If you’re a man who likes to have sex with other men in public places, you’ve landed on the perfect page. If you’re under 18 or have no interest in this topic, you’ve probably ended up here by accident. Feel free to go back to our main Palm Springs page.
Palm Springs is the gay playground of California, and to state that the entire city is one big cruisefest is correct. Don’t be surprised if you get cruised while filling your basket at Whole Foods. Palm Springs, like most gay American cities, has a few cruise clubs and video lounges, but what sets this city apart is the abundance of men-only clothing-optional resorts, and the best part is that they have day passes.
While Palm Springs is incredibly open, public activity is still governed by California state law. For the best experience, stick to the city’s famous licensed ‘Sex on Premises Venues’ (SOPVs) and private resorts where you can play safely and legally.
Dedicated Cruise Venues
Palm Springs has three (SOPV), a cruise club in the city, and two 24-hour video lounges in neighboring Cathedral City.
Club 541
There’s one cruise club in Palm Springs, and it’s conveniently located in the heart of the city on North Riverside Drive. Inside, you’ll find dark rooms, play areas with slings, benches, elevated platforms, and classic erotic art on the walls. Porn videos play throughout the venue, there’s a lounge to relax and socialize, and an outdoor patio with misting fans for summer and a firepit for cooler evenings. Condoms and lube are provided for free. To use a locker, bring your own padlock, or use their clothing check service for $2.
The idea is to check your clothes at the door and have fun as soon as you enter. As a cruise club, it doesn’t have shower facilities, so be sure to have one at your hotel before you arrive.
Club 541 is open Wednesdays to Sundays until 3 am, and entry fees start at $13 on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Pro Tip: It’s a card-only venue, so leave your cash in your room.
Perez Video
If you’re looking for some quick relief, head to Perez Video in Cathedral City, 5 miles south of Palm Springs. It’s housed in the Showgirl’s Gentlemen’s Club, so you may see some older straight men getting off, though it does lean more heavily to a gay crowd. It’s a video store at the front with video booths out the back. The video booths are pay-as-you-watch, and always keep your shoes on, as you don’t know what’s on the floor. It’s gritty and dirty, and just how many guys love it.
Perez Video is open 24/7, so if you need to get off an any time, that’s the place to go.
Hidden Joy
Half a mile away from Perez Video is Hidden Joy, another adult video store with a downstairs video room. It’s $2 to head inside, and it gets very busy, more so than Perez up the road.
Hidden Joy opens daily from 9 am and closes at 3 am.
Gay Men Only Resorts
Palm Springs is the USA’s premier city for gay men-only resorts, and some offer day passes where you can go and play but don’t need to stay the night, unless of course you meet your dream man, then that option’s also available. There are four to choose from. There’s a cluster of them on Warm Sands Drive, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for at one, walk on over to the next one.
Casa Oliver Hotel & Resort
Located at 535 S Warm Sands Drive, the Casa Oliver Hotel & Resort was formerly called All World’s resort and rebranded at the end of 2024. You’ll find a heated pool, a hot tub, outdoor showers, a fire pit, lounge seating, play spaces, and indoor and outdoor maze areas. The resort hosts pool parties with DJs and go-go dancers.
Check in at the hotel or score yourself a day pass. Weekday passes start at $25, Loverboy Sundays start from $35. Access is from 10 am to 6 pm, and the party kicks off at midday
Vista Grande Resort
Vista Grande Resort at 574 S Warm Sands Drive is a place where they encourage you to leave all your inhibitions at the door. It gay-men only and clothing-optional. Facilities include three pools, a bathing lagoon, a steam room, and an 18-man hot tub.
Day Passes are $30, but visitors must be invited by a hotel guest to purchase a pass.
Inndulge Iconic Gay Men’s Resort
Around the corner from Vista Grande on South Grenfell Street is Inndulge Iconic Gay Men’s Resort. It’s a 24-hour party by the saltwater pool and in the 12-man jacuzzi. The hotel is strictly gay men only, and it’s clothing-optional.
Day passes aren’t offered, but guests of the hotel are allowed to invite their friends to join the party.
Cathedral City Boys Club (CCBC)
CCBC is in Cathedral City, 5 miles south of Palm Springs, and with 3.5 acres, it’s the largest gay men’s clothing-optional resort in the USA. Referring to itself as an open-air gay bathhouse that is also a hotel, you’ll find a pool, 2 hot tubs, a steam room, sauna, and multiple indoor playrooms, including a military-themed play area, “The Walk,” which is an outdoor cruising path with secluded alcoves. If you’re hungry, the Runway Bar & Restaurant has breakfast on weekends and is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesdays to Sundays. There are monthly CumUnion parties and fetish weekends.
You can stay at the hotel or get a day pass, which is $35 or $22 on Wednesdays.
Street Cruising
Palm Springs has one of the highest concentrations of gay men per capita in the United States, particularly in the Warm Sands neighborhood, where many of the gay-only clothing-optional resorts are. The Arenas Road “Boystown” gayborhood is where the main bar area is, and the entire strip is cruise city. Eye contact, flirty interactions, and getting cruised while walking down the street are part of the everyday atmosphere – especially between Indian Canyon Drive and Calle Encilia. If you see someone you like, go to a bar like Streetbar or Hunters for a drink, then either go to Club 541 just south of the strip to have a quick hook-up or back to your hotel if you prefer all-nighters.
Is Cruising Legal in California?
California decriminalized homosexuality in 1976 and has strong LGBTQ+ protections. However, public sex and indecent exposure remain illegal under state law, regardless of sexual orientation. As Palm Springs has no outdoor venues and only licensed SOPVs, you can feel confident hooking up in any of the places covered in this article.
