These are times of worry for a lot of us here in the Coachella Valley.
Many business owners are worried about the economic situation. How much will the significant decrease in Canadian tourists and part-time residents hurt the bottom line? How much higher will the prices of, well, everything get, due to tariffs and inflation? Is another government shutdown around the corner? Or a recession?
Many non-white Coachella Valley residents are worried about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Is it safe for someone who’s Latino, or appears to be Latino, to be in public without a passport? What about people who don’t have passports? Are any immigrants, even those here legally, safe at a time when “immigrant” is more or less a dirty word in the minds of the people running the country?
Many LGBTQ+ Coachella Valley residents are worried about their rights being stripped away. How much further will the presidential administration’s horrific war on transgender people go? While the U.S. Supreme Court has left the right to same-sex marriage intact for now, will that change in the future?
I could go on and on, but I’ve made my point: These are uncertain times for many of us who call the Coachella Valley home.
However, there’s reason for optimism: We do indeed call the Coachella Valley home. While this place is far from perfect, it’s chock-full of wonderful businesses, organizations and people who, each and every day, do their part to make this a community, and a wonderful place to live.
The Best of Coachella Valley poll is a celebration of those businesses, organizations and people. In the pages that follow, you’ll find hundreds of listings of the businesses, organizations and people that the readers of the Coachella Valley Independent and the viewers of KESQ News Channel 3 have determined to be the among Coachella Valley’s best. We’ve also added in a dozen picks from Independent staff and contributors, and we’re featuring three Best of Coachella Valley winners who have particularly interesting stories to tell.
Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists—and, most of all, thanks to all of you who took the time to vote.
Welcome to the 12th annual Best of Coachella Valley issue.
—Jimmy Boegle
Presented by
Spirits and Nightlife
Best Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch Selection
Blackbook
Runners Up
2. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
3. Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
4. Eureka!
Best Bloody Mary
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
Runners Up
2. Hunters Palm Springs
3. Bongo Johnny’s
4. Spencer’s Restaurant
5. Escena Grill
6. Sloan’s
Best Bar Ambiance
Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
Runners Up
2. Paul Bar/Food
3. Bar Cecil
4. The Tropicale
5. Playoffs Sports Lounge
6. Red Barn
Best Wine/Liquor Store
Total Wine and More
Runners Up
2. BevMo!
3. Desert Wine Shop on 111
4. Perry’s Fine Wines and Liquors
5. Hyphen Wines
Best Wine Bar
V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Runners Up
2. Zin American Bistro
3. Desert Wine Shop on 111
4. Canopy Wine Lounge
5. La Fe Wine Bar
Best Sports Bar
Hunters Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. 360 Sports at Agua Caliente
3. Playoffs Sports Lounge
4. Burgers and Beer
5. DJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
Best Nightclub
Hunters Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
3. Chill Bar
4. The Nest
5. Oscar’s Palm Springs
Best Martini
Paul Bar/Food
Runners Up
2. Bar Cecil
3. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
4. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
5. Spencer’s Restaurant
6. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Margarita
Blue Coyote Grill
Runners Up
2. El Mirasol
3. La Tablita
4. Las Casuelas Terraza
5. Armando’s Dakota Bar and Grill
Best Dive Bar
Tool Shed
Runners Up
2. Streetbar
3. Neil’s Lounge
4. Hair of the Dog
5. Playoffs Sports Lounge
Best Happy Hour
Streetbar
Runners Up
2. Hunters Palm Springs
3. Paul Bar/Food
4. Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill
5. Lulu California Bistro
6. Playoffs Sports Lounge
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar/Club
Hunters Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. The Roost
3. Streetbar
4. Blackbook
5. Chill Bar
Best Craft Cocktails
The Evening Citizen
Runners Up
2. Paul Bar/Food
3. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
4. Bar Cecil
5. Bootlegger Tiki
6. Tailor Shop
Best Cocktail Menu
Paul Bar/Food
Runners Up
2. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room
3. The Evening Citizen
4. Bar Cecil
5. TIE
Bongo Johnny’s
Tailor Shop
Best Local Brewery
La Quinta Brewing Co.
