We did the Celebrity Haven tour and our docent, Dan, was fantastic - friendly and very…read moreknowledgeable. The day of our tour was unseasonably hot and he did a great job of keeping us in the shade. It was an interesting tour and we learned a lot about Palm Springs history and architecture. Highly recommend this tour!

Five years ago we were scheduled to visit Palm Springs and then covid struck. We canceled our trip…read moreand the walking tour with this group. To our surprise they refunded our tickets. We didn't expect that from a not-for-profit. Very nice. So five years later we are back and we booked the Rat Pack walking tour ($40/person) for a 2.5 hour tour. We met our excellent guide David in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood. We go on many historic and architectural tours/walking tours at home and when we travel and this one was exceptional. David did a great job blending architecture, history and Hollywood glitz in his tour. He knew his stuff and he did it with great humor. The pictures also helped. He also did a good job of keeping us in the shade since it was zooming towards 90 degrees. We cannot recommend this tour enough especially if David is leading it. When we return I will look into other Historical Society tours and hope David is our guide!

Not much on display. A few fashion photos, no architecture. Cheeky volunteer. No place to sit…read more Bathroom was fine fine

As a valley resident, I had a wonderful time on our tour learning about modern architecture. There…read morewere locations that I never even knew existed, let alone the history of those buildings. Our tour guide Tommy made the experience one of a kind. His passion and expertise kept me engaged throughout the 2.5 hour tour. I want to thank our driver Tammy as she made sure we all stayed on course and on time. I would highly recommend everyone to try this tour and see what Palm Springs has to offer.

I was recently in Palm Springs for a look-around. I told a friend I was going and he said the most…read moreimportant thing I could do was to go on the Modern Tour, to see the wonders of Palm Springs architecture from an insider's perspective. So I joined the caravan, piloted by Michael Stern, a scholar and expert on the subject. He guided us on a curated tour of fascinating places that made me realize Palm Springs is unique in the American experience, a world unto itself. Seeing the design sophistication of these homes was life-changing for me; I felt Palm Springs was the place I'd been looking for, and have begun looking at homes there. Michael's tour inspired me, and made me see the world differently. Don't miss it.

It was very enjoyable tour. It started in their office. Water and snacks available gratis. One…read morelovely book for sale if you want. Copies of the books go with you and are referenced during the trip. There is a car caravan and Bluetooth commentary by a knowledgeable Micheal. A shared transport vehicle is also available. He discusses different neighborhoods and points out notable homes. We signed up for the 2 home tour. They were beautiful and we learned so much during our tour. Pro tip. Wear shoes easy to slip off in case you tour a home where you need to remove your shoes. He will answer all your questions and is obviously passionate about the subject. Was it cheap, no. Was it worth it? Yes. Money well spent.

When visiting Palm Desert in mid-February, the concierge recommended the Legends & Icons tour with…read moreFive Star. We met up with Annette and her sprinter van which was packed to the gills! We got the very last seats in the back with our friends. It was an unseasonably cold day with pouring rain. PS gets 1-4" rain per year, and received 1" of that on the day of our tour! Annette said the heat was on (and I did feel it further upfront when disembarking), but I was freezing the entire time in the last set of seats. The tour itself was good - Annette was full of stories and very entertaining. We were glad we opted for a guided tour like this versus a self-guided walking tour. It lasted close to 2 hrs and costs $130/person. Note that the tour did NOT include the tour of the Rat Pack Hideway specifically listed on their website tour description spelled out below. The asterisk they added just lists the people who partied and played, and the elongated plus sign was probably meant to be a disclaimer that we may not see this property, but there is no such disclaimer or explanation of that symbol anywhere that I could find on their site. "The Rat Pack Hideaway: Tour the private property of The Rat Pack Hideaway, where Frank, Dino, and Sammy partied and played.*† ( We are the only company given access to exclusive movie star properties.)" Regardless, the tour was good with lots of info and recommendations for places to eat and explore further (although covered so quickly the none of us could recall specifics after we left!) It was hard to see much of some homes, hidden behind gates/landscaping. A tour of an actual home, such as the Rat Pack hangout, would have been awesome.

