Ultimate Stylish Weekend Guide: Design, Fashion, and Architecture in Greater Palm Springs
Discover the timeless allure of style and design in Greater Palm Springs, home to midcentury modern architecture crafted by legendary figures for Hollywood icons, resort-ready vintage and contemporary fashion, and innovative art from local creators inspired by the desert landscape. We've curated an unforgettable weekend itinerary blending fashion, art, architecture, and design for the ultimate stylish getaway.
FRIDAY
Arriving at Palm Springs International Airport? Marvel at its mid-1960s design by architect Donald Wexler, featuring open-air spaces that showcase the desert climate. Driving in? Iconic windmills and majestic mountain views set the tone.
Check into your hotel or vacation rental to drop your bags—there's so much to explore! Greater Palm Springs boasts an array of stylish accommodations, many with restaurants and spas open to day visitors, allowing you to sample multiple properties.
Top stylish stays include:
Holiday House // Revitalized midcentury gem by Herbert Berns, updated by interior designer Mark D. Sikes (creator of MDS Stripes fashion line).
Holiday House Palm Springs // Photo by Jaime Kowal
The Parker Palm Springs // Jonathan Adler-designed resort with expansive grounds, stunning pools, and a world-class spa.
ARRIVE // Sleek new hotel blending midcentury inspiration with modern tech amenities.
L’Horizon Resort & Spa // William Cody's midcentury masterpiece, now with bungalow suites, a restaurant, and spa on lush estate grounds.
L'Horizon Resort & Spa // Photo by Jeff Mindell
Korakia Pensione // Boutique retreat infused with Moroccan and Mediterranean vibes, perfect for serene exploration.
Sparrows Lodge // Rustic-chic haven in south Palm Springs, featuring a bar in a 1950s barn.
The Lautner Compound // Four-room midcentury boutique in Desert Hot Springs by John Lautner, plus rentable adjacent 1957 Ranch House bungalow.
The Lautner Compound // Photo by Bethany Nauert
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage // Luxurious resort with impeccable grounds and service.
Colony Palms Hotel // Martyn Lawrence Bullard-designed boutique with Spanish-Moroccan flair.
La Serena Villas // Chic new Palm Springs boutique in restored 1930s buildings, each with private patio and outdoor tub.
La Serena Villas // courtesy of the hotel
Exciting newcomers: Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs and Hotel Paseo in Palm Desert.
Opt for a vacation rental? Chic choices include West Elm House via ACME House Co., Polo Villas compound in La Quinta via McLean Company, or celebrity legacies like Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate by E. Stewart Williams and Merv Griffin’s La Quinta estate, both via Beau Monde Villas.
Sinatra Twin Palms Estate // Photo by Jeff Mindell
Dress the part with desert-chic shopping. Start at Trina Turk and Mr Turk for vibrant prints, swimwear, housewares, gifts, and pool floats.
Trina Turk Palm Springs // Photo by Jaime Kowal
Next door, Wil Stiles offers resort-inspired men's and women's apparel, custom-print shirts, and sunglasses.
North on Palm Canyon Drive: The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five in E. Stewart Williams' midcentury building. Highlights: Respect the Chief handmade jewelry, Towne Palm Springs menswear and vintage, expanded Soukie Modern with Moroccan textile bags and home goods, Daydreamer LA soft tees and denim, Candice Held silk-scarf dresses and vintage shades, Lindy California vintage jewelry and art. Explore art, decor, and furniture too.
Soukie Modern in The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five // Photo by Camron Carrier
Southward: Elizabeth & Prince for Ulla Johnson, Rag & Bone, and more; neighbor H2O Closet for skincare, candles, and bath essentials.
Elizabeth & Prince Palm Springs // Photo by Shawn Holoubek
Refuel at adjacent Truss & Twine for craft cocktails and small plates in industrial-chic style, or Workshop Kitchen + Bar in the historic El Paseo Building.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar // Photo by Christine Arnold
Change into new finds, then dine. Reserve Holiday House's Friday Night Fried Chicken Dinner (760-320-8866)—family-style patio perfection. Other stylish spots: Azucar at La Serena Villas, Mr. Lyons Steakhouse (with Seymour’s cocktails), The Venue Sushi Bar, Purple Palm at Colony Palms, Citrus & Palm at Miramonte, Birba, 4 Saints and Juniper Table at Kimpton Rowan, AC3 at Hotel Paseo.
Purple Palm restaurant at Colony Palms Hotel // Photo by Jaime Kowal
SATURDAY
Kick off with brunch at Norma’s (Parker), Wilma & Frieda (Palm Desert), Cheeky’s, La Quinta Baking Company, King’s Highway (Ace Hotel), or Twenty6 (La Quinta Resort).
Book ahead for Sunnylands Annenberg Estate tour in Rancho Mirage—A. Quincy Jones' 1960s time capsule of art and furnishings.
Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands // courtesy of Sunnylands
Nearby, shop El Paseo district: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Saks, and more; outposts from Elizabeth & Prince, Trina Turk, Candice Held. Jewelry at Leeds & Son, The Jewelry Bar; galleries like J. Willott, Imago, Heather James, Melissa Morgan, Hohmann.
Hunt vintage via our Ultimate Guide to Vintage Shopping in Greater Palm Springs.
The Fine Art of Design // Photo by Nichole Gawalis
Don't miss Thick As Thieves, BKB Design, Christopher Kennedy, H3K Home.
Evening: Counter Reformation at Parker for wine and bites; or reserve Sparrows Lodge's Saturday steak dinner (760-327-2300).
Sparrows Lodge // Photo by Jaime Kowal
SUNDAY
Sunday brunches: Champagne buffets at Las Casuelas Nuevas, Le Vallauris, Workshop Kitchen + Bar.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar brunch // Photo by Christine Arnold
First Sundays (Oct-May): Palm Springs Vintage Market.
Palm Springs Vintage Market // Photo by Nichole Gawalis
Book architecture tours with Palm Springs Modern Tours, The Modern Tour, or Palm Springs Mod Squad.
Visit Palm Springs Art Museum (main site, Palm Desert Sculpture Garden, Architecture + Design Center). Note past exhibits like Lines in the Sand and Scraps: Fashion, Textiles, and Creative Reuse; Frey House II tours via A+D Center.
Living Architecture at the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center // Photo by Lance Gerber
Browse Just Fabulous for design books; coffee at Koffi or Ernest Coffee; cocktails at Bootlegger Tiki or Dead or Alive; ice cream at Ice Cream & Shop(pe) (ARRIVE).
Ernest Coffee // Photo by Jaime Kowal
Chase murals and doors via our guide to the best Instagram spots in Greater Palm Springs.
Midcentury home in Indian Canyons // Photo by Bethany Nauert
Enjoy your stylish Greater Palm Springs weekend!