Runners Up
2. Luchador Brewing Company
3. Coachella Valley Brewing Co.
4. Las Palmas Brewing
5. Desert Beer Company
Best Beer Selection
Yard House
Runners Up
2. Burgers and Beer
3. Las Palmas Brewing
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. DJ’s Sports Bar and Grill
Food and Restaurants
Best Latin American
Clandestino
Runners Up
2. Low Desert Modern Mexican
3. Mi Cultura Cuisine
4. Peruvian Fuego
5. Crudo Cervicheria
Best Juice/Juice Bar
Fresh Juice Bar
Runners Up
2. Jamba Juice
3. Palm Greens Cafe
4. Fruit Wonders
5. Big Juice Bar
Best French Fries
Tony’s Burgers
Runners Up
2. McDonald’s
3. Bar Cecil
4. Gastro Grind Burgers
5. Tyler’s Burgers
6. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Gluten-Free Dining
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Runners Up
2. Lulu California Bistro
3. 533 Viet Fusion
4. Palm Greens Cafe
Best Food Truck
TKB Food Truck
Runners Up
2. Fatboy Tacos and Catering
3. Nick’s Pizza
4. Mariscos El Capitan
5. Outside the Masa
Best Doughnuts/Pastries
Swiss Donut
Runners Up
2. Peninsula Pastries Palm Springs
3. Carousel Bakery and Cafe
4. Winchell’s
5. Jensen’s
Best Burrito
La Tablita
Runners Up
2. El Mirasol
3. El Taco Asado
4. Ty’s Chipotle Tacos
5. TIE
Bongo Johnny’s
One Stop Taco Shop
Best Salsa
El Mirasol
Runners Up
2. Las Casuelas Terraza
3. Blue Coyote Grill
4. Rincon Norteño Mexican Restaurant
5. Salsa’s Restaurant
Best Mexican
La Tablita
Runners Up
2. Tac/Quila
3. Blue Coyote Grill
4. Felipe’s Fine Mexican Food
5. Crudo Cevicheria
Best Late-Night Restaurant
Blackbook
Runners Up
2. Yard House
3. Kitchen 86 + Bar
4. Ty’s Chipotle Tacos
5. Castañeda’s Mexican Food
Best Outdoor Seating
Spencer’s Restaurant
Runners Up
2. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
3. Le Vallauris Restaurant
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. Lulu California Bistro
Best Upscale Restaurant
Spencer’s Restaurant
Runners Up
2. Copley’s on Palm Canyon
3. Bar Cecil
4. Willie’s Modern Fare
5. Le Vallauris
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Runners Up
2. Native Foods
3. Palm Greens Cafe
4. Lulu California Bistro
Best Vietnamese
Rooster and the Pig
Runners Up
2. 533 Viet Fusion
3. Fuzion Five
Best Thai
Thai Smile Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Pepper’s Thai
3. My Thai
4. Desert Thai Authentic Thai Cuisine
5. Talay Thai
Best Steaks/Steakhouse
LG’s Prime Steakhouse
Runners Up
2. The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente
3. Mr. Lyons Steakhouse
4. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
5. Spencer’s Restaurant
Best Seafood
Fisherman’s Market and Grill
Runners Up
2. Oceans Restaurant
3. Eddie V’s
4. Pacifica Seafood
5. Oceana Palm Desert
Best Sushi
TIE
Ponzu Sushi
Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
Runners Up
3. Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar
4. Joyce’s Sushi
5. Misaki Sushi and Grill
Best Korean
BeeCh Please
Runners Up
2. Blazing King BBQ and Hot Pot
3. You Grill Korean BBQ
4. Maru Korean BBQ and Grill
5. Kpop Foodz
Best Japanese
Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
Runners Up
2. Joyce’s Sushi
3. Otori Sushi
4. Ponzu Sushi
5. Shabu Shabu Zen
Best Italian
Giuseppe’s Pizzeria
Runners Up
2. Trilussa Ristorante
3. Il Corso
4. Mario’s Italian Cafe
5. Bar Issi
6. Johnny Costa’s Ristorante
Best Indian
Monsoon Indian Cuisine
Runners Up
2. India Oven
3. Its Taste of India
4. Indian Kitchen
Best French
Si Bon
Runners Up
2. Le Vallauris Restaurant
3. Farm Palm Springs
4. Cafe Des Beaux-Arts
5. French Corner Cafe
6. French Rotisserie Cafe
Best Greek
Santorini Gyro
Runners Up
2. Athena Gyro
3. Koutouki Greek Estiatorio
4. Nina’s Traditional Greek Cuisine and Pizzeria
5. Luna Grill
Best Chinese
City Wok
Runners Up
2. JOY at Fantasy Springs
3. China 8
4. Wang’s Chinese Cuisine
5. China Jo’s
6. Cie Sichaun Cuisine
Best Brunch
Wilma and Frieda
Runners Up
2. Farm Palm Springs
3. Spencer’s Restaurant
4. Bongo Johnny’s
5. Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
Best Breakfast
Elmer’s Restaurant
Runners Up
2. Bongo Johnny’s
3. Billy Reed’s
4. Spencer’s Restaurant
5. Keedy’s Fountain Grill
6. Rick’s Restaurant
Best California Cuisine
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
Runners Up
2. Lulu California Bistro
3. Spencer’s Restaurant
4. Zin American Bistro
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Coffee Shop
Koffi
Runners Up
2. IW Coffee and Chai Bar
3. Coachella Valley Coffee
4. Ernest Coffee
5. Gre Records and Coffee
Best Local Coffee Roaster
Koffi
Runners Up
2. Joshua Tree Coffee Company
3. Coachella Valley Coffee
4. IW Coffee and Chai Bar
5. Cartel Roasting Co.
Best Buffet
Fresh Grill Buffet at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Runners Up
