Palm Springs Neighborhoods Sat, August 29, 2020 by Randy Garner Explore The Many Unique Palm Springs Neighborhoods. For a more in-depth look at the neighborhoods of Palm Springs, read more… Andreas Hills This neighborhood offers easy access to trails suitable for walkers and hikers of all levels. One of the paths brings you to Bob Hope’s estate in nearby Southridge. Another is the gateway to Palm Canyon. Before it was developed, former mayor Frank Bogert used to do trail rides here. One of the trails is now named after him, Bogert Trail. Araby CommonsThis neighborhood is tucked close to Southridge, where you can see Bob Hope’s large estate on the mountainside. It includes four midcentury modern condominium communities: Imperial Park South, Coco Caban, Sandcliff, and Marbella. Araby CoveAraby Cove neighborhood is located in Southeast Palm Springs, off Araby Road. Araby Cove is a unique, offbeat, and often called bohemian neighborhood of 81 eclectic homes. Because of the hill, many of these homes have great views of Palm Springs and the surrounding mountains. Some homes are cabin-like and date to the early 1920s. Others range from ranch-style to modern.BaristoThis neighborhood was formalized in 2007 and comprised mainly of part-time residents’ condominium complexes. The area’s southern portion is part of “Section 14” – the heart of Palm Springs and an essential portion of the reservation of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Canyon Corridor In 1955, this section of south Palm Springs was undeveloped. As the city grew, Roy Fey developed this section. He built the Desert Skies Apartment Hotel, one of Palm Springs’s first condominium concepts. Another of his famous projects was the Villa Roma complex. Deepwell Estates Henry Pearson purchased a plot of land in Palm Springs in 1926 and needed more water to keep his investment thriving. He drilled and drilled until he hit 630 feet below the surface. It was the deepest well in the Coachella Valley, so he named his property Deep Well. He built a ranch home that became a guest home. The land was sold in the 1950s and subdivided. It holds a large concentration of midcentury modern homes. Architects include Donald Wexler, Howard Lapham, Hal Levitt, John Port Clark, E. Stewart Williams, Hugh Kaptur, William Krisel, Stan Sackley, Herbert Burns, and others. The former William Holden estate is considered among the most architecturally significant homes. Demuth Park Demuth has the city’s largest public park, a 61-acre greenbelt, and a Community Center. This was the first neighborhood after WWII to offer much-needed post-war housing. In fact, it was known as the “Veteran’s Tact.” The architecture is more ranch-style homes. There is a mix of residential and businesses now. Desert Highland Gateway Estates This neighborhood is in North Palm Springs at the entrance from Indian Canyon Drive. It’s a smaller 18-acre tract with a baseball field, basketball courts, and an equipped picnic area. Here, you will find the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. Desert Park Estates Noel Clarke opened the Ranch Club on this tract of land in the late 1950s, which sat on 1,000 acres. He decided to develop part of the land and hired Hugh Kaptur, a member of the Ranch Club, to draw up some home designs. He designed about a half dozen models, all low-set homes with gently sloped roofs featuring post-and-beam construction. Many of the homes were built between 1959 and 1965. Today, there is a mix of styles, including modern, Spanish Revival, Mediterranean, contemporary, and ranch. The Monkey Tree is one of the area’s popular and well-recognized resorts. El Mirador This neighborhood was first developed in the 1920s by P.T. Stevens, who built the El Mirador Hotel. The Desert Inn was already a popular stop with the Hollywood crowd, and this large resort on the north part of town added to Palm Springs’s popularity. Although the resort no longer exists, you can still see the Desert Regional Medical Center tower. Stars build homes in this area to be close to the resort, which offers dining, entertainment, a large pool, and tennis courts. I El Rancho Vista Estates This neighborhood is tucked in the corner of Gene Autry and Vista Chino and comprises 115 midcentury homes. Roy Fey developed it in the 1950s with architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison, who designed about 70 of the homes. Later, 20 ranch homes were added, and in the 1970s, 20 more stylish homes were added. It has one main street with eight branching cul-de-sacs. Escena This is one of Palm Springs’ newest neighborhoods, with a 450-acre master plan that includes an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. Currently, Alta Verde Homes, Toll Brothers, and Beazer Homes are building in Escena. Four Season This was developed from open land around 2005. It is a gated community for active retirees over age 55. There are 476 Mediterranean-style homes with a central lodge in the heart of the complex. The lodge features a café, ballroom, hobby room, entertainment facilities, and fitness center, among other amenities. Gene Autry Named for the “singing cowboy” who lived in Palm Springs, the Gene Autry neighborhood is a well-maintained, 100 percent residential neighborhood in northeast Palm Springs. It is distinguished by over 100 homes designed by famous mid-century architect Hugh Kaptur. Historic Tennis Club The Historic Tennis Club neighborhood is the beating heart of Downtown Palm Springs. With 11 structures registered as historic, the past and present intersect on every corner. The neighborhood is also home to nearly two dozen boutique hotels, making this part of Palm Springs unique. Indian Canyons Originally built in the 1960s, Indian Canyons primarily comprises midcentury-modern custom homes designed by such noted architects as Dan Palmer, William Krisel, Stan Sackley, and others. It was a magnet for celebrities like Bob Hope, Sinatra’s Rat Pack, and many more. The Indian Canyons neighborhood lies near the entrance to a cove protected from the brunt of the desert winds and the full intensity of the summer sun. The area is adjacent to the world’s largest grove of wild palm trees. Lawrence Crossley Lawrence Crossley is a neighborhood of 68 residents, with an additional 42 homes to be built in the future. The western neighborhood is named after Lawrence Crossley, a prominent African-American businessman who helped develop Palm Springs and maintained strong relationships with different members of the community and the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians despite the city’s segregation. Little Beverly Hills Little Beverly Hills is a neighborhood of 84 detached homes and two apartment complexes. The Alexander Construction Company or competing midcentury developer Jack Meiselman built all the detached homes. Legend has it that Bob Alexander named the streets after things he enjoyed, including his Beverly Hills home, so many streets are the same as their famous counterparts. Little Tuscany This Italian-named neighborhood began in 1934 when architect Alvah Hicks built seven Tuscan-style homes amidst Palm Springs’ rocky hillside outcroppings. The neighborhood now boasts notable midcentury homes, including the Kaufmann House, the May House, the Edris House, the Palevsky House, and the Kramer House. Little Tuscany is distinguished by its spectacular elevated vistas across the valley floor to the area’s landmark wind turbines. Los Compadres Named for the Los Compadres Club and Stables, this neighborhood enjoys a great mix of architecture and beautiful, sweeping views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. By the 1960s, midcentury homes were being built near the Western-style Stables, later joined by Spanish-style homes in the 1970s and 1980s, providing even more interest and texture to the neighborhood. Melody Ranch “Melody Ranch” was the name given by singing cowboy Gene Autry to the hotel he purchased in 1961. It has grown to include that original hotel (The Parker), the Seven Lakes Homeowners Association, the Oasis Resort, and the Canyon Sands Homeowners Association. Each contributes uniquely to the beauty of the neighborhood. The Mesa Snuggled into the hillsides of the San Jacinto Mountains in south Palm Springs, sheltered from much of the area’s blazing sun and rushing wind, is the charming Palm Canyon Mesa neighborhood, more commonly known as The Mesa. The area is as eclectic as Palm Springs itself and features a variety of architectural styles, including native adobe, Spanish-inspired, midcentury modern, and contemporary. Famous former residents of this neighborhood include Sonny Bono, Cher, and Rita Hayworth. Midtown The city’s most metropolitan neighborhood, Midtown, comprises 960 residences in the northern half of “Section 14” – the land set aside in 1877 by Executive Order of President Grant as the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. Now home to many hotels, the Convention Center, and the Aqua Caliente Spa Resort Casino and close to the fun downtown, Midtown is the hip, fresh urban neighborhood where Palm Springs stays, plays, and celebrates life. Mountain Gate This neighborhood was built in 2003 and is the new “in” neighborhood, as it is the first residential development seen coming into Palm Springs from the north. The neighborhood consists of 450 sophisticated, contemporary residences, with plans for more. Each winding road gives neighbors a different perspective of the beautiful mountains surrounding Palm Springs. The Movie Colony In the mid-1920s, Palm Springs transformed from a health resort destination to a residential community. At that time, Hollywood discovered the desert city’s proximity to Los Angeles, and the ‘anything goes’ atmosphere made it a great place to unwind. Notable residents include Gloria Swanson, Rory Calhoun, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, and many more. With a collection of Spanish Colonial Revival and other revival styles mixed with midcentury modern and other minimalist forms, the Movie Colony is as unique as its amazing history. Movie Colony East Another neighborhood filled with Hollywood history, Movie Colony East is a mid-century wonderland filled with grand homes by famous architects E. Stewart William, Donald Wexler, Albert Frey, and others. In these beautiful homes lived stars that included Dorothy Lamour, Clara Bow, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra. This neighborhood also provides artist Kenny Irwin with an internationally recognized “RoboLights” exhibition- a robot-themed multimedia sculpture garden and light show – enjoyed by tens of thousands of strolling visitors each December. Oasis Del Sol Located between Farell Drive and Sunrise Way, this neighborhood is perfectly centered for easy access to the Airport and not far from the bustling, unique downtown. Oasis Del Sol is filled with great single-family homes and great businesses, making this neighborhood comfortable for residents and visitors alike. Old Las Palmas Old Las Palmas has approximately 290 detached homes at the base of Mount San Jacinto. This neighborhood’s homes reflect virtually every Palm Springs development period: old Spanish, Western, midcentury, contemporary, and postmodern construction. Notable residents in this community include Judy Harland, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kirk Douglas, and so many more. Then and now, ownership of A-listers was so prevalent that every property can claim a Hollywood connection. Parkview Mobile Estates Parkview Mobile Estates is a distinguished, attractive, affordable, well-situated, 55-and-older community brimming with character. Parkview differs from most mobile home parks with a unique grouping of different styles. Racquet Club Estates This neighborhood is known for its style. Featuring post-and-beam construction, soaring rooflines, clerestory windows, open floor plans, and blurred lines separating outdoors and in, the vast majority of the 500-plus single-family homes are iconic midcentury designs by architects William Krisel, Jack Meiselman, and Donald Wexler. Wexler pioneered the strikingly original ‘steel homes’ that introduced prefabricated, steel-and-glass construction of affordable housing explicitly created for the desert and is seen prolifically in this neighborhood. Racquet Club West Racquet Club West is prized for its large lots and range of architectural styles. The 460 households include family homes and sizable estates, modest apartments, and luxury condos. Many of these were designed by renowned midcentury architects, and none are very far from Hollywood’s hollowed ground in the desert. The neighborhood also incorporates the famous Racquet Club, where many Hollywood stars frequented to play tennis and lounge around the pool. Ranch Club Estates 300 beautiful midcentury homes are situated around what was the Ranch Club, the largest and most popular social club in Palm Springs during the 1950s. Designed by architect Hugh Kaptur, the homes are all low set, with gently sloped roofs, post-and-beam construction, and insulated ceilings. San Rafael Sonora Sunrise This neighborhood successfully combines a relaxing desert ambiance with classic Palm Springs cool. Scenic bike routes and hiking trails nearly surround Sonora Sunrise. It also is home to the Purple Room at the Hotel Trinidad, where Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack used to host. Sunmor Central Palm Springs’ Sunmor neighborhood is a remarkably intact collection of midcentury homes. Most of the 141 residences still maintain their Modernist rooflines, breezeways, clerestory windows, and other classic architectural features of the 1950s and 60s. During World War II, the western portion of the Palm Springs Army Airfield was located where the original Sunmor Estates tract was later built. You can still see the circular concrete pads where military planes were tied down. Sunrise Park Centrally located, this neighborhood is less than 1 mile from Downtown and uptown Palm Springs. The quiet residential area is dotted with midcentury homes, including several post-World War II tract houses designed or developed by some of the era’s most innovative and influential names. Sunrise Park is also home to the Camelot Theatre, where many of the city’s film festivals are held. Sunrise Vista Chino A tranquil enclave in north-central Palm Springs, Sunrise-Vista Chino has various styles of residences, like the unique Sagewood condominiums, the Ranch Club Estates, and the Philip Caplin Vista Sunrise. Today’s residents live in the diversity and convenience of their neighborhood, its colorful history, and its proximity to essential services and downtown. Tahquitz Creek Golf Located near the eastern corner of South Palm Springs, this neighborhood is a community of condominiums and single-family homes nestled in and around the championship Lawrence Hughes-designed Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort. The neighborhood is adjacent to the scenic Tahquitz Creek Wash, and the 900 homes represent several architectural styles. Tahquitz River Estates The neighborhood was first fashioned in the early 1930s to build mall Spanish Revival homes. Now, thanks to earthmovers and a bridge, the neighborhood has expanded to incorporate many modernist homes, quirky motor courts, hotels by noted architects Howard Lapham and Hugh Kaptur, an Albert Frey-designed church and what may Palm Springs first modernist residence – a home dating to 1933 by architect William Gray Powell. Twin Palms Twin Palms was the birthplace of large-scale Modernism in Palm Springs. It was the first midcentury modern neighborhood completed by the Alexander Construction Company and the city’s first truly modern housing tract. Vista Las Palmas Architecture and celebrity continue to make history in this Palm Springs neighborhood. Vista Las Palmas is a stunning neighborhood of iconic midcentury homes. Hollywood celebrities discovered the neighborhood early in the last century, around the same time residential air conditioning was making its debut. Entertainment executives and performers still own homes in Vista Las Palmas today. Vista Norte Residents of Vista Norte enjoy unrestricted views in every direction thanks to its central location and underground utilities. The neighborhood comprises approximately 400 single-family, detached residences, some built as early as the 1940s. Warm Sands This neighborhood is among the most historic and diverse in Palm Springs. It is approximately one-half square mile and contains historic Spanish-style houses from the 1920s and 30s, midcentury modern homes from the 50s and 60s, and. many historical resorts and hotels with large historical significance. You May Also Like: Discover Palm Spring’s Mid-Century Modern Architecture What’s In A Street Name? Mid-Century Architecture Self-Guided Tour
Araby CommonsThis neighborhood is tucked close to Southridge, where you can see Bob Hope’s large estate on the mountainside. It includes four midcentury modern condominium communities: Imperial Park South, Coco Caban, Sandcliff, and Marbella. Araby CoveAraby Cove neighborhood is located in Southeast Palm Springs, off Araby Road. Araby Cove is a unique, offbeat, and often called bohemian neighborhood of 81 eclectic homes. Because of the hill, many of these homes have great views of Palm Springs and the surrounding mountains. Some homes are cabin-like and date to the early 1920s. Others range from ranch-style to modern.BaristoThis neighborhood was formalized in 2007 and comprised mainly of part-time residents’ condominium complexes. The area’s southern portion is part of “Section 14” – the heart of Palm Springs and an essential portion of the reservation of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Canyon Corridor In 1955, this section of south Palm Springs was undeveloped. As the city grew, Roy Fey developed this section. He built the Desert Skies Apartment Hotel, one of Palm Springs’s first condominium concepts. Another of his famous projects was the Villa Roma complex. Deepwell Estates Henry Pearson purchased a plot of land in Palm Springs in 1926 and needed more water to keep his investment thriving. He drilled and drilled until he hit 630 feet below the surface. It was the deepest well in the Coachella Valley, so he named his property Deep Well. He built a ranch home that became a guest home. The land was sold in the 1950s and subdivided. It holds a large concentration of midcentury modern homes. Architects include Donald Wexler, Howard Lapham, Hal Levitt, John Port Clark, E. Stewart Williams, Hugh Kaptur, William Krisel, Stan Sackley, Herbert Burns, and others. The former William Holden estate is considered among the most architecturally significant homes. Demuth Park Demuth has the city’s largest public park, a 61-acre greenbelt, and a Community Center. This was the first neighborhood after WWII to offer much-needed post-war housing. In fact, it was known as the “Veteran’s Tact.” The architecture is more ranch-style homes. There is a mix of residential and businesses now. Desert Highland Gateway Estates This neighborhood is in North Palm Springs at the entrance from Indian Canyon Drive. It’s a smaller 18-acre tract with a baseball field, basketball courts, and an equipped picnic area. Here, you will find the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. Desert Park Estates Noel Clarke opened the Ranch Club on this tract of land in the