THANK YOU, Kristy and PSlocal!

Looks like we're going with Ranchos Las Palmas!

Now, can you recommend a specific area of the resort to request? In other words, since its such a sprawling area, is there one area better than others?

Also.....other than high-end shoppes that i'm sure are everywhere, where can i find fun, cool 'knock-off' shoppes in PS, similar to those in NYC?

Thanks in advance!!!

I'm not sure you'll find those "knock-off" stores in PS like you find all over NYC. Off-brand, sure. Maybe in downtown on Palm Canyon, among the li'l Mom-and-Pop stores.

But PS is completely and utterly different from NYC in just about every way. Your toughest New Yorker moves there and they just change-- golf club in one hand, suntan lotion in the other, clown-colored clothing and bleached, big hair (men AND women, although for men most of the time a rug's involved).

YW Ellen.

The knock off shops...don't really know of any. But for funky and sometimes really cool 'retro' stuff there are the shops in "Uptown" Palm Springs. This is designated by the city as a specific area. It is located west of Alejo on North Palm Canyon. if it is around lunch time stop in at Thai Smile for some of the best Thai food in the desert. In particular I would recommend the Tom Yum Kai (chicken lemongrass soup) and Red Chicken Curry---really good.

There are also some very good consignment stores around. In PS, try the Estate Sale place at Gene Autry Trail and Highway 111. There are also a handful in Rancho Mirage.