PSP is a something else. There is a beautiful tree-shaded outdoor "park" within the secure area, with benches to lounge on and a play area for kids. Security lines are virtually nonexistent. Free wifi throughout the terminal. Starbucks, a frozen yogurt place, a full-service restaurant, and a wine bar all inside security. Rental cars are located immediately outside the baggage claim area - couldn't be any easier. Palm Springs Airport Parking is not half as expensive as I thought it would be, and there are several very lovely Palm Springs Airport hotels with shuttle service for your hotel and parking setup.

PSP is located fairly close to town (though you can still count on about $20 for a taxi ride) But what's really striking about the place is it's essentially an outdoor airport.  There are two or three terminals, one of which has a large covered veranda with indoor spaces right at the gates.  The older terminal, for United and US Air, is a bit dated, but has the basic amenities you look for in an airport.  (And there is that Starbucks inside the secure area - for addicts like me!)

Of course, if it's blisteringly hot outside, you're pretty eager to get to the gate and out of the heat, but in the shoulder seasons, it's quite a novelty to get a few more minutes of fresh air.  Was especially nice last November when we had left the snowy, blustery east coast to finally deplane here to a wonderful blast of a desert warm air.

For you white knuckle fliers, its worth noting two things:

1) MOST of the planes that fly in here are small - like the Dash-8 prop jobs.  Even the jets are usually the 50 or so passenger regional mini-jets.  (Thinking Southwest may fly 737s, but not totally sure about that.)  If you're not keen on small airplanes, you might give that some thought.  And...

2)  Sitting right at the edge of the San Jacinto Mountains, you can get some pretty amazing wind gusts through this area.  The day we flew out (in one of those little Dash-8s!) as we hit a couple pretty good air pockets that gave the airplane quite a jolt.  Other passengers just kept reading their magazines.  I nearly tore the armrests off the seat!

That said, you have to weight this against driving from Ontario, the next closest airport.  A lot to be said for location, location, location - AND don't forget that open air terminal.  I'd do it again - air pockets and all!

10/5/17