Party Like It's 1962!

Experiences - Conversations - Celebration

If you're into mid-century Modernist architecture, join USModernist's wildly popular annual trip to Palm Springs for Modernism Week. We've been taking architecture fans there for ten years, curating a highly informative and entertaining experience hundreds have loved.  Get inspired!

There's no other place in America like Palm Springs with as many mid-century Modern houses per square mile - thousands of Modernist houses and buildings. And this is the best week to go - when the town opens up and shares its crazy fun Modernist heritage from houses to art to furnishings to lifestyles to fashion to food. It's like the Super Bowl for mid-century architecture!

Proceeds benefit the award-winning documentation, preservation, and promotion work of USModernist, a 501C3 nonprofit educational archive.

Go back in time to 1962 as we stay at the USModernist Compound, aka the retro Hotel Skylark. I mean, c'mon, what's a week in Palm Springs without your own private compound? Plus you get event admissions, exclusive private tours, eye-popping Hollywood-style parties, and an easy walkable location to downtown Palm Springs.

Typically each day there is breakfast by the pool, a tour/event in the morning, and a cocktail party or dinner in the evening. In the afternoons, walk, shop, drink, sleep, or eat your way through the magic that is Palm Springs during Modernism Week.

Youll get private guided tours nearly every day and a party or dinner nearly every evening!  Plus exclusive events such as the Kirk and Anne Douglas Estate Party, designed by Donald Wexler; a private sunset party at the Hotel Lautner, designed by John Lautner; and more. Plus you can access the huge array of movies, lectures, presentations, exhibitions, other tours, and art installations put on by Modernism Week.  You also get:

A $100 per person tab at the hotel bar, plus a special gift bottle in your room.

A special free UBER account up to $80 per person for travel within Palm Springs.

Complimentary massages by the pool Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.

Wow, that’s incredible! Yes, yes, yes, indeed.

Tour Leader Angela Roehl has been a Modernism Week regular for years.  Each morning, she will outline the day's events and options. USModernist's founder and host of USModernist Radio George Smart will be poolside most mornings recording shows for the longrunning architecture podcast.  You are welcome to listen in right from your pool lounge chair!  Here are photos from our past trips:

C'mon Get Happy!

Tuesday, February 18

Arrive in Palm Springs. If you fly with us from RDU, you'll be transferred to the retro Hotel Skylark, with vintage diamond-shaped room keys and an Airstream for the office.  With just 26 rooms, a bar and cafe, a pool, hot tub, and firepit, it's like our own private compound!   Just 15 minutes walk to downtown Palm Springs.  On arrival, champagne and later on a welcome reception at your first private Modernist house tour.  Dinner on your own - four restaurants within the block!

Wednesday, February 19

After a cheery breakfast at the hotel, Tour Leader Angela Roehl will introduce you to the best architecture guide in Palm Springs, Trevor O'Donnell, and you'll board a private tour bus to see dozens of commercial buildings and homes with exclusive interior visits, including Albert Frey's Tramway Visitor Center. Trevor's fun and encyclopedic knowledge makes for a entertaining and informative morning! Return around 1pm. That night, USModernist's swanky benefit party at the Kirk and Anne Douglas Estate, designed by Donald Wexler.  

Thursday, February 20

After breakfast and Angela's morning briefing, you'll be touring the new and wildly retro SHAG house, the Palm Springs Museum of Art, and the Palm Springs Architecture and Design Museum. Return about 1pm. Around 4pm, you'll travel to an exclusive reception and tour at the Hotel Lautner Compound in Desert Hot Springs, designed by John Lautner.  Later, walk down North Palm Canyon to a huge nighttime street fair with food and art booths.  Dinner on your own.  At the end of the day, relax with your new friends around the Skylark firepit.

Friday, February 21

 After breakfast and Angela's morning briefing, you will tour a very private Modernist house, never open to the public. You'll visit the Don't Worry Darling cul-de-sac, a stunning retro set of houses featured in the movie of the same name, plus one more surprise destination.  Return around 1pm. Later on, lounge by the pool, stop by the lobby bar. A massage therapist is available poolside in the afternoon for free 15-minute bookings.  That night, a special sunset cocktail party inside a midcentury Modernist house, home to a famous jazz vocalist you've seen on TV!

Saturday, February 22  

After breakfast and Angela's morning briefing, you will venture up 8,000 feet to the Palm Springs Tramway with a stunning view of the valley.  You'll tour the exquisite 1973  Modernist house of Joan and Gary Gand, designed by Thomas Jakway in Vista Las Palmas.  Then you'll visit the remarkable Revivals store, full of bargains on midcentury clothes and furnishings.  Return around 1pm. Lounge by the pool, stop by the lobby bar. A massage therapist is available poolside in the afternoon for free 15-minute bookings.  That night, a cocktail party at The Black House, a brand new Modernist home Palm Springs designed by James Cioffi with interiors by Anthony Cioffi. At the end of the day, relax with your new friends around the Skylark firepit.

Sunday, February 23

After breakfast, it is your free day - morning, lunch, and afternoon on your own until 6pm. Some people meet friends, some go to Joshua Tree National Park, some go hiking, some go to the casinos, some go shopping! Angela will be available for an optional tour to a huge Modernist Yard Sale.  Lounge by the pool, stop by the bar. A massage therapist is available poolside in the afternoon for free 15-minute bookings. 

That night, a delightful farewell cocktail party you won't wanna miss at a wonderful very private Modernist house.

Monday, February 24

No briefing today, just a final poolside breakfast, goodbyes to the sun and the mountains and your fellow inspired travelers, then you depart for home - or your next destination.

SOLD OUT!

$4,499 $3399 per person, double occupancy; $5,699 $4599 per person, single occupancy. 

Airfare is not included; however, if you want to fly with us roundtrip from RDU (includes free transfer to the hotel) choose the air option below.

The Fine Print

By paying, you agree to the terms and conditions below.

Once payment is made, there are no refunds for any reason except if we cancel the entire trip. However, you can transfer your place to another person with at least 30 days written notice to USModernist. You are highly encouraged to buy trip insurance. We recommend www.insuremytrip.com, a portal to choose travel insurance companies. Note that most medical policies that include pre-existing conditions require purchase within 14-20 days of trip payment.

At least two evening parties involve dressing up (jackets for men, cocktail attire for women) but all other events are casual.

Adults 21 and over only.  You're responsible for any charges above the UBER and bar allowance. There is NO SMOKING or tobacco products of any kind at the Skylark, inside or outside. $250 fine if you're caught and/or there's evidence in your room. Architects can get self-reported CEU hours if arranged in advance with the AIA. Parking at your departure airport is not included. The itinerary and order of trip events are subject to change without notice or refund.

Participants must sign a liability release to attend, as is standard with all USModernist trips. There is a small but possible risk of overnight stay if flights are delayed, in which case participants are responsible for any additional costs of meals, lodging, transportation, and incidental expenses..

Questions?  Please contact George Smart, george@usmodernist.org.

Proceeds benefit the award-winning documentation, preservation, and promotion work of USModernist, a 501C3 nonprofit educational archive.