A Desert Oasis A weekend in Palm Springs, California is the perfect spot for Floridians looking for a change of scenery. BY GERRY BARKER IT STARTED AS A cross-country road trip to see friends in Sedona, Arizona. Afterward, almost on a whim, my wife and I opted to head to Palm Springs, California, to see the city so many Hollywood celebrities have called home. After a whirlwind three days, the location exceeded all our expectations, and we left totally smitten, vowing to return at our next opportunity. AN OASIS Called by many “Hollywood’s Desert Playground,” this sparkling oasis, a little over 100 miles east of Los Angeles, is located in the Coachella Valley desert and ringed on all sides by mountains, providing a picturesque backdrop to the iconic palms that give the city its name. Hollywood discovered its charms in the 1930s, when big names like Cary Grant and Gloria Swanson had homes here, along with frequent visitors Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplain, and Greta Garbo. Over the next few decades, a host of others followed, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Liberace, Elvis, and Marilyn Monroe. But Hollywood aside, Palm Springs has
another important distinction: The “Mecca of Modernism.” For anyone who loves the mid-century modern style—and we do—a visit to Palm Springs is like stepping back in time to post-World War II America, where famous architects created homes that are enduring masterpieces of design. A harmonious blending of modern materials with the desert environment combined to create a new standard of leisure living. Speaking of which, did you know there are more swimming pools per capita in Palm Springs than any other city in the nation? There are about 40,000 within the city limits. If you come here in the summer, chances are you’ll be seeking out one of those pools. Temperatures during this time regularly hit 110 degrees and above (in 2024 they recorded a record high: 124 degrees on July 5). Yearly, the area averages 300 days of sunshine and less than 5 inches of rain. Winters are pleasantly warm with cool desert nights. A MID-CENTURY MODERN RETREAT While looking for a place to stay, we randomly picked The Three Fifty Hotel (named for its street address), a boutique, 10-room, mid-century retreat that’s close to downtown and walking distance to the famous Ingelside Estate (more on that later). With a big, inflatable duck in the pool, set against a backdrop of the St. Jacinto Mountains, we felt the Palm Springs vibe right away.
Opposite page, top: A statue of Marilyn Monroe (Photograph courtesy of Visit Palm Springs). From left: Hotel 350; Sinatra’s Twin Palms home (Photograph courtesy of Visit Palm Springs); and Palm Springs residents Mike and Dave with their puppy pack.
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