Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs - From Eating to Sleeping and Everything In-Between
image credit: John Diminis via Life
Interested in living like Mr. Palm Spring’s for a weekend? You can still visit many of the locations where Sinatra drank, ate and slept in Palm Springs!
Frank Sinatra, aka “Mr. Palm Springs,” called the desert his home for more than 50 years. The Chairman of the Board and his Rat Pack buddies lived, loved and partied pretty hard here from the mid 40’s to late 1990’s. He has left imprints on the Palm Springs community that are still visible today.
His generosity was legendary, there are stories of him doing everything from “dropping” extra tip money on floors for unsuspecting busboys, to singing Happy Birthday to random restaurant patrons. He helped fund many of the city’s institutions, a church, synagogue, a medical center but his real generosity was in the kindness and assistance he’d show to Palm Springs resident’s who had hit hard times. “He is said to have read the Desert Sun newspaper every morning and if there was a story of someone who needed help, he would pick up the phone and have his people “take care of it.” Whether that be a busboy’s medical bills or replacing a single mother’s mobile home that had been destroyed by fire overnight.”
Check out the list below for some of Sinatra’s favorite local jaunts!
Melvyn’s Restaurant & Lounge - a well known favorite, Sinatra was famous for handing out $100 bills to the waitstaff requesting that his friends drink never get below half empty.
200 W Ramon Rd, Palm Springs, CATwin Palms Estate - Sinatra’s personal residence, commissioned in the 40’s - he originally was interested in a Georgian-style mansion but was thankfully convinced otherwise - giving birth to the modern California Desert Style we know and love today. The estate can be rented out to vacationers for the true Sinatra experience.
1148 East Alejo Road, Palm Springs, CAThe Purple Room - One of Sinatra’s favorite bars in the town, the Purple Room was frequented by the Rat Pack during the 60’s and was well known for its party vibes with giant pictures of Sammy Davis Jr. and Sinatra adorning the walls today. Book tickets for shows, and make reservations in advance! The Purple Room is known for filling up quickly.
1900 E. Palm Springs Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CAMichael S. Wolfson Park - This small city park burrows between Frank Sinatra and DaVall drives. It was a famous oasis for Sinatra and Dinah Shore, the tiny green island near Whitewater Wash has multiple picnic benches and a single fountain in the middle and is the perfect place to find some shade and escape the desert sun.
DaVall and Frank Sinatra Drive, Rancho Mirage, CARiviera Palm Springs - Still in existence today, Sinatra used to perform benefit shows in the hotel’s ballroom alongside business pals and performers like Bing Crosby and Jerry Lewis.
1600 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CALord Fletcher Inn - Boasting English fair and decor, Lord Fletcher’s was one of the singer’s favorite places to eat. You can find Frank’s traditional spot near the fireplace relatively easily—a portrait of Sinatra hangs above the chair.
70385 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CAIf you are still craving more Sinatra goodness you can visit some of his additional residences around town, The Compound, located at 70588 Frank Sinatra Drive, Rancho Mirage and Villa Maggio located at 70300 San Lorenzo Road, Mountain Center. You can also see his star on the Walk of Stars at 123 N. Palm Canyon Drive! And last but not least, don’t forget to check out the 2018 documentary, Sinatra in Palm Springs - which takes a deep dive into Sinatra’s life in our beloved city.