IMPORTANT QUESTION: What’s something you miss that used to be in The Desert?

The Outdoor NBA game used to be held annually in Indian Wells

The Important Question is a recurring thing we do on Fridays here at Cactus Hugs to get input on food, places, and things in the Coachella Valley from the people who know it best: you!

Things change. It’s just how life works. But that doesn’t mean we can’t look back longingly at some things that used to be in the Coachella Valley.

I have been around the desert now for approximately nine million years, so there are several things I miss: TGI Friday’s Happy Hour, the annual outdoor NBA game at the Tennis Gardens, Michael’s Pizzeria, Brian Cranston coming to Cinemas Palme d’Or, the tiny Palm Desert Beer Hunter, and Roc’s Firehouse being on El Paseo to name a few.

But the thing I miss most is the ice skating rink that used to be at the mall in Palm Desert. Yes, I know there is an ice skating rink in Cathedral City now – but, that’s not the point. On a hot day, there was just something magical about taking that back entrance into the mall and feeling that ice cold air blow off the ice and onto your skin. Plus, watching people fall on their asses from above in the food court made a showing down a Sbarro slice almost tolerable.

What’s something that used to be in the Coachella Valley that you miss? Let’s get nostalgic and discuss in the comments.