2. Emperor Buffet
3. The Marketplace by Fabio Viviani at Morongo
Best Smoothies
Monster Shakes
Runners Up
2. Fresh Juice Bar
3. Jamba Juice
4. Juice It Up!
5. Fruit Wonders
Best Bagels
Townie Bagels, Bakery and Café
Runners Up
2. Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
3. Panera Bread
4. Costco
5. IW Coffee and Chai Bar
Best Wings
Blackbook
Runners Up
2. Chicken Ranch
3. Wingstop
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Pizza
Bill’s Pizza
Runners Up
2. Giuseppe’s Pizzeria
3. Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill
4. Upper Crust
5. Cipolline Osteria
Best Sandwich
The Sandwich Spot
Runners Up
2. Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
3. Real Italian Deli
4. Aspen Mills
5. Manhattan in the Desert
6. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Veggie Burger
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Runners Up
2. TIE
Bongo Johnny’s
Native Foods
4. Tony’s Burgers
5. Gastro Grind Burgers
6. Tyler’s Burgers
Best Burger
Tony’s Burgers
Runners Up
2. Tyler’s Burgers
3. Gastro Grind Burgers
4. Grill-A-Burger
5. Bongo Johnny’s
Best Barbecue
Bubba’s Bones and Brews
Runners Up
2. Babe’s Smokehouse and Tavern
3. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
4. CV BBQ
5. Big Earl’s Barbecue (inside the Fireside Lounge)
Best Bakery
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners Up
2. TIE
Over the Rainbow
Peninsula Pastries Palm Springs
4. Aspen Mills
5. Carousel Bakery
Best Frozen Yogurt
Monster Shakes
Runners Up
2. Gelato Granucci
3. Beach House Yogurt
4. Lizzy’s Premium Frozen Yogurt
5. Tutti Frutti
Best Date Shake
Shields Date Garden
Runners Up
2. Monster Shakes
3. Hadley Fruit Orchards
4. Great Shakes
5. Windmill Market
Best Ice Cream/Shakes
TIE
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Monster Shakes
Runners Up
3. Lappert’s Ice Cream
4. Gelato Granucci
5. Ben and Jerry’s
Best Desserts
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners Up
2. Monster Shakes
3. TIE
Billy Reed’s
Over the Rainbow
5. Jensen’s
Best Custom Cakes
Over the Rainbow
Runners Up
2. Nothing Bundt Cakes
3. TIE
Jensen’s
Pastry Swan
5. Exquisite Desserts
Best Delicatessen
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery
Runners Up
2. Real Italian Deli
3. Manhattan in the Desert
4. On the Mark
Best Caterer
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge
Runners Up
2. Lulu California Bistro
3. On the Mark
4. Lynn Hammond Catering
5. Westwood Catering
Best Diner
Elmer’s Restaurant
Runners Up
2. Bongo Johnny’s
3. John’s Restaurant
4. Keedy’s Fountain Grill
5. JT’s Diner
Best Organic Food Store
Sprouts Farmers Market
Runners Up
2. Whole Foods
3. Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
4. Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Market
5. Nature’s Health Food and Cafe
Best Casual Eats
Billy Reed’s
Runners Up
2. 1501 Uptown Gastropub
3. Blackbook
4. Lulu California Bistro
5. Bongo Johnny’s
6. John’s Restaurant
For the Kids
