Hollywood's Desert Hideaway
Welcome to Old Las Palmas, one of Palm Springs' most storied and enchanting neighborhoods—a place where the glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age still lingers in the sunlight. Tucked against the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, these quiet, palm‑lined streets once served as a discreet escape for film legends, musicians, and studio powerhouses who came here seeking privacy, sunshine, and a life lived just beyond the reach of the spotlight.
As you wander through this historic enclave, you'll pass elegant estates and midcentury masterpieces that once belonged to some of the 20th century's most recognizable names. Many of these homes were designed by celebrated architects, shaped by the desert's dramatic landscape, and infused with the effortless sophistication that made Palm Springs a magnet for the famous and the fashionable.
This self‑guided tour invites you to slow down, look closely, and imagine the stories behind the walls—poolside parties, clandestine romances, creative retreats, and the everyday moments that made this neighborhood feel like a true home to Hollywood's elite. Old Las Palmas isn't just a collection of beautiful houses; it's a living archive of the city's star‑studded past.
Take your time, enjoy the walk, and let the neighborhood reveal its history one block at a time.
Distance: Approximately 2 miles
Map part 1
Tour Begins
Start your tour at the corner of W Alejo Road and North Belardo Road.
Liberace Estate – 501 N Belardo Road
This home was built in 1930 by Alvah Hicks, who owned the Palm Springs Water Company and lived in it until 1936. He is known for developing much of the Las Palmas neighborhood, including Our Lady of Solitude Church across the street.
Liberace, an American pianist, owned and lived in this home from 1967 until he died in 1987. It was called "The Cloisters" when her purchased the home, and he renamed it "Casa De Liberace." It was reported that he spent his last days here with his dogs, watching The Golden Girls. His memorial was held at Our Lady of Solitude across the street.
Jean Harlow – 535 N Belardo Road
Jean Harlow was an American Actress and sex symbol of the 1930s, often called the "Blonde Bombshell." Howard Hughes signed her to star in Hell's Angels, and she would later become a huge star with MGM.
It is believed she stayed in the guest house of this property in the 1930s. She passed away in 1937 at the age of 26 from kidney failure.
→ Continue up North Belarto Road one block and turn left onto North Prescott Drive.
Kirk Kerkorian – 735 N Prescott Drive
Kerkorian, a self‑made multi‑billionaire, developed or owned several landmark properties over the course of his career, including the Flamingo, the MGM Grand Hotel, and later the MGM Grand, which opened in 1993. He also acquired Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer (MGM) in 1969, becoming one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood's studio landscape.
Kerkorian purchased this Old Las Palmas residence in 1970, adding Palm Springs to the small circle of places where he retreated from the public eye. The home spans 6,577 square feet, with 5 bedrooms and 8 baths, set on nearly an acre of manicured grounds. Its Spanish Revival architecture, deep setbacks, and mountain views reflect the elegance and privacy that made Old Las Palmas a natural fit for high‑profile figures seeking quiet desert living.
→ Continue up North Prescott Drive past W. Mountain View Place
Liz Taylor – 901 Prescott Drive
This charming Old Las Palmas residence is widely known today as "Casa Elizabeth," a name popularized by modern real estate listings that associate the home with screen legend Elizabeth Taylor. While multiple MLS‑linked listings describe the property as having been owned by Taylor, no contemporary newspaper articles or archival reporting have been found to confirm her residency here.
Celebrity homeownership in Palm Springs was often intentionally quiet. Stars came here precisely to avoid press coverage. The house's romantic Spanish‑influenced architecture, lush landscaping, and mountain backdrop make it easy to imagine why a star seeking privacy and desert calm might have been drawn to this quiet corner of Old Las Palmas.
→ Make a U-turn and backtrack half a block, then turn right onto W Mountain View Place. Stop at the house on the Right
Carl Lykken – 242 W Mountain View Place
This 1930 Spanish Revival home at 242 W Mountain View Place is tied to one of Palm Springs' most important early settlers: Carl Lykken. Carl and his brother George were among the city's first business owners, operating the Lykken Brothers general store that served as a lifeline for the small but growing village. Carl also became Palm Springs' first official Postmaster, and he famously installed the community's first telephone, marking the beginning of modern communication in the desert.