late 1950s, which sat on 1,000 acres. He decided to develop part of the land and hired Hugh Kaptur, a member of the Ranch Club, to draw up some home designs. He designed about a half dozen models, all low-set homes with gently sloped roofs featuring post-and-beam construction. Many of the homes were built between 1959 and 1965. Today, there is a mix of styles, including modern, Spanish Revival, Mediterranean, contemporary, and ranch. The Monkey Tree is one of the area’s popular and well-recognized resorts. El Mirador This neighborhood was first developed in the 1920s by P.T. Stevens, who built the El Mirador Hotel. The Desert Inn was already a popular stop with the Hollywood crowd, and this large resort on the north part of town added to Palm Springs’s popularity. Although the resort no longer exists, you can still see the Desert Regional Medical Center tower. Stars build homes in this area to be close to the resort, which offers dining, entertainment, a large pool, and tennis courts. I El Rancho Vista Estates This neighborhood is tucked in the corner of Gene Autry and Vista Chino and comprises 115 midcentury homes. Roy Fey developed it in the 1950s with architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison, who designed about 70 of the homes. Later, 20 ranch homes were added, and in the 1970s, 20 more stylish homes were added. It has one main street with eight branching cul-de-sacs. Escena This is one of Palm Springs’ newest neighborhoods, with a 450-acre master plan that includes an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. Currently, Alta Verde Homes, Toll Brothers, and Beazer Homes are building in Escena. Four Season This was developed from open land around 2005. It is a gated community for active retirees over age 55. There are 476 Mediterranean-style homes with a central lodge in the heart of the complex. The lodge features a café, ballroom, hobby room, entertainment facilities, and fitness center, among other amenities. Gene Autry Named for the “singing cowboy” who lived in Palm Springs, the Gene Autry neighborhood is a well-maintained, 100 percent residential neighborhood in northeast Palm Springs. It is distinguished by over 100 homes designed by famous mid-century architect Hugh Kaptur. Historic Tennis Club The Historic Tennis Club neighborhood is the beating heart of Downtown Palm Springs. With 11 structures registered as historic, the past and present intersect on every corner. The neighborhood is also home to nearly two dozen boutique hotels, making this part of Palm Springs unique. Indian Canyons Originally built in the 1960s, Indian Canyons primarily comprises midcentury-modern custom homes designed by such noted architects as Dan Palmer, William Krisel, Stan Sackley, and others. It was a magnet for celebrities like Bob Hope, Sinatra’s Rat Pack, and many more. The Indian Canyons neighborhood lies near the entrance to a cove protected from the brunt of the desert winds and the full intensity of the summer sun. The area is adjacent to the world’s largest grove of wild palm trees. Lawrence Crossley Lawrence Crossley is a neighborhood of 68 residents, with an additional 42 homes to be built in the future. The western neighborhood is named after Lawrence Crossley, a prominent African-American businessman who helped develop Palm Springs and maintained strong relationships with different members of the community and the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians despite the city’s segregation. Little Beverly Hills Little Beverly Hills is a neighborhood of 84 detached homes and two apartment complexes. The Alexander Construction Company or competing midcentury developer Jack Meiselman built all the detached homes. Legend has it that Bob Alexander named the streets after things he enjoyed, including his Beverly Hills home, so many streets are the same as their famous counterparts. Little Tuscany This Italian-named neighborhood began in 1934 when architect Alvah Hicks built seven Tuscan-style homes amidst Palm Springs’ rocky hillside outcroppings. The neighborhood now boasts notable midcentury homes, including the Kaufmann House, the May House, the Edris House, the Palevsky House, and the Kramer House. Little Tuscany is distinguished by its spectacular elevated vistas across the valley floor to the area’s landmark wind turbines. Los Compadres Named for the Los Compadres Club and Stables, this neighborhood enjoys a great mix of architecture and beautiful, sweeping views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains. By the 1960s, midcentury homes were being built near the Western-style Stables, later joined by Spanish-style homes in the 1970s and 1980s, providing even more interest and texture to the neighborhood. Melody Ranch “Melody Ranch” was the name given by singing cowboy Gene Autry to the hotel he purchased in 1961. It has grown to include that original hotel (The Parker), the Seven Lakes Homeowners Association, the Oasis Resort, and the Canyon Sands Homeowners Association. Each contributes uniquely to the beauty of the neighborhood. The Mesa Snuggled into the hillsides of the San Jacinto Mountains in south Palm Springs, sheltered from much of the area’s blazing sun and rushing wind, is the charming Palm Canyon Mesa neighborhood, more commonly known as The Mesa. The area is as eclectic as Palm Springs itself and features a variety of architectural styles, including native adobe, Spanish-inspired, midcentury modern, and contemporary. Famous former residents of this neighborhood include Sonny Bono, Cher, and Rita Hayworth. Midtown The city’s most metropolitan neighborhood, Midtown, comprises 960 residences in the northern half of “Section 14” – the land set aside in 1877 by Executive Order of President Grant as the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. Now home to many hotels, the Convention Center, and the Aqua Caliente Spa Resort Casino and close to the fun downtown, Midtown is the hip, fresh urban neighborhood where Palm Springs stays, plays, and celebrates life. Mountain Gate This neighborhood was built in 2003 and is the new “in” neighborhood, as it is the first residential development seen coming into Palm Springs from the north. The neighborhood consists of 450 sophisticated, contemporary residences, with plans for more. Each winding road gives neighbors a different perspective of the beautiful mountains surrounding Palm Springs. The Movie Colony In the mid-1920s, Palm Springs transformed from a health resort destination to a residential community. At that time, Hollywood discovered the desert city’s proximity to Los Angeles, and the ‘anything goes’ atmosphere made it a great place to unwind. Notable residents include Gloria Swanson, Rory Calhoun, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, and many more. With a collection of Spanish Colonial Revival and other revival styles mixed with midcentury modern and other minimalist forms, the Movie Colony is as unique as its amazing history. Movie Colony East Another neighborhood filled with Hollywood history, Movie Colony East is a mid-century wonderland filled with grand homes by famous architects E. Stewart William, Donald Wexler, Albert Frey, and others. In these beautiful homes lived stars that included Dorothy Lamour, Clara Bow, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra. This neighborhood also provides artist Kenny Irwin with an internationally recognized “RoboLights” exhibition- a robot-themed multimedia sculpture garden and light show – enjoyed by tens of thousands of strolling visitors each December. Oasis Del Sol Located between Farell Drive and Sunrise Way, this neighborhood is perfectly centered for easy access to the Airport and not far from the bustling, unique downtown. Oasis Del Sol is filled with great single-family homes and great businesses, making this neighborhood comfortable for residents and visitors alike. Old Las Palmas Old Las Palmas has approximately 290 detached homes at the base of Mount San Jacinto. This neighborhood’s homes reflect virtually every Palm Springs development period: old Spanish, Western, midcentury, contemporary, and postmodern construction. Notable residents in this community include Judy Harland, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kirk Douglas, and so many more. Then and now, ownership of A-listers was so prevalent that every property can claim a Hollywood connection. Parkview Mobile Estates Parkview Mobile Estates is a distinguished, attractive, affordable, well-situated, 55-and-older community brimming with character. Parkview differs from most mobile home parks with a unique grouping of different styles. Racquet Club Estates This neighborhood is known for its style. Featuring post-and-beam construction, soaring rooflines, clerestory windows, open floor plans, and blurred lines separating outdoors and in, the vast majority of the 500-plus single-family homes are iconic midcentury designs by architects William Krisel, Jack Meiselman, and Donald Wexler. Wexler pioneered the strikingly original ‘steel homes’ that introduced prefabricated, steel-and-glass construction of affordable housing explicitly created for the desert and is seen prolifically in this neighborhood. Racquet Club West Racquet Club West is prized for its large lots and range of architectural styles. The 460 households include family homes and sizable estates, modest apartments, and luxury condos. Many of these were designed by renowned midcentury architects, and none are very far from Hollywood’s hollowed ground in the desert. The neighborhood also incorporates the famous Racquet Club, where many Hollywood stars frequented to play tennis and lounge around the pool. Ranch Club Estates 300 beautiful midcentury homes are situated