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Hot Rodeo: You’ll Have A Gay Old Time

Thermal was chock full of cowboys and cowgirls at the Desert Rodeo the last weekend in April, and the party is continuing in Palm Springs at Hot Rodeo. The fun will take place May 1-4, with the rodeo itself in Banning, a quick drive down the 10 freeway.

This year is HUGE for a couple of reasons. First, we’re celebrating 50 years of Gay Rodeo. That’s right, for 50 years Gay Rodeo has been holding events with cowboys who like boys and cowgirls who like girls, and the world keeps spinning. 

And it’s historically significant for another reason — this year it’s an all women-led event, the first ever, which is appropriate for a town that was built by women who embraced the gay community. Like I said, it’s BIG!

What happens at Hot Rodeo? Bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, steer decorating (what?), pole bending, chute dogging, flag racing, wild drag race, and ranch saddle bronc riding (new for 2025). I think those are all at the rodeo itself, but it can get pretty wild in the gayborhood so I’m hedging my bets. Also, burn this. What happens at Hot Rodeo stays at Hot Rodeo.

Hot Rodeo events

Thursday, May 1

6 p.m.: Dance Contest, Tool Shed, 600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd, Palm Springs. 

Friday, May 2

1 p.m.: Pool Party, Motel 6, Palm Springs.

6 p.m.: Contestant registration, Tool Shed.

7 p.m.: Cowgirl Night, Hunters Nightclub, 302 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs. (It’s been announced that The Barebacks will perform, but that doesn’t seem to be solid.)

Saturday, May 3

10 a.m.: Hot Rodeo, A.C.Dysart Equestrian Park 2030–2198 W. Victory Ave., Banning. Gates to open at 9:30 a.m., with Grand Entry at noon.

7 p.m.: Dancing Under the Stars (Day 1/2), Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.

Sunday May 4

10 a.m.: Hot Rodeo, A.C.Dysart Equestrian Park 2030–2198 W. Victory Ave., Banning. Gates to open at 9:30 a.m., with Grand Entry at noon.

7 p.m.: Dancing Under the Stars (Day 2/2). Oscar’s Palm Springs. (I think the awards presentation is here as well, but the schedule doesn’t commit to it.)

Everything you need to know about the events including tickets and passes can be found here. 

Where to stay in Palm Springs

Looking for a hotel that fits the vibe? I’ve got you:

Old Ranch Inn — A modern take on the spirit of the old west, this eight-room boutique hotel is in the heart of the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, within walking distance of Palm Springs’ best restaurants, shops, and clubs. 

Coyote Inn — A small and intimate boutique hotel with seven romantic rooms opening onto an enclosed patio with pool and spa. It is an exclusive Spanish Mission-style inn, fully walled and gated. Walking distance to downtown Palm Springs.

Hotel California — Consistently voted as one of the top hotels in not just Palm Springs, but the entire country.

Horsin’ around

If you’re not competing, but you’d love to do a bit of riding that involves horses, check out Smoke Tree Stables, which offers guided trail rides along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and through the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons. Options range from hourly rides to full-day excursions, and group rides can include Western cookouts or themed events.

BONUS: The Coachella Valley Derby Girls will play the South Coast Roller Derby at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 3. When I was a kid trying to find something to watch on TV when it was rainy outside, Roller Derby was often on one of the independent channels. The guys were hot, but man it was violent. But then they started showing the girl teams, and while they were trying to achieve the same goal, they weren’t violent, just very insistent (some call it pushy) and wildly creative with their moves. It’s slam poetry in motion. 

While you’re here, please consider staying and shopping locally. We absolutely appreciate your business. Plus, we like you.

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Hotel California: You can leave — but why would you want to?

Neil Mehta was impressed as soon as he walked onto the grounds of the Hotel California.

The Hotel California is consistently voted as one of the top hotels in not just Palm Springs, but the entire country. That’s just one of the reasons why Neil purchased the 14-room hotel in January 2019.

“It has a really nice intimacy to it,” Neil says. “There are a lot of different areas where you can get away and be by yourself. If you want to have a cup of coffee and stare at the mountains, you can do it in two or three different spots upstairs. But if you want to be surrounded by other guests, you can go to the pool.”

Originally built in 1942, the Hotel California is decorated with Spanish charm. It has a private courtyard, heated pool, spa, poolside cooling misters, fire pits, barbecue patio, and secluded outdoor cigar lounge.

At the same time Neil bought the Hotel California, he also purchased the Desert Riviera Hotel. As it turns out, both hotels once had the same owner.

“That great customer service culture was implemented at the Hotel California and Desert Riviera by the same owner long ago, and they’ve done a great job upholding that standard of service,” he says.

The Hotel California has a loyal following, with guests coming back year after year. Neil is looking forward to interacting with visitors, and is “extremely excited about the prospect of not only continuing the legacy of the prior owners, but also trying to find areas where we can improve and make guests feel even more like family,”

Neil has spent the last 10 years doing real estate development, and also owns a residential real estate company in Orange County. In 2014, he bought his first hotel in Newport Beach, and fell in love with the hospitality industry. Neil feels “lucky and blessed” to now own both the Hotel California and Desert Riviera, and is looking forward to getting settled in town.