The home itself spans 4,090 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, set on a quiet corner surrounded by mature palms and mountain views. In 1946, Carl moved into the residence with his family, making it one of the few Old Las Palmas homes directly connected to the city's foundational era rather than its later Hollywood period.
Standing here, you're looking at a property that reflects Palm Springs before the glamour—when pioneers, merchants, and civic leaders were shaping a remote desert settlement into a functioning town. The Lykken family's legacy still echoes throughout the city, from the popular Lykken Trail to their role in establishing essential early infrastructure.
→ Continue West on W Mountain View Place
Gene Autry – 328 W Mountain View
This expansive 1927 estate at 328 W Mountain View Place is connected to one of America's most beloved entertainers: Gene Autry, the legendary "Singing Cowboy." Autry's career stretched across radio, film, television, and live performance from the 1930s onward, making him one of the most recognizable figures of the 20th century. His influence extended far beyond entertainment—he became a major businessman, philanthropist, and sports team owner.
Autry purchased this Old Las Palmas home in 1997, making it one of his final residences. The property is impressive in scale, spanning 13,461 square feet with 7 bedrooms and 9 baths, set on beautifully landscaped grounds that reflect the elegance of early Palm Springs estates. Autry lived here until his passing in 1998, and his wife, Jackie Autry, continued to reside in the home until she sold it in 2023.
Autry's Palm Springs legacy reaches beyond this residence. He owned the California Angels baseball team (now the Los Angeles Angels), and the team trained at what is now Palm Springs Stadium for decades. He also purchased California's first Holiday Inn in 1961—later renamed the Gene Autry Hotel—a property that eventually became part of today's Parker Palm Springs. Guests at the Parker can still stay in the Gene Autry House, a suite named in his honor.
→ Continue up West Mountain View Place to N. Mission Road and turn right.
Walk one block and turn right to W Hermosa Place
Samuel Goldwyn – 334 W Hermosa Place
This elegant Old Las Palmas estate is long associated with legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn, one of the most influential figures of Hollywood's early studio era. Goldwyn is best known as a co‑founder of the film exchange that evolved into Paramount Pictures, and later as the head of Samuel Goldwyn Productions, the studio behind classics like Wuthering Heights, The Best Years of Our Lives, and Guys and Dolls.
Property records and local histories indicate that Goldwyn owned this home from the late 1940s through 1960, using it as a private desert retreat. During this period, it was common for studio heads to offer their Palm Springs homes to actors under contract, and Goldwyn was known to do so. As a result, the house became a quiet hideaway for Hollywood talent seeking privacy away from Los Angeles.
Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz – 1954
One of the best‑documented stays is that of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who appear under this address in the 1954 Palm Springs white pages. At the time, the couple was building their home at Thunderbird Ranch in Rancho Mirage, and they spent extended periods in Palm Springs for work and social events. Desi and his orchestra performed at the famed Chi Chi Club, while Lucy became a regular presence at community celebrations, including hosting the Desert Circus Parade.
→ Head toward N Cahuilla Road and turn left
Judy Garland – 1045 N Cahuilla
This 1948 residence is part of the larger Samuel Goldwyn estate, which historically included multiple adjoining parcels—among them the nearby home at 334 W Hermosa Place, documented as Goldwyn's Palm Springs retreat from the late 1940s through 1960. Because Goldwyn frequently offered his desert properties to actors under contract or in his circle, several stories have emerged over the years about notable guests who stayed on the estate.
One of the most enduring local accounts is that Judy Garland recuperated here in 1955. She had had a difficult birth to her son Joey Luft that March. According to the Desert Sun, Judy Garland and Sid Luft were staying in their Palm Springs house.
- November 22 - Dinner at Don the Beachcomber and later at the Palm Springs Racquet Club.
- December 1 - Dinner with Dinah Shore and George Montgomery at the Doll House.
