^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Palm Springs, California (U.S.)

Riverside County

image by Masao Okazaki, 4 February 2024
based on photo

Flag Description
Seal

See also:

Riverside County
Municipal flags of California (index page)
California
United States of America

Description of the flag

On several recent stays in Palm Springs I did notice the new flag flying in front of the City Hall. It wasn't flown there before, so I figured it must be a brand new flag. My inquiry with the City Clerk Office returned an image and description of this quite handsome flag which isn't really new as it dates back to 1984. There is no mention of it in the Municipal Code of the city or anywhere else on the net, for that matter.

Here is what Ms.Cindy Berardi, Deputy City Clerk, provided me with:

The Palm Springs City Flag
Our flag was designed by a Palm Springs resident by the name of Henry Untermeyer and approved by City Council on March 7, 1984. This is still the official flag of the City of Palm Springs and has been copyrighted.

Nine prominent vexillologists from seven states contributed input. Locally, advice was obtained from the Tribal Council, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, artists, historians, members of the advertising fraternity, and a cross section of business men and women, as well as residents. Mark Palmer, of Palm Desert, accepted suggestions from many people concerned with this project. He is responsible for the finished art work. The description is as follows: It is an appropriate 6-color flag, featuring a ragged strip, representing the San Jacinto Mountains. A single Washingtonia Filifera palm tree stands on the desert floor. Also depicted is a sinking sun against a brilliant sunset.

Chrystian Kretowicz, 3 May 2010

A January 2024 article in the Palm Springs Post shows the actual flag:
https://thepalmspringspost.com/official-city-flag
https://thepalmspringspost.com

Another photo posted in Reddit's r/vexillology by user forcarlsolomon in 2022:
https://www.reddit.com/r/vexillology
https://www.reddit.com/
Masao Okazaki, 4 February 2024

The seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 30 May 2019

Source: https://www.rctc.org/

Home page is ci.palm-springs.ca.us, but a larger image of the municipal seal can be found on the web site of a local property company, Blesch and Associates (www.bleschandassociates.com/images/images/palm-springs.jpg ). The seal itself is in the standard circular format with a beaded external border fimbriated blue. The outer ring is separated from the central image by a thin blue internal border, and is gold in color intermingled with white so as to create the effect of a sparkling coin. At the top of the outer ring are the words 'CITY OF PALM SPRINGS' in blue block sans serif lettering, with the word 'CALIFORNIA' similarly written at the bottom. At the 4 and 5 o'clock positions, and also at the 7 and 8 o'clock ones, are four small blue five pointed stars, two to a side. The central image depicts a desert scene in blue and gold, with three palm trees halved in these colors standing in the foreground, a larger tree in the center flanked by two smaller ones. Behind the trees is a mountain range in yellow outlined blue, with a stylized blue rayed rising sun in a yellow sky. At the foot of this central image is a white ribbon outlined blue and folded into three parts, with a broad central portion on which is written the word 'INCORPORATED' and an illegible date in miniscule blue block lettering.
Ron Lahav, 29 March 2005

The City of Palm Springs' original seal was adopted by the City Council in 1952. In 1978, the City held a contest to update the City Seal. The current seal was designed by Naning San Pedro; who at that time, was an employee of the City of Palm Desert, California in their reprographics division. In 1978 the City Council adopted the current City Seal. It is codified in the City Charter, along with the City's Municipal Code.
James Thompson, City Clerk, 6 April 2005