If you’re needing a mini-break where you can feel the sun on your skin, it’s hard to go past Palm Springs.
There’s a huge range of accommodation options in Palm Springs, but if you want the option to get your clothes off and work on an all-over tan, CCBC is a resort that should probably be on your radar.
For a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to stay at CCBC, we caught up with the resort’s proprietor, Eric Altman.
By all accounts, CCBC is the largest clothing-optional resort for men in Southern California. How does that work in practice – do guests have to get naked as soon as they arrive?
We’re a clothing-optional resort and when we say “optional” we really mean optional.
There isn’t a right or wrong way to experience the resort. Some people arrive and are completely comfortable taking their clothes off right away. Other people need a little time, and some people may choose not to be nude at all. That’s all perfectly fine.
While most of our guests do choose to be nude around the pools and resort, there is absolutely no pressure to do so. You should do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
What makes CCBC different to some of the other clothing-optional accommodation venues in Palm Springs?
CCBC is about much more than just being naked. We have the pools, the grounds, food and beverage options, and a schedule of different events. Most importantly, what we have is a very social atmosphere.
People meet each other here. They make friends here. We have guests who have been coming back for years because of the relationships and friendships they’ve developed at CCBC.
Clothing-optional experiences can be a bit daunting for those of us grappling with body-image issues. Are we going to feel out of place if we haven’t been hitting the gym hard?
You don’t have to look a certain way to be here. At CCBC, you’re going to see different ages, different body-types, and people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Once you’ve been here for a little while, you realize pretty quickly that nobody is paying nearly as much attention to your body as you thought they would.
We also have a lot of different events, so clothing-optional doesn’t mean that everyone is naked all the time. Sometimes swimwear is part of an event. Sometimes there are costumes or themed outfits. Not everything is an ABC – “Anything But Clothes” – party. That’s part of the fun of CCBC. You can decide how much or how little you want to participate.
You describe CCBC as a sex-positive space – does that mean that there are no boundaries?
We are a sex-positive environment – I think it’s important to be comfortable saying that.
Sex-positive doesn’t mean that there aren’t any boundaries. Actually, it’s just the opposite. Respect and consent are extremely important.
Just because someone is naked doesn’t automatically mean that they’re interested in you, and it certainly doesn’t mean they’ve given consent to anything. You have to respect people’s personal space and understand that different guests are here for different experiences.
Privacy is another big thing for us. We ask guests not to take pictures of people without their permission. We tell people to put the phone away as much as possible. You’re on vacation. Enjoy the pool, enjoy the sunshine, talk to somebody and enjoy being away from the rest of the world for a while.
“Talk to somebody” sounds easy when you say it, and you’ve mentioned the social atmosphere of CCBC. But for solo travellers, or those of us who are a bit introverted or navigating social anxiety, how do you connect with other guests while also respecting their personal space?
I always think that the answer to that is pretty simple. Say hello. Sit by the pool. Go to an event. Have a drink. Get something to eat. You don’t really need a strategy. CCBC is naturally a social place, and conversations happen pretty easily.
People may initially come to CCBC because they’re curious about the clothing-optional experience, but that’s not necessarily why they keep coming back. What brings a lot of people back is the freedom, the friendships and the sense of community they find here.
If someone was planning a trip to Palm Springs and thinking about making their first visit to CCBC, what advice would you give them?
Bring sunscreen, come with an open mind and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Wear what makes you comfortable. Talk to people. Participate in the things that interest you.
Respect everybody else’s boundaries, and don’t feel like you have to experience everything on your first visit.
Start planning your Palm Springs mini-break at CCBCresorthotel.com.
