A quarterly update announcing new venues, attractions, activities, and signature events compiled by the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism www.visitpalmsprings.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Pool House Makes a Splash

Located in the uptown district, the intimate six-room hotel opened in May 2010, along with its full-service restaurant, The Blue Pear. Each guest room is situated around a sparkling pool featuring a white, black and electric blue color scheme that sets the stage for a retro getaway to Palm Springs. Room rates start at $99.00. http://thepoolhouseps.com/

POSH Palm Springs Inn Lives Up to Its Name

The 1930s Art Deco Architectural gem opened up a few months ago offering an all-inclusive vacation experience. Guests who stay at the eleven-room property will receive complimentary three-course gourmet breakfast, light poolside lunches and evening happy hours with appetizer. Room rates start at $164.00. http://poshpalmsprings.com/

Renovated Convention Properties

More than $180 million dollars has been invested into new hotels and property renovations. Renaissance Palm Springs (Formerly Wyndham) and Hyatt Regency Suites completed their renovations earlier this year. Find out more about new hotel product and meeting space  at www.VisitPalmSpringsCC.com 

SUMMER TRAVEL DEALS

Room Nights Starting at $39.99

Sun worshippers do not have to travel far to experience a sunny destination that does not require a big expense or a passport. Rooms are starting as low as $39.99 a night through September 30, 2010. More than 30 hotels, vacation home rentals and attractions are offering deep discounts and free mid-week room nights. A complete list of hot deals on www.visitpalmsprings.com

FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs Short Film Festival – June 22-28, 2010

This month, thousands of film aficionados and celebrities such as Kirsten Dunst, Glenn Close and James Franco will celebrate cinema. Now in its 16th year, the Palm Springs International ShortFest showcases over 300 short films from more than 40 countries, with a library of more than 2,700 films available to film buyers, industry and press in its concurrent Short Film Market. Festival events include nightly receptions, seminars, master classes, and scheduled one-on-one meetings with industry experts and filmmaking professional.  www.psfilmfest.org

Fourth of July Fireworks Show
Festivities will kick off at 6:05 p.m. when the Palm Springs POWER Baseball will take on the Novato Knicks at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and game tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for children and seniors. Free admission for the fireworks begins at 8 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. on July 4, 2010.

SUMMER ATTRACTIONS

Moonlight Adventures:  Off-Road Adventures & Desert Wildlife Tours

Starry desert nights are the perfect setting for evening voyages filled with nocturnal wildlife, moonlight hikes, off-road adventures and campfire stories. Five evening adventures include Joshua Tree, The Living Desert, Mt. San Jacinto and San Andreas Fault >>>

Sunrise Golf and Twilight Magic

Summer golf course specials in Palm Springs are swinging into action. Master the game of golf while taking advantage of reduced rates at four Palm Springs golf courses: Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, Escena Golf Club, Indian Canyons Golf Resort and Mesquite Golf Course.

Hotels Spin with Poolside DJs

Sun worshippers are dancing to DJs and chillin’ in the pool this summer…several hotels are having pool parties on the weekends. Riviera Resort & Spa has its five o’clock flag raising ceremony to Frank Sinatra; Hotel Zoso has weekend Poolside DJS; Spa Resort Casino weekend Pool Parties; and the Ace Hotel & Swim Club’s Sunday Sessions. Summer events online at www.visitpalmsprings.com

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Keeps Visitors Cool

From palms to pines, visitor can escape the warm summer temperatures at the desert floor by soaring on the world’s largest rotating tramcars to access a cool pristine wilderness. Once at the top at 8,000+ feet, the average temps are in the 70s to 80s and it is ideal to hike 54 miles of trails and enjoy a picnic. www.pstramway.com

New Summer Hours for Villagefest

Join thousands of visitors and locals in downtown Palm Springs every Thursday to stroll an array of artists, vendors, entertainers and more. New summer hours are from 7 p.m. to 10:000 p.m. through September 30. www.villagefest.org

NEW EXHIBITS

Palm Springs Art Museum Opens New Exhibition Featuring Works by Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, Degas and Moore

The Palm Springs Art Museum will open a new exhibition on June 26 featuring stunning art works created by modern masters, including Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas, Roger de la Fresnaye, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and many more significant modern artists.  The exhibition, Modern Masters Celebrate Line and Form, includes drawings, prints, sculptures and paintings drawn from the museum's permanent collection and extended loans and will be on view until September 26, 2010.

RESTAURANTS AND CLUBS

Zeldaz Night Club Moves to a New Location

For 30 years, the legendary dance club has been providing entertainment and special events to visitors and locals. Zeldaz now has a new location offering two dance floors, eight bars and two DJs spinning the latest hits. New location: 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive in the Sun Center across from Bank of America in downtown Palm Springs. www.zeldaznightclub.com

Blue Pear Opens
The Blue Pear restaurant is becoming quite popular to locals and visitors. The Texx Mexx menu is offered lunch and dinner and does not exceed $10.00. Poolside dining is option and if a nap is necessary after a meal, guests can book a room at the onsite inn – The Pool House. www.bluepeartexxmexx.com/

Aloha to Tropics Restaurant

Located on the property of the Tiki and Polynesian style hotel - Caliente Tropics - the new Tropics Restaurant is serving up cuisine with a twist along with an onsite Desert Modernica Gallery and Outrigger Gift Shop. http://thetropicsrestaurant.com/

LGBT NEWS

Palm Springs Seeks Best Bartenders in Eight Cities

America’s Gay Oasis is seeking the best bartenders in eight gay clubs in Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Francisco and San Diego. Palm Springs is challenging bartenders to stir, mix and shake up some poolside cocktails for its inaugural “Palm Springs Pool Party and Cocktail Challenge,” sponsored by Logo TV Network and Gay.com. A winner will be selected from each city and brought to Palm Springs to compete in a fabulous "Poolside Finale" in September 2010. www.palmspringscocktails.com

Summer Splash Program Returns

The Desert Gay Tourism Guild has launched its annual Summer Splash promotion with a new "Splash Pass" used for deep discounts at participating hotels. Special airline discounts from American Airlines, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air and Westjet, and 15% off from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

New Website for LGBT Traveler

Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism has launched a new website, www.VisitGayPalmSprings.com, as the official online resource for LGBT travelers. The new website showcases the collection of nearly 30 gay and lesbian-owned and/or operated resorts and guesthouses, including many that are clothing optional.

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

New Summer Non-Stop Service To & From Calgary

For the first time in the history of Palm Springs International Airport, there is non-stop service to Canada during the summer months. WestJet now has two weekly direct non-stop flights to its major airline hub in Calgary, Alberta -- with access to the entire Canadian network of cities. The airline offers non-stop service to Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary during the season at Palm Springs International Airport.