We have been coming to Palm Springs for several decades and finally decided to do a tour of it. Of…read morecourse I didn't know of any so I went on Yelp. Found this one and another and according to the number of reviews, reviews themselves, and availability went with Five Star. The worst issue we had was finding them in downtown Palm Springs and that is because there isn't an actual building you are looking for. It's a pick up location. When I booked the tour I was told it was somewhat tricky to find them and boy they were not kidding. So if you are reading my review here is the tip, park in the parking structure located on the corner of Indian Canyon Drive and Baristo Road (in Palm Springs not Cathedral City) The Bank Dispensary is seeable from the structure. After parking, walk out of the structure onto Baristo Road and hang out on the Baristo Road by the parking structure and The Five Star black van will pull up and load all in. I tried calling about 5 times into the office because I was so lost and fearful I would be left behind. I was getting very flustered nobody was taking my call or returning it. "Why not?" I asked since they were giving a tour. However come to find out they only had one van operating with one tour guide since people just aren't going back to work these days after the pandemic so I needed to ease up on my frustration. Annette was our tour guide and she was very apologetic about it all. She was an amazing tour guide!!! So much information to share with us (8 of us total). We saw so many stars homes. She didn't lack on info or comedy. We loved her. She even had info on the land and the local Indian tribes which was fascinating in it self. The van fit all of us comfortably and it was nice and cool. One guest did sit in the front seat so that helped us three in the way back not feel so cramped. We made one stop at Frank Sinatra's house to get out and take a pic otherwise we were in the van the entire, maybe 2 hours. As we drove back to the pick up/drop off location, she pointed out all the yummy food restaurants which was great. She really knew her Palm Springs history and more. I'd go on this tour again with her. It was something well worth spending your money on especially with Annette. Make sure to get out and get a pic at Sinatra's house, you won't be disappointed because Annette will surprise you with a photo ((wink, wink)).

We had a great tour with Rosemary! What a fun and fabulous way to see Palm Springs. We arrived…read morethere a few minutes early and check in was a breeze. We got to meet our hostess Rosemary, had fun dressing up, and taking pictures with her before our tour started. She was a wonderful guide and we learned so much about the rich history of Palm Springs. She also threw out recommendations for restaurants and activities to do while we were in the area, which we really appreciated. It was a smooth ride around town in their air conditioned bus. We were provided with fans and water bottles as well. Bonus that you can bring your own alcohol! We each brought a cup of wine with lids with us. And don't forget to tip your hostess!

When a family member heard we were going to PS she recommended Drag & Fly Tours and I texted her…read morewithin our first 5 minutes of the tour to thank her because I already knew it was a great call. I wanted to check if I could have my small dog with me before booking the tour and they were very easy to reach and communicate with by email. Booking the tour online was easy and when they had to move the tour up by a half hour they reached out to ensure that worked with our scheudle. We arrived a few minutes before the start of our tour and were able to meet Kevin and our tour guide Rosemary and take some fun pictures. The tour bus and driver are great! We had so much fun seeing the sights, hearing stories and learning about the history of Palm Springs. The tour took us past iconic homes, landmarks and the highlights of the tour which for us were Robolights and the Trixie Motel since we had watched the renovation show. This tour was a blast!

We rented bikes for a half day ride while we were vacationing in the area. Every staff member we…read moreencountered was friendly and helpful. They had a few styles of bikes to rent, we chose the hybrid type of bike. It was easy to arrange bike rental and felt it was a great value. They were really helpful in suggesting routes to take, and their map was very useful. I'd highly recommend them!

We recently had the opportunity to visit Palm Springs for a few days. My wife and I brought our own…read moree-bikes along, and so we followed the local bike trails that we knew. For lunch we made a stop at Sherman's Deli which shouldn't be missed. Upon starting our 6 mile ride back to the hotel, we discovered that one of our bikes had a rear flat tire. It's always the rear, isn't it? What could be harder to change than a rear flat on a 65 lb e-bike, assuming I had brought a wrench. I could have ridden back solo, brought back the car and bike rack, picked up the broken bike and then drove back to the hotel. But, then we'd still have a bike with a flat with a few more days left in our trip. (sigh)... Hoping for the best, we did a Google search for bike shops in the area. That's when we found BIKE Palm Springs nearby. They were a bike rental shop, but maybe they'd help us. I rode the working bike over to BIKE PS and asked, and they said "no problem"! About 20 minutes later, Tony had put in a new heavy duty up-graded tube, replacing our thin standard tube that wouldn't hold up to the 'goat heads' that can be found on the trail, and had us ready to go again. We had some time to look their shop over while we waited - great helpful staff, clean shop, and nice well-maintained RAD and Aventon E-bikes. You couldn't ask for much more, we've ridden both in the past and liked them. So a big thank you to Tony and the rest of the staff that helped us at BIKE Palm Springs. You saved our day!

Yummy place! If I could I would come here weekly because it's so delicious. Nice staff and the…read morestore is clean.

MY 600TH REVIEW!!!!…read more I wanted to save #600 for someone special and Desert Star is the best! I was looking for a quality, reasonably priced hotel for a quick trip to Palm Springs and Yelp sent me the right way on this one for sure! These are just some of the things we loved: -calm atmosphere without being stuffy -bikes to use while you are there -bungalows with all the cooking facilities to make you feel at home -postcards pre-stamped in the room so we could write our friends -super stylish digs -nicely maintained pool area with fire pit -our own private patio with fire pit and BBQ -really, really sweet hosts who made us feel totally at home I just can't say enough good things about out experience. I have stayed at some super expensive 5 star hotels all over the world and nothing compared to this. This is hands down my favorite place I have ever stayed. When I am stressed out and wanting a vacation, being at the Desert Star is what I fantasize about!

