Palm Springs 2026
Jason and I returned to the SoCal desert for our annual winter getaway, this time with Seattle friends Roman, Danny, and Brian in tow.
Our home base was a tastefully remodeled bungalow in the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood. The owners, an architect and an interior designer, had transformed it into a beautiful but not-too-precious showcase of Modern design.
Palm Springs was its usual easy-breezy self, full of succulents, sunshine, and tanned retirees. We split our time between day hikes, tasty meals, and lounging by the pool. As far as vacations go, it doesn't really get much easier or more relaxing.
Several great hikes begin literally steps from the place we rented, including Tahquitz Canyon, which is carved into the steep granite that rises directly behind the city.
Despite being a gentle climb near town, it delivers. The surrounding hillsides wore a healthy coat of green, thanks to a wetter-than-normal winter, and the signature falls did not disappoint.
We also ventured onto the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. In a dramatic 11-minute climb, it whisks passengers from the hot valley floor to the cool alpine meadows in the shadow of 10,834-foot San Jacinto Peak.
From there, we enjoyed spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes, stretching all the way to the Salton Sea and beyond.
On the ride down, we were fortunate to have legendary tram operator Gil Moreno at the helm. He distracted us from the vertigo-inducing drops by blasting crowd-pleasers like Sweet Caroline through the loudspeakers, transforming the packed car into a mobile disco with a view.
On our final day, we took in a bit of culture, touring the surprisingly rich collection at Palm Springs Art Museum, which itself is a great example of design.
Currently on display is the first U.S. retrospective on Howard Smith, a fascinating multimedia artist who is finally getting some long-overdue recognition. His ceramic pieces, in particular, were a standout for me.
It was also a treat to see the freshly restored Aluminaire House. The Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher design still looks shockingly new, despite being almost a century old.
It's always a touch bittersweet when it comes time to pack up our shorts and T-shirts and head back to Seattle.
I do love the warm desert sunshine, but after a week or so, my skin and eyes welcome a return to the cool grey skies of home.
Thanks for another great visit, P.S. I'm sure we'll be back again. In the meantime, here are a few more snaps from the trip:
