ATTRACTIONS
PALM SPRINGS VISITOR CENTER
2901 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
Designed by Albert Frey in 1965, this gas station-turned-visitor center is a true desert icon, its signature hyperbolic paraboloid roofline dramatically tilting skyward, beckoning out to all who pass by. Inside, you’ll find a plethora of historical information, as well as souvenirs, postcards, maps and desert-inspired trinkets. Be sure not to miss the Palm Springs signage situated just north of the center, It’s an ideal spot for photo ops.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
1 TRAMWAY ROAD
PALM SPRINGS
One of the city’s most beloved attractions – and the world’s largest rotating tram! – the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports passengers nearly 6,000 feet up the face of the San Jacinto Mountains. At the top, visitors are granted jetliner views of the entire valley, as well as access to hiking trails, a gift shop, an informational movie and two eateries, including Peaks Restaurant, a unique top-of-the-tram fine dining experience. Tickets do book up fast, so plan accordingly. And those who experience motion sickness, should take note – the gondolas spin ever so slowly as they make their ascent and descent.
“FOREVER MARILYN”
MUSEUM WAY & BELARDO ROAD
PALM SPRINGS
This 26-foot-tall steel and aluminum statue, which captures Marilyn Monroe mid-dress-billow in the iconic scene from 1955’s “The Seven Year Itch,” was unveiled by prolific sculptor Seward Johnson in 2011. In the years that followed, it called many different cities home but was relocated to Palm Springs permanently in 2021 and now stands as one of the main fixtures and central attractions of the downtown scene.
BOBO PALM SPRINGS MURAL
750 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy backdrop to document your Coachella Valley travels, head straight to Bobo Palm Springs and make a beeline for the stationery shop’s perfectly pink “Greetings from Palm Springs” mural. Hand-painted by store owner (and artist/journal-creator extraordinaire) Angie Chua, the charming display is the ideal spot to strike a pose and even boasts a “shelfie stand” for your selfie-snapping convenience.
PALM SPRINGS VINTAGE MARKET
2300 EAST BARISTO ROAD
PALM SPRINGS
Held the first Sunday of the month each October through May, the Palm Springs Vintage Market makes for a splurge-worthy weekend excursion. With countless vendors hawking fabulous mid-century, retro and antique finds, it is easy to get lost in the stalls, the wide array of historic memorabilia on display providing wistful walks down memory lane. From purses to clothing to barware to furniture to artwork, if it’s vintage you’re seeking, this is the place to find it!
MOORTEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
1701 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
Initially established as a nursery in 1938 by actor-turned-horticulturalist Chester Moorten, this botanical garden is one of the city’s most popular sites. In fact, its cactarium (pictured) has been dubbed “the most Instagrammed greenhouse in the world!” While the grounds measure just one acre, there is plenty to see and do. Home to more than 3,000 plant varieties, nine geographically-themed gardens, a gift shop, and a menagerie of desert animals, Moorten is an idyllic spot to spend a free hour or two on a sunny afternoon.
ROBOLIGHTS
1077 EAST GRANVIA VALMONTE
PALM SPRINGS
Easily the desert’s most unique attraction, “Robolights” is a massive art installation on the grounds of a private residence in the exclusive Movie Colony neighborhood. The brainchild of artist Kenny Irwin, who began building robot displays as a youngster in the yard of his family’s home using trash and scrap materials, the exhibition has grown to encompass an entire two-acre plot. Though it is no longer open for tours during the holidays as it once was, Kenny’s vivid creations can still be seen from the roads surrounding the Irwin home and are a true sight to behold!
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
745 NORTH GENE AUTRY TRAIL
PALM SPRINGS
An exciting destination for both kids and adults, the Palm Springs Air Museum is dedicated to the history of U.S. aviation. Spread across a whopping 10 acres, the facility boasts one of the largest collections of planes in the world, with everything from a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk to an F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter to Walt Disney’s personal Grumman Gulfstream I displayed throughout five hangars. Visitors can even venture through a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress via tours guided by men who actually flew aboard the massive craft during World War II, affording a truly unique and personalized experience. The museum also features a gift shop, a theater, a canteen, multiple flight simulators and a library stocked with every “Life” magazine ever published.
PALM SPRINGS WINDMILL TOURS
62950 20TH AVENUE
PALM SPRINGS
The 2,000 windmills that crown the hills leading into Palm Springs have affectionately become known as the gateway to the Valley. The colossal structures, some of which stretch nearly 500 feet in the air, may seem rather unworldly, but the Palm Springs Windmill Tours company grants guests up-close-and-personal access via both guided and self-driving excursions. The tours also lead visitors through a fabulous outdoor installation consisting of all manner of turbine parts, as well as providing a plethora of information on the history and future of renewable energy.
