One day, when I was a kid, we forgot Father’s Day. He never attended church with us, and I don’t even know why we went that particular Sunday — our attendance was pretty sporadic, so maybe Mom had enough of Dad and decided to get away to church. Who knows. But at church they reminded us that it was Father’s Day. Whoops.
It was the mid-1960s and nothing was open on a Sunday except the 7/11 and they didn’t sell cards back then – nor booze on Sunday, nor milk (for some ridiculous reason). When we arrived home empty handed, Dad was mowing the lawn and while we apologized profusely, he was quite the sad sack for the rest of the day. And no one was happy when Dad wasn’t happy.
Do not let your dad be an unhappy sad sack on Father’s Day. You can show up for him in a big way by bringing him to Palm Springs. That’s right. Palm Springs has something for everyone: young and old, straight and gay. Lots of specials going on at the small boutique hotels, so check those out for a great deal. Use the drop down to sort amenities that fit your dad to a T.
If Dad is gay, he’ll already know where to go for fun; the Arenas District is our fabulous gayborhood with great options for the three Ds: Dining, Drinking and Dancing (what, you think I meant something else?).
I can’t give you something specific for your dad because I don’t know him. I mean, I might, used to get around, but your dad likely did not.
Here we go:
Fun things to do in Palm Springs
Power Baseball — Summer baseball is a thing here in Palm Springs. It is held at our stadium behind Sunrise Park, on Ramon and Sunrise. And according to statistics, they are a pretty good team. Here’s what I found out: They have won 10 outright league championships in their history, including back-to-back wins in the California Premier Collegiate League (CPCL). As of the end of the 2024 season, their all-time record is 678-153, which translates to a winning percentage of 81.6%, making them one of the best summer collegiate teams in the country.
BMW Performance Center — It is a bit of a drive to get to Thermal, but your dad won’t mind if he’s a bit of a speed demon or gearhead. This is the ultimate experience in driving.
The Spa at Sec-he — Some dads are gearheads, and some are in touch with their inner selves and like a nice relaxing day at the spa. Hey, maybe he’s both? Sec-he is 20 stars. And seriously, you can and will want to spend the whole day with a treatment or two and lunch, etc. It’s gorgeous!
Gambling at the casino — Slots, tables, food, and entertainment can be found at Agua Caliente, our local casino.
Comedy: Rock Gallery — This club has been around for about a year. It’s cozy, and it’s quite fun. Great list of up-and-coming comedians.
Drag
Brunch — There are quite a few drag brunches, including Oscar’s. But I am going to let you Google that because sometimes they pop up unexpectedly. Bring singles, even Dad will get in on the fun.
Drag and Fly — Great little tour of Palm Springs in a very cool ride with amazing access to visuals. It’s like no tour bus you’ve ever seen, with unusual guides for anywhere else except Palm Springs
Dad Bars
Palm Canyon Roadhouse
Hair of the Dog
Mickey’s Irish Pub
Tiki Bars
Local Breweries
Coachella Valley Brewing Co Tap Room
Dinner
Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse — If dad is a fan of the meats, this is his Mecca.
Johnny Costas — Old school Italian, dark wood walls, bright white table cloths, and waiters that know what they’re doing.
Zin American Bistro — Right on the strip. Good food, good people watching. Wine specials too.
Lulu — Fun, buzzy place with great happy hour specials on food and drinks at the bar area. A Palm Springs favorite.
Trio — Nice balance of comfy and upscale. It can be a bit loud in the dining room, but the food and drinks are great.
Spencer’s — When my uncle was alive, we used to go to this gorgeous place for dinner on special occasions. I actually enjoy their breakfast and lunch menu quite a bit, and the ambiance is unparalleled.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!
