Every city has its personality. Something to consider is whether or not that city is a city of night—or day? Los Angeles by day, is frankly an often unattractive attraction of template malls—especially if the background light is the opaque gray that haunts the the early summer. This has become a topical discussion in such masterworks as John Rechy’s City of Night and the Door’s L.A. Woman, which begged the question: ” Are you a lucky little lady in the City of Light? Or just another Lost Angel? City of Night”. Los Angeles by night actually has some glamor. Take a visit to the Griffith Observatory to see a panoramic view of the city with all its twinkling and a parade of heatwaves and enjoy. The daylight will reveal a sprawling endless scenery of freeways and buildings—hardly the stuff of Hollywood dreams.

As we head southeast to that cozy town of Palm Springs and its environs, we are treated to a different perspective: this is not a city you want to be in the daylight. In the summer the heat can settle in at 108 degrees and above. Barefoot walking not recommended for humans or animals. It is a perpetual Play Misty for me as the misters create a watery gloom of vapor that quickly evaporates in the mid-day sun. But then comes the night—The Palm Springs night, the night of the cashmere wind, the whispering hush of palms trees swaying—sounds poetic? It is. For at the close of the day, the lights come on, lines get drawn, the temperature dips, the rattling of cocktail stirrers begins—it’s time to party!

There is something unique about the desert night—there is little humidity in fact, Palms Springs with the exception of June 23, has not had any rain in 128 years, but there is a slight breeze and that makes everything sexy. This must be true as it explains the proliferation of bedroom mirrors that are everywhere in Palm Springs—closets, ceilings, walls, everywhere there are mirrors—which is surprising given that this is to a large extent an older community, weathered and worn by the perpetual and endless summer. There are also plastic surgery centers on nearly every block.

As with all good things, PS summers, despite the heat draws hordes of sun-seeking tourists willing to battle getting there—it’s actually the leaving that is difficult. But like that other “resort” town, Las Vegas, the key is in their being unique as cities—quite unlike any other cities in the US—and in this case, one best seen at night.

Book in advance (as in February).

An update: Things are changing in that region.

Palm Springs is known for its hot desert climate, but the region has been experiencing noticeable weather changes over the years. Here are some key facts about the changing weather in Palm Springs:

Increasing Summer Heat: Palm Springs has always been hot during summer, but temperatures are rising. In recent years, the number of days over 110°F (43°C) has increased, with some summers recording extreme heat waves pushing temperatures even higher.

Longer, More Intense Heat Waves: The duration and intensity of heat waves have also grown. Whereas heat spikes might have been a few days in the past, they now often last longer, putting more strain on people and infrastructure.

Warmer Nights: While daytime highs are getting hotter, nights are also warming up. The number of warm nights, where temperatures remain above 80°F (27°C), has increased, offering less relief from the desert heat.

Flash Flooding and Rainfall Variability: While Palm Springs is a desert with low annual rainfall, the area has seen an increase in extreme weather events, including flash floods. These are often caused by sudden, intense rainstorms or remnants of tropical storms. Flooding in typically dry riverbeds (washes) can happen more frequently.

Impact of Climate Change: These shifts are largely attributed to global climate change. Increased greenhouse gas emissions are intensifying weather patterns, making both the dry spells drier and the storms more intense.

Winter Temperature Fluctuations: Winters in Palm Springs are mild, but there have been reports of warmer-than-usual winter months. This warming trend might reduce the pleasant “cool” season, which is a major draw for tourists.

These changes are affecting not only daily life in the region but also tourism, agriculture, and the local environment.