Palm Springs Daily Photo

New book-- Coconut Grove Chronicles--set in Floriday where this Palm Springs guy grew up

2025-09-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Pick up a copy soon. It's a hoot.

Palm Springs Above

2025-09-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

Windmills are a contentious topic today.

The Palm Springs area has hundreds of them.

Do they kill birds?

Do they provide clean energy?

Are they worth it?

All these questions and many more are being answered, sometimes not so honestly. Let's look at the pros and cons from a reputable website at Cal Tech.

Desert Fashion Plaza Flashback

2025-01-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

It certainly was not pretty, The Desert Fashion Plaza, that is. This was downtown Palm Springs way back a quarter century ago.

Marilyn Turns Psychadelic for Palm Springs Gay Pride Weekend 2024

2024-11-03T22:11:00.004-08:00

Earthquakes and Tahquitz--Legends of the Native Spirit

2024-09-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

Had the last few decades seen a retreat of Tahquitz, the first Shaman--medicine man created with unformidable powers that he abruptly abused?

Can the great worrier strike back at any moment with tumultuous earthquakes, vicious storms, and even terrible car crashes on Highway 10? Or worse yet, can he take away the profits of the Coachella Valley's casinos and the new modernist-inspired frenzy of reconstructing our mid-century past?

According to legend, our fate lies with Tahquitz, as his green ball of fire can erupt at any time, swiping the souls of innocent victims. Beneath the rumbling of Tahquitz lies Coachella Valley.

The great ball of fire lurks. Our past and future roam, never idle, always in flux,

like the heart of the escaped maiden released from the great legend's arms.

Top 5 Must-Visit Hot Spots in Palm Springs for Snowbirds and Visitors 2024

2024-08-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Palm Springs during the high season from October to April has optimal weather, big-city cultural events indoors, and beautiful nature preserves outdoors. From morning hikes to 5:00 Happy Hour and late-night clubbing, the city is buzzing throughout the season.

As a resident of the city, I find myself at one or the other of them frequently from viewing and photographing modern art inside and outside at the Palm Springs Art Museum to Happy Hour and from sipping coffee at La Jefe Coffee House to daily morning hikes through the Prescott Preserve and draft IPA beer or two at the V Wine Bar while most of the people there are enjoying glasses (or bottles) of fine wine.

The city of Palm Springs gives me all of the gusto I got. I’m just about always happy here. Indeed you will be too.

Here’s the scoop on where I go:

Palm Springs Art Museum

101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Patio area of Palm Springs Art Museum. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

High on your bucket list for a day of education and exercise would be the Palm Springs Art Museum. The museum is home to the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and numerous events throughout the season.

The museum was designed in 1974 by E. Stuart Williams and opened in 1976. The museum’s exterior is a trip in itself, especially for photo ops, as the building is classic mid-twentieth century modern. Two giant staircases fit for a queen take you up under a large overhang and into the glass facade entrance of the building.

Recently, I visited a preview of the restaurant Livs located on the bottom level below the Annenberg. On what is to be the restaurant’s patio two wild DJs dance their hearts out while diners munch on lobster rolls and burgers prepared by Chef Gabriel Woo.

The museum is centered right up to San Jacinto Peak. One of its best-kept secrets is that behind the museum there is a trail (Museum Trail) that winds up the mountain with spectacular views of Palm Springs below. The two-mile trail is some of the best exercise you’ll get on your visit.

Forever Marilyn Statue

Museum Drive

Marilyn Monroe statue in downtown Palm Springs, California. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

The 26-foot tall statue by John Seward Johnson II is right smack in the middle of downtown Palm Springs. Just a block west of Palm Canyon, the city’s main drag, a walk on the strip isn’t complete without a peek at Marilyn.

Straight from a scene in the film, The Seven Year Itch is Marilyn in all her giant glory, dress blown up, but there’s no grate. Her heels and underwear are must-sees, the latter has caused much controversy among the town’s rich folk.

This is my people-watching area, as reactions to standing under Marilyn’s dress next to her giant pumps permit me to repetitiously giggle inside.

Reactions range from shock to surprise to effusive blushing when sneaking a look up briefly at her white panties while phone cameras click and snap. The gorgeous eternally iconic figure watches over the city like a hawk.

