Obama Departs Coachella Valley After Golf Weekend

By City News Service

President Barack Obama headed back to Washington from the Coachella Valley on Sunday, stopping traffic and earning an obscene gesture from one motorist.

Air Force One was wheels up from Palm Springs International Airport at 3:12 p.m.

Obama’s round of golf -- his second in two days -- ended and the presidential motorcade moved from La Quinta to the Palm Springs International Airport.

Most spectators took video or pictures, but one driver with white hair stood outside his stopped car, raised both arms and extended both middle fingers at the president and the motorcade.

Earlier in the day, reporters watched as Obama worked out at a gym across the street from the gated community where he spent the night. Reporters were asked not to disclose that location.

He arrived at about 11 a.m. Saturday and, after being greeted by a coterie of local officials, made a beeline for the golf courses. The Sunnylands Centre and Gardens served as the temporary Executive Office, although the president did not sleep there, but stayed at an undisclosed private residence. It continues a trend of June visits by the president, who came to the area around Father’s Day last year and in 2013.

Obama spent Thursday and early Friday in the Los Angeles area, where he attended two fundraisers and sat for an interview with comedian Marc Maron for his podcast “WTF with Marc Maron,” which will be available online Monday.

Street closures during the president’s Sunnylands visit will continue through Monday morning, even though Obama left in the midafternoon.

Kirk Douglas Way, between Ramon and El Cielo roads, and Airport Center Drive at Kirk Douglas Way will be closed until 7 a.m. Monday.