KICK-BUTT SELF-DEFENSE: Lori Hartman Gervasi, author

PALM SPrinGS CHAMber of CoMMerCe
relaxing poolside is always a great option at a Palm Springs hotel or resort.
Elvis Presley fans might be surprised
to know that the music legend and his young
bride, Priscilla, enjoyed their honeymoon
at a home that Elvis leased in Palm Springs.
The couple married in Las Vegas in the early
morning hours of May 1, 1967, then flew
to Palm Springs to honeymoon at the
home at 1350 Ladera Circle.
For what it’s worth, daughter Lisa Marie was
born nine months later.
Elvis Presley loved Palm Springs. The classic
midcentury modern estate, now called the
Honeymoon Hideaway, has become a favorite
spot for Elvis and architecture fans alike.
Guided tours are offered daily starting
at 1 p.m. by appointment.
The house was built in the early 1960s
by prominent Palm Springs developer Robert
Alexander for his wife. Designed in four
perfect circles on three levels, this unique
home incorporates glass and lots of
stonework. The 5,500-square-foot home is a
popular attraction, according to Leonard
Lewis, who arranges the tours.
“It’s a constant demand,” he says.
“Architecturally, the house is a Palm Springs
modernism icon. Robert Alexander built this
as his own gem.”
Tours cost $25 per person during the week
PHoTo by WiLLiAM VASTA
elvis Presley’s honeymoon hideaway is well
hidden off of Palm Canyon Drive.
and $35 on weekends and holidays.
The house also hosts celebrations annually
to mark the honeymoon, Elvis’ birthday,
Valentine’s Day and other occassions. This
year’s Honeymoon Weekend celebration is
May 1-3, and features tours plus a poolside
concert by Elvis tribute artists. For
information, visit www.elvishoneymoon.com.
Tours also are available of the place that the
Presleys bought and lived in for a while
beginning in 1970. Located at 845 W. Chino
Canyon, the 5,100-square-foot home
is now a private residence.
“We feel it is our duty to share this property
with all who come to visit and remember the
spirit of Elvis,” say the owners, the Fontana
family, on their Web site, www.pselvis.com.
Things to do
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway:
Visitors ride in rotating tram cars
from the 2,643-foot Valley Station up
to the 8,500-foot Mountain Station in
an alpine forest. Open year-round;
One Tramway Road, Palm Springs;
760-325-1391;
www.pstramway.com.
The Living Desert Zoo and
Gardens: A 1,200-acre wildlife and
botanical park featuring rare and
endangered desert animals and
African wildlife. Open daily;
47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert;
760-346-5694; www.livingdesert.org.
Palm Springs Art Museum:
“Wayne Thiebaud: 70 Years of
Painting” continues through May 17.
Opening May 2 is an exhibit
showcasing the best works from the
museum’s permanent collection.
Open Tuesday-Sunday; 101
Museum Drive, Palm Springs;
760-322-4800; www.psmuseum.org.
Hot air balloon rides: Sunrise or
sunset champagne adventures as
you drift across the desert sky.
A Dream Flight, 760-346-5330,
www.dreamflights.com; Balloon
Above the Desert, 760-776-5785,
www.balloonabovethedesert.com;
and Fantasy Balloon Flights,
760-568-0997,
www.fantasyballoonflights.com.
Palm Springs Air Museum: An
inspiring and expansive collection
of propeller-driven World War II
aircraft, programs and flight
demonstrations. Open daily;
745 N. Gene Autry Trail,
Palm Springs; 760-778-6262;
www.palmspringsairmuseum.org.
Calendar
Through May 17: “Fabulous Palm
Springs Follies,” featuring a cast
of 55- to 85-year-old long-legged
lovelies, continues its 18th season.
128 S. Palm Canyon Drive,
Palm Springs; 760-327-0225,
www.psfollies.com
May 16: Saxophonist Candy Dulfer,
Peter White and others perform
at the 14th annual Smooth Jazz
Festival at the O’Donnell Golf Club.
760-323-6673,
www.palmspringsjazz.com
June 23-29: The Palm Springs
International ShortFest screens
more than 300 short films from
40-plus countries. 760-322-2930,
www.psfilmfest.org
may 09 | inlandlivingmagazine.com | 51