The city of Palm Springs is well known for its large collection of preserved midcentury architecture, so a biking tour of the area is a great way to see some examples if you’re not up to taking a paid full-fledged tour. It’s also a good way to the gorgeous golf courses and the riding stables as you work up an appetite and then indulge in one of many memorable culinary experiences in the region. To discover a list of hidden gem restaurants and bars in Palm Springs, click HERE, and to discover the best bike route in the city, read on.
Canyon Country Club Bike Route
Classic Midcentury Modern Architecture
This is an easy bike ride on paved streets through neighborhoods of South Palm Springs. Well known for its midcentury architecture, this route provides some great examples. You will also see portions of Indian Canyons Golf Resort, which was historically very popular with celebrities and Presidents.
This route covers a distance of 5 miles and encompasses a riding time of approximately 45 minutes, depending on how quickly you ride and how long you linger at points of interest.
To get there, take South Palm Canyon Drive to La Verne Way and park on the street near Calle Palo Fierro.
Head east on La Verne Way and turn right on Calle Palo Fierro.
Canyon Country Club Colony is located on over 6 acres of lush green fairways of Palm Spring’s most beautiful golf course and overlooking three emerald green lakes. It sits on the west side of Calle Palo Fierro, between La Verne and Granada Avenue. This development is a renowned midcentury modern condo community that was built in 1964 with 38 units.
Turn left at Avenida Granada.
Turn left at again at Camino Real.
Turn right at Yosemite Drive.
Keep an eye out for a large fountain in the middle of the golf course in the distance behind the homes.
Turn right on Sequoia Place and pass by the golf course on both sides.
The fountain should be visible on your left. This fountain was a gift from Walt Disney, who owned property in the area.
Indian Canyons Golf Resort
Turn left at Alhambra Drive.
Turn left at Camino Real to finish the loop and head south to Murray Canyon Drive.
Turn left at Murray Canyon Drive.
Indian Canyons Golf Course will be on your right.
The 36-hole Indian Canyons Golf Resort has been the jewel of Palm Springs since 1961. Once a private club named Canyon Country Club, this 36-hole facility was a favorite haunt of Hollywood celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Jackie Gleason.
Former U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Ronald Reagan also walked these fairways. The course is set on 550 acres on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.
Kings Point is on your left.
This community includes 44 midcentury modern homes designed by the late architect William Krisel. It is an architecturally significant development in Palm Springs and is on Indian lease land.
Veer left at South Toledo Avenue. Smoke Tree Stables will be on your right.
Smoke Tree Stables
Smoke Tree Stables is family-owned and operated, and has been for over 75 years. They are fortunate to be in this stunning location and at the base of hundreds of miles of trails. They offer guided western hourly or day rides for a novice or the most experienced rider. Make a reservation online for a spectacular activity after your bike ride.
Follow South Toledo to Canyon Estates Drive.
Turn left at Madrona Drive and follow it to Paseo Del Rey.
Canyon Estates offers classic midcentury modern architecture and design. The architect was Charles E. Du Bois and developer was Roy Fey, in conjunction with Great-West Life Assurance Company of Canada. Great-West Life obtained the lease on Agua Caliente Indian land when the original lessee and developer of the land went out of business. Construction began in the late 1960s and models were open for viewing in 1970.
Turn left at Sierra Way and cross the north end of the golf course.
Turn right on Calle Palo Fierro.
Turn left at La Verne to return back to where your bike ride through South Palm Springs began.
Source: Visit Palm Springs
Photo Credits:
Palm Springs lead – Visit Palm Springs
Class Midcentury Modern Architecture – source Bob Osias on Unsplash
Indian Canyons Golf Resort – source Golf California
Smoke Tree Stables – source Visit Palm Springs
