One motivation for visiting Palms Springs was its famous Mid-Century Modern architecture.

It’s as essential to the landscape as palm trees and mountain ranges.

The only other place I’ve seen buildings like this defunct ice cream parlor is Miami Beach.

The pastel colors and block glass also remind me of Southeastern Florida.

We stopped in a residential neighborhood to get some photos of the mountains; if we hadn’t, I never would have spotted this cool vintage-looking neon sign.

On the same block as the Copa above–another essential Mod-style pastel.

Although Downtown Palm Springs has its share of Mod buildings, the Uptown Design District feels more like totally stepping into a groovy past era.

When I think of “Shag” it’s the Carolina-style partner dance; on this coast, it refers to an artist.

Facing North on Palm Canyon Drive in the Design District, which would not be complete without an art deco florist (or a row of cacti.)

Down the block from the florist–I should’ve just led the essay with this photo which is Palm Springs Mod in a nutshell.

Though not as aesthetically pleasing, this fulfills the same criteria as the above picture.

We bought a map to seek out Mod residences. Predictably, most where further away from the roads or camouflaged for privacy, but we did spot a few striking homes; check out the oversized front doors on this one.

The southern part of town tends to specialize in a more suburban kitsch take on the architectural style. While this shopping plaza isn’t strictly Mod, it did remind us of a kind of tableau one would see on the 1970s Wonder Woman TV series.

However, this resort complex is more the real Mod deal brimming with faux exotic splendor.

The Reef was one of two tiki bars we checked out. The other, Tonga Hut, is in Downtown and most notable for its neon sign.

The Reef’s patio which faces the adjacent resort’s pool. Lots of reggae on the soundsystem here.

I couldn’t resist of shot of The Reef’s delectably retro (no matter how faux) bathroom lighting fixtures.

Back to Downtown after dark. If you’re looking for a “ModMansion”, what better place to find one than at this art deco wonder that almost could’ve been a vintage White Castle (or maybe a White Tower)?

Not entirely Mod, but come on, I wasn’t not going to take a shot of this unusual establishment. Do people still want beepers (even at a discount price?)

We end with this lovely hotel sign on Indian Canyon Road just after sunset. The globe lights, their whimsical placement, the font, the brick-like wall textures, the cacti–together, they practically sum up what I love about Palm Springs Mod (and the town in general.)