Desert bound? Take a look at our Palm Springs travel guide, as chosen by the Atomic Ranch team.
Since 2016, the Atomic Ranch staff has called Palm Springs our home away from home. As a proud sponsor of Modernism Week, we’ve come to the desert to host talks, tours and rub elbows with industry leaders and Mid Century Modern enthusiasts alike. With that comes the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the many things the city has to offer by way of stays, eats and entertainment! So, here’s our list of top picks from the desert for anyone planning to visit and enjoy the historic sights and more.
Best Places to Stay
1. Orbit In Hotel
Enjoy a couple of Orbitinis around the boomerang bar or lounge by the bikini pool for a stay that is a true blast from the past at this small and private boutique hotel. Orbitin.com.
2. Del Marcos Hotel
Opened in 1947 and designed by William Cody, this was one of the first hotel properties to depart from the area’s Spanish Colonial Revival styles to herald the arrival of the mid-century in the desert. Delmarcos.com.

3. Parker Palm Springs
“Groovy modern architecture meets Hollywood glamour” was what designer Jonathan Adler was going for when designing the Parker, which was formerly the Gene Autry residence. His unique vintage finds and artful assemblages certainly make for a memorable and photo-worthy stay. Parkerpalmsprings.com.
4. The Holiday House
At this Herbert Burns-designed property originally built in 1951, you’ll find mid-century furnishings and vibrant color and pattern mixed with rich textures to capture the spirit of Palm Springs resort life. Holidayhouseps.com.

5. L’Horizon Hotel
Another of the famed Golden Era escapes, L’Horizon was built in 1952 and designed by William Cody. It’s a chic pick if you want to stay where everyone from Marilyn Monroe to a couple of U.S. presidents have stayed. Lhorizonpalmsprings.com.
Best Things to Do
1. Agua Caliente Resort
With properties in Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and Palm Springs, it’s easy to step inside an Agua Caliente resort and escape into a different type of excitement and luxury. From live music and a premier casino to fine dining and shopping, it’s 24-hour entertainment at your fingertips. Or try the newly opened Spa at Séc-he at the Palm Springs location. With the sacred mineral springs of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians as the muse of the setting, the spa is as much of a cultural experience as it is a healing one.
2. Palm Springs Air Museum
Home to one of the world’s largest collections of static & flyable aircraft during the mid-century, there is always something new at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Unlike other museums, there are no ropes to keep you from interacting with exhibits here. Get up-close and personal with your favorite aircrafts and enjoy exhibits that allow all ages to gain a fresh perspective of the history of U.S. military operations from the past 100 years.
3. Indian Canyons Golf Resort
Built in 1961, this once-private club was a favorite haunt of Hollywood celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Jackie Gleason. Former U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Lyndon B. Johnson, also walked these fairways.

4. Palm Springs Art Museum
Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Palm Springs Art Museum has 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, resource centers, an 85-seat lecture hall, a 433-seat theater and a popular bistro.
5. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
As the world’s largest rotating tram car, which travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, there is no better way to take in Palm Springs. Since 1963, over 20 million people have traveled this 10-minute excursion.
Best Places to Eat
1. Trio


