Things to Do
From desert landscapes to artistic havens, discover what makes this region truly special
Palm Springs
Ruth Hardy Park
What It Is
A beloved neighborhood park featuring lush grass, shaded picnic areas, tennis courts, and a popular dog park. This 22-acre oasis is perfect for morning jogs, afternoon picnics, or watching the sunset against the San Jacinto Mountains. Features 8 public tennis courts, 3 sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, picnic areas, and a, 1-mile walking path. It is open daily until 10:00 p.m
Why We Love It
Located just a quick walk from our property, Ruth Hardy Park is your backyard playground. Join locals for weekend tennis, let kids run free on the expansive lawns, or enjoy the peaceful walking paths. The park hosts community events throughout the year, making it the heart of Movie Colony East.
Twin Palms Estate
What It Is
Frank Sinatra's iconic mid-century modern home, designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1947. This architectural masterpiece features the famous piano-shaped pool and represents the golden age of Palm Springs glamour.
Why We Love It
Experience authentic Palm Springs history in the same neighborhood where Ol' Blue Eyes once entertained the Rat Pack. The Twin Palms Estate embodies the mid-century modern aesthetic that defines our area. While private, the exterior and grounds can be viewed from the street, offering a glimpse into Hollywood's desert playground.
Robolights
What It Is
An extraordinary art installation featuring thousands of lights, found objects, and whimsical sculptures created by artist Kenny Irwin Jr. Open seasonally (typically December through January), this free outdoor gallery transforms a residential property into a magical wonderland.
Why We Love It
This quirky, beloved Palm Springs tradition is completely free and uniquely California. Walk through tunnels of light, discover hidden sculptures, and experience art that brings pure joy. It's a neighborhood treasure that perfectly captures Palm Springs' creative, unconventional spirit.
Palm Springs Art Museum
What It Is
A world-class art museum featuring modern and contemporary art, Native American art, natural science, and performing arts. The museum's collection includes works by glass artist Dale Chihuly, photography, and significant California desert modernist architecture exhibits.
Why We Love It
Immerse yourself in world-class art and culture right in downtown Palm Springs. Free every Thursday evening, the museum offers rotating exhibitions, sculpture gardens, and engaging programs. The architecture alone is worth the visit, with stunning mid-century modern design and natural light-filled galleries.
Desert X Art Installations
What It Is
A free, recurring biennial contemporary art exhibition that transforms the Coachella Valley into an open-air museum. Large-scale installations by internationally renowned artists are placed throughout the desert landscape, creating dialogue between art, desert, and environment.
Why We Love It
Experience cutting-edge contemporary art in one of the world's most unique settings. Desert X installations are free, accessible 24/7, and offer stunning photo opportunities. Each biennial brings fresh perspectives and thought-provoking works that respond to the desert environment and regional issues.
Downtown Palm Springs
What It Is
The vibrant heart of Palm Springs featuring world-class dining, boutique shopping, art galleries, and mid-century modern architecture. Palm Canyon Drive stretches for miles, offering everything from upscale restaurants to vintage shops and outdoor cafes.
Why We Love It
Just minutes from our property, downtown offers endless exploration. Start your morning with artisan coffee, browse vintage furniture stores, enjoy al fresco dining, and experience the thriving arts scene. Thursday nights bring VillageFest, a beloved street fair with local vendors, live music, and fresh produce.
VillageFest Street Fair
What It Is
Palm Springs' famous Thursday night street fair featuring over 200 vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, vintage goods, and street food. Live entertainment, food trucks, and a festive atmosphere make this a weekly celebration.
Why We Love It
Experience authentic Palm Springs community spirit every Thursday evening (October through May). Sample local dates, discover unique gifts, enjoy live music, and mingle with locals and visitors alike. It's the perfect way to spend a warm desert evening.
What It Is
PHYLUM is a modernist mercantile and curated design shop. It offers a thoughtfully selected collection of elevated home goods, lifestyle products, gifts, and accessories sourced from California and around the world — with an emphasis on modern design, color, and enduring function. From serveware and bar tools to apothecary items and artful objects, every piece celebrates craftsmanship and everyday beauty.
Why We Love It
We love PHYLUM because it turns everyday living into an artful experience: the curation is impeccable, blending iconic design with fresh, colorful finds that feel both timeless and joyful. Their attention to detail — from complimentary signature gift wrap to local delivery and exceptional service — elevates shopping into something special. Whether you’re outfitting your home or searching for a meaningful gift, PHYLUM makes thoughtful design accessible and delightful.
The Modernist & Modern Way
What It Is
Two adjacent shops specializing in authentic mid-century modern furniture, lighting, and decor. The Modernist focuses on museum-quality vintage pieces, while Modern Way offers carefully selected vintage finds and contemporary designs inspired by the era.
Why We Love It
For design enthusiasts and collectors, these shops are treasure troves of authentic mid-century modern pieces. Whether you're furnishing a home or looking for that perfect vintage lamp, the knowledgeable staff can help you find exactly what you need. Many pieces are restored to pristine condition.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
What It Is
Contemporary American cuisine with Mediterranean influences, served in a stunning indoor-outdoor space. Chef Michael Beckman creates seasonal menus using local ingredients, complemented by an extensive wine program and craft cocktails.
