I grew up near the sunny SoCal surf of Huntington Beach. During the summers we always stayed home. Why travel when you have such amazing beaches nearby? But during spring break, a week when we could enjoy our beaches, we were usually faced with gloomy weather. So we went inland — two hours inland, to Palm Springs.
There, the weather was 80°F plus and the sun was out. For one week, the city accommodated massive youth congestion and the elderly went into hiding. Over the years I have found some great desert gems and wanted to share them, in case you were thinking about attending any upcoming trade shows in the Palm Springs area, such as AdMonsters Publisher Forum coming in March 2012.
LOCATION & HOLLYWOOD HISTORY
Palm Springs is located in the Coachella Desert Valley, within Riverside County. It is 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego. The sun usually shines here 354 days a year.
Since the 1920’s celebrities escaped the Hollywood hoopla by buying second homes in the Palm Springs desert hideaway. Steve McQueen had a home there. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob hope, Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, and even Albert Einstein hid out in Palm Springs.
HOW TO GET THERE
Palm Springs International Airport is located in the center of the city. The next closest airport is Ontario Airport (ONT) which is 60 miles away. Los Angeles (LAX), Sand Diego (SAN) and Orange County (SNA) airports are all a few hours’ drive away.
WHERE TO STAY
Ingleside Inn: an historic landmark and built in 1925, renovated in 1975. 30 rooms, Spanish-style inn. Albert Einstein stayed here.
Orbit In: retro cool, modernist. An eco-friendly mid-century style motel that celebrates the great architects. Saltwater pool included. Request the Albert Frey room — it has an outdoor shower and a view of Frey’s great ship (Frey House II) home.
Hotel De Marcos: newly remodeled and originally designed in 1947 by famed architect William F. Cody. Click here to enjoy the music and book.
Viceroy: sister to the Santa Monica Viceroy. Beautifully landscaped with fruit trees surrounding the bungalows built in 1933. The interiors were designed by Kelly Wearstler — imagine Italy in the desert.
Movie Colony Inn: designed by Albert Frey with the Hollywood chic in mind.
Colony Palms Hotel: mobster Al Wertheimer owned this when it was The Colonial House.
Hotel Zozo: contemporary cool with comfort in mind. Has a touch of retro furnishings. A walk to downtown.
Parker Palms Hotel: was once home to both Gene Autry and Merv Griffin. Morocco-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland desert style. Jonathon Adler channels the 1950s-1970s era of Palms Springs. The spa is the Palm Springs Yacht Club.
The Ace Hotel: evoking an old Native American campsite, the Ace is hipster cool — organic and bohemian. Stumptown coffee provided.
Some of our Palm Springs photos…
WHAT TO DO
Palm Springs Air Museum: located off the Gene Autry Trail. Showcases the nation’s largest collection of vintage military aircraft within indoor airplane hangars.
Hikes and Trails: there are several hiking trails in the Palm Springs area. Palm Springs and Indian Canyons trails are good for beginner to intermediate and offer both an oasis of desert beauty and waterfalls!
The Living Desert: a zoo in the desert, but this is no ordinary zoo. The Living Desert showcases over 1,000 out of 1,800 acres in their natural state. Located 15 minutes from Palm Springs.
Golf: the Escena Golf Course has a mid-century modern-cool-meets-Jack-Nicklaus design. This course easily channels Sinatra and Hope. Opened in 2009. Dining at the Escena Grill is suggested.
Dunebuggy tours: Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here. Disillusioned? Sorry.
Tour The Architecture: Palm Springs has the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture. Since the 1920s, the desert allowed the great architects from Donald Wexler to Albert Frey to develop sleek indoor outdoor living spaces. Check out the Palms Springs Official Visitor Center (which was once the tramway gas station) designed by Albert Frey and Robson Chambers, then grab a map of the all the notable mid-century landmarks.
Each year, Palm Springs hosts Modernism Week. Modern architeture celebrated with tours, lectures and parties in some of the modern marvels.
SPAS
The best spas are in Desert Hot Springs, located just 15 minutes from Palm Springs.
The Spring Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs
A retro motel sits on one of the top 10 hot spring waters in the world. Dubbed the “fountain of youth” with a covered grotto. Spa treatments include the Spring Buff which includes a mineral scrub, full-body clay mask and an Aloe Vera scalp massage. Takes three hours- spahhhmazing!
Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs
This is a 100-acre getaway with direct access to the Miracle Hill Hot Springs. Built in the 1920s for Al Capone as a hideaway. Stay in Bungalow 14, otherwise known as Al’s place!
WHERE TO EAT
Melvyn’s in the Ingleside Inn. Old school glamour. Extensive menu with a continental touch, and piano bar. Steve McQueen missed this grand opening. He and Ali MacGraw were underdressed and turned away!
Mister Parkers in the Parker Palm Hotel. Dark, broody bistro with mirrors on the ceiling. The steak is amazing.
Norma’s in the Parker Palm Hotel. Comfort food. I suggest the Mango Lobster Salad and the smoothie of the day.
Copley’s. Cary Grant’s Former Estate. American cuisine with tropical flavor.
Spencer’s. French American cuisine located near the tennis estates.
The Purple Palm in the Colony Palms Hotel. Mediterranean cuisine poolside.
Kings Highway at the Ace Hotel. A Denny’s redesigned and coolified with Native American accents and hipster wait staff.
Sherman’s Deli. Serving Kosher since 1953. The locals dine here.
Zin Bistro. American comfort food with a European twist. Fancy macaroni and cheese.
BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Parker Palms Mini Bar. I suggest the lavender mojito. Fresh from the garden!
Ace Hotel Bar and the Amigo Bar Room. NY Hipsters transplanted to the desert.
See you in the desert!
-KIA
There is also a hot new restaurant that is not in the list, LuLu California Bistro at 200 S. Palm Canyon. It is the sister of Acqua Pazza in Rancho Mirage.