Dine in a beautiful historic building designed by John Porter Clark and Albert Frey with a newly remodeled interior to match. Specializing in quality regional ingredients often from local farmers, Trio has been our pick for a special Atomic Ranch team dinner or two! Triopalmsprings.com.
Photo courtesy of Trio
2. Farm
It’s not hard to pack in the charm when you’re dining in a garden patio setting with a menu straight from the south of France. Farm manages to be a rustic and delicious oasis in the desert. Farmpalmsprings.com.
3. Chicken Ranch
Looking for a fast and fresh lunch? This sunny eatery serves delicious sandwiches and salads along with a nice menu of local beers. It’s often a first stop when the team arrives into town and fuels up for a day of building our booth at the Palm Springs Modernism Show. Eatchickenranch.com.
4. Kings Highway
We’ve never made it to the Monday night drag bingo, but this cozy and effortlessly cool diner is a fabulous late-night option. Located inside the Ace Hotel, it’s also conveniently adjacent to the Amigo Room bar. Kingshighwaydiner.com.
5. 1501 Uptown Gastropub
With unfussy food that manages to be both hearty and elegant, and a great selection of vibrant drinks, this ticks off all the boxes. 1501uptown.com.
6. Boozehounds
Fun atomosphere, darling décor and dog friendly… what more could you ask for? Well, Boozehounds also serves vibrant, memorable dishes and, of course, great cocktails. And this rather large establishment is great for accommodating big groups or just for scoring a last-minute weekend reservation. Boozehoundsps.com.
7. The Sandwich Spot
This is the Atomic Ranch go-to for a quick takeout lunch in-between group projects. Sandwiches don names worthy of the Desert Open like The Racquet Club, the Dinah, the Indian Wells and the Federer. No matter what you get, it’s all about the Dutch crunch bread. Thesandwichspot.com.
8. Kaiser Grille
Housed in a building designed in 1956 by E. Stewart Williams, Kaiser Grille has been serving the Palm Springs community for more than 30 years. Its great wraparound patio offers great open-air dining (complete with a fire pit that’s available for reservations) and people watching, while the handsome and cozy interior is great for a special night out. Kaisergrille.com.
Best Places to Shop


1. B Just Fabulous
The perfect first stop in town, this delightful gift boutique and bookstore sets the tone for a Palm Springs getaway. With cool artsy inventory, an extensive selection of books about the region and a ton of fun and funny finds, the shop is a whole happy experience. Bjustfab.com.
2. Grace Home Furnishings and Grace Home Gallery

Ready for a dose of refined taste and bespoke style? This stylish pair of shops—with an aesthetic that combines East Coast elegance and Old Hollywood glamour offers just that, with a sophisticated selection of furniture as well as unique and collectible art. Gracehomefurnishings.com.
3. H3K Home + Design Showroom
It’s no surprise that the design duo of Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper, known for some of the best and most exciting Mid Century Modern interior design in town have created a shopping destination that encapsulates what the city is all about. Find MCM-inspired furniture, décor, gifts and accessories that allow you to bring Palm Springs style back home with you. H3khome.com.
4. Destination PSP
Like a love letter to the desert, Destination PSP is a boutique that carries everything from books and home goods to clothes and accessories, many of which are store originals. The owner’s goals? To offer a range of finds that celebrate the city’s rich design history, events and people. Destinationpsp.com.
5. Trina Turk and Mr. Turk
Ready to upgrade to the quintessential Palm Springs ensemble? Head to this pair of chic boutiques that offer the designer’s apparel, accessories and home décor that feature her signature use of color and pattern that have become the de rigueur desert uniform. Trinaturk.com.
6. Revivals
If the thrill of the hunt is what you’re seeking, Revivals is your treasure map’s starting point. You’ll find great treasures in the way of clothes, jewelry, small home goods and furniture at this nonprofit thrift and consignment store for the Desert Aids Project. Revivalsstores.com.
7. Market Market
Wear your comfy shoes. Market Market is 40,000 square feet of fine vintage, repurposed and one-of-a-kind housewares, clothes, accessories and furniture in an elegantly curates space.
8. The Fine Art of Design
Be amazed by this curated and color-coded vintage clothing store that mixes designer pieces and unique finds. Thefineartofdesign.com.
9. Tile Designs by Fina

Feel like a kid in a design candy store at this must-see showroom filled with more than 90 tile vendors in every application you can think of. Come for the inspiration or to consult with one of Fina’s knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Getting excited for Modernism Week? We are too. Read on about the event, and find out where to catch Atomic Ranch specifically: Visit the Star-Studded Ocotillo Lodge, Live at a Little Beverly Hills Gem and Step Inside a Sackley Chase Sensation.
For more information on Palm Springs Modernism Week, visit Modernism-week.com. Before you go, brush up on Key Palm Springs Architecture Terms. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!