Best Indoor Activity for Kids
Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
Runners Up
2. TIE
Get Air Trampoline Park
Zebra World
4. Berger Foundation Iceplex
Best Place for a Birthday Party
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Runners Up
2. Boomers!
3. Chuck E. Cheese
4. Shakey’s Pizza
Best Place for Family Fun
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Runners Up
2. Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
3. Dave and Buster’s
4. Palm Springs Surf Club
5. Boomers!
Best Restaurant for Kids
Chuck E. Cheese
Runners Up
2. Shakey’s Pizza
3. Red Robin
4. Kobe Japanese Steak House
Best Playground
Palm Desert Civic Center Park
Runners Up
2. La Quinta Civic Center Park
3. Ruth Hardy Park
4. Demuth Park
5. Rancho Mirage Community Park
Outside!
Best Public Golf Course
PGA West
Runners Up
2. Escena Golf Club
3. Indian Canyons Golf Resort
4. Desert Willow Golf Resort
5. Mission Lakes Country Club
Best Sporting Goods
REI
Runners Up
2. Dick’s Sporting Goods
3. Big 5 Sporting Goods
4. Yellow Mart
5. Pete Carlson’s Golf and Tennis Shop
Best Bike Shop
Trek Bicycle Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. TIE
Big Wheel Tours
Trek Bicycle Palm Desert
4. Jade Bicycle Detailing and Repair
5. Tri-A-Bike
Best Outdoor/Camping Gear Store
REI
Runners Up
2. Dick’s Sporting Goods
3. Big 5 Sporting Goods
4. Yellow Mart
Best Park
Ruth Hardy Park
Runners Up
2. Palm Desert Civic Center Park
3. Demuth Park
4. Downtown Park Palm Springs
5. Ironwood Park
Best Hike
Tahquitz Canyon Trail
Runners Up
2. Whitewater Preserve (general)
3. Bump and Grind Trail
4. Mount San Jacinto State Park (general)
5. South Lykken Trail
Best Recreation Area
Joshua Tree National Park
Runners Up
2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
3. Indian Canyons
4. Whitewater Preserve
5. Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Best Place for Bicycling
CV Link
Runners Up
2. Palm Desert (general)
3. Downtown Palm Springs Bike Loop
4. Idyllwild Regional Park
Best Public Garden
Sunnylands
Runners Up
2. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
3. Moorten Botanical Garden
4. Palm Desert Civic Center Park
5. Wellness Park
6. Ed Hastey Loop (Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument)
Fashion and Style
Best Nail Salon
Happy Nails Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon
3. Lovely Nails
4. TK Nail Salon
5. Glossy Nails and Spa
Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer
Costco
Runners Up
2. Milauskas Eye Institute
3. Be Seen Optics
4. TIE
Desert Vision Optometry
Ooh La La de Paris (Dr. Raul Arencibia and Dr. Jeff Northcutt)
Best Tattoo Parlor
Adornment Piercing and Private Tattoo
Runners Up
2. Blue Rose Tattoo
3. Anarchy and Ink Tattoo
4. Iron Palm Tattoo
5. Strata Tattoo Lab
Best Florist
Palm Springs Florist
Runners Up
2. My Little Flower Shop
3. Rancho Mirage Florist
4. Indio Florist
5. Enchanted Floral Design
Best Day Spa (Non-Resort/Hotel)