around what was the Ranch Club, the largest and most popular social club in Palm Springs during the 1950s. Designed by architect Hugh Kaptur, the homes are all low set, with gently sloped roofs, post-and-beam construction, and insulated ceilings. San Rafael Sonora Sunrise This neighborhood successfully combines a relaxing desert ambiance with classic Palm Springs cool. Scenic bike routes and hiking trails nearly surround Sonora Sunrise. It also is home to the Purple Room at the Hotel Trinidad, where Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack used to host. Sunmor Central Palm Springs’ Sunmor neighborhood is a remarkably intact collection of midcentury homes. Most of the 141 residences still maintain their Modernist rooflines, breezeways, clerestory windows, and other classic architectural features of the 1950s and 60s. During World War II, the western portion of the Palm Springs Army Airfield was located where the original Sunmor Estates tract was later built. You can still see the circular concrete pads where military planes were tied down. Sunrise Park Centrally located, this neighborhood is less than 1 mile from Downtown and uptown Palm Springs. The quiet residential area is dotted with midcentury homes, including several post-World War II tract houses designed or developed by some of the era’s most innovative and influential names. Sunrise Park is also home to the Camelot Theatre, where many of the city’s film festivals are held. Sunrise Vista Chino A tranquil enclave in north-central Palm Springs, Sunrise-Vista Chino has various styles of residences, like the unique Sagewood condominiums, the Ranch Club Estates, and the Philip Caplin Vista Sunrise. Today’s residents live in the diversity and convenience of their neighborhood, its colorful history, and its proximity to essential services and downtown. Tahquitz Creek Golf Located near the eastern corner of South Palm Springs, this neighborhood is a community of condominiums and single-family homes nestled in and around the championship Lawrence Hughes-designed Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort. The neighborhood is adjacent to the scenic Tahquitz Creek Wash, and the 900 homes represent several architectural styles. Tahquitz River Estates The neighborhood was first fashioned in the early 1930s to build mall Spanish Revival homes. Now, thanks to earthmovers and a bridge, the neighborhood has expanded to incorporate many modernist homes, quirky motor courts, hotels by noted architects Howard Lapham and Hugh Kaptur, an Albert Frey-designed church and what may Palm Springs first modernist residence – a home dating to 1933 by architect William Gray Powell. Twin Palms Twin Palms was the birthplace of large-scale Modernism in Palm Springs. It was the first midcentury modern neighborhood completed by the Alexander Construction Company and the city’s first truly modern housing tract. Vista Las Palmas Architecture and celebrity continue to make history in this Palm Springs neighborhood. Vista Las Palmas is a stunning neighborhood of iconic midcentury homes. Hollywood celebrities discovered the neighborhood early in the last century, around the same time residential air conditioning was making its debut. Entertainment executives and performers still own homes in Vista Las Palmas today. Vista Norte Residents of Vista Norte enjoy unrestricted views in every direction thanks to its central location and underground utilities. The neighborhood comprises approximately 400 single-family, detached residences, some built as early as the 1940s. Warm Sands This neighborhood is among the most historic and diverse in Palm Springs. It is approximately one-half square mile and contains historic Spanish-style houses from the 1920s and 30s, midcentury modern homes from the 50s and 60s, and. many historical resorts and hotels with large historical significance. You May Also Like: Discover Palm Spring’s Mid-Century Modern Architecture What’s In A Street Name? Mid-Century Architecture Self-Guided Tour
Discover Palm Spring’s Mid-Century Modern Architecture Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Palm Springs is a mecca for modernism, especially mid-century architecture and design. In fact, you can’t avoid seeing and experiencing this special style while in town. Stay at a mid-century resort. Orbit In is a retro resort with lots of mid-mod style, designed by Herbert Bruns. You can even see the Frey House from the outdoor shower of their Frey Room. Its sister property is The Hideaway, located in the historic tennis neighborhood. L’Horizon Hotel is the former vacation retreat of television producer Jack Wrather, who produced shows like “The Lone Ranger” and “Lassie.” It was designed by architect William F. Cody. Del Marcos Hotel was architect Bill Cody’s first Palm Springs commission, setting the tone for post-war modern motels. Movie Colony Hotel was designed by Albert Frey. The exteriors still show his style, but the interiors are more 21st-century modern than mid-20th-century. The Desert Star looks like a classic 1950s motel, but each one-bedroom unit is individually owned. Some owners put their units up for rent when they’re not using them. Hollywood came to Palm Springs to play and getaway from the cameras and fans. They came here to be themselves and spend time with their high-profile friends: stars, aristocrats, business elite, and artists, among others. At first, they stayed at the popular El Mirador Hotel and then at the famous Racquet Club. Later, they built winter homes and invited the era’s most visionary architects to build their homes, offering them full artistic reign. Their creations were suited to the desert landscape, with lots of glass and clean lines, using innovative materials to create indoor/outdoor living spaces. Vista Las Palmas Neighborhood The Vista Las Palmas neighborhood came together in the late 50s when The Alexander Construction Co. hired William Krisel and Charles Dubois (responsible for all the fab Swiss Miss A-Frames) to design over 300 homes that would sit at the base of Mt. San Jacinto. Some of these backyards are literally giant, rocky mountains (which is hard to see in these photos because it was so rainy and foggy the day I drove through). Famous residents over the years include Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Dinah Shore, Kirk Douglas, Debbie Reynolds, and Marilyn Monroe. Now that’s some serious star power. This neighborhood is bordered by Mt. San Jacinto to the West North, Via Monte Vista to the East, Vista Chino to the North, and West Crescent Drive to the South. This is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Palm Springs. Here are just a few homes to see: The Alexander/May House – 424 West Vista Chino: Edward Fickett designed this home in 1951 for his friend and colleague George Alexander of The Alexander Construction Co., who sold it to Tom May of the May Department Stores. The Marilyn Monroe House – 1326 Rose: this ultra-chic bungalow has all the style and glam of Marilyn herself. It is said to be where Marilyn lived several months before her death. She did not own this home. The Dinah Shore Estate – 432 Hermosa: You may not be able to see much of this estate from the street, but you can see a modernist’s dream house made of glass and stone. This low-profile masterpiece was designed by Donald Wexler in 1964 and sits on 1.3 acres. This is what I call timeless mid-century modern. After Dinah Shore, Broadway composer and lyricist Jerry Herman lived here. Hello, Dolly indeed! Leonardo DiCaprio owns the home and rents it out when he’s not using it. Anne Miller House—457 Hermosa: Just across the street is a classic, Spanish terra cotta-roofed house that once belonged to actress and singer Ann Miller, best remembered for her work in the musicals of the 1940s and 1950s. You can’t see much from your street view, but admire it quickly and move on! The Wexler Steel Homes 290 E Simms Road Donald Wexler and Ric Harrison designed this stylish-looking house with the accordion-pleated roof. Combining prefab and on-site construction, they created homes that looked custom-built but took only a few days to assemble on-site. Seven of the so-called Steel Houses were built in this neighborhood. House Number 2 (3125 North Sunny View Drive) is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Wexler Steel Houses are also the only Case Study houses in Palm Springs. These are private homes and not open to the public. House of Tomorrow 1350 Ladera Circle The Alexander Estate was built for a local real estate developer and called the House of Tomorrow. The design is based on four circles on three levels. It’s known as the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, where Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in 1967. Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center 300 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Center is in a 1961 Santa Fe Savings & Loan building crafted by pioneering desert architect E. Stewart Williams. The old vault is now part of the gift shop. The museum is in the middle of a midcentury business district that’s worth walking around. Walking about two blocks south of the museum, you’ll pass several other midcentury buildings. Twin Palms Neighborhood South of Ocotillo Lodge on East Palm Canyon Twin Palms Estates was developed beginning in 1957. It was designed by William “Bill” Krisel of Palmer and Krisel and was built by Alexander Construction Company. Most of the houses had private swimming pools, and they all had precisely two palms for landscaping. Tract homes were a big hit in Palm Springs; about 90 were built in Twin Palms. With a price tag of about $30,000 in 1957, they were within reach for vacation homeowners. You May Also Like: Mid-Century Architecture Self-Guided Tour Lawrence Crossley Makes Mark in Palm Springs
