents are. My husband loves to socialize, and I am amazed at how easily he can make friends here; it just takes a little effort. We have resided at several different condominium complexes and have found the homeowners to be very accepting of us as seasonal residents. Another snowbird I know was invited into an organized run group simply because he was running beside them. He now runs weekly with them while he is in Palm Springs, and has done so for many years.
Finally, there is the admirable community spirit the Coachella Valley possesses. There are parades and festivals that showcase and celebrate all kinds of things. We are currently volunteering with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and my husband has done a shift at FIND Food Bank.
The Coachella Valley cares about its people, and its vibrant soul shines even warmer than the sun. It all makes this snowbird want to be a part of it all.
Carol Loader finds that opportunities in retirement keep her feeling young. Her hometown is Victoria Beach, Manitoba, Canada.