Oh the desert… for so long it had only been a fantasy to us. So many wild west stories originated from the Californian sands, some of the best rock bands have their roots between those dunes and tumbleweeds and after Beverly Hills had gotten too crowded, many celebrities moved their homes to the most sunny parts of California. Or even before, Elvis Presley has spent his honeymoon with Priscilla Beaulieu in Palm Springs. And if Elvis loved it, we can only agree.
For non-Californians, the desert is mostly known because of the yearly Coachella music festival. Many of you may remember the place because this is where Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg played together with a hologram of Tupac Shakur and the more rock ‘n roll minded among us know that bands like Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal were founded here. And the nudies know that this is the place in California with the least rain, the most sun and the best variety of nudie places.
The cosy one
Our first steps into the desert’s nudist scene didn’t particularly feel new… Tom and Mary Claire, the managers of The Terra Cotta, were not complete strangers. For years we had been friends on Twitter and going to the Terra Cotta almost felt like meeting long lost friends. And even if you don’t know Tom and MC, that’s exactly how they make you feel once you walk in through the front door. A friendly handshake or a couple of kisses (depending which country you’re from), a short tour around the property, the key to your room and a “see you soon” are enough to make you feel included. Now you’re part of the Terra Cotta.
We don’t know whether we want to call this place a large B&B or a small resort. It has the best of both. Although they don’t have their own kitchen, they can provide delivery lunch or dinner options, so you never really have to leave the place and because of the limited amount of other guests (and the 4 o’clock strawberry time) you’ll often find yourself in conversations with brand new friends.
We don’t know whether we want to call this place a large B&B or a small resort. It has the best of both. Although they don’t have their own kitchen, they can provide delivery lunch or dinner options, so you never really have to leave the place and because of the limited amount of other guests (and the 4 o’clock strawberry time) you’ll often find yourself in conversations with brand new friends.
The luxurious one
At the other side of the centre of Palm Springs there’s the other nudist resort in town: The Desert Sun. This is the place well worth the name “resort” as we know it in western Europe. At the Desert Sun you can literally find everything. Several different types of accommodation, three swimming pools, hot tubs, a tennis court (don’t tennis barefoot, you’ll get blisters… trust us), a souvenir shop in case you want to send nudist gadgets to your children, a restaurant and lots and lots of activities. While we were there, we got to experience the Friday night karaoke. We have to admit that it was a bit boring at first, but when we had downed enough wine we decided to sing “Hotel California” by the Eagles. Ask around, someone must have filmed it and we don’t doubt that it’s hilarious.
Other than all of that, the Desert Sun is a huge place where it’s easy to meet likeminded souls but equally easy to hide from them. Whatever you prefer.
Other than all of that, the Desert Sun is a huge place where it’s easy to meet likeminded souls but equally easy to hide from them. Whatever you prefer.
The relaxing one
Our next stop was out of busy Palm Springs to its neighbour Desert Hot Springs. The name already gave it away, in this place the “real” hot springs can be found. Several decades ago the tourist value of warm water coming from the ground had already been discovered and one spa after another popped up from the ground. In Europe, there would be no doubt that all of those would be naked… In Desert Hot Springs only one couple exploited the European idea: Jeff and Judy from Living Waters Spa. They are running a wellness resort like we know them in Belgium. No distractions, no wild parties, just the opportunity to become completely zen. Zen in the desert, zen in the environment and if all works well, zen in this world.
The sexy one
There is one place we didn’t visit in the Coachella desert but we do feel that we have to mention them because they also provide a clothes free experience, albeit a different one. Sea Mountain is an adults only erotic resort where public sex appears to be as common as towels in a genuine nudist place. Nevertheless, we do hear that they throw great parties!
Have you been to any of these resorts? Make sure to rate them on NUDE!
