Whether it’s the surge of super hip (and becoming
super large) events like the Palm Springs
International Film Festival, Modernism Week, or
Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals, Palm
Springs truly offers something for everyone.
Incredibly unique museums such as the
Architecture and Design Center in downtown
Palm Springs, or nearby Sunnylands, with its
public garden and walking paths inspired by
Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings, are just some more
reasons adding to why the city is experiencing a
resurgence like never before. Of course, perhaps
it’s the parties — pool parties in the summer and
cocktail parties by the pool in winter that make this
such a great year-round destination.
Palm Springs lies on the western edge of the
Coachella Valley, within California’s Colorado
Desert. The city is located approximately 110 miles
southeast of Los Angeles and 140 miles northeast
of San Diego. To the east of Palm Springs are
several other desert cities including Cathedral City,
Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert,
Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Indio. Palm Springs
International Airport, just two miles from
downtown, welcomes over 1.5 million passengers a
year from throughout the U.S. and Canada. The
permanent year-round Palm Springs population is
45,000, and doubles during the winter season.
Palm Springs has more than 350 days of
sunshine, with less than five inches of rain per year!
Winter temperatures average in the 70s with nights
in the mid-40s. The dry desert heat of summer
pushes daytime temperatures into the 100s.
Since the 1920s, Palm Springs has been
Hollywood’s desert playground for celebrities to
relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of
showbiz. The legendary “Two-Hour Rule” of
Hollywood studios put Palm Springs on the map as
a perfect getaway. Actors under contract had to be
available within two-hours from the studio just in
case last minute film/photo shoots had to occur.
Among the many celebrities that have stayed
and purchased hideaway homes in Palm Springs
are Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.,
George Hamilton, Bob Hope, Albert Einstein, Bing
Crosby, Kirk Douglas, Cary Grant, and Jack Benny.
Actresses who were frequent visitors included
Marilyn Monroe, Dinah Shore, Kitty Carlisle, Lily
Tomlin, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Palm Springs has the largest concentration of
Mid-Century modern architecture. Since the
1920’s, visionary modernist architects have
designed sleek, modern homes that have embraced
the desert environment. The dramatic geographic
surroundings of the Coachella Valley inspired a
design aesthetic in the middle of the 20th century
now called Desert Modernism.
For a true taste of Palm Springs, dining al fresco
at the base of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains
under a star-studded desert night sky at one of the
city’s fine dining restaurants is not to be missed.
You can also wake up to crystal blue skies and
sunshine while having breakfast at one of the city’s
signature cafes, or have happy hour at one of the
poolside lounges at one of the many famed hotels. A
number of restaurants are chef-owned, seasoned
with their own culinary talents and ambiance.
Palm Spring’s downtown and the Uptown
Design District offer a vast collection of Mid-
Century modern retailers, fashion boutiques,
consignment dealers, art galleries and antiques
shops. You can stroll through a dozen artist-owned
galleries and working studios the first Wednesday
of each month at the Backstreet Art District. Every
Thursday evening, Villagefest transforms multiple
blocks of downtown into an outdoor festival with
over 200 booths showcasing artwork, handcrafted
items and live entertainment. Get a local shopping
flavor at the seasonal Certified Farmers Market held
on Saturdays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
Palm Springs is an oasis for outdoor
adventure, arts and culture, gaming and
entertainment. The city’s storied Hollywood legacy,
Native American heritage and stunning collection
of Mid-Century modern architecture reflect why
Palm Springs is truly like no place else.
So go ahead — soar to the top of Mount San
Jacinto, hike through ancient palm groves and
along stunning scenic trails. Ride a cruiser through
the scenic neighborhood, enjoy the Spanish style
and Mid-Century modern architecture. Tour
world-class museums, leaving time for dining
alfresco and walking to entertainment venues
under the stars!
Trending Destinations
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Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism
