Palm Springs Mid Century Modern Discoveries

[Image from Lana Tsarikaeva]

A perk of Bay Area living? All of the easily accessible weekend getaways. I recently took a last-minute trip to Palm Springs, the famous desert town known for its celebrities, golf, and mid-century modern architecture. I had nothing planned and we all know that can be the best kind of vacation. Here’s what I discovered along the way:

Where to stay. Palm Springs is surrounded by lesser-known desert cities. That’s where you’ll find some of the best resorts. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Indian Wells, situated amongst the many country clubs and golf courses that populate the area. The hotel grounds are incredible with mountain views and palm trees everywhere. 

[Image from Lana Tsarikaeva]

What to explore. With its abundance of blue skies, soaring palm trees, and single-level designs, there’s no better setting for mid-century modern architecture. I highly recommend booking a tour in advance. All mid-century modern home tours were booked but I was still able to explore through this celebrity bus tour. 

[Image from Lana Tsarikaeva]

What to know. Back in the heyday of Hollywood, many actors were under contract to stay within driving distance in case of reshoots. That made Palm Springs a likely retreat for Hollywood’s elite. 

• The 24,000 square-foot Bob Hope house is currently under restoration. With its imposing triangular roof and 60-foot-wide oculus, this house makes an architectural impression.   

• Twin Palms, also known as the Frank Sinatra House, exemplifies desert modernism. And if you’re really interested, it’s available to rent, starting at $2,500 a night.

• Celebs continue to covet real estate in Palm Springs. Leonardo DiCaprio bought the home originally built for Dinah Shore, and you can rent it for $4,500 a night. 

• The Elvis Presley honeymoon home recently went on the market. While he never actually owned it, Elvis and Priscilla made this 4,695-square-foot home famous. At the time it was built, it was considered “futuristic” and dubbed the “House of Tomorrow.”

Where to go. Take a journey from the desert to mountain on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It’ll take you two-and-a-half miles up Chino Canyon where you can enjoy dramatic views, hiking trails and lunch at one of the two restaurants. Pro tip: On your way, stop at Ernest Coffee, enjoy Stumptown coffee in a quintessential Palm Springs setting.

[Image from @ernestcoffee]

Why I love it. Palm Springs is an escape from reality. It’s not just celebs that flock here. During peak times, its population goes from 43,000 to around 200,000 people. You can almost always count on a sunny day and an architectural gem around every corner.