- December 6 – Dinner with Debbie Reynold and Eddie Fisher at the Racquet Club.
She was staying at the Colonial House with her husband, Vincent Minnelli (Colony Palm Hotel & Bugalows) in 1946, pregnant with Liza Minnelli.
→ Continue north on W Cahuilla Road to the right corner of W Via Lola
Jack Warner – 285 W Via Lola
This striking 1958 residence at 285 W Via Lola was built for Jack L. Warner, the powerhouse studio executive who helped shape the Golden Age of Hollywood. As one of the founders of Warner Bros. Pictures, Jack Warner oversaw the studio's rise from silent films to major sound productions, shepherding classics like Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and My Fair Lady. Known for his fierce business instincts, he famously consolidated control of the company in a 1956 maneuver that left him the sole remaining Warner brother at the helm.
Warner commissioned this Palm Springs home in 1958, naming it "Villa Aujourd'hui"—French for "House of Today." The name reflected his taste for modern luxury and his desire for a desert retreat that balanced privacy with architectural flair. The home spans 4,421 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 6 baths, set on a generous lot with clean midcentury lines and lush landscaping that frame views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
While Warner maintained several residences, this Palm Springs property offered a quieter escape from the pressures of running a major studio. Its design and scale reflect the era when Hollywood's most powerful figures built desert homes that were both glamorous and deeply personal.
→ Head west on W Via Lola for about half a block.
Sidney Sheldon – 375, 425, 467 W Via Lola
Few figures in American entertainment had a career as wide‑ranging—or as successful—as Sidney Sheldon. Before becoming one of the world's best‑selling novelists, Sheldon built a remarkable résumé across Broadway, Hollywood, and television. He wrote hit stage plays, won an Academy Award for screenwriting, created iconic TV series like I Dream of Jeannie and Hart to Hart, and ultimately became a global publishing phenomenon, selling more than 300 million books in 51 languages.
Sheldon was also one of Palm Springs' most devoted residents. Over the years, he owned four homes in the city, including three side‑by‑side estates on West Via Lola, forming a personal compound that reflected both his success and his love for the desert. He lived in Palm Springs full‑time and passed away here in 2007.
375 W Via Lola
Purchased: 1994 Built: 1954 Size: 3,777 sq. ft. | 5 bedrooms | 5 baths
This was Sheldon's fourth Palm Springs home, acquired in 1994. Before Sheldon, the property was owned by Andrea Leeds, the Oscar‑nominated actress who married Robert Howard, son of Charles S. Howard, the owner of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. The home's Hollywood‑meets‑horse‑racing lineage makes it one of the more unique properties in Old Las Palmas.
425 W Via Lola
Purchased: 1977 Built: 1959 Size: 7,370 sq. ft. | 6 bedrooms | 7 baths
This was the first of Sheldon's three adjoining Via Lola homes. With its generous square footage and midcentury lines, it became a central part of his Palm Springs life. By the late 1970s, Sheldon was transitioning from screenwriting to novels, and this home served as a quiet retreat during the early years of his literary career.
467 W Via Lola
Purchased: 1992 Built: 1948 Size: 7,131 sq. ft. | 8 bedrooms | 11 baths
This was Sheldon's third Palm Springs home and the second of the three Via Lola properties he eventually owned side‑by‑side. The house has a rich theatrical history of its own:
Kitty Carlisle & Moss Hart – 1961
Before Sheldon, the home belonged to Kitty Carlisle, the actress and television personality, and her husband Moss Hart, the celebrated Broadway director behind My Fair Lady and Camelot. The couple lived here in 1961. Tragically, Hart passed away at the property—reportedly on the front lawn—making it one of the more historically poignant homes in the neighborhood.
Winthrop Rockefeller – 1963
In 1963, the home was purchased by Winthrop Rockefeller, who later became the Governor of Arkansas and was a member of the prominent Rockefeller family. His ownership adds yet another layer of political and cultural significance to the property.
