Palm Springs Life magazine has been awarded the General Excellence Award—one of the highest honors in regional publishing—at the 2026 National City & Regional Magazine Awards, presented by the City & Regional Magazine Association (CRMA) during its annual conference on June 1 in New Orleans.
The National CRMA Awards recognize excellence in city and regional journalism, design, photography, and editorial content. The General Excellence Award, the organization's top honor, celebrates outstanding overall achievement in editorial quality, production, and vision. In selecting Palm Springs Life, judges praised the magazine's distinctive editorial voice and its vibrant celebration of desert living.
"Palm Springs Life brings life to the desert with an appreciation for the architecture, setting and Old Hollywood glamour," the judges noted. This recognition underscores the magazine's commitment to capturing the unique character of the Coachella Valley region.
"This recognition is especially meaningful because regional magazines play such an important role in documenting the character of a place," said Emily Chavous Foster, editor-in-chief of Palm Springs Life. "Palm Springs Life has always sought to celebrate not only the beauty and glamour of the desert, but also the people, culture, architecture, and stories that give this community its identity. We're incredibly honored to see that work recognized on a national stage."
The magazine's achievements were also highlighted in CRMA Finalists Magazine 2026, which showcases the year's honorees and their award-worthy work. Palm Springs Life was a finalist in the Online Excellence category among a competitive field of large-market publications, as well as in the Spread Design and Illustration category. These recognitions underscore the publication's commitment to exceptional visual storytelling, editorial excellence, and innovative design.
The implications of this award extend beyond the magazine itself. Regional magazines like Palm Springs Life serve as crucial chroniclers of local identity, preserving the stories, architecture, and culture that define a community. In an era of shrinking local news coverage, such publications fill a vital role in documenting the character of a place and fostering civic pride. For readers, this award signals that Palm Springs Life remains a trusted source for in-depth coverage of the people, places, and ideas shaping desert life. For the industry, it highlights the enduring value of quality regional journalism in an increasingly digital and fragmented media landscape.
Palm Springs Life has been a fixture in the Coachella Valley since debuting in March 1958, serving as Southern California's premier source for architecture and design, art, entertainment, food, fashion, philanthropy, and notable events. Through exceptional storytelling and award-winning design, the magazine continues to chronicle the people, places, and ideas shaping desert life today and defining its future.
