PALM SPRINGS
MIDCENTURY MAGIC
Vibrant and colourful, rich with old Hollywood glamour and mid-century modern design, Palm Springs is a celebrated international tourist destination. Its laid-back vibe and year-round perfect weather have enticed visitors since the 1920s, when it was first popularized as a playground for Hollywood's famous faces. Celebrities past and present, such as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Liberace, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and former mayor Sonny Bono, have all called Palm Springs home. Even the streets are named for some of the city's most distinguished residents: Bob Hope Drive, Frank Sinatra Drive, Gene Autry Trail, Dinah Shore Drive, and Burns and Allen Road. See all of these celebrities and more immortalized on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.
Palm Springs is also known for its significant architectural history, particularly its contribution to mid-century modern design, celebrated annually during Modernism Week. The coveted split-level homes of the 1950s and 60s, dotted throughout Palm Springs, showcase signature features like asymmetrical lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, vibrant color palettes, manicured lawns, and sparkling pools. Contemporary condos, Mediterranean cottages, and Spanish villas are also common here, adding to city’s reputation of sophisticated, laid-back style. Homebuyers looking to invest in Palm Springs can expect to pay an average of $760,000 for a single-family home.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the city is famous for its art scene, fine dining, eclectic shopping, and endless entertainment options. It a welcoming vacation spot for members of the LGBTQ community, and for young travelers looking for good vibes only!
At the heart of Palm Springs is Palm Canyon Drive, which extends through Downtown Palm Springs and its trendy restaurants, elegant boutiques, and art galleries, and the Palm Springs Uptown Design District, popular for its vintage stores, antique shops, and eclectic home furnishing showrooms.
Alive with activity, Palm Springs is home to many high-profile festivals and events, a first-rate casino, exceptional spa resorts, and a prominent air and art museum. And an international airport to get you there.
Is Palm Springs on your bucket list?
EXPLORE PALM SPRINGS REAL ESTATE
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ATTRACTIONS
Ascend 8,516 feet above sea level into the San Jacinto Mountains in the world’s largest rotating tram car to experience breathtaking views of the desert valley. Two and a half miles, in 10-minutes, to the summit in Mount San Jacinto State Park, adventure seekers will find great countless hiking trails, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in the winter months.
History comes alive at the Palm Springs Air Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of static & flyable warplanes. More than 50 vintage and iconic aircraft are on full display in this barrier-free space that allows visitors to interact with the exhibits and get an up-close look at the legendary fighters, bombers and trainers that flew in WWII and the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
Spread over multiple locations, the Palm Springs Art Museum is the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley. The main museum features a rotating collection of contemporary art; a vast permanent collection; two outdoor sculpture gardens; and the Annenberg Theater. Five blocks away, the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design Center at the Edwards Harris Pavilion, showcases exhibits of provocative architecture and design.
Every Thursday evening, Palm Canyon Drive, between Alejo and Ramon Road in downtown Palm Springs, closes to traffic to transform into lively, pedestrian street fair of local Valley vendors, market stalls, artists, entertainers, and food trucks. It’s an essential Palm Springs experience and it’s free!
The sidewalks of Palm Canyon Drive are home to more than 460 Golden Palm Stars honouring the extraordinary achievements of celebrity entertainers, humanitarians, civic leaders, artists, authors and sports legends who have contributed to the city’s character and fame. Honourees include: Al Jolson, Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, Ginger Rogers, Arnold Palmer, Elizabeth Taylor, Truman Capote, and Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.
Feeling lucky? Experience the hottest entertainment, slots, table games, and high limit gaming every night of the week at the Aqua Caliente Casino in downtown Palm Springs. The 24-hour, 30,000 sq ft casino boasts award-winning fine dining at The Steakhouse and live music and dancing at the Cascade Lounge.
A privately-owned arboretum, or cactarium, as coined by The Moortens themselves, the Moorten Botanical Garden features a rare collection of more than 3,000 varieties of desert trees, cacti, and succulents from all over the world in concentrated habitats of real terrain. Be sure to stop by the garden nursery to purchase your own desert treasure.
RESTAURANTS
621 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Located in the historic Cary Grant estate, Copley’s serves contemporary American dishes with hints of tropical and European flavours. Consistently rated among the top restaurants in Coachella Valley by Zagat’s and New York Times, this sophisticated yet welcoming restaurant is the perfect spot for a romantic night out.
