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Desert Art Guide

Historic Palm Springs Neighborhoods

Updated: Nov 25, 2020

Some of the best history, characters, and color of Palm Springs unfold in its distinctive neighborhoods from the traditional ones developed from the 1920s until shortly after World War II to the mid century modern enclaves.The city recognizes 32 neighborhoods and has plans to designate more “official” ones. Below is a look into a few of the most recognizable neighborhoods in Palm Springs.


Vista Las Palmas


Directly west of Palm Canyon Drive and west of Monte Vista St, these homes are tucked just underneath the beautiful San Jacinto mountains. The largest Alexander homes were built here and it’s no wonder so many holiday stars had homes in this part of town. Nat King Cole and Marilyn Monroe lived just a couple doors down from one another in this neighborhood. This is where you will see the majority of A-frame/Swiss Miss homes.


Twin Palms


Just north of Indian Canyons, North of La Verne Way but South of E Palm Canyon Drive, is the first neighborhood in Palm Springs where Alexander homes were built. The neighborhood got its name due to the two palm trees that were planted on each property. This is the best neighborhood for butterfly roofs which are roofs where two panels meet in the middle and slope upward, resembling the wings of a butterfly.


Movie Colony East


As Palm Springs grew in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, the Movie Colony expanded east from Palm Canyon Drive toward what's now Ruth Hardy Park and beyond. In contrast to the large estates in the Old Las Palmas area, this was where stars built smaller getaways. Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra all lived here. The homes here feature a mix of styles, from mid century modern to California ranch houses to walled estates.


Old Las Palmas


Old Las Palmas is a popular vacation destination for many starts. From Katherine Hepburn to Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood's members have been enjoying all this ultra-luxurious community has to offer. This Palm Springs neighborhood is one of the most prestigious in the city, and you will find numerous multi-million dollar estates in this area.


Indian Canyons


Once the exclusive domain of the Agua Caliente Indians, development began on the Indian Canyons Neighborhood in the early 1960s and the first golfers teed off at the Canyon Country Club golf course in October 1962. The iconic clubhouse was designed by famed architects Donald Wexler and Ric Harrison. The Canyon Country Club, now known as the Indian Canyons North Course, was the first 18-hole golf course in Palm Springs.


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