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2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 117 thousand Mid-Century Modernist homes. Many of the finest exemplars of Modernism are boutique hotels—Arrive, L'Horizon, The Monkey Tree and V Palm Springs, to name a few—and almost all have played host to the Hollywood A-list. "Sinatra slept here" and "This was Angelina Jolie's room" is no idle chatter. By the way, many of the famous personalities who've lived, loved and played in Palm Springs—from Elvis Presley to Elizabeth Taylor—are commemorated in pink granite stars (the "Walk of Stars") embedded in downtown sidewalks. Its population once surged in winter and cleared out by May. No longer. Palm Springs is now a trendy year-round destination, not least as the weekend haven of choice for sleek LA hipsters come to laze or party by the pool with cocktail in hand. The "Tes- loop" chauffeured rideshare between Los Angeles and Palm Springs in Tesla electric vehicles makes it easy. But Palm Springs travel offers far more. Snowbirds, retirees, art lovers, spa-goers and active vacationers flock too to this amazingly cosmopolitan city. And Palm Springs' sizeable gay and les- bian population translates into an uber LGBT-friendly and fun destination, and never more so than during the annual Gay Pride Festival (November) and White Party (May). At any time of year, Hunters night- club keeps the LGBT party alive with its nine-hour-long happy hour! Cultural AJractions To satisfy cultural yearnings, start at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Considered one of California's finest regional museums, this world-class venue is notable for its contemporary art and astounding glass art in the Denney Western American Art Wing. Its Mesoamerican collection includes bas- ketry, pottery and other artifacts by local Amerindian tribes. A few blocks away, the recently debuted Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture & Design Center, in a 1960s former bank building of classic Mid-Century Modernist styling, houses the museum's growing collection of architec- ture and design-related pieces. Meanwhile, Palm Springs' Native Amer- ican heritage is honored at the downtown Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, where bas- ketry, pottery and other traditional skills workshops are hosted. And aviation buffs and WWII aficionados will exult to the war- birds on display at the Palm Springs Air Museum. It's one of the world's foremost museums dedicated to WWII aircraft, dis- played in two hangars replicating the European and Pacific theaters. Flying demos are occasionally offered, as are Warbird Rides in a P-51 Mustang and C-47 Skytrain. To truly appreciate Palm Springs' beauty and scale from on high, lace up your hiking shoes. The Bogert Trail complex rewards hikers with sensational views over the city, as does the Desert View Trail in Mount San Jac- into State Park. The latter is reached via a sensational ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. Talk about saving the best for last! GORD MCKENNA/CREATIVE COMMONS/FLICKR ; VISITPALMSPRINGS.COM. OPPOSITE: VISITPALMSPRINGS.COM; VISITPALMSPRINGS.COM PICNIC AT INDIAN CANYONS, opposite top; Palm Springs Art Museum, opposite boXom; cocktail party in mid-century home, Palm Springs, right; family hike in Indian Canyons, boXom.