Even though Elvis left the building long ago, The King’s legacy lives on in the playground oasis of Greater Palm Springs. The region has preserved a walkway of the stars, home and historical tours abound and each year a handful of events commemorate the areas glittery past. Hit the California desert town the rock ‘n’ roll legend called (second) home and soak up his spirit with a bite of his favourite pastrami sandwich—here’s how you can unleash your inner Elvis in Greater Palm Springs.
Honeymoon Hideaway
In December 2020 Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway was purchased by new owners, so it’s unknown whether tours will still be offered. You can still catch a glimpse by driving by 1350 Ladera Circle.
Considered one of Palm Springs’ most important examples of mid-century modern design, this storied home was open for public tours for more than a decade.
Amid the white-walled mansions of Palm Springs’ Movie Colony neighbourhood, Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway is the 5,000-square-foot residence where The King and Priscilla enjoyed postnuptial bliss in 1967.
Elvis never owned the house—he rented it—but he planned to host his marriage to Priscilla on the property’s sprawling grounds. When the media caught wind of his plans, Elvis moved the wedding to the Aladdin in Las Vegas, where the couple got married in the company of 100 friends and an army of photographers. Later that same day—May 1, 1967—they were whisked back to Palm Springs, where Elvis carried Priscilla over the threshold of this upscale abode to start their honeymoon. (And exactly nine months later, daughter Lisa Marie came into the world.)
Besides the home’s connection to one of the most iconic rock stars of all time, its futuristic design has also made it a Palm Springs landmark. Built in 1960 by Robert Alexander, its architecture consists of a number of different shapes and structures. It’s built around a futuristic round concept, with pod rooms jutting off from a central structure like something out of a ’60s sci-fi film. In fact, the property was dubbed Look Magazine’s 1962 “House of Tomorrow.”
Defying the shape of traditional homes, the house was constructed as four connecting circular pods. Not a single room is square, including the polygonal glass bedroom that can be seen from the street. The interior boasts a 64-foot built-in banquette sofa, lava-rock walls that look straight out of The Flintstones, terrazzo flooring, a “floating” fireplace, and other era-defining elements. The grounds include a large gunite swimming pool and stunning vistas of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Elvis Presley on the Walk of the Stars
With over 400 stars bearing the names of well-known celebrities and notable local personalities, the Walk of Stars is a must see in Palm Springs. Elvis is located on 100 South Palm Canyon Drive and is joined by a long list of celebrities who have been honoured for eternity on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars!
Graceland West
In addition to his Memphis palace, Graceland, Presley had homes in Las Vegas and Palm Springs. At the base of Mount San Jacinto, the home was built by Albert Frey 1946 on about two acres. Prior to Presley’s buying the property in 1970, it was owned by the Jergen’s cosmetic family and Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s. But you won’t find this Frey house on the Modernism Tour. However, it does have regular visitors who stop to take selfies at the gate. This humble property was Elvis Presley’s “Graceland West”, the home where Elvis recorded eight of his hits. Graceland West in the Little Tuscany neighbourhood, you can find it at 845 West Chino Canyon.
Eat:
There are two places where the King would settle into a booth and order his favourite meals.
The Original Las Casuelas: 368 North Palm Canyon Drive, downtown.
Head to dinner at Las Casuelas, the first Mexican restaurant in town and where Elvis quite often dined. You can even sit in the booth Elvis sat in and order his favourite “combo #1” plate – shredded beef tacos, beans, chile relleno. The Delgado family has been preparing quality authentic Mexican food for over 6 decades and has been located in downtown Palm Springs for more than 60 years. Small and quaint, this timeless landmark continues to share authentic and traditional Mexican cuisine of our heritage and emphasize the deep, rich flavors of Mazatlan. If Elvis loved it, that’s good enough for us!
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery: 401 Tahquitz Way, downtown.
This famous desert deli that serves the King’s favourite sandwich – hot pastrami. a kosher-style deli founded in 1953
Stay:
Renovated in 2012, the Tiki lounge was a match for Elvis who had filmed three Hawaiian movies by the time he and Rat Pack celebs made this a favourite stop.
Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Elvis, and many others in the 1960’s were frequent visitors to the Tropics, the tiki and Polynesian style resort motel now completely remodelled and renovated and known as the Caliente Tropics Resort Hotel.
Before Elvis purchased a home in the desert he’d often stay at the Margaritaville Resort at 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive. The property was formerly the Riviera, built in the 1950s and known as a hangout for the Rat Pack. The newly refreshed resort sits on 16 acres and offers 398 rooms with private patios and terraces. The resort includes 398-rooms, Margaritaville-inspired dining options and St. Somewhere Spa (Palm Springs’s largest resort spa).