“I am a big fan of the city of Palm Springs and of the culture that has always embraced diversity,” he says. “I’m excited to be part of it, to grow our business, and to provide positive experiences for guests.”

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Going To Stagecoach? Saddle Up At These Boutique Palm Springs Hotels

Coachella may be the name on everyone’s lips, but Stagecoach is growing by leaps and bounds. The older fan base is now being joined by Gen Z — after all, good music is good music, am I right? Not to mention, back in 2008 Taylor Swift was on the main stage. That was 16 years ago (I did the math), before she crossed over to pop and goddess status. This year they’ve got Jelly Roll, Willie Nelson, Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, and Miranda Lambert — just five of the 19 performers set to play.

Smaller than Coachella with fewer guy vs. flip flop moments, the Stagecoach Festival is 100 percent about the music, not the celebrities who attend. Because it is smaller than Coachella, traffic won’t be as intense, so you can make it a full-on Old West vibe by staying at one of our historic Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels and resorts and enjoy the best of two worlds.

With traffic, it might take an hour to get to the festival and park, but considering it took me an hour to drive to the Hollywood Bowl and 20 minutes to walk from my L.A. apartment, that’s a breeze. If you’re planning on doing some drinking while you’re there, no problem. We have Uber, Lyft, and Xpress Shuttles, a private shuttle service, all great options so you can keep your license. 

Palm Springs hotels with Stagecoach vibes

Stagecoach is only two months away, so let’s get those rooms booked, shall we? Here’s a roundup of fabulous properties to enhance your Stagecoach experience:

The pool surrounded by lounge chairs at Old Ranch Inn in Palm Springs, California

A sparkling pool awaits at the Old Ranch Inn. Photo courtesy of Old Ranch Inn

Old Ranch Inn — Eight luxurious rooms, Old West feel, new west luxury. Kitchenettes. From their website: “Old Ranch Inn sits in the heart of the historic Tennis Club area and is steps away from the downtown Palm Springs village. The Tennis Club area has a long and fascinating history with Hollywood celebrities, politicians, statesmen, and infamous world travelers who made Palm Springs their personal desert hideaway.”

A quaint bungalow with a tile roof at Casa Cody boutique hotel in Palm Springs, California

Casa Cody is the oldest standing inn in Palm Springs. Photo courtesy of Casa Cody

Casa Cody — Built in the 1930s, Casa Cody is the oldest standing inn in Palm Springs. Rich in history with gorgeous grounds, it’s a wonderful place to rejuvenate after a day of party. Centrally located and just steps away from downtown Palm Springs, all the great restaurants are walkable, yet your nights will be peaceful and quiet.

Coyote Inn's courtyard with palms and potted cacti

The Coyote Inn’s peaceful courtyard is always open to guests. Photo courtesy of Coyote Inn

Coyote Inn — Fireplace, hot tub, kitchenettes, walled and gated for ultimate privacy. Construction was in 1953, old Spanish Mission style. With seven rooms it’s your own little hideaway. It’s absolutely adorable.

The exterior of Hotel California in Palm Springs, California, with a palm tree in front of it

Welcome to the Hotel California. Photo courtesy of Hotel California

Hotel California — Unlike the hotel in the song, you can absolutely leave. The question is, why would you want to? You’ll have to peel yourself away from the rustic quaintness. Sparkling pool, all the peace. On the south end of Palm Springs, walk to Elmers, Mr. Lyons, Gigi’s, El Mirasol, and So•Pa (if you’re very fancy). 

The outside of the lobby at The Lucille Palm Springs with colorful tile and windows

The Lucille Palm Springs has beautiful tile work throughout the property. Photo courtesy of The Lucille Palm Springs

Lucille Palm Springs — Built in 1921, reimagined in 2024, its stark white exterior is kinda Santorini in Palm Springs but instead of the ocean you get a big gorgeous pool and kitchenettes. Named in honor of Lucille Ball, a longtime fan of the property back in the day.

The white building welcoming guests to the Yara Hotel in Palm Springs, California

Yara Hotel is one of the newest boutique hotels to open in Palm Springs. Photo courtesy of Yara Hotel

Yara Hotel — Some call it Spanish but to me it’s Moroccan with nice splashes of modern. Another smaller hotel, rent all 10 rooms and get the place to yourself. It’s pretty cool.

Black Adirondack chairs surround the blazing fire pit during an evening at Hotel El Cid in Palm Springs

Gather round the fire pit for an unforgettable desert night. Photo courtesy of Hotel El Cid

Hotel El Cid — From their website: “We designed El Cid to accommodate only one select group at a time. Six completely new, bungalow style units (a total of seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms) offer polished concrete floors, lots of leather and reclaimed wood, and a fun, California boho style. Most units offer living and dining areas and kitchenettes with wine fridges. All have fast internet and extra large 4K TVs.”

If you haven’t gotten your Stagecoach tix yet, you can use that link I just gave you. And if they’re sold out by the time you read this, then just come visit Palm Springs for a spell. Stagecoach isn’t the only party in town! 

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