We had just started our trip in Palm Springs and made a stop here. It is very unique building at…read morethe beginning of the road to the aerial Tramway. Tons of parking, and a great view of the mountains from the parking lot. They even have a cool art display on one wall outside by the bathrooms for photo opportunities. The center itself is not large, and is filled with your typical T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, Christmas ornaments, etc. We did pick up a really cool Palm Springs Christmas ornament that was very unique and I didn't see anything like it when shopping downtown. The people at the desk have a large map that they draw on to show you how to get to certain places as they were giving us information which was helpful. I did buy a map that showed homes of past celebrities such as Doris Day, Elvis, etc. We did try to drive around and identify some of these homes, but it's not as easy as you would think. House numbers are not very apparent, and some of these streets are quite narrow, and with traffic behind you, you don't really have the opportunity to go slow and or stop to look. So we eventually gave up and just drove around to observe the unique architecture ourselves. I would say this is definitely worth a quick stop!

Late Nov, 2025. Palm Springs (PS), CA…read more *Location. Conveniently-located at the intersection of N Palm Canyon Dr and the road that goes up to the aerial tramway. *Exterior. Sufficient parking, even on a weekend, with EV charging stations available. Views of the San Jacinto Mountains from the parking area. Outdoor rest rooms available without having to go into the Visitor Center. A few outside photo opps. Architecturally-interesting building. It was apparently a former gas station but, with its update, has the feel of a mid-century modern building. *Interior. (1) There were two manned information desks, with friendly and somewhat helpful staff who offered maps and recommendations of things to see and do in PS. The young man who helped us pulled out a map that had PS proper on one side, and the greater PS (to Coachella) area on the back. He went through a seemingly rehearsed spiel about what we should see/do without first ascertaining what type of activities we were interested in. It was helpful that he informed us that VillageFest, a weekly downtown event with artists, artisans, entertainers, food vendors, and more, would not be held that week because of Thanksgiving. But, we were disappointed that he couldn't answer some of our basic questions about the San Jacinto National Monument area. Also, in asking if the Visitor Center had a map for a self-guided walking tour of attractions, we were directed to a brochure of (paid) walking tours offered by the local historical society. (2) There was a separate desk run by the Agra Caliente Band of Cohuilla Indians, offering tickets that allowed access to hikes in their ancestral lands, including Indian Canyons and/or Tahquitz Canyon. The woman at the desk was very friendly and helpful, and we bought tickets for Indian Garden (valid for one year). Tickets are normally $12 (adults) and $7 (seniors 62+), but a $1/ticket discount is given if purchased at the visitor center. (3) there is a small gift shop with books, maps, and souvenirs. (4) locally-relevant exhibits and brochures to local attractions.

Annette is an extraordinarily gifted tour guide. My 92 year old aunt and I loved every minute of…read morethe information packed, Tour #1, "Legends and Icons" We saw Palm Springs through the eyes of longtime resident, Annette, who shares her deep affection for her town and its people, history, and unique geographic features. We actually felt genuine pathos as she shared the little known and very touching details of each location along the tour. The way it works is to travel in a super modern luxury van while Annette drives and comments and stops at points along the way. This is not a walking tour. This is not a go-inside-the homes/businesses tour. This is a thorough overview of the Palm Springs area including parts of adjoining locals. The brochure is clear and accurate. What I can add to it is that Annette makes the experience really special and makes you feel like she really cares that you have a great tour. It's proof of the old saying, "nobody cares how much you know unless they know how much you care." Annette cares a lot about Palm Springs and about her business of giving tourists an outstanding tour of the area. We are so glad we took this tour.

Great company! Five Star creates wonderful experiences for people...the tours are interesting and…read morehelpful and their dinner events are entertaining!! Great company with wonderful people.

Stayed at the Kimpton Rowan in Palm Springs and had a great experience overall. The rooms were nice…read moreand the bathrooms were very clean, which always makes a difference. The rooftop pool can get a bit hectic, but if you get there early and lock down a spot, it's 100% worth it. Big shoutout to Gregory on the rooftop--super professional, very attentive, and just great service all around. Definitely stood out. Front desk staff were also consistently attentive and helpful throughout the stay. Would definitely come back.

I'm extremely disappointed by the team at the Kimpton Rowan for several reasons but mainly due to…read morethe fact that my vehicle was damaged by a negligent valet attendant. I've attempted to follow the correct channels; notified the front desk, filed a claim with a representative of LAZ Parking, waited a couple of weeks only for them to decline, emailed back & forth with the General Manager of the hotel, waited another week & still haven't received any confirmation that either party will take responsibility for the damage. I understand mistakes happen but also believe that the issue could have been handled in a way that wouldn't have prompted 1 star review. If you see a valet service managed by LAZ Parking, think twice about handing them your vehicle.