→ Continue west on W. Via Lola
Kirk Douglas – 515 W. Via Lola
Kirk is an American three-time Oscar-nominated actor
This 1954 Donald Wexler–designed home at 285 W Via Lola is associated with legendary actor Kirk Douglas, one of the most iconic leading men of Hollywood's postwar era. Known for his intense screen presence and unmistakable dimpled chin, Douglas earned three Academy Award nominations and became a defining figure of mid‑century American cinema with films like Champion, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Spartacus.
Douglas purchased the home in 1957 and owned it for more than 4 decades, keeping it until 1999. The residence reflects the clean, modernist lines that made Wexler one of Palm Springs' most influential architects. The home features 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 3,790 square feet, set on a private lot that captures the quiet elegance of Old Las Palmas.
→ Continue west on W Via Lola
520 W Via Lola
It is said episodes of Miami Vice were filmed here.
Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell – 550 W Via Lola
In 1983, Hollywood power couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell spent time in Palm Springs while searching for a permanent desert home. During that period, they rented this 1974 residence at 550 W Via Lola, a stylish mid‑century property with 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and a layout designed for indoor‑outdoor living—perfect for the relaxed pace of Old Las Palmas.
Their stay here was temporary but memorable. The couple was exploring the Coachella Valley for a long‑term retreat and ultimately chose to purchase a home in Bighorn, the exclusive community in Palm Desert. Still, their brief time on Via Lola adds another chapter to the neighborhood's long history of attracting Hollywood's most beloved stars.
→ Next Door
Ocean's 11 – 999 N Patencio Road
This striking modernist home (hidden behind hedges) earned a place in contemporary film history as one of the locations used in the 2001 remake of Ocean's Eleven, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Matt Damon. The production used the property as a stand-in for a Las Vegas mansion, capitalizing on Palm Springs' dramatic architecture and mountain backdrop. The site is listed in film location databases as a confirmed filming location for the movie.
Designed by renowned architect A. Quincy Jones, the home reflects the clean lines, open volumes, and indoor‑outdoor flow that define midcentury desert modernism. It features 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and 6,307 square feet of living space—ample room for the kind of cinematic scenes that made the film's heist‑world glamour so memorable.
Harold Robbins - 990 N Patencio Road
This 1950s‑era residence was home to Harold Robbins, one of the best‑selling and most controversial novelists of the 20th century. Robbins became famous for his sensational, Hollywood‑infused novels, which blended glamour, scandal, and high drama into page‑turners that sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide.
Robbins lived in this home beginning in 1977, during a period when he was at the height of his fame and productivity. He remained here until 1992, the year he married his longtime assistant, Jan. The property features 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and 4,558 square feet of living space, offering the kind of privacy and scale that suited Robbin's larger‑than‑life persona.
→ Walk down N. Patencio Road one block, then take a left onto W. Hermosa Place. Corner of N Mission Road & Mermoa Place
Dinah Shore Estate – 432 W Hermosa Place
This iconic 1965 residence was designed by celebrated architect Donald Wexler, one of the leading voices of Palm Springs modernism. With its clean lines, deep overhangs, and seamless indoor‑outdoor flow, the home is a quintessential example of midcentury desert architecture. It spans 7,022 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, set on a beautifully landscaped lot that captures the serenity and glamour of Old Las Palmas.
The estate was built for Dinah Shore, the beloved big‑band singer who rose to fame in the 1940s before becoming one of America's most popular television personalities. Her warm, approachable style made The Dinah Shore Chevy Show a national favorite, and she remained a major figure in entertainment for decades. Shore was married to actor George Montgomery for 20 years, and the couple was a frequent Palm Springs visitor during Hollywood's golden era.
In 2014, the property entered a new chapter when Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the estate. Today, it operates as a high‑end event and vacation rental space, allowing visitors to experience one of Palm Springs' most architecturally significant celebrity homes firsthand.
The Dinah Shore Estate remains a perfect blend of Hollywood history, Wexler's modernist vision, and contemporary Palm Springs luxury.
