The Dog Days of Palm Springs Summer
Story by Aja Goare
Photography by DJ Mihelic
As the summer sun beat down on Palm Springs, visitors scurried from vehicle to building, building to pool and back to the comfort of their air-conditioned rooms. But while the streets appeared relatively empty on this particular weekend in July, restaurants and bars saw no shortage of bucket hat-wearing, sunscreen greased vacationers.
The Triada Hotel on North Indian Canyon Road is less a mile from the dense cluster of food, drink and shopping district. But on a weekend where 110 degrees was on the cooler side, a $5 lift through a rideshare service was the preferred option. Upon check in, the concierge provides tickets for a complimentary Alan Ladd cocktail: a bloody Mary. Originally built in 1939 the Triada has undergone multiple ownership changes in its nearly 100 years of operation. It was purchased in 1972 by Sue Carol Ladd, the widow of Ladd, and she named it Alan Ladd’s Spanish Inn after the classic movie star.
The Spanish hacienda style hotel underwent a large-scale renovation in more modern times as it was taken on by the Marriott’s Autograph collection. Adorned with handmade ceramic tiles, the hotel features two pools, an indoor and outdoor bar, gym and spa, which make the space inviting with a touch of luxury.
So how does one relax when the thermometer is working overtime? Proper planning isn’t just a good idea – it’s a must.
Outside time should be scheduled for mornings and nights, after the sun has gone down. By noon, the July sun is already overhead, casting its scorching rays on those who roam below. Schedule pool time for the mornings, as the water tends to warm mid-day. By 3 p.m. it’s like swimming in a large bath. Most pools have this problem, especially smaller ones, as the water bakes under the sun. Start early.
Lunch through sunset is best spent indoors at one of Palm Springs many fine restaurants, bars or boutiques. Even the Agua Caliente Casino offers a reprieve from the intensity of the summer heat. Restaurants like Inka Peruvian Cuisine, The Front Porch, Bar Cecil (reservations strongly recommended), and 4 Saints are great for local fare. Enjoy a blended drink from The Tonga Hut in their second-floor lounge, where you can play games while sipping chilled beverages.
Year round, the city offers an array of arts experiences like live music, art galleries, and movie showings. Integratron, a unique curiosity, is a resonant tabernacle and energy machine where 60-minute sound baths are now performed. This 38-foot-tall cupola structure was designed by ufologist and contactee George Van Tassel, who claimed the structure was capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel. If E.T.s aren’t your thing, take a drive through and around town to view the towering sculptures, such as the Marilyn Monroe or the dinosaurs.
Year round, the city offers an array of arts experiences like live music, art galleries, and movie showings. Integratron, a unique curiosity, is a resonant tabernacle and energy machine where 60-minute sound baths are now performed. This 38-foot-tall cupola structure was designed by ufologist and contactee George Van Tassel, who claimed the structure was capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel. If E.T.s aren’t your thing, take a drive through and around town to view the towering sculptures, such as the Marilyn Monroe or the dinosaurs.
Visiting Palm Springs in the summer is hot – that’s putting it mildly. But with rising temperatures come lower prices and volume of tourists which, for some, is enticing enough for a weekend getaway. So, make like Alan Ladd and hideaway at a cozy (airconditioned!) spot like the Triada, grab an ice-cold beverage and take advantage of this affordable – albeit warm – weekend getawa
