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Palm Springs and Joshua Tree NP

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Palm Springs and Joshua Tree NP Travel Guide

A major tourist destination since the late 19th century, Palm Springs had already caught Hollywood's eye by the time of the Great Depression. During its heyday from the 1930s to the 1970s, the city drew some of the world's most famous architects to design homes for the rich and famous. The collected works, inspired by the mountains and desert sands, became known as Palm Springs Modernism. The city lost some of its luster in the 1970s as the wealthy moved to newer down-valley communities. But Palm Springs reinvented itself in the 1990s, restoring the bright and airy old houses and hotels, and cultivating a welcoming atmosphere for well-heeled gay visitors. A short drive away, Joshua Tree National Park interrupts the resort developments with half a million acres of pristine wilderness.

When to Go
Top Reasons to Go
Great Itineraries

Joshua Tree Picnic Areas
Joshua Tree Essentials

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