Even after many years in LA, I’d never been to Palm Springs, famous as a haven for golfers, gay men and retirees. Over my daughter’s spring break, compensating her for a missed trip to Vegas (which was about the last place I wanted to send my young beauty), we went out to Palm Springs for a couple of days and surprise, surprise — it was perfect! Our days were spent by the pool, she sunning and I in the shade of a robust bougainvillea, after which we put on something adorable and sauntered a few streets over to the downtown area. Within just a couple of blocks we found three live bands playing great dance-able tunes. We rocked our socks off, savored a luscious strawberry margarita, then raced back to our hotel for a jacuzzi under the full moon. So if you’re saving your pennies for the Caribbean? Maybe you can get away sooner and cheaper. And if you’re in LA, it’s definitely closer.