Art, Architecture Major Attractions in Greater Palm Springs

The 26-foot-tall “Forever Marilyn” statue welcomes visitors to Palm Springs.

Once a haven for movie stars and celebrities—including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Elvis Presley, Sonny Bono, and more—Palm Springs, CA, remains a welcoming retreat for those seeking an elegant yet down-to-earth getaway. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, it’s easy to see what attracts both residents and tourists to this vibrant desert oasis.

Coachella is home to numerous murals as well as the world-famous music festivals.

Greater Palm Springs (GPS) encompasses nine cities within the Coachella Valley: Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella. Each city offers a distinct character—from the boutique shops and high-end restaurants lining Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs to the vibrant, colorful murals that celebrate the bohemian spirit of Indio and Coachella.

Art and architecture lovers will find plenty to admire in Greater Palm Springs, whether visiting independently or during one of the many festivals dedicated to these pursuits. While Palm Springs features both Mission Revival and Spanish Revival architecture, it’s best known for its mid-century modern (MCM) homes and buildings. Frank Sinatra’s 1946 Twin Palms estate is a prime example. Designed by E. Stewart Williams—who also designed the Palm Springs Art Museum—the 2,500-square-foot home was the first to include an entire sliding glass wall, a saltwater pool, and an intercom system. A piano-shaped pool pays tribute to Old Blue Eyes, as does a roof overhang designed to cast light and shadow onto the sidewalk in the shape of piano keys.

Many famous celebrities lived in Palm Springs, including Frank Sinatra, whose Twin Palms house was built in 90 days.

Even more impressive is that Sinatra insisted the home be completed in just 90 days so it would be ready by Christmas. Today, the estate is available to rent as an Airbnb.

Elvis and Priscilla Presley were married in the mid-century modern “House of Tomorrow” in Palm Springs.

Sinatra and many other stars lived in the city’s “Movie Colony” neighborhoods due to studio contracts that required them to remain within a two-hour drive of Hollywood. Many of these homes still stand—built on land that once cost just $18 an acre—and can be viewed on guided tours. Highlights include the iconic “House of Tomorrow,” built in 1960, where Elvis Presley married Priscilla, and the Kaufmann House, considered one of the most significant American homes of the 20th century. Designed by architect Richard Neutra in 1946 for Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr.—who also commissioned Fallingwater in Pennsylvania—the home was once listed by Sotheby’s as a work of art for $30 million and later sold for $13 million.

The 1959 Riviera Resort & Spa features numerous celebrity touches, including this portrait of a young Elizabeth Taylor.

Palm Springs is also home to many vintage hotels. The Riviera Resort & Spa, built in 1959 for $300,000, was a favorite of the Rat Pack. It closed in 2006 but was later reopened as a hotel, conference center, and meeting space following a $70 million renovation. Casa Cody, built in 1920 by Harriet Cody (a cousin of Buffalo Bill), is the oldest operating hotel in town.

Other notable MCM landmarks include the futuristic Palm Springs City Hall, designed in 1952 by “Father of Modernism” Albert Frey, and the Palm Springs International Airport, constructed in the mid-1960s by architect Daniel Wexler—nicknamed the “Man of Steel” for his use of glass, stone, and steel.

Every February, the city celebrates its architectural heritage during the 11-day Modernism Week, when visitors can enjoy bus and home tours of these iconic properties. Palm Springs also hosts the Palm Springs International Film Festival, founded by Sonny Bono. Held each January, it draws filmmakers, stars, and industry leaders from around the world.

Although the desert heat peaks in June, Palm Springs celebrates Pride Month in November. “Pride is always in season” in this warm and welcoming LGBTQ+ community.

Another cultural highlight is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held each April in nearby Indio. Drawing more than 145,000 attendees over three weekends, it’s one of the world’s most celebrated music festivals. The region also hosts the Southwest Arts Festival, a Tamale Festival, a barbecue festival, and a country music festival, among others.

These 75-foot statues known as The Messengers were once displayed at the Coachella festival.

Though Indio fell into decline following the construction of the I-10 freeway, revitalization efforts—such as the purchase of blighted properties, creation of new parks, and launch of a public art program—have helped it rebound. Today, art is everywhere, including downtown, where two 75-foot sculptures called The Messengers stand across from Power Trip, a 25-foot metal cactus. These pieces were acquired after being featured at the Coachella and Power Trip festivals.

While the Greater Palm Springs area is rich in public art, its natural beauty may be even more breathtaking. Framed by the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains, the region features more than 240,000 acres of open space and 1,000 miles of hiking trails. Much of this land is protected from development. Indian Canyons, the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, remains protected tribal land, and much of the Coachella Valley is tribally owned and leased—with the tribe retaining stewardship responsibilities.

Visitors can enjoy many other activities: riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (the world’s largest rotating tram car); golfing at any of the area’s 120 courses; exploring the San Andreas Fault via Red Jeep tours; relaxing in mineral hot springs; and unwinding at world-renowned spas.

Food lovers will also find much to savor. The region’s desert-grown, chef-driven cuisine has earned it culinary recognition, with eight Michelin-recommended restaurants in the area. That’s fitting, since agriculture ranks as the second-largest industry in the Coachella Valley.

For more information on Greater Palm Springs, visit www.VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com.