Author: lindsay

  • Tom Neal House

    Tom Neal House

    This ranch-style dwelling was once the home of actor Tom Neal (most famous for his role in the 1945 noir “Detour”), who, on the afternoon of April 1, 1965, shot and killed his third wife, Gail Kloke, following an argument over their impending divorce. He was ultimately found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and, while awaiting sentencing, infamously posed for a photo shoot outside of the residence/murder scene, feigning much grief. Following a six-year prison stint, Neal relocated to Los Angeles and passed away just eight months later, one of Hollywood’s most tragic cautionary tales.

  • Charles Naywert House

    Charles Naywert House

    This towering abode is the site of one of Palm Springs’ most notorious crimes, the still unsolved July 4, 1984 double murder of art dealer (and suspected diamond smuggler) Charles Naywert and his housepainter, Carl Ernest Hinsenkamp, in a scene “The Desert Sun” described as being more brutal than the Manson killings. Per reports, police had a prime suspect in mind from the start, but no arrest was ever made due to a lack of evidence. The residence, which bears a strong resemblance to the infamous Los Feliz Murder House, was sold by Naywert’s estate following the murders and was later owned for a time by actor Gary Oldman.

  • Community Church Of Palm Springs

    Community Church Of Palm Springs

    Next door to the Orchid Tree Inn sits the once-celebrated Community Church of Palm Springs. Designed in the Gothic Revival style by William Charles Tanner in 1935, President Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, attended services there while visiting the desert in 1954. Shuttered since 2004, the once stately parish is charred and decaying today, following mass devastation resulting from two fires that tore through the property in 2013 and 2022. While there have been talks of transforming the church, as well as the Orchid Tree Inn, into a boutique resort, those plans have yet to come to fruition.

  • Stuft Pizza

    Stuft Pizza

    A desert icon since its 2004 inception, this place gets my vote for some of the absolute BEST pies in the entire valley (thin crust with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and olives is my preferred order). But there is so much more to be had here, especially the daily happy hour, hosted from 3 to 6 p.m., with offerings including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Rib Bites and Street Tacos – all affordable and delicious. There is also a sister location in Palm Desert, but the patio at the La Quinta outpost is where it’s truly at!

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  • La Quinta Cliffhouse

    La Quinta Cliffhouse

    Securing a seat at this local favorite during happy hour (offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily) is a cut-throat endeavor, to say the least! One drink in, and it won’t be hard to see why! The food is superb, the drinks well-crafted, and the ambiance unparalleled, especially on the gorgeous patio, which is literally built into the side of a mountain and boasts striking views and an open-air fireplace, perfect for those cool desert nights.

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  • Ristorante Mamma Gina

    Ristorante Mamma Gina

    Craving a $24 filet? Mamma Gina has you covered! Another Piero Pierattoni hot spot, this El Paseo eatery has been a beloved desert staple since originally opening in 1986. Other delectables on the all-night happy hour menu (offered from 4 p.m. to closing) include Salmone and Carpaccio Di Bue (at $16 and $18, respectively), with each dish more exquisite than the last. As such, it is no surprise that this place is hard to get into, but the long waits are well worth it!

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  • Piero’s PizzaVino

    Piero’s PizzaVino

    This casual spot, opened by Florence-born restauranteur Piero Pierattoni in 2011, is best known for its fab Neapolitan pizzas, but the happy hours also can’t be beat! Offering authentic Italian dishes based on Piero’s family recipes, the happy hour offerings are extensive – from pasta to pizza to appetizers, with gluten-free options, to boot! The Fried Zucchini Blossoms and Grilled Artichokes are personal favorites (and affordable at $12 each), but you can’t go wrong with any menu choice. (Happy Hour is offered all day Sunday through Thursday and from 11:30 to 4 on Fridays and Saturdays.)

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  • Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

    Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

    One of the desert’s most beloved establishments, Arnold Palmer’s was opened by the golf great in 2004. Boasting priceless ambiance, sprawling side and rear patios, mountain views, a club-like interior, and plenty of mementos on display (including one of The King’s four Masters jackets), it’s a truly gorgeous and unique spot to grab a meal.

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  • Lavender Bistro

    Lavender Bistro

    A truly magical spot boasting a sprawling patio nestled under a grove of trees illuminated by hundreds upon hundreds of twinkle lights, a meal at Lavender Bistro is tantamount to dining in a magical fairyland. The food is also exceptional (I’m partial to the Wild Mushroom Soup). So it is no surprise that the eatery is regularly – and very deservedly – named Palm Springs’ most romantic restaurant by just about every publication out there.

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  • The Sandbar

    The Sandbar

    They say not to judge a book by its cover, and that is certainly true with this spot, which, from the outside, appears a little rough around the edges. In truth, though, it offers upscale American options in an absolutely elegant setting. Dimly lit, intimate, and reminiscent of the finest restaurants of yesteryear, more than a few luminaries have passed through its doors, including Gena Rowlands, who is a longtime regular, as well as Bob Hope, Andy Williams and Ginger Rogers.

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