→ Across the street
Donald Duncan – 457 W Hermosa Place
This expansive 1928 estate at 457 W Hermosa Place was originally built by Alva F. Hicks and later became the Palm Springs home of Donald F. Duncan, the inventive businessman behind the Duncan Toys Company, which popularized the modern yo-yo. Duncan also founded the Duncan Meter Corporation, earning a second fortune manufacturing parking meters—an industry he helped revolutionize.
By 1949, Duncan was firmly established at this Old Las Palmas property. That same year, he filed a permit to construct a guest house on the estate—an addition that would later gain its own celebrity history as Cary Grant's guest house during the years when Grant frequented the property.
The estate spans four acres, making it one of the largest residential parcels in Old Las Palmas. Its size and privacy made it a natural gathering place for Duncan's circle of friends, which included prominent figures from Hollywood and American industry.
Arthur Cameron, Anne Miller & Howard Hughes
Duncan's close friend Arthur Cameron, a businessman with deep ties to Hollywood and aviation, often stayed at the home with his wife, actress and dancer Ann Miller. Cameron was also a confidant of Howard Hughes, and according to local accounts, Hughes spent time at the property in 1957, using the quiet desert setting to refine plans for his massive wooden aircraft, the H‑4 Hercules—better known as the Spruce Goose.
Cary Grant
The estate's pool and guest house became part of Palm Springs lore thanks to Cary Grant, who visited frequently. Stories of Grant relaxing and "frolicking" in the pool have circulated for decades, adding a touch of Golden Age glamour to the property's history.
Arthur Cameron Purchases the Estate
We believe Arthur purchased the home in 1961, continuing its legacy as a retreat for influential figures from entertainment, aviation, and business.
→ Next door
Elizabeth Talyor & Leop Spitz – 417 W Hermosa Place
This was originally built in 1937 by Walter Kirschner and called "Casa Adaire." He was a successful owner of Grayson, a national chain of ladies' apparel shops named "Casa Adaire" in honor of his daughter. He was also a friend and advisor to Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower.
Leo Spitz - 1953
This 1953 residence was owned by Leo Spitz, one of the most influential studio executives of Hollywood's early sound era. Spitz moved here from Beverly Hills in 1953, bringing with him a remarkable career that helped shape the modern film industry.
Spitz played a key role in negotiating the 1928 merger of Warner Bros. and First National Studios, a pivotal moment in Hollywood consolidation. He later served as an executive at Paramount Pictures (1932–33) and went on to become president of RKO–Radio Pictures, guiding the studio through some of its most dynamic years. His time in Palm Springs was brief—he passed away in 1956—but his presence here reflects the long tradition of studio leadership seeking refuge in the desert.
His wife, Frankie, sold the property in 1959 to Joseph Shapiro, founder of the Simplicity Pattern Company.
Elizabeth Taylor & Mike Todd – 1957
In 1957, shortly after Spitz's death, the home was rented by Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, producer Mike Todd. The couple was at the height of their fame—Taylor fresh off Giant and Todd celebrating the success of Around the World in 80 Days. Their stay in Palm Springs was short‑lived but memorable, adding a glamorous chapter to the home's history. Elizabeth celebrated her 26th birthday here.
Tragically, Mike Todd died the following year in a 1958 plane crash, an event that deeply affected Taylor and remains one of the most poignant stories connected to any Old Las Palmas residence.
It is a Class I Historic Site.
→ Turn right onto N. Mission Road, and it will curve into W Merrito Place
Map part 2
Lily Tomlin & Jane Wagner – 443 W Merito Place
This charming midcentury home at 443 W Merito Place was once owned by acclaimed comedian and actress Lily Tomlin and her longtime creative partner and wife, Jane Wagner. Tomlin rose to national fame on Rowan & Martin's Laugh‑In in the late 1960s, where her characters—especially the mischievous child Edith Ann—became instant cultural icons. Wagner, an Emmy‑ and Peabody-winning writer, is best known for creating The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Tomlin's signature one-woman show, and the movie 9 to 5.
The couple purchased the home in 1997 and affectionately nicknamed it the "Lily Pad." It served as their Palm Springs retreat during a period of major creative output and public visibility. They sold the property in 2003, but its playful name and connection to two groundbreaking LGBTQ+ artists remain part of its charm.