Filming locations in Palm Springs Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner It’s official: by now, you have watched every TV show and movie ever filmed. Congrats! Streaming services were your connection to the outside world during the shutdown, but now it’s time to plug into Palm Springs, IRL (in real life). Our hometown is the ultimate stage, so get ready to play your part. Walk, hike, and dance in the footsteps of legends as you act out your silver screen fantasies in the golden light of Palm Springs. Stream a little dream So, what have you watched lately? It’s a question we ask each other over Zoom calls and text messages, but now you can peer beyond the device and Behind the Candelabra to drink in Palm Springs’ dazzling beauty. HBO’s Liberace biopic captured the grandeur of a flamboyant icon in his natural habitat: 696 North Via Monte Vista. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon cavorted here, so now it’s your turn! Let’s follow Damon less than half a mile away to another filming location in Palm Springs where the hunky heisters of Ocean’s Eleven stole moviegoers’ hearts at 999 North Patencio Road. The original Rat Pack was synonymous with Palm Springs cool, so George Clooney, Brad Pitt and the gang couldn’t help but mine cinematic gems from our midcentury modern landscape. If you binged Tom Cruise movies during your alone time, we don’t blame you! Chances are, you saw us waving back. The iconic windmills of Palm Springs are real scene-stealers, and they were featured heavily in two Cruise films: Mission Impossible III and Best Picture winner Rain Man. Guess Tom is a real fan of those ‘mills! Classic Beauty, Enduring Intrigue The rugged appeal of Palm Springs has lured production and filming crews to the desert for over a century. When Frank Capra yearned to depict paradise here on earth, he landed on Tahquitz Canyon as the ideal filming location. The waterfalls evoked a heavenly escape from our terrestrial trappings to breathe life into his otherworldly 1937 Oscar winner Lost Horizon. Shangri-La does exist, and it shimmers across every alluring vista of Palm Springs. Speaking of our fair city, it has lent its name to several classic titles from Hollywood’s golden age. Palm Springs (also known as Palm Springs Affair) excavated the high stakes underbelly of the casinos that sprang up in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash. The gambling halls depicted in the film no longer exist, but the thrilling sense of possibility still lingers in the desert air. You can bet on a breakout performance by a young David Niven amidst the decadent dealings of this forgotten movie gem. Are you double-O bummed about the postponement of the new James Bond film? Did you drown your sorrows in a marathon of martini-soaked spy classics? If your streaming indulgences included Diamonds Are Forever, then you already virtually visited the Elrod House. This circular abode, perched on the southern lip of town (2175 Southridge Drive, to be precise), was designed by visionary architect John Lautner. Sean Connery thrashed elegantly in the swimming pool fight scene and elevated this movie mansion to the pantheon of Bond locales. Royal Rentals Palm Springs earned its nickname as “Hollywood’s Playground” – the stars settled down to earth right here in our discreet wonderland. They could be their fabulous selves without the prying eyes of the world judging their every majestic move. And so can you. Our vacation rentals offer guests the opportunity to live like cinematic royalty at reasonable rates. Frank Sinatra commissioned the construction of his Twin Palms estate even before he won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity. If you marveled at his performances over these past restrictive months, now it’s time to break free and see yourself in the same mirror that once reflected Frank’s baby blues. Perhaps you recently brushed up on your noir knowledge with a viewing of Sunset Boulevard. Demand your own close-up by sashaying in the haunted heels of Gloria Swanson. Her Palm Springs getaway is beckoning you with an outstretched arm that reaches from behind the celluloid, grabs you, and directs your gaze to Amin Casa. Put some variety in your life by staying at the Sonny & Cher House. You’ve streamed their song-and-dance shenanigans on the small screen, now live large in the estate that also housed Joseph Cotton, Natalie Wood, and Kirk Douglas. Speaking of Spartacus, you can reenact the sword-and-sandals classic with your flip-flops and a pool noodle at the Kirk Douglas House. Building a Legacy The star-studded history of Palm Springs may be too daunting to navigate at first glance. That is why the experts at our Historical Society offer walking tours to step you through the decades and help you emerge into past perfection and visit some of the Palm Springs filming locations. To go behind the velvet rope, explore the A-list architecture that housed Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elvis Presley, just to name a few. Palm Springs Celebrity Tours, PS Architecture Tours, Palm Springs Mod Squad and The Modern Tour vie for the spotlight and humanize the celebrities that populate your Hollywood dreams. You have watched the stars and loved them from afar; now join them. Palm Springs has provided the lights and action, so bring a camera and film your very own life story. We can’t wait to see you!
Outdoors Enthusiasts Rejoice Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Palm Springs to the Rescue! By Barbara Beckley Now that it’s time for a change of pace, Palm Springs is your ideal choice – so close yet a world away from the usual. Blue skies! Fresh air! Sweeping vistas! And — arguably the most diverse selection of outdoor experiences in Southern California! In just two hours you can be reveling in the freedom of sunny deserts, alpine mountains, cool oases, shady valleys and picturesque neighborhoods. All welcoming you with open arms. What to do? Whatever you love. Bask in the beauty of the San Jacinto Mountains against baby blue skies. Hike, bike, walk. On your own or guided. Explore the greater desert panorama. Golf. Horseback ride. Upon your arrival, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a wonderful way to get your bearings. Riding 2.5 miles up the mountain through five ecological zones in 10 minutes inside a rotating tram car (the world’s largest) you’ll thrill to 360-degree birds-eye views of desert and mountains. At the top, take your time to enjoy the endless vistas. Then enjoy a walk or longer hike through the alpine forests of Mount San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness Area. Bring a wrap. The mountain is about 30 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Stay for a meal at the tram’s fine dining Forest View Restaurant or casual Pines Café. Or swing down into Palm Springs (five minutes away) for a welcome bite and drinks on the cheery patios at Lulu California Bistro or Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Marlin Bar. Activity choices for your next days are as big as all outdoors. Incredible hiking opportunities from easy to experienced, with amazing scenery, abound. Some trailheads even begin downtown. How easy is that? Like the popular 2-mile Palm Springs Art Museum Trail, which ascends up the mountain to picnic tables and stunning valley views. Five minutes away, Tahquitz Canyon leads to a 40-foot waterfall. The nearby Indian Canyons offer three easy-to-moderate trails: Andreas Canyon, Murray Canyon and Palm Canyon, with picnic tables, leading to streams, intriguing rock formations and North America’s largest natural palm oases. If you’re horsey, Smoke Tree Stables (right in town) has scenic rides through the Indian Canyons and surrounds for beginners and experienced riders. Mostly level streets and 13 miles of marked bike lanes make Palm Springs a paradise for bicyclers. Bring your own or rent from one of several bike specialists. A free biking map is available from the City of Palm Springs. Or enjoy a guided themed tour with BIKE Palm Springs Rentals & Tours and Palm Springs Bike Rentals by Big Wheel Tours. Take a walk! Simply strolling through Palm Springs’ peaceful picturesque neighborhoods is a joy. Admire the landmark midcentury modern architecture and beautiful landscaping. Perhaps take a break at the Original Koffi (Palm Springs’ hometown coffee shop) in the Uptown Design District, and enjoy a beverage in the adjacent park beneath Mount San Jacinto. Expand your horizons throughout the Coachella Valley with Palm Springs’ award-winning outdoor tour companies. Ride in the open-air with Red Jeep Tours by Desert Adventure to explore and learn about nearby Joshua Tree National Park, the Painted Canyon and the San Andreas Fault. It’s amazing – but true — you can actually walk on this famous fault. Play golf! It’s beautiful in Palm Springs. The Nicholas Design Escena Golf Club is California’s 6th best public course, according to PGATour.com, with 36 challenging holes and one of the most remarkable views in the desert. After play – or anytime – head to the breezy indoor-outdoor Escena Lounge & Grill for a patio meal surrounded by miles of views sweeping across the course, downtown, the airport and the San Jacinto Mountains. A best-kept secret, the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, framed by Mount San Jacinto and dazzling mid-century homes, offers engaging play on greens once frequented by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and several U.S. presidents. When it’s (sadly) time to head home, you’ll be refreshed, renewed — and ready to return!
