• Palm Springs Visitor Center - The Palm Springs audio tour kicks off in the parking area of the Palm Springs Visitor Center, situated at 2901 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262. If you’re not already there, it’s recommended to head over now.

Important Note: While Palm Springs boasts many historic celebrity residences, most are concealed behind walls or fences.

The tour spans over 25 miles, featuring more than 35 audio stories, and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete.

Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.

• Liberace House - Shortly, there will be an option to detour to see the Kaufmann and Liberace Houses, two of Palm Springs’ most renowned homes. The detour takes about five minutes and is recommended if time permits. To visit, turn right onto West Vista Chino ahead. Otherwise, continue straight to bypass the detour.
• Kaufmann House - The Kaufmann Desert House is visible on the right, beyond the white gate. It’s regarded as one of the finest examples of mid-century modern architecture in the U.S.! Businessman Edgar Kaufmann, who owned a successful department store in Pittsburgh, was passionate about architecture. He even commissioned famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to create a home called Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. When he decided to build a vacation home in Palm Springs, he sought the best and hired architect Richard Neutra. Neutra was renowned for designing open and adaptable houses with a distinctly modern look, and he applied all his expertise to the Kaufmann House.
• The Movie Colony - Driving through the Movie Colony, this neighborhood was home to many Hollywood stars in the 1900s. Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Cary Grant, David O. Selznick, Jack Benny, and Tony Curtis all resided here. The neighborhood’s charm owes much to the El Mirador Hotel, which opened in 1928. It featured an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, stables, and a bell tower that became a Palm Springs landmark. In Hollywood’s early days, movie stars flocked to the hotel for peace and quiet in the desert. Many chose to stay, commissioning famous architects like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and Donald Wexler to build permanent homes.
• Robolights - After passing the next intersection, find a spot to park. Then, step out and look for the colorful sculptures peeking from behind the trees at the corner of East Granvia Valmonte and North Arquilla Road, on the right.
• Walk of the Stars Palm Springs - Here, 450 stars honor larger-than-life figures in Palm Springs history. The walk celebrates more than movie stars, including humanitarians, architects, artists, soldiers, athletes, and city pioneers. Anyone who contributed to Palm Springs in some way earns a star!
• Coachella Valley - Leaving downtown Palm Springs, explore more of Coachella Valley. Does the name sound familiar? It should! This valley hosts the world-famous Coachella Music Festival, but there’s much more to discover!
• Palm Springs International Airport - In 1939, the United States Corps of Engineers sought a location to build an Army Air Corps landing field. With the country on the brink of war, they needed space for training soldiers. Coachella Valley’s favorable weather and mountain protection from strong winds made it ideal. After the war, it became a civilian airport.
• Desert Memorial Park - Sinatra passed away in 1998 and was buried with a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, a Zippo lighter, a pack of Camel cigarettes, and 10 dimes. The first few items make sense, but the dimes date back to December 1963.
• Willis Palm Trailhead - Ahead is the Willis Palm Trailhead. This moderately strenuous 4-mile hike takes about three hours and climbs 500 feet in elevation. Along the loop, visitors can see birds, desert wildlife, and wildflowers if visiting in spring!
• Pushwalla Palms Trailhead - The Pushawalla Palms trail is on the right, at the base of the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, but it actually heads in the opposite direction. It’s a moderate 4.5-mile hike with a 700-foot elevation gain. The views are stunning! Walk along the ridge of the San Andreas Fault and see palm tree oases where water bubbles up from deep within the Earth! The hike takes around three hours to complete.
• Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve - Arriving at the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, this magical place offers abundant walking trails, wildlife, and lush scenery. Officials are currently renovating much of the preserve after a storm caused significant damage, so the visitor center is closed until further notice. However, the trails are open from sunrise to sunset!
• Forever Marilyn - This enormous statue of Marilyn Monroe stands here thanks to sculptor Seward Johnson, who designed the 26-foot-tall statue in 2011. Initially displayed in Chicago for a year, it was later sponsored to be placed in Palm Springs. The statue remained in Palm Springs for two years before touring the world, showcasing the artist’s work. It even moved to Australia for a time.
• 1326 N Rose Ave - The house at 1326 North Rose Avenue is often claimed to be Marilyn Monroe’s residence. Bus tours and maps of famous houses have perpetuated this for years. However, locals suggest it may not have been hers!
• Frey House II - The Frey House II at 686 Palisades Drive isn’t open to the public, but the Palm Springs Museum offers guided tours of the property. It’s famous for several reasons. Firstly, the architect, known as the father of “desert modernism,” was Albert Frey, a Swiss national. He earned his architecture diploma in Switzerland and worked in Zurich, Belgium, and France. At 27, he moved to the United States, where he began building the American modernist architecture movement. After completing work on the Museum of Modern Art in New York, he settled in Palm Springs. Post-World War II, the population here was booming, and people needed homes.
• Palm Canyon Trail - The Palm Canyon Trail is a relatively easy hike, spanning 2 miles out and back with a 200-foot elevation gain. Most people complete it in about an hour. Hikers enjoy stunning canyon scenery along the way. However, be aware that there is an entrance fee for this trail. The small building in the parking lot, called The Trading Post, is where the entrance fee can be paid.