The Spa at Séc-he
Runners Up
2. Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon
3. Desert Zen Day Spa
4. Men’s Wellness Retreat
5. SpaSeo Skin
Best Spa in a Resort/Hotel
Two Bunch Palms
Runners Up
2. Spa Desert Springs at the JW Marriott Desert Springs
3. Sunstone Spa at Agua Caliente
4. Miracle Springs Resort and Spa
Best Hair Salon
Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon
Runners Up
2. Brien O’Brien Salon
3. Roots & Mane
4. Salon Jarick
5. Salon 119
Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store
El Paseo Jewelers
Runners Up
2. Smoke Tree Jewelers
3. Leeds and Son Fine Jewelers
4. Hephaestus Jewelry
5. Cartel Jewelers
Best Antiques/Collectibles Store
Revivals
Runners Up
2. Misty’s Consignments
3. Antique Galleries of Palm Springs
4. Re[x]
5. Stewart Galleries
Best Furniture Store
H3K Home+Design
Runners Up
2. Mathis Bros.
3. Revivals
4. PS HomeBoys
5. Re[X]
Best Resale/Vintage Clothing
Revivals
Runners Up
2. Angel View
3. Market Market
4. Mitchells
5. The Fine Art of Design
Best Clothing Store (Locally Owned)
Destination PSP
Runners Up
2. Trina Turk
3. Peepa’s
4. Wil Stiles
5. Frank Clothiers
Valley Professionals
Best Insurance Agent
Tom Gleeson (State Farm)
Runners Up
2. Cindy Pieper (State Farm)
3. Rick McCauley
4. Ron Henderson (Farmers)
Best Accountant/Bookkeeper
M&J Tax Services
Runners Up
2. Barton CPA
3. Bean Counter
4. J Leon and Associates
5. Osborne Rincon CPAs
Best Mortgage Company
Franklin Loan Center
Runners Up
2. Contempo Lending
3. CMG Home Loans
Best Carpet/Floor Cleaning Service
Stanley Steemer
Runners Up
2. Smith’s Carpet, Tile and Upholstery Cleaning
3. Clean Choice Floor Care
4. Magiklean
Best Local Home Improvement Company
Ace Hardware Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Lowe’s Home Improvement
3. The Home Depot
4. Builders Supply
5. New Wave Home Audio and Video
Best Plumber
TIE
General Air Conditioning and Plumbing
Roto Rooter
Runners Up
3. Randal’s Plumbing
4. 3 Sons Plumbing
5. Kaufmann Plumbing
Best Flooring/Carpet Company
Flooring Innovations
Runners Up
2. Carpet Empire Plus
3. Modern Home Design Showroom
4. Prestige Flooring Center
Best Pest Control Company
Dewey Pest Control
Runners Up
2. Newman Pest Control
3. Orkin
4. Truly Nolen
5. Pestology Pest Control
Best Auto Dealership
Palm Springs Motors
Runners Up
2. Honda of the Desert
3. Palm Springs Hyundai
4. Palm Springs Subaru
5. Fiesta Kia
Best Veterinarian
Animal Samaritans
Runners Up
2. VCA Palm Springs
3. Dr. Rachel Reedy, Ridgeline Veterinary Clinic
4. Carter Animal Hospital
Best Solar Company
Hot Purple Energy
Runners Up
2. Renova Energy
3. Sunrun Solar
Best Auto Repair
Valley Smog and Auto Repair
Runners Up
2. Sergio’s Automotive
3. Exotic Car Service
4. Bavarian Auto Repair
5. Cam Stone’s Automotive
Best Public Servant
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills
Runners Up
2. Rep. Raul Ruiz
3. Palm Springs City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein
4. Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte
Best Real Estate Agent
Taylor Fenwick
Runners Up
2. Stephen Burchard
3. Elizabeth Glass
4. Scott Histed
5. Chris Menrad
Best Chiropractor
Dr. Steven Roffers
Runners Up
2. Dr. Cory Acker, Acker Chiropractic
3. TIE
Dr. Stephen Krupey, Pain Relief and Wellness Center
Nazemi Chiropractic Corp.
