Happy Monday, desert dwellers. June is here. The snowbirds are gone, the thermometer is climbing, and the valley belongs to the locals for the next four months. Here's what you need to know this week.
TOP STORY
Marilyn Monroe Would Have Turned 100 Today
June 1, 1926. That's the birthday of Norma Jeane Mortenson, better known as Marilyn Monroe, and her connection to Palm Springs runs deep. She spent time here throughout her career, from early modeling shoots to weekends at the Racquet Club. The city has never let go of that connection.
Palm Springs Pride organized a celebration with food, drinks, entertainment, and an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Marilyn Monroe lookalikes. If you want to participate, they offered an "icon kit" (blonde wig, white subway dress) so everyone could join in. Details at pspride.org.
Whether you're a Marilyn fan or not, the fact that Palm Springs still celebrates its Hollywood roots a century later says something about this place. It doesn't forget where it came from.
RESTAURANT WEEK CHECK-IN: 6 Days Left
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week runs through June 7. If you haven't booked anything yet, you still have time, but the best spots are filling up. Lunch prix fixe starts at $15, dinner at $39.
A few that still had availability as of this weekend: Kestrel at Indian Wells Golf Resort (Richard Blais' spot, worth the drive), Foxy's in Rancho Mirage (always solid), and several of the Agua Caliente Casino restaurants. Check DineGPS.com for the full list and book through the site so $1 from your reservation goes to FIND Food Bank.
If you've already been to a Restaurant Week dinner, reply to this email and tell us where you went and what you thought. We'll feature the best reader recommendations in Thursday's edition.
THIS WEEK IN THE DESERT
VillageFest (Thursday, every Thursday) Palm Canyon Drive, downtown Palm Springs, 6 to 10 PM. Free. Art, food vendors, live music, and the best weekly tradition in the valley. If you haven't been in a while, summer VillageFest has a different vibe: smaller crowds, cooler evening air, and more room to actually browse.
Restaurant Week Continues (through June 7) Dozens of restaurants across all nine cities. Prix fixe lunch from $15, dinner from $39. Full list and reservations at visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/restaurant-week.
Al Jardine (Beach Boys) at the Plaza Theatre (June 6) Founding Beach Boys member Al Jardine performs with The Pet Sounds Band at the intimate Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs. If you grew up on "Good Vibrations," this one is special. Tickets at palmspringsplazatheatre.com.
Living Desert Zoo Summer Hours The Living Desert switches to summer hours starting this month. Earlier opening times to beat the heat. If you have a membership, the early morning walks are the best way to experience it during summer. Check livingdesert.org for the updated schedule.
NEW & NOTABLE
Fourth of July Is Coming Together: Palm Desert is planning its annual Independence Day celebration at Civic Center Park with a free concert starting at 7:30 PM and fireworks. Palm Springs is expected to announce its plans soon. We'll have the full valley-wide Fourth of July guide in a couple weeks.
Pageant of the Masters (Day Trip Alert): Not in the valley, but worth the drive. The 2026 Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach runs July 9 through September 4, with nightly shows at 8:30 PM. Living tableaux of famous paintings with real people. If you've never been, it's one of the most unique cultural experiences in Southern California. Make a day of it: Laguna Beach plus the Pageant.
THE LOCAL SCOOP: Summer Is Underrated
Here's a take that might surprise you: summer is the best time to live in the Coachella Valley.
Yes, it's hot. Sometimes absurdly hot. But here's what you get in exchange: no traffic on the 111, reservations at any restaurant you want, the pool to yourself, VillageFest without the crowds, golf at twilight rates that would make your winter-visiting friends cry, and a community that feels tighter because the only people here are the people who actually live here.
The valley in summer is like a secret that the locals keep. The snowbirds talk about how they "couldn't survive the summers." Meanwhile, we're floating in the pool at 8 PM with a cold drink, watching the sun set behind the San Jacintos, and not fighting for a parking spot at El Paseo.
This newsletter isn't going anywhere for summer. We're here every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, covering everything that happens when the rest of the world thinks the desert goes quiet.
QUICK HITS
High of 103 today. Welcome to June. Stay hydrated, sunscreen before 10 AM, and save outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
The Coachella Valley Firebirds wrapped their season. Thanks for a great run. Now it's Lakers G League season to look forward to starting this fall.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is open year-round. It's 30 to 40 degrees cooler at the top. Best summer escape in the valley for $30.
Restaurant Week ends June 7. Don't miss it. DineGPS.com.
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