ARABY TRAIL
2049 RIM ROAD
PALM SPRINGS
Looking for a stellar hike? Araby Trail offers adventurers a 3.4-mile trek through the Santa Rosa Mountains, complete with mesmerizing panoramas of the Coachella Valley skyline and unobstructed glimpses of the exclusive Southridge neighborhood, home to Bob Hope’s famous John Lautner-designed flying saucer residence. While thoroughly worthwhile, the hike is challenging, with steep inclines, rocky terrain and narrow footpaths, and can take upwards of four hours to complete, so come prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen and snacks. (The address listed denotes a small parking area at the trail’s head.)
CABOT’S PUEBLO MUSEUM
67616 DESERT VIEW AVENUE
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
World traveler Cabot Yerxa built this spot as a private residence/public museum beginning in 1941. Fashioned entirely by Cabot’s own hand from reclaimed materials, the Hopi-inspired pueblo is one of the most unique destinations in the area, complete with 150 windows, 65 doors, 30 rooflines and views for days. The surrounding property is even more intriguing, dotted with whimsical installations like a 43-foot Native American bust, towering wood letters spelling out “CABOT,” and street signs half covered by brush. Though not abandoned, the museum boasts a fabulous dystopian feel, affording endless photo opportunities.
RANCHO MIRAGE LIBRARY &
OBSERVATORY
71-100 CA-111
RANCHO MIRAGE
Completed in 2018, this state-of-the-art facility was built for the public in every sense, with locals and tourists alike welcomed regularly forin-depth tours (offered each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 3 p.m.) and Observatory Public Exploration Nights(O.P.E.N.), during which visitors catch glimpses of our night skies via a research-grade PlaneWave Instruments CDK700 telescope. There’s even a lending program available to library card holders, enabling stargazers to bring an Orion StarBlast 4.5″ Astro Reflector tabletop telescope home for a week to explore the solar system on their own!
RANCHO SUPER CAR WASH
71490 CA-111
RANCHO MIRAGE
Anyone who has driven along CA-111 in Rancho Mirage is familiar with Rancho Super Car Wash’s famous retro signage. The neon pink display, which showcases an elephant showering itself with its trunk, initially stood at the Portland outpost of Dean, Archie and Eldon Anderson’s Elephant Super Car Wash chain, based in the Pacific Northwest. When Eldon’s daughter, Marilyn, and her husband, Richard Fromme, expanded the enterprise to the Palm Springs area in 1966, they carted the sign with them. The piece has been an icon ever since. Recently restored (and designated a historic landmark), it shines brighter and pinker than ever before and is one of the desert’s definitive must-photograph spots. Bonus – Rancho Super Car Wash offers some of the best auto clean-ups in the entire Valley.
SUNNYLANDS CENTER & GARDENS
37977 BOB HOPE DRIVE
RANCHO MIRAGE
The longtime winter home of philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg now serves as a public space where guests can wonder at the stunning desert landscape. Open Wednesday through Sunday, admission to the 15-acre visitors center is free, with plenty to peruse, including changing exhibitions, an informational film, a fabulous gift shop, a café (one of my favorite spots to grab lunch) and myriad garden paths. Guided tours are also offered of the Annenbergs’ former home, the Sunnylands Estate, a 25,000-square-foot midcentury marvel designed by A. Quincy Jones in 1960. Tours do book up far in advance, though, so plan accordingly.
THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS
47900 PORTOLA AVENUE
PALM DESERT
“Condé Nast Traveler” rated this spot one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, and it is not very hard to see why. But calling it simply a “zoo” is somewhat of a disservice because The Living Desert is so much more! With expansive vistas showcasing animals in their natural habitats, journeying through the 1,200-acre site feels like being on a safari. There are also gardens, ponds, a massive model train exhibit, walking trails, camel rides, giraffe feedings, a butterfly sanctuary, and an animal hospital to explore! The Living Desert is truly one-of-a-kind, offering a new experience each and every visit. The site’s annual Glow in the Park event, one of my favorite desert happenings, is also not to be missed!