Outdoor Dining in Palm Springs Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Celebrate Our Restaurants in the Open Air Palm Springs is synonymous with inclusion. Our hearts, our minds, and our souls are open wide, ready to welcome new visitors into our collective life story. So, it is fitting that outdoor dining in Palm Springs is how we gather gregariously and generously. Patio lounges offer enough space to respect others while also being cohesive enough to bind us in a sense of community. We can break bread without breaking boundaries. Get ready to take a tour of our outdoor eateries and let’s all toast to togetherness, with plenty of room to spare. Outdoor Dining on Palm Canyon Highway 111 cradles your car as you enter Palm Springs, slowing gradually so you can enjoy the main event: Palm Canyon Drive. This is our thriving thoroughfare, complete with outdoor dining options, shops, inviting cafes, and plenty of window shopping. To kick off your afternoon with outdoor dining in Palm Springs, head to one of the best sandwich shops in town, frequent the aptly named Sandwich Spot. Our fave concoctions are the MILF and the DILF, but they have dozens more to sample from the comfort of their shaded patio. Consider accessorizing your ‘wich with bomb sauce and Dutch crunch bread to experience the Spot’s full spectrum of tantalizing tastes and textures. Trio has re-imaged in outdoor patio and menu. An for one of the largest outdoor patios in Palm Springs, visit Eight4Nine in Uptown Design District. As day rolls into temperate evening warmth, you should roll farther down Palm Canyon for a cocktail. Lulu California Bistro has expanded their patio and continues to blow our minds. Refreshing libations await, so you can get social at a safe distance and make all the passersby jealous of your fabulous Palm Springs lifestyle. Just across the road and a few blocks away is Tommy Bahama with a large outdoor dining space with comfortable misters. The wonderful Tac/Quila serves elevated flavors of Mexico. One of the highlights of Tac/Quila is the outdoor dining experience. The restaurant features a spacious patio area with comfortable seating, perfect for enjoying a meal or a drink with friends in the beautiful desert weather. With string lights overhead and a vibrant energy all around, Tac/Quila is the perfect spot to soak up the Palm Springs vibe. Credit: David Lee Next Level Outdoor Dining Experiences To rise above the ordinary, consider a visit to one of Palm Springs’ second-story patios. Elevate your palate and quench your thirst with a swelling tide of beverage options at Bongo Johnny’s. This festive institution overlooks Palm Springs with an eye for great times! Gaze down at the street below, a view that is only obstructed by the giant burger in your hand. Wash it down with a voluminous selection of beers, or opt for a specialty from their full bar. Due south, you will encounter Mercado Plaza, a welcoming enclave that flourishes with open-air possibilities. Explore Indian Canyon’s Outdoor Dining Speaking of great slices (when aren’t we?!?), stroll on over to our other main drag, Indian Canyon, to experience the legendary Bill’s Pizza. Their signature pies include the Elton John and the Nicolas Cage, which surprisingly doesn’t feature an excess of ham. Stretch out on the spacious patio and fend off the pizza heat with a cold microbrew or chilled Chardonnay. White wine is also the perfect deck mate at Fisherman’s Market & Grill. Set sail for one of their outdoor tables and get hooked on seafood that accentuates the open-air lifestyle: fresh, crisp, and clean. Tahquitz Won’t Quit Our hometown is a wealth of wonders, all hidden in plain sight. Two such gems glisten across the street from one another on Tahquitz Canyon Way. They both offer dueling mimosas, as bottomless as the canyon that lends its name to their road. Pinocchio in the Desert is a trip, and that’s no lie! Their champagne flows like the kind words from their amazing staff, and you may even witness a server dancing spontaneously across the rainbow-hued patio to fill yet another mimosa flute. The vast vistas of outdoor dining in Palm Springs offer great food, drinks, and memories that are served up daily, al fresco.
Hikes in Palm Springs Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Exercise Your Head, Heart & Soul Even though the Palm Springs skies are virtually cloud-free, our city is full of silver linings. We were cooped up indoors for far too long, but Mother Nature flexed her grandeur and set up a permanent residence in our beautiful hometown. Palm Springs warms up a perfect agenda as we emerge from our shelters. Spread your wings, stretch your legs, and strut your proverbial stuff on one of the many hikes in Palm Springs that will leave you with something fun to remember. Expand Your Horizons Be honest: you’re tired of staring at the same four walls. We hear you… and we’re here FOR you. To raise your perspective, think big! Nothing is more significant than the uplifting experience of the aptly named “Cactus to Clouds” Palm Springs hike. With a trailhead conveniently tucked behind the Palm Springs Art Museum, Cactus to Clouds features one of the most pronounced elevation shifts of any American hiking path. It ascends over 10,000 feet from the base to the San Jacinto peak. Leave your cares miles below the summit as you marvel at the majestic views of Coachella Valley. To get some southern exposure, consider the less rigorous splendor of Araby Trail. After trekking just four miles, you can turn back and gaze at Palm Springs from above, artfully framed by our iconic windmills in the distance. Nearby is an even breezier route: Earl Henderson Trail. Immerse yourself in wildflowers along the less-than-three-mile jaunt, and feel free to bring Fido! Dogs love hiking almost as much as we love dogs. Hike To Tahquitz Falls Speaking of love, take your special someone on a Palm Springs hike to the Tahquitz Canyon waterfall. Romance flows freely over the 60-foot cascade, so snap a selfie that looks nothing like your last 4,000 Zoom calls. Tahquitz features an irrigation system that dates back thousands of years. The Canyon also doubles as an epic outdoor gallery, including rock wall art commemorating the culture of the Agua Caliente tribe. Their proud legacy embraces the landscape and ripples from the past to the vibrant here and now. For more H2OMG views, take in the Seven Sisters Falls. Chart a course for the Indian Canyons Golf Resort to find the nearby Murray Canyon trailhead. Hike leisurely for less than four miles and a mere 600-foot gradation to arrive at the Seven Sisters network of waterfalls. The flow is seasonal, but the contours of the hike are transcendent year-round. Hike Palm Canyon Trail If you gained a few extra inches during the past two months, join the club! But you don’t need to take those pounds sitting down, so lace up and get out of town. Head south from Highway 111 and discover Palm Canyon Trail, the gateway to a forested wonderland. The lengthy excursion requires effort but provides a considerable payoff: the largest palm oasis on the continent. For experienced hikers looking for an additional challenge, please consider Clara Burgess Trail’s vistas. It is a seven-mile sojourn that leads southeast from town, immersing visitors in the rolling slopes of Murray Hill. The scenery is a playful mix of rugged terrain and delicate wildflowers, a perfect metaphor for Palm Springs’ elegance and fortitude. Step Up in Downtown Palm Springs You don’t need to be a mountaineer to enjoy a heightened perspective. Sometimes, the best views are as accessible as the pleasant expanse of our spacious downtown. The wide streets allow window shopping without crowding, so you can stroll at your own pace. Look up to the mountains you just conquered on your day hike, or look down to peruse the Walk of Stars along the pavement. Palm Springs is a red carpet of rich history. Presidents and playboys have mingled in our midst throughout the decades, cavorting with such pop-culture luminaries as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Bob Hope. Book a walking tour with the Palm Springs Historical Society to hike in their esteemed footsteps. A knowledgeable guide will usher you from the present tense to a leisurely exploration of the past. Get blue-eyed with envy as you slip into Frank Sinatra’s shoes. Excavate the golden age of Hollywood alongside celebrities like Liz Taylor. Or skip the hike and hop on a bike to roll through town like royalty. Whether you prefer the urban sightseeing of our main drag, the light aerobics of a stroll up Tahquitz Canyon, or the adrenaline rush of eclipsing San Jacinto Mountain, Palm Springs is your ultimate hiking destination. Get your head in the clouds and plant your feet firmly on our triumphant soil. Happy trails! You May Also Like: Palm Springs Hiking Guide
