Palm Springs
visions: we used to think of the place as full of
blue-haired movie star widows, and a deserted place in the
summers.
Well, the area has
changed: there is a vibrant arts community, an equally
vibrant gay community, and the place is crawling with tourists
all summer. But everything is relative.
Some restaurants
close for the summer and the hotels deeply discount their room
rates sometime after mid-June (or after July 4th in some
cases -- due to increasing popularity). If you are
there mid-week, you'll still have the place to
yourself.
| PROPERTY |
THE INGLESIDE INN |
| ADDRESS |
200 WEST RAMON ROAD -- PALM
SPRINGS, CA 92264 |
| TELEPHONE |
760.325.0046 OR
800.772.6655 |
| WEB |
www.inglesideinn.com
ingleside@earthlink.net |
Alternative
accommodations would include The Willows (760.320.0771) and
Villa Royale (760.327.2314). In winter with high rates,
you might consider Casa Cody to keep costs under
control.
The Ingleside Inn, formerly the
Humphrey Birge Estate (heirs to the Pierce Arrow automobile
family), was placed on the national Register of Historic
places in 1990. Gu ests at Ingleside have included Marlon
Brando, Bette Davis, Salvador Dali, and Peter Lorre. Winter
guests this year included Mr. Blackwell and George
Segal.
WHEN TO GO AND HOW
TO GET THERE:
- Take Highway 111 through the heart of old Palm Springs,
turn right on Ramon Road
- Come to Palm Springs in July or August for lighter
crowds and greater room discounts
| INGLESIDE
INN |
- 29 ROOMS
- POOL AND
JACUZZI
- MELVYN'S
RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
- CONTINENTAL
BREAKFAST SERVED TO YOUR
ROOM
|
| MUDHOLE-RATING |
|
 |
QUIRKINESS |
 |
ACCOMMODATIONS |
 |
GOOD AREA FOOD |
 |
DIVERSIONS |
 |
COST |
The large
and private swimming pool is generally best before 11am and
after 4pm, due to the heat. Even at these preferred
times, there are usually no more than six persons at the pool
(plus assorted rabbits and
hummingbirds).
| ATTRACTIONS
|
|
WHITEWATER TROUT COMPANY
(760.325.5570) NOTE: Whitewater Retreat at
325-9815 appears to be some sort of Rehabilitation
Center.
HIKE THE
INDIAN CANYONS
TAHQUITZ
CANYON (RECENTLY RE-OPENED)
MOORTEN
"DESERTLAND" BOTANICAL GARDEN (FOUNDED IN 1938)
RUDY'S 1930s
GENERAL STORE MUSEUM (760.327.2156)
PALM SPRINGS
AIR MUSEUM (760.778.6262)
LIVING DESERT
WILDLIFE AND BOTANICAL PARK
(760.346.5694)
EUROPA
RESTAURANT AT THE VILLA ROYALE (760.327.2314)
BAMBOO LOUNGE
AT THE RACQUET CLUB (closed June
2003)
PALAPAS OF ARABY
COVE NURSERY AND ART CENTER
ODD METAL SCULPTURES
(THE BANE OF ALL THE NEIGHBORS, WE BELIEVE)
AT THE
CROSS-STREETS OF ARQUILLA-VAL
MONTE-CABALLEROS
STREETFEST IN
DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS EVERY THURSDAY EVENING
(WARNING: VERY
CROWDED |
With so many recommendations for
things to do, we would like to emphasize the Palapas of Araby
Cove Nursery and Art Center -- the place is quite unusual and
you may find it entertaining. This fourteen acre
property had formerly been known as Neel's Nursery for more
than fifty years. For more information, try: palapas@ix.netcom.com
Another pasttime here is driving by dead movie stars' homes (a
suggestion -- print out mapquest maps prior to taking this
road trip):
- Liberace at 1441 Kaweah or 501
North Belardo Road
- Elvis at 1350 Ladera
Circle
- Kirk Douglas at 515 Via
Lola
- Dinah Shore at 432 West
Hermosa Place
- Frank Sinatra at 1454 East Via
Colusa
- Cary Grant at 928 Avenida
Palmas
| RESTAURANT
RECOMMENDATIONS |
- MELVYN'S
- CAFE
EUROPA
- HAMBURGER HAMLET
- PALMIE
RESTAURANT (760.320.3375) -- WINTER
ONLY
- MYKONOS
(CLOSED TUESDAYS) 322-0223 AT 139 EAST ANDREAS ROAD IN PALM
SPRINGS
- ROCK GARDEN CAFE
(wear a raincoat due to the over-zealous
misters)
|
There are many small hotels and
B&B's in the Palm Springs area of interest. Simply
from a drive-by perspective, one might
inviestigate:
For the hiker, there are numerous
choices:
- The hills (west) behind
the Tennis Club most easily accessed from the termination of
Ramon Road
- Tahquitz Canyon (guided
tours only; closes the first week of June for the
summer)
- The Indian Canyons ($6.00
daily admission); the Murray Canyon Trail to the Seven
sisters waterfalls is particularly nice and
partly-shaded. Most visitors take the Palm Canyon
trails instead.
 We last visited this property in June
2003. This location was visited several times earlier,
with documentation verifying 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998 to
Ingleside and 2000 to Casa Cody.
| 