La Jefa Coffee House

750 N Palm Canyon Dr. B, Palm Springs, CA 92262

La Jefa Coffee House's welcoming outdoor area features an pink airstream. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Inside and out this unique coffee house a great selection of coffee drinks and fresh pastries, along with outside seating around a giant Airstream trailer. Can’t get more retro than that!

La Jefa’s outside area is perfect for sitting while sipping a triple-shot soy (or whatever) cappuccino. The perfect spot for pulling out my digital nomad’s laptop and getting to work writing and playing with Photoshop.

V Lounge Wine and Martini Bar

600 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Monday nights it's Leanna and Miguel at the V Wine Lounge. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Can’t beat the eclectic crowd that shows up every Monday night when Leanna sings while her husband, Miguel, plays the bongo.

This place is hopping with some of the best wine options in the city. There’s food too — lots of it — from pizza to cheese plates and the yummiest carrot cake around.

Prescott Preserve

Palm Springs between Sunrise & El Cielo

Turtle resting pad in one of many of Prescott Preserve's ponds. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Uniquely situated in the central part of the city is the newly formed Prescott Preserve. It was a former golf course and now has magically transformed into a wildlife and botanical habitat. Tropical Storm Hilary’s abundant rainfall has turned it green.

My walks used to be rock fests as my earbuds blared with music.

That has changed.

Now I just breathe in deep meditation while looking at the giant mountain, which in this city not only calms but also orients me westward to the city of Palm Springs wherever I am in the Coachella Valley.

The desert cities of Cathedral City, Racho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Indio lie east of Palm Springs, so all that you have to do to get back to the city is to look for the mountain. For me, that is vital as my sense of direction is nonexistent without that mountain.

Coyotes will follow in Prescott Preserve. They mean no harm. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Are there coyotes? Yes, and lots of them. One morning at dawn I was followed by one at the Tahquitz Wash. I was afraid, turned myself around, and looked big by raising my arms and making lots of noise. The animal looked at me, puzzled. Then I turned around and walked. It walked with me until the end of the trail. Later, a ranger told me that’s just what they do. They escort you out of their territory. Now there are many signs around the preserve saying just that.

Roadrunner in Palm Springs Preserve. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Oh, and by the way, the roadrunners that you frequently see are gorgeous and usually stop for you to take a photo.

Everybody’s jumpin’ in Palm Springs. These five outings are sure to leave you rewarded with memories that will last forever.

Dolly Way Back When; President in 2024

2024-07-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

Dolly Parton on tour at Fantasy Springs Casino in 2007. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

Way, way back some two decades ago, I was asked to photograph a Dolly Parton concert. The photographers had been barred off from getting that close. That was strange. (Oops wrong Dolly).

She performed in twenty-eight concerts, including one in Indio at Fantasy Springs Casino on Feb. 16, 2007. I was there.

All I could find of Dolly Parton's image is a low res image of her on my Google Drive. To be sure, there's softness (blur) in the photo. That's because I had a lousy zoom lens by Tamron that didn't work well. The enlargement of the photo didn't help it either.

Take a look at Dolly's set list for the concert.

Here's a story about An Evening with Dolly Parton tour.

Oh...one more thing all of the images on her website are soft also.

I do love Dolly; if she were running for president, I'd vote for her.

Dolly for President

I love Dolly. Hello Dolly!

I love Barbara too.

Turtle Has Paper Clip Surgery

2024-06-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

See the image of the turtle from Morongo Valley near Palm Springs in the high desert on the top? This a desert turtle that has had its shell broken.

The close up image shows how a kind sole paper clipped the shell together after it broke.

The paper clips appear to have a bit of wear and the turtle's shell has grown over part of the metal.

Astonishing isn't it?

Despite it all, it appears to be thriving, so it has been left alone.

The Legend of Tahquitz Streams though the San Jacinto Mountains into the Coachella Valley

2024-04-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Legend of Tahquitz, the first Shaman--medicine man who was created with formidable powers that he abruptly abused exists high in the the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs.

Can the great worrier strike back at any moment with tumultuous earthquakes, vicious storms, and, yes, even terrible car crashes on Highway 10? Or worse yet, can he take away the profits of the Coachella Valley's new casinos and the modernist-inspired frenzy of reconstructing our mid-century past?

Tahquitz hangs out in the

Has anyone spotted the retreat of Tahquitz, the first Shaman--medicine man who was created with formidable powers that he abruptly abused?

