Group relaxing mid-tour at Arrive Hotel (Chris Pardo, Architect)

Why PS Architecture Tours?

Trevor is a passionate, experienced and engaging architecture enthusiast who loves sharing his deep knowledge of Palm Springs architecture and history with visitors from all over the world. If you're looking for a smart, friendly, informative and accommodating tour guide who can help you get the most out of your Palm Springs visit, you've come to the right place. For candid input from other tour guests, please see Trevor's reviews on Tripadvisor.

Where does the tour meet?

Meeting locations will vary depending on where guests access bikes or which route we'll be taking. Two-vehicle intensives usually begin at the official Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. Details will be included in your confirmation email. 
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What are your covid 19 protocols?

Single-vehicle driving tours probably won't resume until November, 2021. Bicycle tours and hiking tours are exclusively open-air and properly distanced. Driving tours begin with an open-air introduction after which guests will follow their guide in a separate vehicle. We will follow mask and distancing guidelines recommended by the city of Palm Springs, Riverside County, the State of California and the federal government.

How geeky are the two-vehicle intensive tours?

Palm Springs modernism traces its roots from the emergence of modernist aesthetic ideas in nineteenth century Europe to the work of early Chicago architects such as Sullivan and Wright, to the Bauhaus movement of the 20s and 30s, to modern masters such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Oscar Niemeyer, and their numerous peers and disciples. This tour assumes a basic familiarity with this history and these architects. 

Do we go inside?

All of the iconic architectural homes worth seeing inside are privately owned and not open to the public, especially during the pandemic. Visiting Palm Springs' A-list homes requires appointments with owners who charge substantial fees for cleaning, security and preservation. While we can arrange custom tours that include home interiors, our exterior tours are designed to give visitors an affordable, enriching, entertaining experience that offers a comprehensive introduction to Palm Springs history and architecture.

​The best way to see inside the best homes and buildings is to visit during Modernism Week.

How strenuous are the bike and hiking tours?

Bike tour length and relative difficulty can be adjusted to fit most levels of fitness or endurance. Hiking tours are necessarily strenuous as the popular mountain trails surrounding the city are steep, rocky and, in many places, uneven. Both bike and hiking tours are recommended for fit, healthy individuals. All riders and hikers are responsible for their own personal safety and will be expected to sign a liability waiver. Sun protection, water supply, hats and footwear, etc. are the responsibility of the guests.

Are these tours appropriate for children?

These tours are not appropriate for children. They are designed for curious adult learners and, as such, contain somewhat scholarly content regarding history and modernist architecture and design. The tours are recommended for those who can sustain active interest for two hours or more.