Palm Springs Life magazine has received 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 award recognizes outstanding overall achievement in editorial quality, production, and vision.
The National CRMA Awards honor excellence in city and regional journalism, design, photography, and editorial content. The General Excellence Award is the organization's top honor. Judges praised Palm Springs Life for its distinctive editorial voice and vibrant celebration of desert living, noting that the magazine “brings life to the desert with an appreciation for the architecture, setting and Old Hollywood glamour.”
“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.”
In addition to the top award, 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 magazine's achievements were also highlighted in CRMA Finalists Magazine 2026, which showcases the year's honorees and their award-worthy work.
Since debuting in March 1958, Palm Springs Life has served as Southern California's premier source for architecture and design, art, entertainment, food, fashion, philanthropy, and notable events throughout the Coachella Valley. Through exceptional storytelling and award-winning design, the magazine chronicles the people, places, and ideas shaping desert life today and defining its future.
The General Excellence Award is significant for the regional publishing industry as it sets a benchmark for editorial quality and community engagement. For readers, it signals that Palm Springs Life continues to deliver compelling content that captures the essence of the desert lifestyle. The recognition may also attract new readers and advertisers, bolstering the magazine's influence in the region.