THE BODY DELI’S BARBIE DISPLAY
73560 EL PASEO
PALM DESERT
In the heart of the Valley’s most prestigious shopping district is a skincare store that has become a destination for doll lovers. That is all thanks to owner Margaret Skarin Clark, who creates imaginatively elaborate displays featuring her extensive Barbie collection, which she has been accumulating for over 60 years. The fantastical exhibits showcase both vintage and new figurines and are changed regularly with the seasons. Pictured is the March 2023 display modeled in honor of Fashion Week El Paseo, complete with clothing inspired by Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
PALMS TO PINES SCENIC BYWAY
MONTEREY AVENUE & CA-111
PALM DESERT
Looking for showstopping views of the region? Head straight to the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway in Palm Desert, a zigzagging thoroughfare that spectacularly winds its way through the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, offering striking panoramas along the way. A stop at the Coachella Valley Vista Point, a stunning elevated lookout with sweeping views of the surrounding skyline (pictured), is a must. Ascending further along the Byway brings even more dramatic views and eventually leads to Idyllwild, a sweet little enclave with a charming collection of shops, restaurants and cafés to explore.
CANYON CREEK MUSHROOMS
77917 WILDCAT DRIVE
PALM DESERT
A bonafide mushroom farm in the heart of the Valley? Canyon Creek Mushrooms is certainly the first of its kind! Offering the finest fungal varieties (from lion’s mane to king trumpet to pink oyster), all hand-harvested right on the premises, the zero-waste facility is a one-stop shop when it comes to mushrooms. Best of all? The site offers daily tours of the premises, granting patrons behind-the-scenes glimpses of the entire cultivation process. No reservations required!
OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET
78100 MAIN STREET
LA QUINTA
This bustling certified farmers market is held on Sundays from October through May, with local vendors hawking all manner of goods, including organic fruits and vegetables, juices, artisanal bread and fresh fish, plus jewelry, artwork and more! Numerous food trucks and kiosks are also on hand, such as the insanely popular Chaupain Bakery and, my personal favorite, The Tamale Fiesta. Old Town’s once-a-month Art on Main Street events, which run from November through March, are also not to be missed.
OLD TOWN ARTISAN STUDIOS
78046 CALLE BARCELONA
LA QUINTA
The mission of this 16,000-square-foot facility is to make art accessible to all Coachella Valley denizens, including students, senior citizens, veterans, Alzheimer’s sufferers and those with disabilities. Founded in 2009 by Victory Grund, the studio has certainly made good on that endeavor, with countless classes, workshops and exhibits offered regularly at the gorgeous property, eager patrons trying their hands at everything from needle felting to glass-blowing to paint-your-own pottery (my personal favorite) at both indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Come December, the complex is transformed into an adorable holiday-themed Gingerbread Lane, with special events like Santa visits, cookie decorating, ornament painting, and more taking place each Saturday.
LA QUINTA MUSEUM
77885 AVENIDA MONTEZUMA
LA QUINTA
A charming venue filled with an array of exhibits and displays chronicling the history of the city of La Quinta, this fun and informative spot is a great place to spend an afternoon – especially during the summer months when it is too hot to be outside. The site also hosts a plethora of regular events, including music nights (held al fresco in the gorgeous courtyard), author readings, educational lectures, genealogy meet-ups, movie screenings and more! There is always something exciting happening at the La Quinta Museum!
“HEAVY METAL” SCULPTURE
TOWNE STREET & BLISS AVENUE
INDIO
This aluminum statue, modeled after a rocking-out Saguaro cactus, was created in 2022 for the Power Trip heavy metal festival by sculptor/ frequent Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival contributor Don Kennell and his wife, Lisa Adler. The following year, the piece was relocated to a grassy patch in downtown Indio and now acts as a cheeky attraction, beckoning visitors to pose for photo ops beneath its prickly foliaged fingers.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
6544 PARK BOULEVARD
JOSHUA TREE
A day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, located about 40 miles northeast of Palm Springs, is a must for any desert visitor! While the entire 800,000-acre park is worth checking out, offering some of the most beautiful scenery known to man, there are a few stand-out spots that shouldn’t be missed, including the aptly-named Skull Rock (pictured), Jumbo Rocks, Arch Rock, the Cholla Cactus Garden and Keys View, an awe-inspiring lookout point featuring panoramic vistas of the entire Valley, with even the San Andreas Faultline visible on a clear day! (Note – there are three entrances to the park. The address above denotes the visitor center for the entrance closest to downtown Palm Springs.)
“HAPPY ALLEY”
MILES AVENUE, BETWEEN TOWNE & OASIS STREETS
INDIO
Just down the street from the “Heavy Metal” cactus, you’ll find “Happy Alley,” another whimsical art installation featuring colorful umbrellas strung across a tiny downtown Indio alleyway. Crafted by the city’s Human Resources and Public Works departments, the display is a vibrant and joy-inducing addition to the local art scene – not to mention a fabulous backdrop for pictures.
