📬 April 2026
April in Palm Springs can get defined by Coachella and Stagecoach but that’s only part of the story.
Beyond the festivals, the city keeps moving. A police chief signals his next chapter. New businesses open their doors. Traditions return at sunrise. And in between it all, there’s still space to step outside and remember why people come here in the first place.
This issue is about that space.
And for us, it’s a milestone. Today, April 1, marks five years in the desert, and five years owning Old Ranch Inn. What started as a leap has become something deeper: a sense of place and community.
This is April, beyond the festivals.
🗞️ Palm Springs Now: The Big Stories
🚡 Tourism and Recreation
Palm Springs airport unaffected (so far) by ICE agents. Find out what you need to know.
Tourists spend nearly $2-billion a year in Palm Springs. Here’s the plan to make it even more.
Four Hikes with amazing views and wildlife. Check them out.
🚔 Public Safety & Community
Palm Springs police launch traffic crackdown after pedestrian fatality. Read the plan.
Police Chief Andy Mills is selling his house. Is it a sign that he’s moving on?
Palm Springs hosting a shredding, e-waste, and bulky item drop-off event on April 4. Details here.
🏗️ Development and Infrastructure
Demolition started on eastern span of South Palm Canyon Bridge. Find out what you need to know.
🎭 Arts and Culture
April 9 is Local News Day. Here’s how you can support local news in Coachella Valley.
Tickets are on sale for the 24th Spring Joshua Tree Music Festival, May 14-17.
☀️ Easter in the Desert
There’s something timeless about Easter morning in Palm Springs. The annual sunrise services at O’Donnell Golf Course and Aerial Tramway invite everyone to gather in quiet reflection as the desert comes to life. Read more
🌸 A Colorful Desert Celebration
Easter in Palm Springs has always been a vibrant affair. Learn more about Easter through the years.
⭐ Karen Devine Honored on the Walk of Stars
A familiar face to anyone who’s lived in the Coachella Valley, longtime journalist Karen Devine received the 486th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, recognizing more than three decades of reporting, storytelling, and holding the community accountable.
Karen has been a steady, trusted voice in the desert covering everything from breaking news to deeply personal community stories. Now, her legacy becomes part of downtown itself. Read more. Also, watch
Photo Credit: Matthew Mitchell
XOXO Palm Springs, June 2026
🎨 XOXO Palm Springs Arrives This Summer
Palm Springs is getting a new kind of festival. XOXO Palm Springs, debuting June 11–22, is a citywide celebration of arts and culture that transforms the desert into an open-air creative playground.
Think theater, film, dance, architecture, gallery shows, and immersive experiences unfolding across the city
🏡 Cary Grant’s desert retreat for sale
Villa Paradiso in Old Las Palmas
A piece of Palm Springs’ golden era is back on the market. The estate known as Villa Paradiso, a longtime desert retreat tied to Cary Grant, is now listed for $12.68 million, offering a glimpse into the kind of quiet glamour that once defined Hollywood weekends in the desert.
Set on nearly four acres in Old Las Palmas, the Spanish Revival compound includes multiple residences, lush grounds lined with palm and citrus trees, and the famed pool house where Grant spent weekends with his family. The property was owned by hotelier Charlie “Kewpie” Rich, a close friend of Grant’s, and built the guest house just for Grant. Over time, Grant left his mark, famously naming the estate Villa Paradiso, and helping shape its legacy as a discreet retreat for Hollywood’s elite.
🎭 April at the Plaza
April 1 - Billy Porter
April 4 - New York Philharmonic String Quartet
April 12 - Alyssa Edwards
April 21 - Jennie Garth
🎟️ Get Tickets, here!
🍽️ Chef Gabriel Woo: A New Era of Desert Dining
If you’ve scored a reservation at Bar Cecil, you already know the name. Chef Gabriel Woo is the creative force behind one of Palm Springs’ toughest tables.
A Palm Springs native, Woo’s now has Livs at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Photo Credit: Matthew Mitchell
🌴 Mrs. O’Donnell’s Corner
💅 Our friend, celebrity stylist Ted Gibson is bringing something new to town in May. It’s a beauty wellness science summit called Convergence on May 3-4 at the Renaissance Hotel. Ted told us “it’s a place to learn about how to take care of yourself through longevity doctors, wellness coaches, and astrologers. We are in!
🛍️ We found the cutest new shop on Tahquitz Canyon Way. Backstory has all sorts of cute things for yourself or as a gift. It’s right next to Pinocchio’s. Check it out.
☕️ A Provincetown legacy is heading west to the desert. Joe Coffee is opening an outpost in the Sunny Dunes District. The deets are here.
👠 Don’t for get Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday is coming on June 1 and we’re trying to set a world record for the most Marilyn look-alike in one place that weekend. Grab you white halter dress and platinum wig and join us!
💻 Pro-Tip: Book Direct & Save
Planning your next getaway? Skip the middlemen and book directly at oldranchinn.com to unlock the Private Rate — exclusive savings just for our inner circle (that’s you).
✔ Lowest rate guaranteed
✔ No extra fees
✔ Free Parking
📬 Thank you so much for reading the April issue of the Desert Dispatch!
April moves fast out here, and this month, we tried to capture more than just the headlines.
As we mark five years in the desert and five years owning Old Ranch Inn, we’re especially grateful for every guest who’s walked through our doors, and for the friendships that have grown along the way. This place, and this community, have given us more than we ever expected.
We’re glad you’re here. Your support means everything.
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