Bermuda Shorts, Bloody Mary and Duncan Yoyo

Question – What do Bermuda shorts, the Bloody Mary and the famous Duncan yoyo all have in common?

Answer – They were all created by Palm Springs residents.

Bermuda shorts – There are many stories that connect Bermuda shorts to Palm Springs.  The one that makes most sense is that they were “invented” by cowboy Frank Bogart, a former mayor of Palm Springs early in his career when he was in charge of promotion at El Mirador Hotel in the 1930’s. He bought some men’s trousers at the I Magnim store located at El Mirador and cut them off at the knee – then hired men to wear them while pulling rickshaws (with El Mirador signs on the back) around downtown Palm Springs. This was back in the days when photos and newsreels provided major news coverage. Pictures of this “new men’s fashion trend” were shown all over the world, providing free promotion for both Palm Springs and El Mirador Hotel.

The Bloody Mary – The Racquet Club Palm Springs was a private club for Hollywood stars and other celebrities. The club featured bungalows where members would stay while visiting Palm Springs. Because the Racquet Club was private, members could party as late into the evening as they wished, and often would awake the next morning somewhat under the weather. One of the Racquet Club bartenders took a fairly bland cocktail containing vodka and tomato juice, spiced it up and added some veggies – an attempt to provide a “wake-up” for the dulled senses of overindulgent members. This became the Bloody Mary as we know it today!

Duncan yoyo – In 1928, Donald Duncan, owner of the Duncan Toy Company, built what still remains as the largest single estate in the Old Las Palmas area of Palm Springs (15,000 sq. ft. of living space on just over 4 acres of land). In 1930 he started selling the Duncan yoyo, and teamed up with Hearst newspapers to promote yo-yo contests (still in existence today). The newspaper advertised the contests, and players had to sell 3 newspaper subscriptions to compete. A single promotion in Philadelphia sold 3 million yo-yos in 30 days.

Welcome to Gay Palm Springs

Although the City of Palm Springs is small in size (46,000 full time residents) it has been named the #1 gay travel destination in the world over and over again. It all began in the 1980’s when Palm Spring was on a bit of a downslide. A few gay men saw an incredible opportunity to purchase homes needing “tender loving care” as vacation or retirement escapes in our sunshine and warm weather. In 1992 the Palm Springs City Council decided that one way to revive Palm Springs was to aggressively market the City as a gay & lesbian resident and resort destination. It worked!  

Today it’s estimated that 40%-50% of our full time residents are either gay or lesbian. Our current and immediate past mayors were both elected as openly gay. Palm Springs boasts over 30 gay & lesbian resorts, 4 gay dance clubs, 15 neighborhood gay bars, and 2 of the largest gay parties in the world (Dinah Shore Weekend & White Party).

Most importantly, however, is that Palm Springs is truly gay-friendly. There aren’t just one or two GLBT neighborhoods in Palm Springs. The entire city is a wonderfully diverse mixture of gay and non-gay. And no wonder. The GLBT community has really built Palm Springs as we know it today!

Where else but in Palm Springs can you spend the morning catching some rays by the pool, the afternoon hiking through the snow, then an incredible dinner at one of our chef-owned restaurants, followed by dancing at a club or taking in a world-class show, and ending the day with a late night soak in a hot tub under our clear star-filled sky.

With so many gay & lesbian resorts, there’s something for almost everyone’s tastes, be it social and active, or very laid back and restful. Most gay & lesbian resorts are clothing optional, but recently several new resorts have opened which specifically are not clothing optional. And if you prefer to stay at a resort which is not gay & lesbian exclusive, know that most Palm Springs boutique resorts and hotels openly welcome gay & lesbian guests, and in many cases, promote their properties to the GLBT community.

Palm Springs Resorts - Boutique - Movie Colony Hotel

726 North Indian Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

888-953-5700

www.moviecolonyhotel.com

This Albert Frey designed mid-century modern 16 room resort is geared best for low maintenance couples looking for a romantic get-away or R&R vacation, who also would like the opportunity to explore Palm Springs. Children are not allowed at this resort.

The resort is located in the trendy Uptown District of Palm Springs, home to many “retro-remix” boutiques, art galleries, and great restaurants. The resort offers complimentary cruiser bikes, which makes for an easy and fun way to get around town.  

Room styles range from basic studios to one bedroom two-story townhouses that open onto the pool from the lower level and have private sun decks off the upstairs bedroom. Note however that the townhouses do not have full kitchens. I especially like the 2^nd story terrace rooms which each have private sun decks and seating areas including nice size tables, perfect for outdoor breakfast or lunch. If I were staying here I could see myself spending most of my time on my private sundeck.

The rooms are nicely appointed in mid-century modern style, very neutral colors with yellow accents. My only complaint is that I personally would have liked to see upgraded bathrooms. These ones are pretty standard.

The pool area is quiet, simple and open 24 hours.  Away from the pool is a courtyard area with breakfast bar and fire pit – also the location of the daily complimentary wine hour. There is an onsite spa studio and in-room massage service is available.  

There is no onsite staff after 7:00 pm (although I am told the owner is available by telephone), so if you are likely to want last minute concierge services to make dinner suggestions or reservations, you will need to plan early.

Introducing Palm Springs Boutique Resorts

It all started in 1935 when Ruth Hardy purchased a Spanish-style estate and turned it into a 20-room hotel called the Ingleside Inn. At that time it was operated as a private club; guests had to be invited by Ruth personally. She hosted the “Who’s Who” of show business, finance and politics, and her hotel became a favorite gathering place for the rich and famous. The Ingleside Inn still remains as one of the exclusive boutique resorts in Palm Springs.

