Year-round travelers flock to Palm Springs in California’s Coachella Valley. This resort town draws both the country club goers and design aficionados for its vintage shops and mid-century modern architecture, which inspired a design aesthetic now called Desert Modernism. What has been Hollywood’s desert playground since the 1920s now attracts travelers from all over who come here to escape from the hustle and bustle and relax poolside.
It’s an easy drive from Orange County or Los Angeles to Palm Springs, despite the fact that traffic is almost inevitable at some point along the route. Rather than shooting straight out to the desert, stop at places that most drivers whiz past. In Riverside, military buffs will not want to miss the March Field Air Museum that houses an extensive collection of military aircrafts dating back to the 1930s. For those who love great fashion at discount prices, the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, located just off I-10 in Cabazon, is a shopper’s paradise. Here you will find top-name designers such as Gucci, Valentino, Fendi and Versace.
Once back on the road, you will see the Windmill Farms begin to appear on the horizon. Actually called wind turbine generators, they are a type of windmill that produces electricity by harnessing the wind at speeds of at least 13 mph. The largest of these windmills stands 150 feet tall with blades half the length of a football field.
To reach Palm Springs from I-10 take Highway 111, which links virtually every desert resort city in the valley. Driving down Highway 111, the stars from the mid-century still have their mark on the area with several streets named after them, such as Frank Sinatra Drive, Dinah Shore Drive and Bob Hope Drive.
Be sure to take a detour outside of Palm Springs to visit the iconic Joshua Tree National Park, which is about 35 miles off the I-10 via CA-62. Palm Springs is also filled with plenty of hiking at sites like Indian Canyons, Tahquitz Canyon and the Coachella Valley Preserve. End the day at one of the mineral-rich hot spring pools in Desert Hot Springs, where the tradition of these therapeutic dips in the local mineral springs dates back decades.
Where to Stay
What happens when a motel dies and goes to heaven and an eccentric hipster hotel chain gets a hold of it? You get the Ace Hotel & Swim Club (701 E. Palm Canyon Dr.; 877-223-5050 or 760-325-9900) where the creative community parties poolside by day and in the darkly atmospheric Amigo Room by night. Jonathan Adler took his design skills to the former Givenchy Resort and Spa owned by Merv Griffinin 2004 and turned it into one of the hippest and chicest resorts in Palm Springs. The Parker Palm Springs (4200 E Palm Canyon Dr.; 760-770-5000) is set on 13 lush acres with four pools, tennis courts and the dark, sexy and seductive bistro Norma’s. If you love to party, then Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs (150 S Indian Canyon Dr.; 760-325-9676) is where you need to be staying. At this music-inspired resort, there are 163 luxury guest rooms, a pool and entertainment scene with DJs playing every weekend. Other music-inspired amenities include a VIP Rock Star Suite, a Rock Spa, a Body Rock workout facility, and the world-famous Rock Shop featuring Hard Rock’s iconic, collectible merchandise.
Where to Eat & Drink
For an intimate and romantic setting, the tree-covered outside patio at Spencer’s (701 W Baristo Rd.; 760-327-3446) delivers – serving four-star American cuisine with a European and Pacific Rim influence. If you are looking for the most happening spot for brunch, then Cheeky’s (622 N. Palm Canyon Dr.; 760/327-7595) is it. The weekly changing menu serves seasonal, locally grown and usually organic food. For amazing California fare in the desert modernism setting, head to LuLu (200 S Palm Canyon Dr.; 760- 327-5858) for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Good food, good drinks and good entertainment are the main concepts behind the chalet-inspired watering hole Bar (340 N. Palm Canyon Dr.; 760-537-7337). Serving handcrafted cocktails with food like tuna melts, lobster sliders, tacos and wings, this unpretentious watering hole has a laid-back vibe yet ironically gets a pretty lively dancing crowd.
What to Do
Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (1 Tramway Rd.; 760-325-1391) which rises 8500 feet above the desert floor creating panoramic views of the famous San Jacinto state park wilderness. Art lovers will not want to miss the Palm Springs Art Museum (101 Museum Drive; 760-322-4800) which features compelling art exhibitions of western, contemporary, glass artists, mid-twentieth century architecture as well as American photography. Indulge in a spa day in Desert Hot Springs at THE SPRING Resort and Spa (12699 Reposo Way; 760-251-6700) located on an elevated promontory with dramatic views of Palm Springs. Design fanatics will want to take a modernist architecture tour with Palm Springs Modern Tours (760-318-6118) of the mid-century homes and buildings in the area.
Where to Shop
What is referred to as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, El Paseo Shopping District (El Paseo, Palm Desert; 877-735-7273) boasts an array of elegant shopping and exquisite dining. For modern art, fashion and design, head to the Uptown Design District (Palm Canyon Drive). For fresh produce, lowers, breads, chef demonstrations and entertainment head to Certified Farmers’ Market (2300 Baristo Rd.; 760-898-5250) on Saturdays.
This article appeared in OC InRoom Magazine’s Fall 2014 Issue.