Can the great worrier strike back at any moment with tumultuous earthquakes, vicious storms, and, yes, even terrible car crashes on Highway 10?

Or worse yet, can he take away the profits of the Coachella Valley's new casinos and the new modernist-inspired frenzy of reconstructing our mid-century past?

According to legend, our fate lies with Tahquitz as his green ball of fire can erupt at anytime, swiping the souls of innocent victims.

Beneath the rumbling of Tahquitz, lies Coachella Valley at the sunset of the millennium. The great ball of fire lurks. Our past and future roam, never idle, always in flux, like the heart of the escaped maiden released from the great legend's arms.

Let's bless the revival was due to bands of preservationists snapping up mid-century-built property, recreating yesterdays--orbital architecture, rebuilt castles-without-towers of beams and glass against the canyon where people dare to sleep, for fear of having their souls stolen.

Lore, yes. Reality, maybe.

Here's looking at you, kid. You the Valley beneath the wind of Tahquitz during the sunset of the last century. Boom times galore, rock and roll mayor, teeming population growth, and turning small town business-as-usual into mid-sized city business-on-demand.

Lore, yes. Reality, maybe.

Here's looking at you, kid. You the Valley beneath the wind of Tahquitz during the sunset of the last century. Boom times galore, rock and roll mayor, teeming population growth, and turning small town business-as-usual into mid-sized city business-on-demand.

Remembering the Tribal Maiden

2024-04-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Before the newAgua Caliente Cultural Museum went up, which is trip into tribal history in Palm Springs this Tribal Maiden greeted you. She was lovely.

Tribal Maiden 2004

Chucky the Chuckwalla

2024-03-13T20:45:00.000-07:00


chuckwalla

The common chuckwalla is one weird reptile. It's fat and flat, a stout lizard with bags around the neck, shoulders, and stomach.

Their bodies contain hard scales.

The color is gray, generally and can change according to its environment and mood.

A docile adult can be kept as a pet.

Classic from McCormick's Auto Auction

2024-03-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

McCormick's Auto auction classic car from the 1940s.

Turtles in the Pond Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs

2023-05-03T15:48:00.002-07:00

Udo Kier at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

2023-01-15T14:39:00.004-08:00

Kier speaks after a showing of the movie, My Neighbor Adolf at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Runoff from Recent California Rains in Palm Springs 2023

2023-01-13T11:53:00.001-08:00

Mid-Century Modern Building Palm Springs

2022-12-11T20:26:00.002-08:00

Modern Home Containing Steel Supports

2022-12-07T15:42:00.003-08:00

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air in Palm Springs

2022-12-05T08:04:00.001-08:00

Cafe LaJefa Pink Outdoor Trailer Bar

2022-11-30T07:21:00.005-08:00


Beautifully positioned in downtown Palm Springs, LaJefa is a stunning recreation of mid-century modern.

2022-11-29T20:47:00.008-08:00

SPECIAL PRE-HOLIDAY 20% SALE COUPON CODE: PGHXXU

PSPF Calls for Adaptive Reuse of Old Post Office on Amado

2022-11-23T09:13:00.001-08:00

The old Palm Springs Post Office on Amado Road in downtown Palm Springs is "New Formalism" style of modernist architecture. Anyone know of its fate. It's still standing. Let's hope it remains and is repurposed, as it's a historic building.

Elephant Car Wash

2022-11-21T15:45:00.005-08:00

This is the Rancho Car Wash giant elephant sign, which juts out off of Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage (about 10 miles from Palm Springs). They wanted to remove this sign a couple of times, but the preservationists won out and it's still there. Sad news: The Elephant Car Wash sign in Seattle has been removed.

By the way if you want to buy any of the photos on here, they are available. Just write matthewbam@aol.com, state the photo you are interested in and how big you want it, and I'll get back to you right away with a quote.

Desert Sun Article by Matthew Bamberg about His and Delphine Bordas' Upcomiong Show

2022-11-17T17:36:00.005-08:00

Desert Art Center gallery show explores Western landscape photography and digital art Matthew Bamberg Special to The Desert Sun

Say Gay Parade Palm Springs

2022-11-12T11:49:00.002-08:00

PSP Control Tower

2022-11-05T10:52:00.005-07:00

Palm Springs International Airport control tower. The airport now serves more

than 30 destinations in the US and Canada with world-wide connections.