Modernism, Joshua Trees, Date Shakes and More: Things to do in Palm Springs (California)

We recently returned for our third stay in Palm Springs California. The first was a brief overnight while driving with a car full of stuff from southern California to Colorado. The second was for a work conference. This one was for four nights in the desert with family.

History. People have lived in this area for centuries. The Cahuilla people wintered here, trekking to higher elevations in hot summer months. The Spanish explorers came to the area and called it La Palma de la Mano de Dios (the palm of the hand of God).

In 1876 the Agua Caliente reservation was established by the United States government granting it some of the land and other parts to the Southern Pacific Railway to expand rail through the Sonoran Desert. In some cases, even today, the plots of land on which some of the homes have been built are leased to homeowners by the Agua Caliente tribe in 99-year increments, a tradition whose rights were secured by the tribe in 1959.

In the early 20th century Palm Springs became established as a resort town with the hot and dry climate offering health benefits to ward off respiratory diseases. While today, golfing is a major recreational activity, Palm Springs was first known for tennis with the establishment of the Palm Springs Tennis Club in 1934.

Palm Springs became a playground of the movie stars in the 1930s as well. Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, John Barrymore, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe all owned homes or spent time here. On South Palm Canyon Drive their names are enshrined on the town’s walk of fame.

Movie stars and celebrities were initially attracted to the area to avoid the eyes of Hollywood’s gossip columnists. Affairs and gay lifestyles could be conducted more safely and secretly in the desert resort town in those days as newspapers would only reimburse travel expenses up to 100 miles away from home. Palm Springs, being 107 miles away from Hollywood, became an ideal oasis for all sorts of behaviors stars didn’t want the public to read about in the gossip pages.

We rented a fantastic mid-century modern ranch style house in the Movie Colony neighborhood about a 15-minute walk from downtown Palm Springs under the shadows of the snowcapped Big Bear Mountain and down the street from Frank Sinatra’s old house.

This time, we (unintentionally) landed here during Modernism Week, which celebrates the mid-century modern style of this desert city’s architecture and landscaping. It was hopping, but reasonably so, though some of the more touristy activities were out of reach: namely the mountainside tram (a three-hour wait just to go up and wait again to come down) and some of the celebrity home tours.

In addition to the tram and home tours, here are some things to do while visiting:

Palm Springs Art Museum. On one of our previous visits, we found ourselves inside the art museum, admiring its collection of modern and western art. Look for the big Marilyn Monroe statue just off of Palm Canyon Drive and follow her blowing skirt up the steps to the museum.

Joshua Tree National Park. Just about an hour away from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is one of the most popular and best things to do on your stay in Palm Springs. We took a drive and a couple of walks around the desert to admire the odd-looking non-tree trees.

Joshua trees are actually members of the yucca family. They live for about 500 years and take about 50 or so before they reach their full height. Originally, it is believed, that Joshua Tree seedlings were spread around by a giant prehistoric sloth. Now, they rely on the Yucca Moth, who eat the seeds as caterpillars, to help spread their growth. The trees allegedly got their name from Mormon pioneers in the mid-19th century who felt the trees resembled the biblical Joshua with their outstretched arms appearing like Joshua reaching out in supplication and guiding them westward.

But if you’ve come to find the U2 Joshua Tree, you still won’t have found what you’re looking for. That one is about 180 miles away in Death Valley.

Shopping and eating. Lots of shops and restaurants await on the downtown stretch of Palm Canyon Drive. Check out the hip artwork, t-shirts and other gifts at the Shag Store, whose artwork embodies the vibe of Palm Springs.
Golf. This time, a local friend and member at Cimarron Golf Club hooked us up with a tee time. While way too hot (at least for me) to play in summer, the warm winter weather is ideal for a round of desert golf.

Try a date shake. Sweet, refreshing and delicious. Don’t knock ’em ’til you try ’em.

As usual, we spent a lot of our time just walking around, roaming through the neighborhoods, browsing shops and eating in some of the restaurants with our family and friends. But most of all, we enjoyed lounging by the requisite pool of our stylish Airbnb.