Why We Love It
One of Palm Springs' most acclaimed restaurants, Workshop offers an exceptional dining experience in a beautiful mid-century modern setting. The open kitchen, garden patio, and impeccable service make it perfect for special occasions. Reservations strongly recommended.
What It Is
A beloved breakfast and lunch spot known for creative takes on classics using local, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes weekly based on what's fresh and available. Famous for their bacon flights, house-made everything, and inventive vegetarian options.
Why We Love It
This is where locals go for weekend brunch. Expect a wait (it's worth it), but the outdoor patio and friendly service make the time fly by. The rotating menu means you'll always discover something new. Cash only, but there's an ATM nearby.
4 Saints
What It Is
A stunning rooftop bar and lounge atop the Rowan Palm Springs hotel. This elevated oasis offers craft cocktails, shareables, and breathtaking 360-degree views of Palm Springs and the surrounding mountains. The modern, stylish space features fire pits, plush seating, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Why We Love It
Experience Palm Springs from above at this Instagram-worthy rooftop destination. Perfect for sunset cocktails with panoramic desert and mountain views. The sophisticated yet relaxed vibe makes it ideal for special occasions or a memorable night out. Reservations recommended, especially for sunset.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
What It Is
The world's largest rotating tramcar ascends 8,516 feet from the desert floor to the pristine wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park. The 10-minute journey offers breathtaking views and leads to over 50 miles of hiking trails, with temperatures typically 30-40 degrees cooler than the valley.
Why We Love It
Experience two ecosystems in one day. Escape the desert heat and discover alpine forests, scenic overlooks, and excellent hiking trails. The rotating tramcar provides 360-degree views during the ascent. At the top, enjoy the Mountain Station with dining, observation decks, and the natural history museum. In winter, you might find snow while it's sunny in the valley below.
Spas
What It Is
Named for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' ancestral hot mineral springs, Sec-he is a sanctuary rooted in Native healing traditions. The spa features thermal mineral soaking pools, indigenous plant-based treatments, and immersive rituals that honor the land's sacred history — from hot stone massages to desert-inspired body wraps informed by centuries of Cahuilla healing practice.
Why We Love It
This is the only spa in Palm Springs where you can soak in the same thermal mineral waters revered by the Agua Caliente people for centuries. The combination of world-class service, indigenous-inspired treatments, and the stunning resort setting makes Sec-he a truly one-of-a-kind experience — deeply rooted in place and purpose.
Grounded BodyWorks
What It Is
A beloved boutique wellness studio in the heart of Palm Springs, Grounded BodyWorks offers deeply therapeutic massage and bodywork by skilled, intuitive practitioners. Specializing in Swedish, deep tissue, and integrative bodywork, the studio prioritizes intentional touch and genuine healing in a calm, welcoming environment free of resort pretense.
Why We Love It
When you want a truly therapeutic massage without the resort price tag, Grounded BodyWorks delivers exceptional results. The practitioners are highly skilled, the vibe is unpretentious and calming, and locals swear by it. A neighborhood gem that punches well above its weight.
Palm Springs Yacht Club at The Parker
What It Is
The Palm Springs Yacht Club at the iconic Parker Palm Springs is a spa experience as playful as it is luxurious. Set within Jonathan Adler's boldly designed mid-century hotel, the spa features an indoor pool, steam rooms, and a full menu of treatments — from deep tissue massage to custom facials and body wraps — all wrapped in theatrical nautical decor.
Why We Love It
The Parker is one of Palm Springs' most celebrated design hotels, and the Yacht Club spa lives up to that reputation. It's theatrical, fun, and genuinely restorative. Whether you book a pre-dinner massage or a full day of pampering, the experience is polished, playful, and utterly unlike anything else in the desert.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Spa
What It Is
Set within the lush grounds of the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage, this full-service resort spa offers an extensive menu of massages, facials, body treatments, and wellness rituals. A tranquil atmosphere, expert therapists, and access to the resort's magnificent pool complex make it perfect for a full day of restoration in the Coachella Valley.
Why We Love It
When you want a true resort spa day, Omni Rancho Las Palmas delivers. The expansive treatment menu, gorgeous manicured grounds, and the option to pair your spa visit with the resort's incredible pool make it ideal for a leisurely day trip. Just 15 minutes from Hermosa House, it is absolutely worth the short drive.
Joshua Tree & Beyond
Joshua Tree National Park
What It Is
A surreal desert landscape where two distinct desert ecosystems—the Mojave and Colorado—meet. Famous for its twisted Joshua trees, massive boulder formations, and stunning starry skies. Offers hiking, rock climbing, and incredible photography opportunities across 790,000 acres.
Why We Love It
An essential desert experience just 45 minutes from Palm Springs. Sunrise and sunset transform the landscape into something magical. Don't miss Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View for panoramic vistas, and Hidden Valley for easy hiking among massive boulders. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Integratron Sound Baths
What It Is
A unique dome structure built in the 1950s for acoustically perfect sound baths. The all-wood, multi-story cupola dome was designed with sacred geometry principles. Sound bath sessions use crystal singing bowls to create an immersive, meditative sonic experience.
Why We Love It
One of the most unusual and memorable experiences in the high desert. The acoustics inside the dome are unlike anything else—pure, resonant, and deeply relaxing. Reservations required and often book weeks in advance. Located about an hour from Palm Springs, it's worth the journey for this one-of-a-kind experience.