Destination PSP, a locally owned retailer in downtown Palm Springs known for its Palm Springs-inspired merchandise and midcentury design aesthetic, has earned Certified Autism Center status, a designation that expands Greater Palm Springs’ effort to make the visitor economy more inclusive for autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and travelers.
The certification was issued by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, or IBCCES, after Destination PSP staff completed autism and sensory training focused on communication, customer support and best practices for welcoming visitors with a range of needs.
The recognition gives the region something it has not had before. Destination PSP says it is the first and only retailer in the Coachella Valley to receive the certification, extending a movement that has so far been more visible in hotels, attractions, recreation venues and public-facing institutions.
That matters in Palm Springs, where shopping is more than an errand. In the downtown core, retail is part of the visitor experience itself. Palm Canyon Drive functions as one of the city’s most active commercial corridors, mixing boutiques, restaurants, galleries and design-centered businesses that help define the Palm Springs brand for both tourists and residents.
Destination PSP President, Jeffrey Bernstein.
“Palm Springs has always been a place that celebrates individuality,” said Jeffrey Bernstein, President. “At Destination PSP, we welcome everyone – customers and team members alike – and we proudly embrace the diversity of our community, including people of all abilities. We are proud to be the first and only retailer in the Coachella Valley to earn Certified Autism Center accreditation. We believe that retail is a key experience for our residents and visitors alike.”
Destination PSP sits squarely in that mix. Its flagship store at 170 N. Palm Canyon Drive sells originally designed souvenirs, home goods, apparel and poolside items that lean into the city’s modernist identity. Tourism sites for Palm Springs and Greater Palm Springs regularly position the store as part of the downtown shopping experience, underscoring how closely retail and destination marketing are linked in the city.
By earning autism certification, the company is also stepping into a bigger regional strategy. In 2025, Greater Palm Springs became the first destination in Southern California and one of only a handful worldwide to be designated a Certified Autism Destination by IBCCES. That designation depends on a network of trained and certified organizations across hospitality, entertainment and visitor services, giving families more predictability when planning trips.
“IBCCES is proud to recognize Destination PSP as a Certified Autism Center™,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “This certification is more than just a recognition; it’s a commitment to making sure every visitor and community member feels welcome and included in Palm Springs. We look forward to seeing the impact this certification will have on Destination PSP’s staff, customers, and the greater community.”
The practical impact may be straightforward but significant. Families traveling with autistic or sensory-sensitive children often plan outings around places where staff understand sensory challenges and know how to communicate clearly and calmly. Retail can be one of the more unpredictable parts of a trip, particularly in busy downtown districts where crowds, sound and visual stimulation are part of the environment. A certified store offers a measure of confidence in a setting that is usually overlooked in accessibility planning.
That local angle is important because Greater Palm Springs has been steadily building out its inclusive travel profile. Visit Greater Palm Springs has promoted certified hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural venues as part of its family travel and accessibility messaging. Palm Springs itself also markets accessible travel options to visitors. Adding a downtown retailer to that ecosystem helps round out the experience, particularly for travelers who want to shop, stroll and participate in the city’s walkable commercial core with less uncertainty.
For Destination PSP, the designation also aligns with the company’s public identity as a Palm Springs-owned small business that emphasizes community involvement, local sourcing where possible and products designed around the city’s lifestyle and visual culture. In that sense, the certification functions both as staff training and as a business statement about who the store wants to serve.
The company will also be listed in the IBCCES Accessibility App, which helps users find certified destinations, sensory-friendly locations and accessibility-related planning tools. That additional visibility could help connect the store with travelers already searching specifically for vetted, autism-aware businesses.
The broader takeaway is that inclusivity in Greater Palm Springs is moving beyond lodging and attractions to the destination’s everyday commercial life. For a tourism-driven economy that increasingly competes on experience, trust and ease of use, that may prove to be a meaningful advantage.
