Palm Springs isn't just a destination; it's a living design museum, a mecca for modernism lovers, and a playground for architects, artists, and tastemakers who appreciate bold aesthetics. From its midcentury modern architecture to its art-infused dining experiences, here's your guide to 48 hours of high-style exploration in the desert.
Day 1: Immersive Icons & Desert Modern Marvels
Kick off your Palm Springs escape with a full day dedicated to dazzling design, iconic architecture, and immersive inspiration. This itinerary blends natural beauty with high style, from sun-soaked courtyards and retro-chic brunch spots to cactus-studded gardens and sleek modernist landmarks. Whether you're snapping photos for your feed or soaking up the essence of Desert Modernism, today’s journey invites you to explore the bold, beautiful, and artfully curated soul of Palm Springs.
Morning: A Stylish Start
Brunch at Norma's - Located in the lush courtyard of The Parker, Norma's serves elevated comfort food with playful plating and bold colors that feel straight out of a Slim Aarons photo.
💡 Design Highlight: Bright hues, retro-chic details, and maximalist charm make this an unforgettable breakfast setting.
📍 4200 E Palm Canyon Drive
Late Morning: Organic & Architectural Forms
Moorten Botanical Garden – Kick off your design tour with nature's finest architecture-cacti. This historic garden showcases over 3,000 varieties of desert plants, with the enchanting "Cactarium" offering surreal, light-filtered photo moments.
💡 Design highlight: The organic symmetry and repetition of cacti—perfect inspiration for pattern lovers and photographers.
📍1701 S Palm Canyon Drive
Midday: Lunch in a Chic Setting
🍽️ Lunch at The Pantry – A hidden gem with a breezy, South of France-inspired patio. Located at Holiday House, the interiors blend midcentury charm with modern elegance, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The menu features fresh seasonal dishes served in a breezy courtyard setting.
💡 Design highlight: Minimalist décor, curated art, and azure awnings create a stylish retreat.
📍 200 W Arenas Road
Afternoon: Midcentury Icons & High Design Shopping
Palm Springs Architecture & Design Center - Housed in a former 1960s bank designed by E. Stewart Williams, this center is a must-visit for anyone passionate about architecture and industrial design. The building is a midcentury icon with sleek lines, terrazzo floors, and glass walls. Inside, rotating exhibitions spotlight local architects, global design trends, and the evolution of modernist aesthetics.
💡 Design highlight: It's a masterclass in midcentury architecture and a showcase for contemporary design thinking.
📍 300 S Palm Canyon Drive
ModernWay Vintage - This staple of Palm Springs vintage design sells pristine midcentury furniture, lighting, and décor. Whether you're shopping or browsing, it's like walking through a museum of 20th-century design with pieces from the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Milo Baughman, and George Nelson.
💡 Design highlight: Quality vintage pieces presented in a beautifully styled space.
📍 255 N Palm Canyon Drive
🛍️ The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five - This curated collective of boutique vendors is housed in a stunning midcentury building. You will find everything from vintage barware to bold graphic textiles and modern ceramics.
💡 Design highlight: Clean lines, clever displays, and a building that's as stylish as its contents
📍 1345 N Palm Canyon Drive
Trina Turk Flagship Store - Housed in a stunning 1960s Albert Frey building, this boutique bursts with bold prints, bright colors, and architectural silhouettes. Trina Turk's style is quintessentially Palm Springs: mod, sunny, and stylish.
💡 Design highlight: Fashion that echoes desert modernism's geometry, optimism, and palette.
📍 891 N Palm Canyon Drive
Evening: Design-Driven Dining & Cocktails
Dinner at Workshop Kitchen + Bar – A James Beard–nominated restaurant set in a historic 1920s building with a minimalist industrial interior that stuns.
💡 Design highlight: The interior is a striking blend of brutalist architecture and minimalist industrial design, featuring soaring concrete walls, cathedral ceilings, and monolithic booths that create an intimate yet dramatic dining experience.
📍 800 N Palm Canyon Drive
🍸 Nightcap at Bar Cecil – A stylish cocktail lounge with Old Hollywood glamour, modern artistry, and Calder artwork adorning the walls.
💡 Design highlight: The space is a vibrant mix of jewel-toned tufted booths, wood-paneled walls, and an eclectic collection of contemporary art, including works by Alexander Calder, Damien Hirst, and Ellsworth Kelly. The ambiance is both glamorous and playful, reflecting Beaton's philosophy of embracing beauty and individuality.
📍 1555 S Palm Canyon Drive
Day 2: Modern Masters & Boutique Treasures
Today is all about savoring the elegance and artistry that define Palm Springs—from glamorous breakfasts and legendary architecture to world-class design showrooms and iconic rooftop views. Dive into the city's creative soul as you explore timeless buildings by midcentury masters, shop curated collections of modern design, and dine in spaces where aesthetics are as rich as the flavors. This is Palm Springs at its most polished and inspiring—where every detail tells a stylish story.
