On the night of the 2024 presidential election, retired engineer Ken James in Calgary, Alberta, was in his second home in Palm Springs, California, watching with disappointment when the outcome got caught up in.
James, 68, called his wife to Calgary. “If he gets back, I'll sell it,” he recalled what she was saying about Donald Trump.
James is among hundreds of thousands of Canadians, many of whom are snowbirds and flocks to Palm Springs, a tanned resort city about 110 miles east of Los Angeles, known for its mid-century architecture, otherworldly deserts and the art scene. For five months in a year where temperatures often freeze in Calgary, James and his wife spend their days sloppy by the pool, sweeping canyons and enjoying live music under the stars of local saloons.
But in recent months, they and other Canadians are rethinking their future in Palm Springs, just as President Trump announced a 25% tariff on certain Canadian goods and threatened the country's sovereignty. This trend is part of a wider recession in tourism, as international tourists say they feel unwelcome in the US.
In Palm Springs, some people have sold or abandoned plans to buy a villa. Others have cancelled trips or shortened winter visits.
“I've been listening very carefully to how Trump is talking about how he controls third term, meaning you'll have a dictatorship,” James said. In that case, he added, “I'm not interested in living here.”
On Wednesday, President Trump said “it's not a big deal” in response to questions about declining international tourism to the United States.
In downtown Palm Springs, a red banner declaring the city's love for Canadians hangs from the streetlight store outside the store selling vast hats, date shakes and crystals. Some business owners said sales will be slower and they are worried about what will come.
“It's going to affect my revenue,” said Sheila Christenson, who owns the lush couture store's clothing store. She welcomed Canadian customers and said, “I'm sorry what's going on. That's not what we chose.”
One post office said that during peak snowbird season, about 20% of its businesses came from Canadians, and this year around a month earlier than usual, some customers were already beginning to send out extra clothing, memorabilia and golf clubs. Another man on a private airport, pet sitting and house check service said some of his Canadian clients had told him not to go back. Dennis Costa, the owner of the airline-themed bar, said his business depends on tourists, many of which are Canadians. “I'm a little scared,” he said.
The number of Canadians who entered California last month fell by more than 15% compared to 2024, according to the Commerce Department. Two Canadian airlines have recently cut flights to Palm Springs significantly, citing lower demand.
Their absence can have serious financial consequences. A 10% drop in Canadian visitors could cost the country more than $2 billion in employment and 14,000 people, according to the American Travel Association.
This shift will feel noticeable in Palm Springs, a city of about 45,000 people.
“I got it,” Palm Springs Mayor Ron Dejarte said in an interview. He added, “Why do everyone want to come now?”
The city of Palm Springs, a liberal forward post base and a haven for the LGBTQ community, has made an effort to embrace Canadian visitors. Last month, Mayor Deharte posted a video on social media addressed to Canadians. “Know that you are welcome and appreciated here,” he says.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also launched a campaign to seduce Buck Canadians. “This is the ultimate playground and a world that was conceived 2,000 miles from Washington,” he said in a video posted to social media this month.
Still, many people have vowed not to come to the US.
“I'm not mad at California, but I feel that it's not a good time for Canadians to be in America,” said Patibaccus, a Canadian who has become dozens of times in Palm Springs and surrounding areas, including last month. She has since decided not to return. “We have financial implications,” she says, “it's a way we can have some resistance to what's going on.”
Visitors feel conflicted.
Karen Berkeley, 53, was from Vancouver to attend the nearby Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. She said she and her friends felt guilty and “it was 50-50.” However, she said she finally decided to go, as they can't see each other.
And the welcome banner felt a bit hryvaged for 27-year-old Rebecca Woo, who had returned to Toronto from the same festival. “It was like they were saying, 'We're so much different than anyone else',” Wu said. “You don't need to apologise that much.”
Many choose Palm Springs for other snowbird destinations, such as Florida, for left-leaning politics.
Dustin Pilcher, who works at a boutique resort, said that while his Calgary friends have almost retreated from visiting him, he has changed his mind.
The absence already has ripple effects on the Palm Springs area, with one analysis showing that Canada's visitors in 2017 generated more than $300 million in revenue and over 2,000 jobs. In the city and its surrounding Coachella Valley, they own about 7% of the home. Real estate agent Sheri Detman said six of the clients selling the property were Canadians, all of whom were cited the political situation in the US as a reason. She added dozens of other Canadian buyers, adding that she's got cold feet in recent months.
One of the sellers said he and his wife had planned to eventually sell their home in La Quinta, about 20 miles southeast of Palm Springs, but tariffs and other attacks on Canadians accelerated their decision. “It really went home that we need to support our own economy, rather than supporting the US economy,” said Malcolm, a seller who sought to be identified only by name because he was afraid of retaliation at the border.
He has identified him as a conservative, but he said he will be voting for the first time in a federal election in Canada on Monday. He added, “There are too many similarities between conservative leaders – US leaders.”
Snowbird's James was not overtly patriotic in the past, but he decided to buy a Canadian flag and stick it on his front door and onto the door. His wife also began wearing a baseball cap to commemorate Canada's 100th anniversary on hikes.
“Verified accountable no one passes by without comment,” James said as he sat barefoot on the patio. The only sound was the hummingbird's wing drone and the hum of the nearby pool pump.
He and his wife love Palm Springs, but James said if the midterm elections don't take any power from the Trump administration, they might sell their homes and move elsewhere.
“I have a son in Thailand,” he said.