233 E Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Be transported to a bygone era when jazz standards, martinis, and steak ruled the day. Mr. Lyon’s feels like an old-school steakhouse with a modern twist. Here the steak is king. Prime cuts are accompanied by thoughtful sides, an impressive wine list, and impeccable service
235 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs
Hidden in the Fisherman’s Market restaurant complex, Shanghai Red’s serves up an abundant array of fresh fish and seafood, grilled steaks, pasta and their notorious Baja fish taco famously reviewed by Anthony Boudain for his show No Reservations. Where the locals come to listen to the Blues, Shanghai Red’s open-air courtyard comes alive every evening with music.
401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
Nothing beats a New York-style deli. Stacked pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, chopped liver, and blintzes. Breakfast, lunch of dinner, Sherman’s is packed with happy customers eating in or taking out from their impressive bakery case filled with showstopping desserts and fresh baked bread.
330 E Amado Road, Palm Springs
A vibrant, tropical oasis, The Tropicale is a Palm Springs landmark known for its eclectic menu of World flavours and island cocktails with unique offerings like southern fried chicken salad, the pupu platter, and Kahlua-barbecued pork chops. The outdoor bar and spacious open-air patio, complete with twinkling lights and cozy fire pits, is the ideal place to mingle with friends old and new.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
More than a week, this 11-day celebration of midcentury modern architecture, art, interior design, fashion, and culture is a highlight of the Palm Springs social calendar. Boasting 350 events throughout the Greater Palm Spring area, 120,000 attendees enjoy tours of iconic homes, films, lectures, exhibitions, nightly parties, and the Palm Springs Modernism Show. A four-day, mini-Modernism Week is also held every October.
Every January the Palm Springs International Film Society rolls out the red carpet for the world’s biggest stars. Showcasing a diverse selection of the best international cinema, the Palm Springs International Film Festival celebrates exceptional films and filmmakers, many on the road to an Academy Award win. In addition to film screenings and the Awards gala, the Festival hosts a variety of panel discussions, interactive events and parties.
Long regarded as a top LGBTQ+ friendly destination, it’s no wonder Palm Springs is home to its own unique, three-day pride celebration. Palm Canyon Drive and Areas Road transform into a vibrant festival of live music and entertainment, parties, food, a large vendor marketplace, and of course the parade.
A three-day poolside music festival held two weekends in August, Splash House is a must-attend event for fans of dance and electronic music and frolicking in floatie-filled pools. The pool parties are held at The Saguaro, Renaissance Palm Springs, and Margaritaville Resort. The after-hours parties are at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
The City’s signature holiday event, the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is a unique evening parade of twinkling lights, spectacular floats, marching bands, hug Macy’s-style balloons and everyone’s favourite Snowbird, Santa Claus. The parade is broadcast live every year on NBC Palm Springs.
An annual cycling event of 10,000 riders and walkers, the Tour de Palm Springs has raised over $4,000,000 for more than 150 local nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley since 1999.
GOLF COURSES
1097 East Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
North Course: Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Style: Traditional | Rating: 73.1 | Slope: 128 | Yardage: 6,943 | Greens: Bermuda/Rye Grass | Architect: William F. Bell
South Course: Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Rating: 70.4 | Slope: 118 | Yardage: 6,582 | Greens: Bermuda/Rye Grass | Architect: Casey O'Callahan
1885 Golf Club Drive, Palm Springs
Resort Course: Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Style: Links | Rating: 71.3 | Slope: 124 | Yardage: 6,705 | Architect: Ted Robinson
Legend Course: Holes: 18 | Par: 71 | Rating: 72.4 | Slope: 125 | Yardage: 6,815 | Architect: William F. Bell
1100 Clubhouse View Drive, Palm Springs
Escena Golf Course: Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Rating: 74.3 | Slope: 131 | Yardage: 7,173 | Greens: Tifdwarf Bermuda Grass | Architect: Jack Nicklaus
1 Desert Lakes Drive, Palm Springs
Seven Lakes Golf Course: Holes: 18 | Par: 58 | Style: Executive | Rating: 54.2 | Slope: 78 | Yardage: 2,712 | Greens: Bent Grass | Architect: Ted Robinson
