When you think of Palm Springs, most people will picture palm trees, swimming pools, and golf courses.

However, for Americans, Palm Springs is not just a vacation spot. In movies and dramas, this city often appears as a symbol of a free and relaxed lifestyle. So when you actually visit, you think, "Ah, now I understand why people have this image of it."

The biggest backdrop for Palm Springs' image was the Hollywood Golden Age from the 1940s to the 1960s. At that time, film studios implemented the so-called 'two-hour rule' to ensure that actors could return to filming quickly, preventing them from traveling more than two hours away from Hollywood. Since Palm Springs was within that boundary, many stars would escape here for the weekend.

Legendary stars like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bob Hope frequently visited, which naturally earned Palm Springs the nickname "Playground of the Stars." Even today, the homes and hotels where they stayed are presented as tourist attractions.

For singer Elvis Presley, Palm Springs is also a special place. He spent his honeymoon here in 1967 with his wife Priscilla Presley, and the house where they stayed is now a popular tourist spot known as Honeymoon Hideaway.

The portrayal of Palm Springs in films and dramas is also interesting. The 2020 film Palm Springs is a unique romantic comedy where the same day keeps repeating, capturing the laid-back atmosphere of the desert and the leisure of a resort town in a fun way. Additionally, the Apple TV+ drama High Desert depicts the realistic lives and stories behind the glamorous resorts, showcasing another side of Palm Springs.

If you love movies, you can't miss the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Held every January, this festival is known as one of the events that kick off Oscar season. As filmmakers and actors from around the world gather, the usually quiet city comes alive for a few days, almost like Hollywood.

Palm Springs is also an important city in American LGBTQ+ culture. A long-standing atmosphere of respect for diversity has attracted artists, designers, retirees, and people from various cultural backgrounds. As a result, many find it to be a much freer and more comfortable environment compared to other vacation spots.

In my view, the biggest charm of Palm Springs is its laid-back vibe rather than its glamour. It's not just about the expensive resorts and golf courses; it's more impressive that the city gives people the feeling that "it's okay to live a little slower." That's why I think it often appears in movies and dramas as a special place to escape reality for a while.