New Year’s Sale: Get 20% off Dwell with promo code YEAR20
SubscribeSign In
Collection by Erika Heet

Cool, Modern Sights in the Coachella Valley

Didn’t score a ticket to Coachella? Never fear—there’s still much to see and do in the California desert valley that has long been a hipster mecca. Comprising Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Coachella, and more, the valley holds some great modern spots. We tour our favorites.

View 7 Photos
Dwell and Volvo hosted a panel discussion on the future of mobility at the Palm Springs Art Museum during Modernism Week in Palm Springs.
Dwell and Volvo hosted a panel discussion on the future of mobility at the Palm Springs Art Museum during Modernism Week in Palm Springs.
The restored exterior of the building is a virtual match to the one shown in this photograph shot by Julius Shulman in 1960. Anodized aluminum solar screens slide and keep out the bright desert sun while allowing visibility to the street.
The restored exterior of the building is a virtual match to the one shown in this photograph shot by Julius Shulman in 1960. Anodized aluminum solar screens slide and keep out the bright desert sun while allowing visibility to the street.
1030 West Cielo Drive, Palm Springs
1030 West Cielo Drive, Palm Springs
Visitors entering Palm Springs from other desert cities will first come upon the Palm Springs Tramway gas station, designed in 1965 by Albert Frey and Robson Chambers, topped by a hyperbolic paraboloid roof.
Visitors entering Palm Springs from other desert cities will first come upon the Palm Springs Tramway gas station, designed in 1965 by Albert Frey and Robson Chambers, topped by a hyperbolic paraboloid roof.
Palm Springs has a plethora of appealing places to stay, including the new Saguaro hotel, recently renovated by the architects Stamberg Aferiat. It's one of the more affordable spots: rooms cost as little as $99. Which means you’ll have a few extra bones to spend on the astounding guacamole at hotel bar, El Jefe; a meal at Iron Chef Jose Garces’s restaurant Tinto; or a drink at the might-as-well-be-done-by-Barragán pool. Photo by Tim Street-Porter.
Palm Springs has a plethora of appealing places to stay, including the new Saguaro hotel, recently renovated by the architects Stamberg Aferiat. It's one of the more affordable spots: rooms cost as little as $99. Which means you’ll have a few extra bones to spend on the astounding guacamole at hotel bar, El Jefe; a meal at Iron Chef Jose Garces’s restaurant Tinto; or a drink at the might-as-well-be-done-by-Barragán pool. Photo by Tim Street-Porter.
Here's the structure with one of the light projections giving the facade a whole different character.
Here's the structure with one of the light projections giving the facade a whole different character.