PIONEERTOWN
53688 PIONEERTOWN ROAD
PIONEERTOWN
This collection of rickety wooden buildings lining a small stretch of desert road about 30 miles outside Palm Springs began life as a movie set. Created by Hollywood heavyweights Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in 1946, Pioneertown promptly became a popular destination for shooting Westerns. When the genre died out in the late ‘60s, the complex was left intact and still looks much the same as it did when John Wayne and Bud Abbott roamed the dusty grounds. Today, you’ll catch tourists wandering the premises, popping in and out of the wood-shingled specialty shops, taking in Wild West shows, grabbing a meal at local favorite Pappy + Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace(which made my lunch list above) and reveling in the charmingly kitschy atmosphere.
SALTON SEA
CA-111
MECCA
If you’re spending more than a few days in the desert, there’s nothing quite like a road trip to the Salton Sea! In fact, it’s one of my favorite spots to take guests. I recommend visiting the east side, as the west isn’t all that unique. The Sea’s four main attractions are chronicled in detail below, but first a few notes. The journey takes at least five hours to complete, and while there are some bathrooms along the way, they are few and far between. As such, a stop at the Mecca Travel Center at the start of your trip is suggested. You can fill your tank with gas at the Arco on the premises (90480 66th Ave., Mecca) and utilize the bathroom at the neighboring Starbucks (90496 66th Ave., Mecca). The Travel Center is the last major retail you will see on your route.
NORTH SHORE BEACH & YACHT CLUB
99155 SEA VIEW DRIVE
MECCA
Once a luxury vacation destination, the Salton Sea is a virtual post-apocalyptic dreamland today due to agricultural runoff that turned the waters toxic and massive flooding that forced residents out in droves. At the height of its popularity in the 1960s and ’70s, though, the Sea was THE place to be, and the Albert Frey-designed North Shore Yacht Club THE hangout for visiting A-Listers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and The Beach Boys. Shuttered in 1984, the structure sat abandoned until being renovated in 2010 and currently serves as a recreation center, with the adjacent parking lot providing stellar views of the sea’s gorgeous blue expanses and white sands. Venture closer to the shore, though, and it becomes apparent that the water is actually brown, the picturesque blue seen from afar nothing more than a reflection of the sky. And that pristine beach? In reality, it’s crushed fish bones left behind by the many carcasses that regularly wash ashore. Simultaneously beautiful and harrowing, the Salton Sea has to be seen to be believed.
BOMBAY BEACH
709 CA-111
NILAND
About 20 minutes down the road lies Bombay Beach, a small census-designated town of 200 homes and trailers, many of which are abandoned. The lowest city in America, elevation-wise, Bombay Beach is one of the most filmed and photographed spots in Imperial County – and it’s not very hard to see why. Half-populated, half-vacant and dilapidated, it is like no other place in the world. Thanks to the Bombay Beach Biennale, founded in 2015, the area is also home to countless unique art installations, which are dotted around the shoreline and surrounding streets, offering endless photo opportunities. Be sure not to miss the Ski Inn while in town. Though rough around the edges, the restaurant serves decent food in a fun atmosphere (Anthony Bourdain even had his first patty melt there!) and is a filming location! (Bonus – there is a bathroom on the premises available to patrons.)ion to the local art scene – not to mention a fabulous backdrop for pictures.
SALVATION MOUNTAIN
603 BEAL ROAD
NILAND
Next stop, Salvation Mountain! A monument to God’s love created in the ‘80s by visionary Leonard Knight out of adobe, straw, local junkyard trash and gallons upon gallons of paint, the vibrant bluff stands like a beacon on a wide expanse of dusty desert land. Leonard sadly passed away in 2014 after almost 30 years of maintaining the installation, but it remains intact today thanks to his legions of devotees who have painstakingly preserved it. Thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage there each year to meditate, reflect and view the true wonder of it all. (If you need a restroom, the last one out this way can be found just a few miles before hitting Salvation Mountain at the Soco Mini-Mart at 8004 CA-111 in Niland).
SLAB CITY
123 BEAL ROAD
NILAND
Just a mile east of Salvation Mountain is your final destination, Slab City. Originally a World War II training facility, the town takes its name from the concrete slabs left behind after the base was shut down, where those wishing to live off the grid eventually set up homes. With no running water, sewer system, or electricity, most residents inhabit tents erected on the slabs or RVs situated beside them. Though it might sound desolate and dreary, the community is welcoming, friendly and inviting, not to mention truly unique. And there is a great deal to see, from BYOB bar/nightclub The Range (887 Beal Road) to the open-air art museum East Jesus(East Jesus Road). Singular, whimsical and begging to be photographed, Slab City is an extraordinary slice of Americana.