• Andreas Canyon Trailhead - Andreas Canyon offers an easy hike, a mile-long loop with a 175-foot elevation gain. Most complete it in about half an hour. Along the trail, over 150 plant species can be seen within half a mile! The trail features numerous palm trees, intriguing rock formations, and Andreas Creek. Additionally, there are rock indentations where the Cahuilla people once ground their food. It’s a beautiful hike!
• Moorten Botanical Garden - The Moorten Botanical Garden is a must-visit for desert plant enthusiasts. Chester “Cactus Slim” and Patricia Moorten established this garden in the 1940s. Cactus Slim had been an actor in the 1920s and 30s and even stood in for Howard Hughes! However, he developed a severe case of TB on a film set and discovered he needed the dry desert air to breathe.
• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. It travels 2.5 miles along Chino Canyon, ascending to the wilds of Mount San Jacinto State Park. The tram car rotates 360 degrees for a spectacular view of the valley below! At the mountaintop, there are restaurants, a gift shop, and plenty of hiking trails.
• Pioneertown - Yeehaw! Pioneertown is unlike any other place! This town was created by Hollywood to mimic the Wild West. In 1946, Dick Curtis, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and other showbiz personalities invested in transforming this California desert spot into a living, breathing movie set. They purchased 32,000 acres and turned it into Pioneertown, where they could film movies, vacation, and even have second homes!
• Joshua Tree Visitor Center - The Joshua Tree tour begins at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. From here, drive through this unique park where two deserts meet. Along the way, marvel at the bizarre Joshua trees, embark on awe-inspiring hikes, and witness an unforgettable sunset.
• Joshua Tree - Before entering the park, pass through the town of Joshua Tree. It’s filled with charming shops and restaurants, perfect for grabbing a snack or souvenir before or after your park visit.
• Samuelsons Rock - This peculiar landmark is accessible via a moderate 3.3-mile trail. Nearly 100 years ago, an enigmatic man named John Samuelson etched various musings and declarations onto these rocks. They remain today as a strange, almost mystical sight.
• Willow Hole - A 7-mile trail leads to Willow Hole, a seemingly miraculous oasis in the desert. Surrounded by willow trees, it must be seen to be believed. Many visitors initially think it’s a mirage!
• Hemingway Buttress - The Hemingway Buttress is a popular climbing spot in the park. It dramatically rises from the earth, daring visitors to scale it. The buttress features a large pile of boulders, offering fun scrambling opportunities for climbers of all skill levels.
• Hidden Valley Nature Trail Trailhead - Ever wanted to see a Wild West gang’s hideout? It’s on this trail, along with stunning desert scenery. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is an easy trek, about a mile long, making it a must-see hike in Joshua Tree.
• Intersection Rock - Intersection Rock is a hub within Joshua Tree. Its towering size makes it visible from afar, casting a striking silhouette against the desert sky. It’s a popular climbing spot with numerous routes, including Knuckle Cracker, Ignorant Photons from Pluto, and Sympathy to the Devil.
• Cap Rock Trail - Cap Rock is a peculiar sight, featuring a small boulder perched atop a larger rock formation. Here, a quick quarter-mile trail is filled with information about local flora.
• Lost Horse Valley - Lost Horse Valley is a sweeping desert valley named after the McHaney Gang’s Wild West misdeeds. Learn about these tales as you drive through, including one miner’s attempt to retrieve his stolen horses!
• Queen Valley Road - Another abandoned mine awaits in Queen Valley. The gold found here was the motive behind at least one murder and much more.
• Skull Rock - This iconic desert granite formation resembles a human skull. Easily accessible from the roadside, it’s also the trailhead for a popular 2-mile hiking trail.
• Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center - Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center is a fantastic spot to learn about Joshua Tree’s flora, fauna, and stars. As a dark sky area, Joshua Tree offers impressive stargazing, so try to stay after dark if possible!
• Oasis Ranger Station - The Oasis Visitor Center is the final stop on the main tour route. Located in Twenty-Nine Palms, it’s not far from the tour’s starting point. For those wishing to continue exploring Joshua Tree, a detour route proceeds south through the park, exiting at the southern gate.
• General Patton Memorial Museum - The General George S. Patton Memorial Museum’s location is no accident. It sits on the former site of Camp Young, part of the World War II Desert Training Center. The museum houses historic artifacts, including actual tanks!

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals

Set off on a captivating adventure through Joshua Tree & Palm Springs with these two self-guided driving tours. Journey through the vast desert of Joshua Tree National Park, where you’ll encounter striking boulder formations, enchanting Joshua trees, and a rich history of miners and bandits, among other wonders! Then, travel to Palm Springs to delve into the glamorous past of Hollywood’s golden era. Explore homes that once belonged to icons like Elvis, Liberace, Frank Sinatra, and more, while learning about the fascinating history of this dazzling city.

Important Note: Palm Springs boasts numerous historic celebrity residences, though many are concealed behind walls or fences.

After booking, check your email or text messages to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, as often as you like.

• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
• Important Note: While Palm Springs is home to many historic celebrity homes, most are hidden behind walls or fences.
• Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
• The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
• Please Note: From November 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026, Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to check the official website before visiting, as hours may change.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.