Weekend jaunts, wild and mild

Considering an end-of-summer jaunt before temperatures start their steady (albeit tolerable, this being SoCal) decline? The coming weeks are the perfect time for a weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in a party or escape the noise of daily life, two nearby desert destinations offer excellent options for unwinding.

Vegas is, of course, a summer-long hot spot, with its sexy, swanky daytime pool parties, including Temptation Sundays at the Luxor, as well as glitzy, grandiose gay nightclubs like Krave and Share. But with Gay Days Las Vegas set to take over Sin City Sept. 3 through 9, the hands-down best time to visit might just be right around the corner.

Gay Days is essentially Vegas Pride turned into a week-long affair, culminating in a weekend of fabulous fun, in typical Vegas-style excess: a night parade downtown on Friday, Sept. 6, a huge festival on Saturday and closing parties on Sunday.

And for the ladies, the Palms Casino Resort hosts Shedonism, a “sinful woman’s weekend” that features deejays, comedians and parties — running day and night, natch. It runs Thursday, Sept. 5, through Monday, Sept. 9.

During Gay Days, there’s also citywide clubbing, curated shopping trips, city tours and even a special expo at the Luxor. With so much celebrating to do — take that, Proposition 8! — why not make it a five-day weekend? Just remember to factor in a recovery day, or risk showing up at work with bags under your eyes and a killer headache. Which still might be worth it.

If you’d rather take a more mellow trip into the eastern expanse, try Palm Springs. The desert oasis offers a range of picturesque and serene adventures.

Just a few options for the outdoorsy type: You can breathe the clean desert air and discover secret oases as you hike the exquisite palm-lined Indian Canyons, or climb rocks and take in the view at Joshua Tree National Park. Hike the San Andreas Fault at night or ride horses along the area’s many cliffs and ridges.

If you’d rather kick back, take the aerial tram two and a half miles up from the desert floor to remote Mount San Jacinto State Park and have lunch while gazing out over the Coachella Valley. Just check before you go that the tram is open — it’s undergoing annual maintenance and is scheduled to be back in action on Aug. 31. Play a round of golf at an idyllic Tahquitz Creek or Indian Canyon course, or take a bike ride through town and check out some of Palm Springs’ fascinating mid-century architecture.

Whether you choose Palm Springs or Vegas (or both!), you’re sure to have a memorable desert trip — whatever your choice, just remember to drink lots of water.

—Alex Weber, Brand Publishing Writer