The Palm Springs Mod Squad specializes in architecture and design tours. The 90-minute Essential Palm Springs Tour shows you prime examples of mid-century modern architecture (it is limited to just five participants because of private car size). In addition, it is a good opportunity to see the town’s neighborhoods and learn some movie star history, and you’ll learn more than you can possibly absorb about desert post-modernism in Palm Springs. If you want to get good pictures, do sit on the right side--which is the right side of the car.
 |
| exterior of Palm Springs Visitors Center, Palm Springs, California |
Buildings seen on The Essential Palm Springs Tour:
Mirage house
At end of East Racquet Club Rd., past the guard house.
 |
| guard house in Palm Springs, California |
The site-specific Mirage house art installation by Doug Aitken is in the form of a ranch-style house but composed of reflective mirrored surfaces. Minus doors and windows, it reflects and disappears into the desert landscape. It is part of the “Desert X” art exhibition but will remain on exhibition after that closes on October 31, 2017.
 |
| exterior of Mirage house in Palm Springs, California |
 | ||
| exterior of Mirage house in Palm Springs, California |
Robo Lights
1077 E Granvia Valmonte, in Movie Colony District, (760) 200-4143. Open seasonally in December, daily 4-9:30pm. By donation, $5.
Owned and designed by Kenny Irwin Jr., this colorful display of recycled “junque art” is in a neighborhood known for good Christmas lights.
 |
| Robo Lights house in Palm Springs, California |
Kaufmann House
470 West Vista Chino Drive, in Old Las Palmas neighborhood.
Located in the neighborhood that is the Beverly Hills of the desert--where the Rat Pack once lived--this is one of the most famous homes in Palm Springs. It was designed by Richard Neutra in 1946, was once owned by Barry Manilow, and now you can rent it for $8,000 per month.
 |
| exterior of Kaufmann house in Palm Springs, California |
More things to do in Palm Springs.
More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Oh what a fun excursion this looks like. I do like its small size and what interesting things you saw along the way. . .like Mirage House - wow!
ReplyDeleteOMG! That Mirage House is amazing! How ingenious!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Palm Springs, but this sounds like a fun tour of really odd houses. That mirage house is intense! Does someone live there?
ReplyDeleteNo! It is all mirrors inside, too!
DeleteHi Carole,
ReplyDeleteSo cool. Small group tours are the best! And the mid-century modern is ultra-cool. Thanks for the peek.
My hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan has many wonderful mid-century modern homes, too, and we recently went on a walking tour of one jam-packed neighborhood. Loads of fun.
~Josie
What beautiful pictures you have shared. We love mid-century, and have visited Palm Springs once. It looks like a return visit may be in the cards.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and quirky tour! Love that is it limited to five people.
ReplyDeleteI love architecture tours and that one looks really fun. I particularly like the idea of the Mirage House.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet visited Palm Springs but know many who love it there! I think it would be a fun place to check out! Thanks for this introduction to this architectural tour!
ReplyDeleteWe decided to fly to Palm Springs with a little planning and forethought to make our vacation go smoothly and even enjoy the trip. My sister and I had never been to Palm Springs before, but we had always dreamed of it. Therefore, we booked a hotel recommended by friends and took a car at the airport with such parameters that it would be convenient to secure a dog seat.
ReplyDelete