A tourist destination since the late 19th century, Palm Springs evolved into an ideal hideaway for early Hollywood celebrities who slipped into town to play tennis, lounge poolside, attend a party or two, and, unless things got out of hand, steer clear of gossip columnists. But the area blossomed in the 1930s, after actors Charlie Farrell and Ralph Bellamy bought 200 acres of land for $30 an acre and opened the Palm Springs Racquet Club, which soon listed Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, and Clark Gable among its members.
Today, Palm Springs is embracing its glory days. Owners of resorts, B&Bs, and galleries have renovated mid-century modern buildings, luring a new crop of celebs and high-powered executives. LGBTQ+ travelers, twentysomethings, and families also sojourn here. Pleasantly touristy Palm Canyon Drive is packed with alfresco restaurants, along with indoor cafés and semi-chic shops. Farther west is the Uptown Design District, the area’s shopping and dining destination. Continuing east on Palm Canyon Drive, just outside downtown lie resorts and boutique hotels that host lively pool parties and house exclusive dining establishments and trendy bars.
