A Captivating Blend Of Desert & Vibrant City Life - Palm Springs, CA

In the heart of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs welcomes all with its captivating blend of desert beauty and vibrant city life. Palm Springs has been a popular desert destination for nearly a century. It was made famous as a Hollywood celebrity getaway during the Golden Age of Hollywood (1920s–1960s). Movie studio contracts often included a morality clause and a stipulation requiring actors to stay within two hours of the studio. The city's desert location was within two hours of the studio and offered both privacy and seclusion, far from the prying eyes of the press, photographers and fans. Celebrities could come here and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and attend and throw wild parties with no prying eyes.

Along with a variety of restaurants, shops, hiking and golf, the city has one of the world’s largest concentration of preserved mid-century modern architecture. Talented young architects were drawn to Palm Springs, where they adapted their modern architectural designs to work with the desert environment while promoting leisurely indoor/outdoor living.

The city hosts numerous cultural events, such as the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, Modernism Week in February and October, The Dinah in the fall, Greater Palm Springs Pride in November, the International Bear Convergence in February, the Festival of Lights Parade in early December. The Coachella Music and Stage Coach Festivals take place in nearby Indio in April. VillageFest, held every Thursday evening on Palm Canyon Drive, features food, vendors, and artists.

This is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

An example of an Alexander Home

Classic car, home and view

Palm Springs has long been the preferred desert retreat of Hollywood royalty. This was William Holden’s home.

From the exhibit ‘For a love of his people: The photography of Horace Poolaw at the Agua Client Cultural Museum. The museum celebrates the Coachella Valley's Indigenous people and three culture.

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This home has what is known as a butterfly roofline.

The Path of the Bighorn is a public art project featuring painted sculptures of the endangered Peninsular big horn sheep.

Inside the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design Center. This museum was a little disappointing for me, I expected more.

One of the original tram cars on display at the entrance to the park.

Built between 1949 and 1963, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram that travels over 2.5 miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon providing sweeping views of the desert and mountains on the way to the Mount San Jacinto State Park at the top.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway building was designed by Albert Frey and Robson C. Chambers and completed in 1963.

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Some historical photos displayed in the Mountain Station tram building.

Mount San Jacinto State Park at the top of the mountain.

Outdoor near the entrance to the Rowan Hotel is this sculpture called ‘Leah’ by Julian Voss-Andreae.

The Rowan Hotel opened in 2017.

Drinks at the Rowan Hotel Rooftop High Bar.

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Bump and Grind trail in Palm Desert is only one of many trails in the area.

Sunrise on the Bump and Grind

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Downtown area is alive during Thursday night VillageFest.

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Outside the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Inside the Palm Springs Art Museum which showcases contemporary and Native American art.

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Palm Springs has more than 350 days of sunshine with less than five inches of rain.

Palm Springs windmills produce 600 million kilowatt-hours annually. They provide enough energy to power almost the entire Coachella Valley.

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Renowned for its striking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and leisurely atmosphere, the city is a magnet for tourists, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Park Imperial South was built in 1960 on 3.5 acres. This condo development features thirty identical units with folded plate roofs, decorative concrete blocks and carports.

The Azure Sky Hotel was originally built in 1959.

An art installation titled “Neighbors” by California muralist John Cerney. Portrays Marilyn, Sinatra, Liberace Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. all picking up their mail.

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The life-size bronze sculpture of Lucille Ball on a bench was sculpted in 1995 by Emmanuil and Janet Snitcovsky.

The Rat Pack, which included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., would often hang out at the Purple Room in the 1960s. They would sometimes perform on stage, even though they weren't officially booked.

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The sculpture “Cadillactus” by Roger Reutimann

The Palms Springs Walk of Stars contains the names of Hollywood stars who have lived, loved and played here as well as notable local personalities.

The Spanish Colonial architecture arrived at Palm Spring prior to the mid-century modern movement.

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The city’s unique topography contributes to its iconic desert scenery surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges including the San Bernardino, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains.

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1960’s low-slung, glass-walled Albert Frey commercial building on Palm Canyon Drive.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla honeymooned in this home in 1967. The house is also known as ‘The Honeymoon House’ or "The House of Tomorrow".

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Palm Springs is known for its mid-century modern architecture which draws enthusiasts worldwide, particularly during the annual Modernism Week.

Unique architecture of the Bootlegger Tiki

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The Spanish-style tower of the Pacific Building built in 1936 on North Palm Canyon Drive in the Uptown Design District.

Created in 2011, the giant 26-foot ‘Forever Marilyn’ designed by Seward Johnson is a representation of the image of Monroe taken from Billy Wilder's 1955 film The Seven Year Itch.

The Aluminaire House is a three-story house designed as a case study by architects A. Lawrence Kocher and Albert Frey in April 1931.

The fountain at the entrance to the Villas in Old Palm Springs.

Albert Frey designed the Tramway Gas Station, now the Palm Springs Visitor Center. The dramatic structure was constructed between 1963 and 1965 to draw attention to motorists entering Palm Springs. The landmark building is now the home of the Palm Springs Visitors Information Center.

Some items displayed in the Visitors Center.

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Inside Lulu’s Restaurant

Agua Client Women sculpture by Doug Hyde.

An estimated 33% to 50% of Palm Springs residents are part of the LGBTQ community.

Farm restaurant is perfect for breakfast.

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With over 100 golf courses in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is a golfer’s paradise.

Beautiful resort properties are all around.

Joshua Tree National Park is where two distinct deserts ecosystems meet, the Mojave and the Colorado.

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In nearby Old Town La Quinta nestled at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

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This is the land of swimming pools in every size and shape and size.

Brunch at Cheeky’s

Pink cocktail are one menu at the pink paradise called Trixie Motel in the heart of the city.

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What you should know:

• There are walking and hiking trails in the many area preserves and mountains.

• The city is very walkable.

• There are many diverse restaurant and entertainment options.

• On the street parking as well as parking lot options are available, and they are all free of charge.

• You could spend a couple of hours to a couple of weeks here.

• There is a large amount of public art, so enjoy!

• Palm Springs International Airport’s open-air design reflects the relaxed atmosphere of the region making it one of the most stress-free airports in the US.

• You can do your own tour of mid-century modern homes with maps from the Visitors Center or book a tour with Modern Tour.

For more information: Palm Springs

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