$90 to Palm Springs or $10,000 to Paris. You Do the Math
There’s a quiet little shift happening right now—and it has nothing to do with exchange rates or airline loyalty programs. It’s the realization that maybe, just maybe, the best trip this summer doesn’t require a passport.
The New Luxury: Staying Closer to Home
I was recently pricing out a European getaway this summer. A round-trip business-class ticket to Paris? Hovering around $10,000. London? A relative “deal” at $8,500. And if you’re thinking miles will save you—think again. Roughly 800,000 Amex points. That’s not a vacation; that’s a financial event.
And that’s before a single croissant, hotel night, or museum ticket.
Now compare that to something a little more grounded—and frankly, a lot more appealing.
If you’re based in Los Angeles, the math becomes almost laughably simple:
- Distance: ~110 miles each way
- Average fuel efficiency: ~25 MPG
- Gas price: ~$5/gallon
That’s about 9 gallons each way → 18 gallons round trip → roughly $90 total to drive to Palm Springs.
So for less than the cost of an airport sandwich in Paris, you’re already poolside in the desert.
Palm Springs: The Smart Summer Escape
Here’s where it gets interesting.
A 10-day stay at the Thompson Palm Springs—one of downtown’s newest, design-forward hotels—comes in at under $5,000. Prefer something more boutique and budget-friendly? The Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs can land closer to $3,000 for the same stretch.
No TSA lines. No jet lag. No schlepping luggage through train stations while pretending it’s charming.
No worries, you'll get stuck due to airlines cancelling flights due to a lack of fuel.
Instead? You’re floating in a pool, cocktail in hand, staring at the San Jacinto Mountains, wondering why you ever thought a 15-hour flight sounded relaxing.
And here’s the kicker: you’ll probably enjoy it just as much—if not more.
Why Local Travel Is Having a Moment
There’s something deeply appealing about travel that doesn’t exhaust you.
- You can leave on your schedule (not the airline’s)
- You bring what you want—no packing gymnastics
- You skip the chaos: airports, delays, lost luggage
- You actually arrive relaxed
It’s not just convenience—it’s quality of life.
And Palm Springs, especially for Southern Californians, hits that sweet spot: far enough to feel like an escape, close enough to feel effortless.
The Case for a Second Home (and Why It Keeps Winning)
This is where the conversation naturally evolves.
Because after a few of these “easy” getaways, a lot of people start asking the same question:
Why am I paying for hotels every time when I could just… own the experience?
I’ve had the privilege of owning second homes over the years, and I’ll tell you—the magic formula is proximity. If it’s within about two hours of your primary home, you’ll actually use it. A lot.
That’s why Palm Springs makes so much sense for buyers in LA, Orange County, and San Diego.
The Upside of a Second Home
- Spontaneity wins: Decide Friday morning, be there by afternoon
- No packing stress: Your clothes, your coffee maker, your favorite pillows—already there
- Lower long-term cost: Skip repeated hotel and airfare expenses
- Entertaining made easy: Friends visit more when they don’t need a hotel or flight
- Personalized retreat: Design it exactly how you want—your taste, your vibe
- Income potential: Rent it when you’re not using it (where allowed)
- Emotional ROI: It becomes your place—not just somewhere you stayed
There’s also something underrated about familiarity. Same morning light. Same coffee mug. Same quiet spot by the pool. It stops feeling like a trip and starts feeling like a lifestyle.
The Reality Check
Of course, it’s not all perfectly chilled rosé and sunset photos.
- Maintenance happens (usually at the worst possible time)
- Systems break—water heaters, AC, the occasional rebellious garbage disposal
- There’s responsibility involved
And for some people, that’s a dealbreaker. They want turnkey, no-strings-attached travel.
But for others—especially those who enjoy nesting, designing, and creating a personal retreat—it’s part of the appeal.
So, Is This the Year to Stay Closer to Home?
It might be.
When the cost of one overseas trip starts rivaling a season’s worth of local escapes—or even the early stages of second home ownership—it changes the equation.
Palm Springs offers something rare:
- A true resort lifestyle
- Architectural pedigree and design culture
- Year-round sunshine
- And accessibility that makes frequent escapes realistic
An Affordable Alternative
And here’s the part a lot of people overlook—Palm Springs is still surprisingly affordable, especially when you compare it to national housing trends. You can still find a charming, well-located home for well below the national average price, which makes the idea of a second home far more attainable than most people think. Instead of pouring money into flights and hotels year after year, you could be building equity in a place you actually love spending time in. Take a look at a few options currently available at the time this blog was written below to explore some great homes that won’t break the bank—and might just change how you think about “vacation” altogether.
675 N Los Felices CIR #J-202, Palm Springs
Palm Springs Villas | $258,000 | 1 bdrm 1 bath
324 Wigwam, Palm Springs
Ramon Park | $224,900 | 2 bdrm 2 bath
144 Pali DR, Palm Springs
Palm Canyon Mobile Club | $259,500 | 1 bdrm 1 bath
2230 S Palm Canyon DR #9, Palm Springs
South Palm Springs | $315,000 | 2 bdrm 2 bath
Final Thought
More often than not, when my clients finally make the leap into a second home, I hear the same thing:
“Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Whether you’re thinking about a quick desert getaway or exploring the idea of owning your own place in the sun, Palm Springs isn’t just a backup plan to Europe—it’s a smarter, easier, and often more enjoyable alternative.
And if you’re curious what that could look like for you, the Paul Kaplan Group is always here to help you find your version of desert living—whether it’s for a weekend, a season, or something a little more permanent.