Today, however, there are almost 100 small boutique resorts in Palm Springs. Some offer only one or two guest rooms or suites – only a few have over 50 rooms or suites. Each has a unique ambiance and character, often an expression of the independent on-site owners. There are resorts with a Spanish hacienda flavor, resorts that reflect mid-century modern décor, some western themed resorts, even a small resort that is like stepping into a classic Japanese home.

Some resorts have on-site Spa services and some have restaurants. There are resorts that are great for socializing while others stress solitude. One thing common to most Palm Springs boutique resorts is that they are geared towards adult guests, and do not encourage families with young children. Nothing against the exuberance of children splashing in a pool or playing tag on the patio, but most Palm Springs boutique resorts are offering their guests a quiet, restful and relaxing vacation experience away from noise and commotion.

Over the next months I will highlight a variety of my “Top Pick” boutique resorts on this blog.     

Creating Your Own Special Palm Springs Vacation

I started Captain Kirk’s Palm Springs Adventure in March, 2011 with a very simple mission:

Provide Palm Springs active adult visitors with hassle-free and memorable vacations that exceed expectations.

In a world that has become increasingly “high-tech,” my goal is to provide services that are “high-touch” and personalized. For example:

Where to Stay

If you’ve been thinking about a Palm Springs vacation you may have visited some of the many Palm Springs tourism websites. With over 120 places to stay in the City of Palm Springs alone it can be a challenge making the “best” choice. Many sites sell advertising and therefore only include accommodations that have purchased space. Other sites only have listings, meaning you must constantly click to other websites, not knowing if those resorts have availability in your time-frame.

I provide recommendations, based on getting to know who you are, what your interests are and who you are traveling with. After a conversation by phone or Skype to learn what kind of Palm Springs vacation you want, I offer “top pick” recommendations. I only recommend those resorts that match your preferences and have availability during your planned vacation time-frame. You’ll still want to check out these recommendations for yourself, but I save you time and hassle.

What to Do

There’s so much to do in the Palm Springs area. I provide you, as an active adult, with options that match your interests, as well as some suggestions regarding how you might want to combine activities. For example, if you’re interested in both hiking and shopping, I know a place just perfect for an easy 1½ hour hike including terrific views of the surrounding valley that’s only 10 minutes from El Paseo (the Rodeo Drive of Palm Springs) where you can have lunch and spend time shopping.

I also offer personalized Old Las Palmas Celebrity Home Walking Tours and Desert Oasis Hiking Tours on the San Andrea Fault. These tours are small (limited to no more than 6 people) and scheduled at your convenience, not the convenience of the tour company.

Time to Relax

Many Palm Springs visitors just want to spend time at their resort, out in the sun by the pool, maybe catching up on some long overdue reading, chilling out from a hectic work schedule – basically “doing nothing.” Many resorts have room refrigerators; some have suites with full kitchens. Based on your shopping list I’ll make sure your fridge is stocked before your arrival and re-stocked during your visit. No need to make that trip to the grocery store – spend your time doing what you really want to do. I can arrange to have meals provided for you at your resort, and if you want, I’ll even serve them and clean up afterwards.

Welcome to Palm Springs!

Over the years I’ve lived in a number of cities in the U.S. - on the east coast, the mid-west and the west coast. I moved to Palm Springs in 2002, not knowing much about desert living, but learned quickly that Palm Springs life is paradise!

Palm Springs, California is located 110 miles east of Los Angeles in the Coachella Valley, and is surrounded by mountain ranges keeping the desert valley protected from inclement weather. 

With 330 days of sunshine per year and an average high temperature of 75 degrees from September to May, this desert valley extends 40 miles including 7 contiguous cities (Palm Springs at the west end of the valley to Indio at the east end). With guaranteed sunshine and warm weather, there’s no better place to get away and soak up the sun.

The City of Palm Springs is the most charming and village like of all the desert resort cities, with a full-time resident population of 46,000 swelling to over 200,000 seasonal residents and visitors from late September to early June. Palm Springs has a long history of individuality and acceptance and is a resort destination I think best appreciated by modern adults looking for relaxation as well as adventure and fun!

Palm Springs alone has over 120 distinct resort properties, including large exclusive hotels as well as very individual small stylish boutique inns.

There are over 100 restaurants in Palm Springs, ranging from budget breakfast bistros to break-the-bank fine dining.

Although the Palm Springs area is probably best known for its sunshine and wonderful weather as well as golf and tennis, there is so much more to do in the Palm Springs area, including:  hiking & biking; live entertainment & theatre; casinos & gaming; and museums & shopping.

Hike the ancient Indian Oases, or atop the ridge trails of the stunning Mt. San Jacinto Mountains. Bike around town. Immerse yourself in the “retro remix” style that has become popular due to the desert modernism architecture being restored in Palm Springs.

Evenings are especially magical. It’s difficult to imagine anything better than being under our spectacular starlit skies on a warm evening. Walk down Palm Canyon Drive and dine in one of our amazing chef-owned restaurants, shop the boutiques, hit the clubs then settle back around an outdoor fire and midnight swim.  

With so much to do it’ is hard to choose. It has become my passion to explore every inch of Palm Springs. Let me help you create a uniquely special vacation in the Palm Springs area!