I spent my first three days of driving a beautiful racing inspired “Sports Red” colored Buick Regal GS sedan in Palms Springs.
I had not been back to Palm Springs since that time in the late 1980’s when I stayed in a 60’s decor condo which featured a fluorescent green shag rug. That jolting eye sensory experience was forever seared in my memory of Palm Springs until this past December when I was invited to be a part of GM’s Buick in the Desert Architectural tour.
I drove in style from my home in West Covina, cruising down the 10 freeway towards Palm Springs, sun shining through the sun roof, listening to my podcast; enjoying the Buick’s quiet tuning and air ionizer features while turning a few heads. It was the perfect start to an amazing three-day rediscovery of Palm Springs — with shades of a different color.
Since the 1920s Palm Springs has been called “Hollywood’s Backyard”. Conveniently located only two hours away from Los Angeles, it is where the stars came out to play and still do. Some loved it so much, they purchased homes like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. (part of the Rat Pack), Bob Hope, and Elizabeth Taylor back in the day….even Albert Einstein had a home there. More recent homeowners include Leonardo DiCaprio, President Obama and family, Suzanne Somers, and superhero actor Robert Downey Jr.
Elizabeth Taylor’s home in Palm Springs
While still others famous couples like Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Lucy and Desi Arnaz loved to rendezvous with their paramours. Rumor has it that President John F. Kennedy when in town stayed at Peter Lawford’s home (his brother-in-law), which coincidently just happened to be around the corner from Marilyn Monroe’s home.
While the allure of Palms Springs waned a bit during in the late 80s, Sonny Bono (of the mega duo Sonny & Cher) when Mayor of Palm Springs (1988 – 1992) founded the Palms Springs International Film Festival. Now every January Hollywood stars stream in to promote their films, enjoy the weather and party in style!
Speaking of “style” the Buick in the Desert Architectural tour was all about it. We stayed at the beautiful La Serena Villas. Lars Viklund, the owner was very helpful and attentive during our stay. Our group was a mix of media, influencers, and VIP’s who all drove into town in a Buick.
Photo by Dan MacMedan For Buick
Naibe Reynoso and I were invited as a team to the Buick in the Desert experience. We are both executive producers and host our own TV talk show, TheTRENDTalk. That first evening we joined the whole group on the rooftop of La Serena Villas for a welcome dinner under the stars which was simply amazing. While we enjoyed the specialty cocktails, appetizers, and main course, we bonded as Buick drivers (for the occasion).
As the evening wound down Naibe and I decided that despite the fact that it had begun to rain we just had to try out the jacuzzi. You’ve not lived if you haven’t jumped into your private jacuzzi while the skies rain upon you.
Naibe enjoying the warmth of the jacuzzi in the rain
The next morning, the tour officially began. After meeting everyone and every car…yes, we were introduced to each car and got to know them pretty well. From our classy, sassy Regal GS to an Enclave Avenir, an Encore, Envision, Regal TourX, various Lacrosse’s, all beautiful and for any size family. Naibe and I were thrilled with our car, however the Regal TourX, “Luxury Wagon” was a close second. With its hands-free power liftgate, eight-way power driver seat with two-way power lumbar, heated leather strap steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror and much more, it was pretty dope. It’s a good thing the “Regals” share a lot of the same features!
Checking out the Regal TourX driven by GM’s own Shauna Sichi (my 2nd favorite car) Photo by Dan MacMedan For Buick
We then all caravaned as a group to check out some of the most iconic architectural homes in Palm Springs and we stayed connected via a conference call. Our tour guide Michael Stern, an expert in mid-century modern architecture, was able to point out the most famous homes and landmarks while we each drove along in our own car. That in itself was too cool.
Photo by Dan MacMedan For Buick
Michael also included a little bit of “chisme” on the lore of the very famous people who at one time resided or still reside in some of these famous homes. He pointed out Melvyn’s Restaurant, an old restaurant/piano bar where the Rat Pack used to party.
We bonded, our cars bonded and we saw the most beautiful homes.
Arrangements had been made for the group to actually go inside a few of these properties. One of my favorites was the Franz Alexander home. High above the city with its swooping roofline, 50s decor with furniture in rich yellows and orange. It has a magnificent sweeping, three-room window view of the whole Coachella Valley; a guest house, and a beautiful pool as the central point. It was hard to believe someone actually lived there. It was pristine.
We also visited the home of William Holden, one of the biggest stars of the 50s. Although this home has not kept its original decor like so many other homes owned by celebrities, it was breathtaking in its own right. This home was recently renovated by designer Rodrigo Vargas in a stunning exercise in open space, flawlessly merging interior and exterior. The manicured one-acre lawn and the pool were breathtaking; contrasted by the all-white interior. I could definitely live here.
Our last evening in Palm Springs we dined at the old Frank Sinatra estate. It was surreal to think we were actually walking around in the same house that Old Blue Eyes lived in. The showpiece of the home is a recording system (see green arrow below) that Sinatra used to record on and then satellite his music over to Capital Records. At that time it was considered state-of-the-art equipment and now priceless considering who owned it.
Frank Sinatra’s Estate. Pool, Living room (see the arrow), the master bedroom and the dining table where we dined. Most of the rooms have been recreated to original decor
As martini’s flowed, music played, and we all enjoyed our five-course meal, we were regaled with stories of Ava Gardner and Sinatra who lived in the estate while married. We were shown the famous crack in the bathroom sink from a champagne bottle Sinatra had thrown at Gardner. Just imagining that story, while being in the same spot where it happened made the home come alive with the memories of Sinatra, an Academy Award-winning actor (From Here to Eternity) and dubbed “the greatest singer of the 20th century” by American music critic Robert Christgau. The perfect way to end the night.
The next morning I left with a new sense of Palm Springs. What it was, and what it continues to be. A place with a lot of history, glamour and style. I think the Regal GS fit right in.
But we was not done yet. We had three more days with the Regal GS. The day after I drove to the Rick Lozano Celebrity Golf Tournament in Morongo where my husband (who is an actor) was invited to play. We were able to fit his golf bag in the trunk easily, along with our other travel bags. I was the caddy for the day — but I did it in style.
(L-R) Caddy for a day, at Christmas parade, at South Coast Repertory to see A Christmas Carol
The next day we drove to Pacoima where Naibe and I, as hosts of theTRENDTalk, where invited to ride in their Christmas parade along with my husband. We rode in a very nice car, but it would have been perfect if I had asked, just for this parade, to trade the Regal GS for a Cascada Sport Touring and ride in a hot red convertible!
And as Christmas was upon us, we drove the Regal GS to the South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, to see our son Sol Castillo (also an actor) in the role of Fred in A Christmas Carol.
And then it was really time to say goodbye to the Buick Regal GS…or was it?
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