Palm Springs Life magazine has received a General Excellence Award—among 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. 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 importance of regional magazines in documenting the character of a place. ‘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.’
Palm Springs Life was also 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, as highlighted in CRMA Finalists Magazine 2026. These recognitions underscore the publication’s commitment to exceptional visual storytelling, editorial excellence, and innovative design.
The General Excellence Award is the top honor from CRMA, and receiving it signals that Palm Springs Life has achieved a high standard across all aspects of magazine publishing. For readers, this award affirms that the magazine is a trusted source for coverage of architecture, design, art, entertainment, food, fashion, philanthropy, and notable events throughout the Coachella Valley. Since debuting in March 1958, Palm Springs Life has served as Southern California’s premier source for these topics.
The implications of this award extend beyond the magazine itself. It highlights the vibrancy of the Greater Palm Springs region and the importance of local journalism in capturing the unique identity of a community. As regional magazines face challenges from digital media, recognition like this reinforces the value of print and online publications that invest in quality content and design.
For the Coachella Valley, the award brings national attention to the area’s culture and lifestyle. It also sets a benchmark for other regional magazines striving for excellence in storytelling and visual presentation. Palm Springs Life’s achievement demonstrates that a focus on local character and high production values can earn recognition on a national stage.
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