IMMERSION: Glamour in the Desert: Shag houses, Mr Tiki and Sinatra’s Favorite Haunt

Armchair Explorer: Travel and Adventure Inspiration

Palm Springs is a must-visit for cinephiles, history buffs, adventure seekers, architecture enthusiasts and foodies, but this desert city is better known as the home of glitz and glamour.

Today, we are stepping back in time to when Palm Springs was Hollywood’s favorite hideaway, when mid-century architecture shaped the town and suavely clad folk sipped martinis by the pool. In this episode, we’re going to visit Frank Sinatra (or his house and favorite restaurant at least), tour the Shag House with Shag himself, meet Barbie and Elvis for dinner and craft cocktails with Palm Springs very own Mr Tiki.

Recorded on location in immersive surround sound, this episode is designed to give you a glimpse of what it feels like to be there for real.

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

- Our guide Kip from the Palm Springs Historical Society

- Artist and style king Josh Agle, better known as Shag

- Barbie queen and Modernism Week CEO Lisa Vossler Smith

- Dan Ruiz from the Ingleside Inn

- Brian Mitchell, the food and beverage manager, and all the staff from Melvyn’s

PLAN YOUR GREATER PALM SPRINGS TRIP

Our On Location episodes are designed so that you can experience everything you hear. Check out the links above, or find out more at VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com

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Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Brian Thacker wrote and presented this episode; Jason Paton did the field recording and audio production; and Aaron Millar was the executive producer . Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.

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