Best Personal Trainer
Stephen Crouse
Runners Up
2. Bruno Moreno
3. Jeremy Michur
4. Vernon Dupree
Best Air Conditioner Repair
TIE
Comfort Air
Timo’s Air Conditioning and Heating
Runners Up
3. Desert Air Conditioning
4. General Air Conditioning and Plumbing
5. Priority One
Best Attorney
Walter Clark
Runners Up
2. Christopher Heritage
3. Eric Rudolph
4. Barbara Knox
5. Dale Gribow
Best Cosmetic Surgery
TIE
Dr. Timothy Jochen
Dr. Mark Sofonio
Runners Up
3. Dr. Harry Marshak
4. Dr. Suzanne Quardt
5. Dr. Maria Lombardo
Best Dentist/Orthodontist
Dr. Scott Shepherd (Palm Springs Family and Cosmetic Dentistry)
Runners Up
2. Dr. Gerald Chang
3. Dr. Alexander Tran (Palm Desert Modern Dentistry)
4. Dr. Manpreet Dev (Tahquitz Dental Group)
5. Dr. Kianor Shah (Desert Dream Dentistry)
Best Eye Doctor
Dr. Greg McMahill
Runners Up
2. Dr. Keith Tokuhara
3. TIE
Dr. David Esquibel
Dr. Deepa Abraham
5. Dr. Bart Ketover
Best Doctor
Dr. Michael Hughes
Runners Up
2. Dr. Ann Stapleton
3. Dr. Russell Hisscock
4. Dr. Jason Halperin
5. Dr. Bruce Ferguson
Life in the Valley
Best Print Shop
Canyon Print and Signs
Runners Up
2. Roadrunner Print and Ship
3. Staples
4. AIM Mail Center
5. Xpress Graphics and Printing
Best Retirement Community/Independent Living
Living Out Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Sun City Palm Desert
3. Del Webb Desert Retreat
4. Revel Palm Desert
Best Credit Union
Altura Credit Union
Runners Up
2. Sun Community Federal Credit Union
3. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Best Pet Daycare
The Village Pup
Runners Up
2. Doggie’s Day Out
3. Barkingham Pet Hotel
4. My Desert Dogs
5. Canine ACE
Best Bank
Chase
Runners Up
2. Bank of America
3. Wells Fargo
4. US Bank
5. Altura Credit Union
6. California Bank and Trust
Best Staycation Hotel
Thompson Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Parker Palm Springs
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
4. La Quinta Resort
5. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
Best Local Specialty Retail Shop
Destination PSP
Runners Up
2. Just Fabulous
3. Peepa’s
4. Gre Records and Coffee
5. Bobo Palm Springs
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Reefer Madness Dispensary and Lounge
Runners Up
2. Off the Charts
3. The Leaf El Paseo
4. Dank Depot
5. Hightend Dispensary and Lounge
Best Indoor Fun/Activity
Coachella Valley Firebirds Hockey
Runners Up
2. Dave and Buster’s
3. Escape Room Palm Springs
4. Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
5. Get Air Trampoline Park
Best Hotel Pool
Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Runners Up
2. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
3. The Saguaro
4. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
5. Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa, Indian Wells
Best Comics/Games Shop
The Dragon’s Den
Runners Up
2. Comic Asylum
3. Desert Oasis Comics
4. GameStop
Best Retail Music Store
Palm Springs Vinyl Records and Collectibles
Runners Up
2. Rocks and Records
3. Gre Records and Coffee
4. Guitar Center
Best Local Radio Personality
John Taylor, KGAY 106.5
Runners Up
2. Patrick Evans, MeTV FM 103.1
3. Chris Shebel, KGAY 106.5
4. Bradley Ryan, Mix 100.5
5. Joey English
Best Radio Station
KGAY 106.5 and 92.1
Runners Up
2. Q102.3 Classic Rock
3. 103.1 MeTV FM
4. 107.3 Mod FM
5. MIX 100.5 (KPSI)
Best Place to Gamble
Agua Caliente Palm Springs
Runners Up
2. Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage
3. Agua Caliente Cathedral City
4. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
5. Morongo Casino Resort and Spa
6. Augustine Casino
Best Annual Charity Event
LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert Red Dress/Dress Red
Runners Up
2. Palm Springs Animal Shelter Faux Fur Ball
3. Animal Samaritans Men of the Desert Fashion Show and Luncheon
4. DAP Health Dining Out for Life
5. DAP Health Steve Chase Humanitarian Award
Best Pet Supplies
Bones-N-Scones
Runners Up
2. PetSmart
3. Cold Nose Warm Heart
4. Petco
5. Tailwaggers
Best Plant Nursery
Moller’s Garden Center
Runners Up
2. Moorten Botanical Garden
3. Bob Williams Nursery
4. DesertStrawHouse Native Plant Nursery
5. Evans Lane Nursery
Best Car Wash
Desert Hand Car Wash
Runners Up
2. Quick Quack Car Wash
3. Elephant Car Wash
4. Airport Quick Car Wash
Best Sex Toy Shop
Rough Trade Gear
Runners Up
2. Not So Innocent
3. Gear Leather and Fetish
4. Skitzo Kitty
5. Q Trading Company
6. Hustler Hollywood Palm Springs
Best Bowling Alley
Palm Springs Lanes
Runners Up
2. Fantasy Springs Bowling
3. Canyon Lanes at Morongo
Best Yoga
Steel Gym
Runners Up
2. Urban Yoga
3. Power Yoga Palm Springs
4. Hot Yoga Plus Palm Springs
5. GATHER Yoga
Best Gym (specific location)
Steel Gym
Runners Up
2. EOS Fitness Palm Springs
3. In-Shape Fitness Cathedral City
4. The Fitness Edge
Best Local Activist/Advocacy Group/Charity
LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert
Runners Up
2. Palm Springs Animal Shelter
3. Animal Samaritans
4. Palm Springs Pride
5. AAP Food Samaritans
Arts
Best Open Mic
The Roost
Runners Up
2. Oscar’s Palm Springs
3. The Social Cafe and Play Lounge
4. Old Town Artisan Studios
Best Producing Theater Company
Coachella Valley Repertory
Runners Up
2. The Bent
3. Revolution Stage Company
4. Palm Canyon Theatre
5. Dezart Performs
6. Desert Ensemble Theatre
Best Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum
Runners Up
2. Palm Springs Air Museum
3. Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
4. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
5. La Quinta Museum
Best Movie Theater
Mary Pickford Is D’Place
Runners Up
2. Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
3. Cinemark Century La Quinta and XD
4. Cinemark Century at the River and XD
5. Regal Rancho Mirage and IMAX
Best Local Visual Artist
Shag
Runners Up
2. Ernesto Ramirez
3. Marconi Calindas
4. Gary Wexler
5. Kathleen Struckoff
Best Local Musician (Individual)
Ron Pass
Runners Up
2. Keisha D
3. Abi Carter
4. Gary Gand
5. Maximo Marcuso
Best Local DJ
DJ Mod Girl
Runners Up
2. DJ Galaxy
3. DJ Eric Ornelas
4. DJ Jeffree
5. DJ Alex Harrington
Best Local Band
Giselle Woo and the Night Owls
Runners Up
2. Dreamboats
3. The Gand Band
4. Bronca
5. Avenida
Best Local Arts Group/Organization
Palm Springs Cultural Center
Runners Up
2. Coachella Valley Repertory
3. Desert Art Center
4. Dezart Performs
5. Artists Council
Best Outdoor Venue
Sunnylands
Runners Up
2. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace
3. Oscar’s Palm Springs
4. Rancho Mirage Amphitheater
5. The Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs
6. Cathedral City Community Amphitheater
Best Indoor Venue
McCallum Theatre
Runners Up
2. Acrisure Arena
3. Palm Springs Cultural Center
4. The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage
5. Fantasy Springs Special Events Center
Best Art Gallery
TIE
CODA Gallery
The Shag Store
Runners Up
3. Kee Gallery
4. Rubine Red Gallery
5. Imago Galleries
6. MAD.KAT