A History of Health Consciousness Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Palm Springs Has Promoted Wellness Since Its Inception The mind, body, and soul intertwine to form a braided pillar of resilience. Our well-being is difficult to quantify, but impossible to deny. It is important to acknowledge our city’s proud history of conscientiousness in regards to public health and Palm Springs wellness. The Hot Springs in Palm Springs In the mid 1850’s, when the only people that were aware of the natural hot springs were the native Indians, travel was beginning to open between Arizona and Southern California. The San Gorgonio Pass was the main trail and when the early explorers discovered the hot springs, it soon became a popular traveler stop. The first hotel called the Palm Springs Hotel was build in 1886 by Welwood Murray and he built it right next to the hot springs. He leased it from the Indians for $100 per year and built a bathhouse. The bathhouse had two rooms and was built over the hot springs. The hot springs eventually influenced the name of the city now called Palm Springs. Nellie Coffman’s Journey to Wellness Nellie was living in Idyllwild and had heard of the little town of Palm Springs and it’s healing weather, so she decided to visit and stayed a Welwood Murray’s Palm Springs Hotel in 1908. She liked the area so well she purchased over an acre of property in 1909, moved out with her husband, Dr. Harry Coffman and her two boys. The mad a down payment of $2,000 for the property that included a small stone house. It was located at the corner of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon where the Kimpton Hotel now sits. The dry warm air was therapeutic for those with respiratory ailments. Tuberculosis was a particular problem at this time, so Nellie and her Dr. husband initially opened her new hotel and called in the the Dr. Harry Coffman’s Desert Inn and Sanatorium. Rates were $25 a week and included medical and ordinary nursing care. When the cure for tuberculosis was found, Nellied decided to change the property from a Sanatorium to a more upscale hotel and she changes the name to The Desert Inn. She soon expanded from health to wellness, encouraging leisure as a cure-all for whatever visitors were trying to escape. Coffman installed the very first swimming pool in Palm Springs, immersing her guests in the good life. When Nellie first set her strong, proud foot on our landscape, it was simply known as “The Village.” By the time she passed away in 1950, it was a flourishing Mecca for Hollywood types and health enthusiasts alike. Coffman wrote a poem that illustrated her passion for hospitality and expressed her signature irreverence, simultaneously. “We oft times pray for the heathen, Far off in a foreign land; We also pray for the sinner, Who is always close at hand. So why can’t we pray for business? Along with the lame and sick. Oh, Lord, please send us the tourists, And send them damn quick.” You took the words right out of our damn mouths, Nellie. Calling All Serenity Seekers Fast forward to the present tense. Speaking of tension, you can put it in the rear-view mirror with a trip to Palm Springs. Our hometown is a haven for wellness and rejuvenation. Visit one of our many yoga studios to harness your Zen, or simply guide your own soulful sojourn with an open-air session. The only barrier between you and the warming terrain is a thin yoga mat. Namaste, indeed. Now that you have harmonized with Earth, raise your gaze to other worlds. The night sky in Palm Springs ushers forth a kaleidoscope of interstellar visions. Meteor showers and cosmic nebulae waltz in an endless display of majesty. Lose yourself in the splendor of the universe and embrace a whole new meaning to the term “space.” Palm Springs sprawls around you, never encroaching but always welcoming. As a new day dawns, explore your surroundings with a bike ride through town. Fuel up at one of our many health food enclaves, featuring the good, the raw, and the hearty. Ride on! As your cycle subsides, soothe your pulsating muscles at one of our legendary spa resorts. Allow Nellie Coffman’s four S’s to echo through time and massage your current reality. Simplicity – Sometimes, wellness is as easy as a deep breath, a fabulous meal, and the perfect pairing of wine. Solitude – You can be alone without being lonely in Palm Springs. Space – Our mountains, windmills and ravines encircle the city, carving out ample room for your signature journey. Stillness – The hubbub of city life is conveniently close yet miles from your consciousness right now. Enjoy the placidity. There’s your vacation checklist. Go forth and be healthy. It’s all in a day’s wellness here in Palm Springs. Here’s To Your Health
Gay Resort Roundup Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Stay, Play, and Gay the Day Away in Palm Springs Paris has the Eiffel Tower, London has Big Ben (blush), and Palm Springs has gay resorts. It is our legacy, our heritage, our business… and business is booming, along with your heart. As you arrive in our exclusively inclusive community, you are welcomed into a Mecca of queerness, featuring the many Palm Springs gay resorts. Meccqueer, if you will. Shed your inhibitions, shed your preconceptions, and you may even shed your swimsuit at many of these clothing-optional LGBTQ hotspots. Go au naurel and oh yaas! What other town with a population of 48,000 boasts over a dozen of the sexiest, sunniest, most stylish gaycation destinations on the planet? While you ponder that rhetorical query, we’ll be in the pool. Join us… Warm Sands Gay Resorts Let’s start at the pulsing nucleus of gay resort life and radiate outward, shall we? Warm Sands is just minutes from downtown and eons from the ordinary. El Mirasol has always been a beacon of progressive permissiveness, leading the midcentury architectural craze with a structure built by Howard Hughes in the 1940’s. From there, it became a vanguard of liberation, welcoming wonderfully gay clientele as early as 1975. The Hacienda puts the homo in homey, immersing its guests in seclusion and seduction. Get pampered by the attentive staff, unwind by the babbling fountain, and thrill to the signature serenity of its poolside suites. As with most of the LGBTQ accommodations in Warm Sands, The Hacienda is clothing-optional, so you can truly make yourself at home (hence the name). The Hacienda at Warm Sands To add some steam to your dream vacation, take in the view at Vista Grande. Their 16-man spa and 12-man steam room will get your pores pounding and release the tension of the real world outside the confines of Shangri-La. This is paradise, after all. Speaking of which, jaunt down the road to Desert Paradise. Be sure to visit every room and take in the kitschy art that gives each abode its name. There are Madonna, Cher, and Barbra paintings, among others, exuding iconography with every brush stroke. Read more about this property and recent renovations. What a fitting segue! All Worlds offers a playroom to get you hot, and four swimming pools to cool you off. But its scandalous allure can’t be contained to a mere four pools; the fun spilleth over to a sister property across the street. Nicknamed simply “The Annex,” this silky web lures willing victims into its man maze, designed for anonymous intimacy around every kinky corner. To fraternize on the sunny side, check into INNdulge. Their happy hour attracts studs to sip, swim, and socialize in a nudist nirvana. All alliteration aside, the clientele is as friendly as the attentive staff, who roll out the clothing-optional carpet for a perfect Warm Sands experience. Uptown Design District Gay Resorts Moving up the sundial, The Uptown Design District flanks downtown’s hip northern edge. Visitors can access fabulous vintage stores, dine on signature Palm Springs cuisine, and really get in touch with themselves at a gregarious gay resort. On the topic of size, Canyon Club invites naturists to sunbathe on the lawn and hunt for passionate prey in the wild hedge maze. If you prefer your intimate encounters served up dark, Canyon Club has a video playroom… and they ain’t screening The Nanny Diaries. South Palm Springs Gay Resorts As your gaze trickles downward, check out the beefy accommodations on the south side of town. Santiago lets it all hang out with two-man hammocks undulating near the poolside shower. Their 23 rooms ensure privacy while the outdoor spaces encourage public affection. Choose your own adventure! Santiago Resort Palm Springs is an equilateral monument to pride, community, and esteem. These three factors shape Triangle Inn, an architectural wonder designed by Hugh Kaptur in 1958. The swooping, angled rooftops draw the eye dramatically along its daring edges, and the hunky clientele luxuriating in the pool round out the eye candy of this midcentury marvel. The Palm Springs gay resort landscape is a dichotomy of decadence. You can simultaneously connect and disconnect; surround yourself with flirtation or float away into your own consciousness. Gay resort realization awaits. Get in and get out.
