Six days during Modernism Week or anytime — architecture tours, Sunnylands, three days in Joshua Tree, and the complete Palm Springs experience.
Afternoon architecture walk through the Movie Colony and Vista Las Palmas, then the old-school Rat Pack experience at Melvyn's for dinner.
PSP is a small regional airport — 10 minutes from downtown. Security takes 15 minutes. The terminal is pleasant. Book directly into PSP rather than LAX when possible; even if the fare is $30 more, the time saved is enormous.
Week-long base — the pools, the spa, and the Norma's restaurant for breakfast. The Palm Springs Art Museum is a 5-minute walk. Rates $350–600/night.
The Palm Springs Art Museum has a strong Native American art and glass collection. Combine it with the Frey House II (Albert Frey's house built into a rock formation above the city) — tours are by appointment through the museum.
Sunnylands estate tour in the morning (book in advance), then drive to El Paseo shopping and dining strip in Palm Desert for lunch. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is worth 2 hours if it fits.
Leave at 7 AM, enter at the south entrance (Cottonwood Springs). Work north through the park — Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Hidden Valley, Keys View. Exit the north side and drive back to Palm Springs.
Morning tram for the mountain views, then back for an afternoon spa session at The Parker. The contrast between 8,500 feet and a massage table is extreme and earned.
Modernism Week (second week of February) is the biggest event of the year — home tours, parties, lectures, and bus tours that sell out. Hotel prices double; some properties book out within hours of going on sale. If this is why you're going, set a reminder for the day tickets go on sale.
Thursday VillageFest is the send-off — walk Palm Canyon Drive, buy something at the antique dealers, and have a last coffee at the Cheeky's counter.
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