Palm Springs Bachelorette Parties Take Over Spring Break – A Totally Rad Throwback!

By Ersilia Pompilio

Alright, SQUAD, grab your slushies and boomboxes, because we’re taking you back to the most gnarly Spring Break vibes in Palm Springs, California during the ‘80s and ‘90s. Picture this: sun-kissed babes, muscle-bound dudes on Ducati motorcycles, and neon bikinis flashing under the desert sun. It was the ultimate paradise, and Palm Springs was the place to be.

Totally Radical Spring Break in Palm Springs

Let’s rewind to the days when Palm Springs was the undisputed Spring Break capital. Forget Cancun, forget Miami—this was the real party hotspot. The streets of Palm Canyon Drive were straight-up packed. And I’m not talking about the “walk in the park” kind of packed. We’re talking wall-to-wall people, from the fanny-pack to the high-top sneakers crew, all slathered in banana boat tanning oil (because who needed SPF, right?) and cruising in the desert heat.

You could literally see the glow-in-the-dark bikini babes showing off their tan lines while men armed with super-soaker squirt guns drenched anything in their path. It was complete chaos, like the ultimate beach party you only see in movies. But, oh boy, did those city officials have their work cut out for them! With the ragers going down in every hotel lobby and the streets turning into a never-ending party, the local law enforcement could only look on in disbelief. "This is what happens when the good vibes go off the rails," they must've thought.

Flashback to the Early 90s: Where the Streets Were A Party

I remember it like it was yesterday—rolling into Palm Springs in the early 1990s. And trust me, it was like stepping into an episode of Baywatch crossed with a Mad Max film. Imagine this: girls in thong bikinis, rocking Sun-In (because what else would bleach your hair perfectly?), cruising alongside dudes on their Ninja and Ducati motorcycles. It was like buff dudes and beach babes with big hair ruled the streets, blasting Salt & Peppas hit Push It, the smell of Hawaiian Tropics dark tanning oil everywhere, and everyone dancing like they were in a Michael Jackson music video on MTV.

Palm Canyon Drive? Packed. Like, no personal space at all packed. Hotels were bursting at the seams, with barely a room to spare. And the best part? It felt like one endless party. You had to be there to really understand the magic. It was the kind of vibe that could never be recreated—not on Instagram, not on TikTok, and definitely not during a Zoom call. It was pure, chaotic fun.

The Spring Break that Was Too Radical for Palm Springs

But of course, like all epic parties, the good times couldn’t last forever. Cue Mayor Sonny Bono in 1986. You might remember him as the guy who helped shape Palm Springs or better known as iconic singer Cher’s ex -husband (and, let’s be real, was probably cruising around in his leather jacket with a sweet mustache). But when Spring Break hit its peak in Palm Springs, it also hit a wall.

According to the local legend, Sonny wasn’t feeling the wild, Day-Glo chaos and the frat boys in Ray-Bans chasing after bikini-clad babes on motorcycles anymore. So, he put his foot down and brought the party to a screeching halt.

He declared war on Spring Break—well, at least on the insanity it brought. We’re talking "Bono’s No No’s", the rules that went down in Palm Springs history as the ultimate party pooper. Water balloons? Banned. Squirt guns? Bye. If you dared to step into the street, you had to use the crosswalk like a civilized human being (boring, I know). And those chicks on motorcycles? Forget it. Apparently, the “rear-enders” from distractions were just too much to handle.

Bachelorette Parties Take Over: The New Palm Springs Vibe

Bachelorette SQUAD from New Jersey on Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, California

Fast forward a few decades, and we’re still seeing Palm Springs as a prime party destination. But here’s the twist—bachelorette parties have totally taken over!  Instead of Spring Breakers crashing hotel pools and blasting '80s rock, you’ve got SQUADS of brides-to-be (and their wildest gal pals) sipping on Aperol Spritz’s by day and hitting up the hottest clubs like Hunter’s by night. And honestly? It’s still lit.

These days, Palm Springs has transformed from a college party haven to a top-tier luxury spot for girls just looking to leisure. Whether you’re poolside at a posh hotel like The Thompson, or going down waterslides and catching waves at PS Beach Club, hitting the vintage shops like Thriftology, or getting your groove on at a low-key bar like Jimmy B’s, this place is still living its best party life, just with a lot more champagne and a little less chaos.

The Vibe is Still Alive—But Now with a Chill Twist

Bachelorette SQUAD from Reno Nevada at Shamrocks Irish Pub on Palm Canyon Drive n Palm Springs, California.

So, what’s the takeaway? While Palm Springs may have toned down the wild days of 1980s and 90’s Spring Break, the city’s spirit of free-spirited fun is still going strong. If you’re ever planning a bachelorette weekend, grab your SQUAD and head to Palm Springs—you’ll get the desert vibes, with a splash of luxury and a side of drama (because, let’s face it, we all know those group photos aren’t gonna take themselves).

One thing’s for sure: Palm Springs will always have that magic energy—especially now with Coachella and Stagecoach taking over the April 2025 festivities. It may be a little more refined these days, but the vibes are still iconic. So grab your SQUAD, make some unforgettable memories, and maybe try not to break any of those Bono No No’s this time around.

That’s it, fam—until next time, keep it totally tubular and remember: life’s too short to not throw the ultimate Palm Springs bachelorette bash.

If you’d like to be featured in SQUAD magazine, or you’re looking for recommendations for your Palm Springs Bachelorette Weekend or Ladies Who Love To Leisure vacation. Contact us.

About the Author

 Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. With over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.