Cheryl Crane – 2004
When the home changed hands in 2004, the listing agent was Cheryl Crane, Lana Turner's daughter. Crane's life became tabloid history in 1958, when she fatally stabbed Turner's boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, during a violent altercation in Turner's Beverly Hills home. A coroner's inquest ruled the act justifiable homicide, concluding Crane acted to protect her mother from abuse. Crane later built a respected career in real estate, including work in Palm Springs.
This is a 1952 home with 4 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and 5,100 sq. ft.
Lena Horne & Lennie Hayton – 465 W Merito Place
This 1940s‑era residence at 465 W Merito Place was home to legendary singer and actress Lena Horne and her husband, composer and conductor Lennie Hayton. Horne, one of the most influential Black performers of the 20th century, rose to fame with MGM musicals and became widely known for her 1943 recording of "Stormy Weather." Her career spanned film, stage, television, and civil rights activism, making her a defining figure in American entertainment.
Horne and Hayton married in 1947, at a time when interracial marriages faced significant social and legal barriers. According to Hayton, the couple purchased their Palm Springs home in the 1950s under an assumed name to avoid the racial discrimination that often prevented Black buyers from purchasing property in certain neighborhoods. Their presence in Old Las Palmas stands today as a quiet but powerful reminder of the barriers they navigated—and the spaces they claimed.
The couple remained married until Hayton's death in 1971, which occurred here in Palm Springs. Horne retained ownership of the home until 1974, marking nearly two decades of their connection to the property.
Lennie Hayton's Musical Legacy
Hayton was a major force in Hollywood music. He served as musical director for MGM, later worked for 20th Century Fox, and earned two Academy Awards:
- Best Original Score (Musical) – On the Town (1949)
- Best Original Score – Hello, Dolly! (1970)
Though he worked with many major stars, he spent much of his later career composing and arranging music for Horne, shaping the sound that defined her performances.
Lena Horne in Palm Springs
Locally, Horne performed at the Chi Chi Club, one of Palm Springs' most glamorous nightspots. Her appearances in the Starlite Room during the early 1960s drew packed audiences, reflecting both her star power and the city's growing reputation as a cultural destination.
→ Walk to the end of W Merto Place, turn left onto N Patencio Road
George Hamilton – 591 N Patencio Road
This 1937 residence at 591 N Patencio Road is tied to actor George Hamilton, whose smooth charm, deep tan, and self‑aware humor made him one of Hollywood's most recognizable personalities from the 1960s onward. Hamilton was a frequent visitor to Palm Springs, and by May 1967, The Desert Sun listed him as a resident—though the exact span of his time here remains unclear.
One of the most memorable local sightings occurred in 1966, when Hamilton visited the Spa Hotel for treatments with Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, whom he was dating at the time. He soon returned to Hollywood to film Three for a Wedding with Sandra Dee, but his Palm Springs presence was well‑documented in the social pages.
The home itself reflects the understated elegance of early Old Las Palmas architecture. Built in 1937, the lower level includes 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2,321 square feet of living space. A charming detail remains from Hamilton's time here: he left his signature in the cement on the right‑hand side of the driveway—a small but delightful piece of Hollywood history preserved in stone.
That same month in 1967, television host Merv Griffin spent a week filming segments around Palm Springs featuring local stars, adding to the sense that the neighborhood was a lively hub of mid‑century celebrity culture.
→ Head back to Liberace's house. Walk south on the road that curves to the Right and turn onto Vine Avenue. The Welwood Cemetery will be on your left. Continue to W. Alejo Road and turn left onto Belardo Road.
Tour Ends
As you conclude your walk through Old Las Palmas, you've moved through a landscape where architecture, artistry, and personal history intersect in remarkable ways. These homes—some glamorous, some understated—once sheltered the private lives of people who shaped film, music, literature, and culture in the 20th century. Together, they tell a story of why Palm Springs mattered: a place where the famous could step out of the spotlight, where creativity could breathe, and where the desert offered a kind of refuge found nowhere else.
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