California Trip - Palm Springs

   

    We decided to start our trip in Palm Springs because my husband had been there previously and wanted to take me there. We were interested in the mid-century modern architecture of the place. Palm Springs is in a valley surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains (some up to 10,000 feet tall). The mountains protect the valley from rain and cold winds so it stays warm year round (and very hot and dry in the summer months). The weather and proximity to Los Angeles make it a popular get away for the rich and famous. Architects were drawn to the place because of the the ability to design homes with sweeping views and indoor/outdoor spaces for people who could afford to build them.

    Since we were interested in the mid-modern style I had to find a hotel that highlighted the architecture. We chose the Horizon hotel (http://www.thehorizonhotel.com/) and absolutely loved it! All the rooms are in bungalows that circle a central park with a salt water swimming pool. You can lay in the pool and look up at the tall palm trees with the mountains in the background. It was lovely, private and very relaxing.

    Our first day in Palm Springs we drove just north of town to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. You ride over 6000 feet up the mountain in a revolving car - that's right, the floor of the tram car revolves 360 degrees several times as you make the ascent. This tramway is one of only three in the world that revolves and it is the biggest of the three. You rise from the hot desert to the cool pine-treed forest at the top of the mountain. There is a mid-century modern lodge at the top including a restaurant and overlooks of the valley and the mountains. Several hiking trails start at the lodge.

    The next day we took the Palm Springs Modern Tour with Robert Imber. He talked about how the architecture evolved and showed us examples of the notable architects who worked in Palm Springs. He drove us by many of the star's homes including those built for Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore and Bob Hope. We also saw Elvis' home which is instantly recognizable (photo on right - he opted for the traditional Spanish architecture).  The tour was very interesting and informative. He gave us a much better appreciation of the mid-century modern design elements. Not all the buildings are big and grand; even gift shops, banks and gas stations were designed in the style. Later we drove back to several of the homes to take more pictures.  

 More Mid-Century Modern homes:


























    xxxx

This is where we ate dinner one night