Morning: Architectural Icons
☕ Breakfast at The Colony Club - Located within the Colony Palms Hotel, this poolside restaurant exudes old Hollywood glamour with Spanish tiles, scalloped umbrellas, and lush greenery. The hotel was originally built in 1936 but was reimagined by renowned designer Steve Hermann, who infused it with a blend of Hollywood sophistication and Art Deco elegance. The result? It is a stunning retreat that feels both timeless and effortlessly modern
💡 Design highlight: The interplay of textures—bold-patterned décor, rich wood accents, and airy, sunlit spaces—creates a refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
📍 572 N Indian Canyon Drive
🚗 Architectural Tour - Palm Springs is a living museum of midcentury modern architecture, and a guided tour is the perfect way to explore its most iconic homes and buildings. Palm Springs Mod Squad Tour takes you through the city's most distinctive neighborhoods, showcasing the work of legendary architects like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and Donald Wexler. Architecture Tours by Modernism Week is also a great option, departing from the Palm Springs Visitor Center, which is worth a visit.
Note that these can be seasonal.
💡 Design highlight: The tour offers a deep dive into rooflines, geometric forms, and innovative materials that define Palm Springs' architectural identity.
🛍️ Shop at H3K Home & Design – After breakfast, head over to H3K Home & Design, where Palm Springs' design scene comes to life in the form of modern furniture, cutting-edge lighting, and curated home accessories. Known for its minimalist aesthetic, this shop blends clean lines and bold design with midcentury undertones, offering everything from sleek accent pieces to statement furniture.
💡 Design highlight: The showroom’s design philosophy emphasizes high-quality craftsmanship and bold simplicity, creating an experience that feels like stepping into a modernist dream.
📍 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr
Afternoon: Art, Design & Shopping
🍽️ Lunch at Chi Chi - Located at the Avalon Hotel, Chi Chi blends midcentury modern aesthetics with tropical elegance. The restaurant features sleek terrazzo floors, sculptural lighting, and a serene cabana-style outdoor seating area, making it a stylish retreat for design lovers. The menu focuses on California-inspired Latin cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
💡 Design highlight: The interplay of modernist architecture and lush greenery creates a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance, perfect for a leisurely lunch.
📍 415 S Belardo Road
Palm Springs Art Museum – A masterpiece of modernist architecture, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a cultural hub showcasing contemporary and classic works across painting, sculpture, photography, and design. Originally designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1974, the museum seamlessly integrates with the desert landscape, featuring clean lines, expansive glass walls, and a striking brutalist aesthetic.
💡 Design highlight: The museum's Architecture & Design Collection features rare drawings, models, and furniture from legendary designers like Richard Neutra, Greta Magnusson Grossman, and Frank Gehry. The Aluminaire House, a gleaming 1931 prefab metal home, sits on the museum's grounds, offering a fascinating glimpse into early modernist innovation.
📍101 Museum Drive
Christopher Anthony Ltd. – A sanctuary for design enthusiasts, Christopher Anthony Ltd. is a meticulously curated showroom showcasing museum-quality modern furniture, sculptures, and lighting. Located in the Uptown Design District, this refined space blends midcentury elegance with contemporary sophistication, offering a collection that feels both timeless and cutting-edge.
💡 Design highlight: Every piece is thoughtfully displayed, transforming the showroom into a living gallery where form, texture, and craftsmanship take center stage.
📍 803 N Palm Canyon Drive
Evening: Rooftop Views & Glamorous Nostalgia
🍷 Dinner at 4 Saints – Perched atop the Kimpton Rowan Hotel, 4 Saints is Palm Springs' premier rooftop dining destination, offering sweeping 270-degree views of the city skyline and the San Jacinto Mountains. The menu presents modern American cuisine with a refined, seasonal approach, featuring expertly grilled meats, fresh seafood, and locally inspired flavors.
💡 Design highlight: The sleek, contemporary interiors blend minimalist sophistication with desert-inspired warmth, featuring leather banquettes, sculptural lighting, and an open-air terrace that seamlessly connects diners to the surrounding landscape.
📍 100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way
🎹 Martini at Melvyn's – A true Palm Springs institution, Melvyn's at the Ingleside Estate is a time capsule of old Hollywood glamour, where tuxedo-clad servers, white tablecloths, and live piano music set the scene for an unforgettable evening. Since the 1970s, this legendary lounge has hosted icons like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Elizabeth Taylor, with Sinatra famously holding court from corner booth #53 whenever he was in town.
💡 Design highlight: The chandelier-strewn dining room, tufted pale pink bar, and classic black-and-white checkered floors evoke the Rat Pack era.
📍 200 W Ramon Road
Final Thought: A City of Endless Inspiration
Palm Springs isn't just a place—it's like no place else. It’s a design lover’s dreamscape, where architecture, art, and atmosphere blend effortlessly beneath sun-drenched skies. As your day winds down with rooftop cocktails and piano serenades, the city’s true magic lies in its ability to honor the past while embracing the now.