For Central Texas travelers, Palm Springs feels less like a faraway destination and more like a shift in mindset.

Just a short flight away, the Hill Country gives way to open desert—where the light is sharper, the sky wider, and the pace slows almost instantly.

I felt it the moment I arrived. Warm air, palm trees swaying, and that immediate sense that I had stepped completely out of routine.

Palm Springs has long been known as the capital of cool, but its appeal is simpler: an easy escape where you can unplug without the effort of a long-haul trip.

Boutique Hotels That Define the Experience

Palm Springs is home to more than 80 boutique and small hotels, each offering its own version of desert living.

During my stay, I experienced two distinct sides of that story.

At Del Marcos Hotel, designed in 1947 by architect William Cody, midcentury design plays out at a human scale. Clean lines, low rooflines, and intimate courtyards reflect his focus on simplicity and indoor-outdoor living.

At The Alcazar Palm Springs, the mood shifts—brighter, more minimal, more social. Whitewashed walls reflect the sun and the pool becomes the center of everything, framed by mountain views.

“Where you stay shapes the entire rhythm of Palm Springs.”

 

“Our boutique hotels reflect the city’s architectural and cultural diversity,” says Kimberli Munkres, brand strategist with Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels. “It’s rare to find such a concentration of small hotels anywhere else in the country.”

She explains that properties have fewer than 50 rooms and are all located within Palm Springs. “Each hotel has its own personality and story,” she says. “Guests are not just booking a room—they are choosing how they want to experience the desert.”

Exploring by Bike

Palm Springs reveals itself best on two wheels.

On my first morning, I hopped on a bike and immediately understood why this is such a popular way to explore.

From downtown, it was an easy ride to the iconic Forever Marilyn statue, as the city prepares to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday.

Within minutes, streets gave way to quiet neighborhoods. Midcentury homes sat back from the road, framed by gravel, cacti and clean architectural lines.

One of my favorite detours was Twin Palms, Frank Sinatra’s former estate. Seeing it by bike felt fitting—unhurried and immersive, like stepping into a moment of Palm Springs history rather than passing by it.

“Palm Springs isn’t just something you see—it’s something you feel.”

 

A Desert Escape with a Hollywood Past 

Palm Springs did not become glamorous by accident.

During Hollywood’s Golden Age, actors were required to remain within roughly two hours of Los Angeles. Palm Springs offered distance without disconnection.

But proximity was not the real draw. Privacy was.

The desert created space—not just physical distance, but separation from expectation.

Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Bob Hope all spent time here, drawn by the ability to relax without constant attention.

Days revolved around pools and sunshine. Nights were quieter than the mythology suggests, but the stories still linger.

“What happened in Palm Springs stayed in Palm Springs.”

 

That balance between visibility and discretion remains part of the city’s identity.

Midcentury Modern and the Architects Who Defined Palm Springs 

If Palm Springs has a signature look, it is midcentury modern.

Homes are designed to work with the desert, not against it—low rooflines, natural materials and intentional use of light and space.

Architects like William Cody, Albert Frey, Hugh Kaptur, William Krisel, E. Stewart Williams and Donald Wexler helped define this style, shaping a visual identity that still holds today.  

The idea was simple—and it worked: design for the desert.  Stop by the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Center to learn of their contributions to the City. 

Exploring these neighborhoods feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into a way of life still very much alive. 

Architecture Tours and Modernism Week

One of the best ways to experience this design legacy is through an architecture and design tour. Mod Squad’s Essential Palm Springs Tour highlights the city’s most iconic midcentury modern architecture and offers context on the architects who shaped the desert modernist movement.

For those who want to go deeper, Modernism Week is held twice a year in Palm Springs—typically in early February and again in a fall preview each September. The festival opens doors to private homes and interiors that are rarely accessible, along with home tours, lectures and design events that attract enthusiasts from around the world.

Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza and The Spa at Séc-he

Wellness in Palm Springs begins with the land itself. 

This desert is home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose connection to the natural hot mineral springs spans thousands of years.

That history comes to life at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, where culture, wellness and storytelling meet.

At its center is The Spa at Séc-he, built around the ancient spring that gave Palm Springs its name.  The museum is a worthy stop. 

Spending time here feels different from a typical spa experience—more grounded, more connected and deeply rooted in place. 

Dining in Palm Springs

Shared meals unfold rather than rush.

Dinner at Peaks Restaurant begins with a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which carries you from desert floor to alpine views in minutes. At Peaks, Chef John Frisch shared his favorites, including Colorado rack of lamb and roast duck. I chose the lamb—rich, tender and perfectly suited to the mountain setting. 

At Azúcar Restaurant, sunset dining comes with sweeping mountain views and golden desert light. I ordered the Hokkaido scallop salad—bright, delicate and perfectly suited to the setting.

An evening at Melvyn’s Restaurant, the legendary dining room inside the Ingleside Estate feels like stepping into old Hollywood, where live music and classic cocktails set the tone. The Flambé Steak Diane arrives with tableside flair and a touch of nostalgia.

Breakfast at Cheeky’s is lively and local, known for strong coffee and its famous bacon flight—sweet, spicy and worth it.

Downtown Palm Springs: Design, Shopping and Energy

Palm Springs personality comes alive.

Boutiques, galleries and vintage shops line Palm Canyon Drive, creating a walkable stretch that feels curated yet approachable.

Every Thursday night, VillageFest transforms downtown into a street fair filled with music, food vendors and local makers.

I missed it this time—but it is firmly on my list for my next visit.

Festivals and Cultural Moments

At certain times of year, Palm Springs shifts from a peaceful retreat to a cultural hub.

Modernism Week celebrates architecture.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival brings a refined cinematic crowd each January.

And the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival turns the desert into a global stage.

Beyond the City

Palm Springs also works as a base for exploring the surrounding desert.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway climbs into the San Jacinto Mountains, rising from the desert floor. In just 10 minutes, the landscape shifts from cactus-studded desert to pine forest and cool alpine air. At the top, Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness opens into more than 50 miles of trails.

At Sunnylands Center & Gardens—the former estate of Walter Annenberg and Leonore Annenberg—the experience is quieter. Once a private retreat for presidents and global leaders, it now serves as an international center for diplomacy, with its gardens and visitor center open to the public.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens focuses on desert ecosystems from North America and Africa, with curated habitats, conservation programs, and walking trails that show how plants and wildlife adapt to extreme conditions.

Joshua Tree National Park stretches into a stark, sculptural landscape where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet—defined by its namesake trees, massive rock formations, and a quiet that feels expansive and uninterrupted.

Why Palm Springs Resonates

Palm Springs has a cinematic ease to it—midcentury lines, desert air and a lingering sense of Hollywood glamour just beneath the surface.

There’s a pull to it that lingers long after you’ve gone.

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Cover Photo Courtesy Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels

Sharon Kurtz is a travel writer based in Southwest Austin, just a stone’s throw from the legendary Salt Lick BBQ. When she’s not discovering new corners of the world, she’s savoring brisket and Texas sunshine at home. Follow her adventures on Instagram @shar_kurtz or connect on LinkedIn.