Exploring Palm Springs Architecture Fri, August 7, 2020 by Randy Garner Palm Springs – An Architectural Masterpiece By Barbara Beckley If you admire architecture – and who doesn’t – it’s time to break out of your four walls – and open the door to Palm Springs! Plan an escape to architecture that’s light years from ordinary, yet easily close to home. Share the unbridled creativity of the master architects, who — inspired by Palm Springs’ sweeping views, and a movie star or two – designed structures that are as futuristic now as when they were built in the mid-20th century. Doors – in powder blue, pink, yellow! Glass, glass and more glass! Textured brick walls embracing open-air living spaces and gleaming pools. High-beamed ceilings and sunken floors. Nothing was off limits. Where to begin? Anywhere! Landmark architecture is everywhere in Palm Springs. It’s the first thing to greet you and the last to say goodbye. By car, it’s the high-flying gas station designed by Albert Frey and Robson C. Chambers in 1965 and now the Palm Springs Visitor Center. By air, it’s the out-of-this-world Palm Springs International Airport terminal imagined by Donald Wexler in 1965. Homes, inns, boutiques, museums, commercial buildings, restaurants. Palm Springs surrounds you with the best of the best – designed by the top architects of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s: Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Wexler, Albert Frey, William F. Cody, John Porter Clark, E. Stewart Williams, Hugh Kaptur, William Krisel. Double-dip for the Best Experience! Upon arrival, enjoy one – or more – of the Palm Springs mid-century modern architecture guided drive-by tours with companies such as Palm Springs Mod Squad (martini-making is included on The Martini & Mid-Century Architecture Tour). The owner-guides know the inside scoop – and gossip — on the architects, their buildings and the original, often celebrity, owners. Also pick up A Map of Modern Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Visitors Center (and a closer look at this Frey stunner) for do-it-yourself exploration on the following days. The map leads to 75 mid-century marvels and Palm Springs abundant architecturally significant neighborhoods. Must-sees include Old Las Palmas, boasting icons including the 1962 Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway and rows of “Swiss Miss” Alexander beauties. Twin Palms, a break-through housing “tract,” featuring 90 smaller (designed for regular folks) equally stunning Alexanders by Krisel. And Racquet Club Estates, home to Wexler’s seven break-through 1961 Steel Houses (they’re mostly glass). For a deeper understanding visit the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center (in a killer 1960 Williams former bank building). Its sister, the Palm Springs Art Museum, is another Williams wow – from 1974. The museum offers the only tours that regularly go inside legendary homes like the 1964 Frey House II. Designed as his personal residence, it’s basically an amazing glass rectangle enclosing a hillside rock! Live the Retro Moment! Don’t stop there! Overnight in an authentic mid-century inn or small hotel. You’ll find dozens from the 1957 Orbit In and 1951 Holiday House, both designed by Herbert W. Burns, to the 1947 Cody-designed Del Marcos Hotel. Sip a craft cocktail in the same space as the 1953 Don the Beachcomber restaurant – at Bootlegger Tiki. The original tiki torches still stand guard. Shop behind Frey’s 1960s glass walls at the Trina Turk/Mr. Turk Boutique. Heck, you can even bank in retro glory. Chase Palm Springs is a 1961Williams’ design and Bank of America is architect Rudy Baumfield’s 1959 take on France’s avant garde 1954 Ronchamp chapel. Given all this, enthusiasts might compare Palm Springs to an “architectural theme attraction.” In a most sophisticated and upbeat way. It’s as if these visionary architects united to create a showplace for their work — which they did, albeit unknowingly. “Mid-Century Modern Land?” This may be going too far. But it’s kind of true… You be the judge — when you return to see all you missed this time.
Couples Escape to Fun! Mon, August 3, 2020 by Randy Garner Palm Springs for Couples By Barbara Beckley Sparkling pools! Trendy patio dining! Activities as big as all outdoors! Blue skies and starry nights! Palm Springs is made for couples. So grab your bestie, leave your cares at home, and revel in the good life that only Palm Springs can deliver. In a mere two hours from LA, you’ll find yourselves in another world – sipping cocktails by a fabulous pool — with nothing to do but decide where you’ll wine and dine and what activities, if any, to enjoy. The Perfect Palm Springs Places for Couples Not too small. Not too big. Just right – with expansive pool areas, patios and grounds. Palm Springs ultra-chic inns – arguably the largest collection of any resort city – and hip hotels, make it easy to find the perfect accommodation. If you’re mid-century modern minded relax in the architecture of the masters: William F. Cody designed L’Horizon Resort & Spa on three acres of sweeping lawns dotted with luxe, private bungalows; a wide-open pool area and breezy indoor-outdoor cabana spa with private outdoor showers. And the 28-room Holiday House, designed by Herbert W. Burns in 1951, features a large pool, airy decks and free bicycles for guests. Or share the Spanish Revival movie star vibe at the Triada Palm Springs (where Liz Taylor and Lana Turner stayed), with two pools, a rooftop deck and 2nd-story suites with private terraces; the Villa Royale, sporting three pools and patios across three-and-a-half garden acres; and the historic Ingleside Inn, a two-acre, hedged estate with a big pool and lush lawns. For a classic – yet expansive – hotel experience, chill at the high-rise Kimpton Rowan Hoteland its 7th floor open-air rooftop pool; the tiki-inspired Caliente Tropics’ enormous pool – Palm Springs’ largest at 100,000 gallons of refreshing water – and sprawling lawns with palapa-topped cabanas under swaying palms, and the Saguaro Palm Springs, featuring an Olympic-sized pool, pool bar breakfast, lunch and happy hours, breezy cabanas with dedicated servers, wide-open patio dining and a private balcony or patio on every room. So many great Palm Springs spaces for couples to choose. First Night Stand for Couples Make like a local and leave the pool just long enough for cocktails and a light bite at one of Palm Springs friendly eateries. Share a pre-dinner Scorpion Bowl tiki drink on the upstairs patio of the Tonga Hut Restaurant and Tiki Bar overlooking South Palm Canyon Drive. Then continue along the avenue for fresh-air sidewalk dining. Perhaps at Lulu California Bistro or Trio Restaurant both serving solid American fare. Or the Blue Coyote Grill for Mexican. Take Two for Couples Wake up refreshed. Ready for a day of fun and exploration. Or sleep in and luxuriate poolside. If you’re exploration minded – learn about Palm Springs’ star-studded mid-century architecture from the local expert-owners of Palm Springs Mod Squad. Even better – pedal together through Palm Springs’ scenic neighborhoods on a tandem bicycle-built-for-two from Bike Palm Springs Rentals and Tours. Take an inspiring morning hike on one of the nearby trails into the scenic Indian Canyons and experience North America’s only true palm oases. Or ooh and aah at the sweeping valley views from one of the paths that conveniently zig-zag from downtown up the San Jacinto Mountain foothills. Are you golfers? Tee off at Palm Springs’ award-winning Escena Golf Club, an 18-hole Nicklaus Design course. Don’t miss the “19th hole” at the glamorous Escena Lounge & Grill for a delicious bloody mary and outdoor dining with incomparable views. Another thought. Share the thrill of riding nearly three miles straight up the mountainside in the world’s largest rotating tram car on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. You’ll have each other to prove how spectacular the views are from atop Mount San Jacinto. Stop at the Bouschet wine shop for a bottle of bubbly on the way back to your hotel. Then hit the pool. Pop the cork. And toast to the fun you’re having together. And the good times you’ll have when you return! As the sun sets, celebrate your togetherness at one of Palm Springs’ fine dining award winners. For French, Le Vallerius serves the best, on a Euro-like patio under a canopy of illuminated trees. At Copley’s on Palm Canyon, nationally acclaimed owner-chef Andrew Copley creates American fare with a twist in movie star Cary Grant’s former estate. And Azucar, in La Serena Villas, immerses you in Mexican Boho chic, with cocktails and appetizers at Sugar High, its airy rooftop deck, followed by modern contemporary cuisine in the outside patio dining room. Couples Double Time Have breakfast at outdoor Cheeky’s. Everyone does — for the creative breakfast dishes and “World Famous (gourmet five-slice) Bacon Flight,” which you might want to share. Then work off the calories with a stroll downtown to discover the incredible array of boutiques and galleries. Like the movie stars, artists have long been attracted to Palm Springs. So if you’re an artistic twosome – peruse the galleries. Stewart Galleries is like an art museum with works by eminent American impressionist, modernist and plein air painters, plus European and South American notables. Fusion Art, and The Art of Nat Reed are among other top-notch contemporary galleries. Just Fabulous will have you smiling ear-to-ear over its trendy cards, gifts, books and accessories. Don’t miss Destination PSP. It’s loaded with stylish, unique Palm Springs-themed housewares and gift items you can’t get anywhere else. Before you know, it’s cocktail/dinner time again! Have drinks on the outdoor patio at the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar & Store – you’re in the neighborhood already. Or wine tasting at the V Wine Lounge. Or under the trees at the Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge. Or over the best fish ever – in the rag-tag-fun ambiance of Fisherman’s Market & Grill or adjacent Shanghai Red’s Bar & Grill.
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