Palm Springs Architecture Tour with Michael Stern

Conventionally, buildings are constructed to shield us from the elements—roofs keep out the rain, walls protect us from the cold, and doors offer shelter from the outside world. But in Palm Springs, architecture does more than defend—it celebrates the environment. Here, modernist design embraces sun-drenched vistas, dramatic mountainscapes, and the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that defines desert living.

No one brings this architectural magic to life like Michael Stern, founder of The Modern Tour and a leading voice in preserving and interpreting Palm Springs midcentury modern architecture.

“Weather has such an impact on human behavior,” Stern muses. “Because we have 350 sunny days a year, it puts everyone in a good state of mind. People are here because they want to be here. So everyone’s in Palm Springs for basically the same reason—which is to have a good time. It’s a party town. The locals indulge as well as the tourists!”

With an infectious smile and encyclopedic knowledge, Stern has been guiding architecture lovers, design aficionados, and curious travelers through the storied streets of Palm Springs for over a decade. Originally from Tribeca in lower Manhattan, Stern jokes, “I hate cold weather. So that really predicated the move.”

From New York to Neutra: A Scholar with a Passion for Palm Springs

An architectural historian by training, Michael Stern brings depth and context to each stop on The Modern Tour. But he also breaks the mold.

“I’d done a lot of architectural tours over the years, and they’re often just exteriors. But in Palm Springs, we go inside private residences. So people can understand what it’s really like to live in this environment, not just visit it.”

This rare access to iconic homes—some by modernist masters like Richard Neutra, Donald Wexler, Albert Frey, and William Krisel—is what makes The Modern Tour unlike any other. In fact, Palm Springs is one of the few places in the world where you can routinely tour privately owned, architecturally significant homes. And Stern is your trusted guide.

When asked to sum up the essence of Palm Springs architecture, Stern answers with a single word: “Understated.”

“Discreet to the Street”: The Secret Language of Palm Springs Homes

One of Stern’s signature phrases—“discreet to the street”—beautifully captures the visual rhythm of the city’s residential neighborhoods.

“Very often, these homes are low-slung, flat-roofed, and unassuming from the front. But once you pass through the entry gate, everything changes. The house opens up to a lush, private poolside courtyard. It’s all about privacy, views, and indoor-outdoor living.”

This approach is rooted in midcentury modern design principles that emerged in the post-WWII era. As returning GIs sought affordable, stylish homes and the leisure class flocked to the desert, architects designed houses that reflected optimism, innovation, and a harmonious relationship with nature. Materials like glass, steel, and concrete enabled open floor plans, expansive views, and seamless transitions between inside and out.

Stern explains, “People often hedge out the house because everyone wants privacy in their backyard. Palm Springs homes are opaque to the street and transparent to the view.”

More Than Just Architecture: The Modern Tour’s Multi-Layered Lens

While Stern is steeped in architectural knowledge, The Modern Tour is not just for purists.

“It’s not a hardcore architectural tour,” he explains. “We talk about Hollywood history, the geology of the desert, and why this style of architecture flourished here. You learn how mid-century design was a response to both lifestyle and landscape.”

Michael’s background in studio art adds another layer to the experience. “I see things others don’t. I point out small but important details—textures, lines, shadows, the way a clerestory window channels light. You’re seeing architecture through the eyes of an artist.”

Whether it’s the Cody Glass House, the Franz Alexander House, or the world-famous Frey House II, Stern’s tours offer a curated blend of storytelling, scholarship, and good old-fashioned fun.

“The Modern Tour is really fun! We host private tours, large corporate groups—sometimes up to 150 people. It’s become a substantial part of what we do.”

Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future

Stern is also deeply committed to architectural preservation in Palm Springs, a city that experienced a cultural and economic revival thanks to renewed interest in its modernist roots.

“What Art Deco did for Miami, mid-century modernism has done for Palm Springs,” he says. “It put us back on the cultural map.”

With support from the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, preservationists like Stern continue to champion the city’s architectural legacy—one tour at a time.