Palm Springs: Modernism Bike Tour in Deepwell, Twin Palms & Indian Canyons

Summary

Ride through Palm Springs’ midcentury neighborhoods with stories at every stop

You’ll cruise quiet Palm Springs streets on a colorful bike (rentals nearby), stopping often as your local guide shares stories of Deepwell Estates, Twin Palms, and Indian Canyons. Expect sunlight on your shoulders, laughter over old Hollywood tales, and moments where midcentury history suddenly feels personal.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to care so much about rooflines or pool shapes, but the second we rolled into Deepwell Estates on those chunky retro bikes, something clicked. Our guide (I think his name was Mark?) pointed out this low-slung house with a breeze block wall — he just stopped mid-sentence to let us hear the neighbor’s wind chimes. That little pause made me notice the way the light hit the white gravel and how everything felt quieter than it should for a city. I kept thinking: people really lived wild here in the ‘50s.

We pedaled slow — it’s not an athletic thing, more like cruising with friends who actually know stuff. In Twin Palms, Mark told us about William Krisel and the Alexanders (the builders, not a rock band, which I’d honestly assumed). There was this one spot where he showed us a condo that was in “Don’t Worry Darling” — I tried to picture Florence Pugh walking by those palm shadows. My legs barely noticed the ride because we stopped so often for stories or photos; sometimes I forgot we were even moving between neighborhoods.

By Indian Canyons, the sun was getting higher and I could smell someone grilling breakfast somewhere — tortillas maybe? There’s something about riding past all these vacation homes that makes you want to peek inside or just sit by their pools for hours. Someone asked if any celebrities still lived here and Mark just grinned and said, “Well, you never know who’s behind those hedges.” That stuck with me. The whole tour felt like wandering through a movie set that people actually use. I still think about that hush under the palms when we stopped for water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Palm Springs historic neighborhoods

• Visit Deepwell Estates neighborhood
• See luxury midcentury houses from 1950
• Tour Twin Palms Estates by William Krisel
• Visit condo community from 1961 filming site
• Explore luxury vacation homes from 1960

Top questions

Are bikes included in this Palm Springs modernism bike tour?

No, bikes are not included but discounted rentals are available at Big Wheel Tours nearby.

How long is the Palm Springs architecture bike tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours and covers three neighborhoods in south Palm Springs.

Which neighborhoods does this bike tour visit?

The route includes Deepwell Estates, Twin Palms Estates, and Indian Canyons.

Is this Palm Springs bike tour suitable for beginners?

Yes—there are no hills and very little traffic; it’s relaxed and beginner-friendly.

What will we learn about during the tour?

You’ll hear detailed stories about midcentury architecture, famous architects like William Krisel, and local history.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Yes, bottled water is included for all participants.

Is this tour recommended for children?

This tour is designed for adults interested in architecture; it may not be enjoyable for some children.

What’s included

Your day includes a small-group guided ride through three historic Palm Springs neighborhoods with frequent stops for stories and photos—plus bottled water along the way. Bike rentals aren’t included but you can get discounted rates on colorful cruiser bikes or e-bikes from Big Wheel Tours nearby before meeting your expert guide under perfect desert skies.