Palm Springs has plenty to offer fans of architecture, but knowing where to go and what to see can be a challenge – especially for those with limited time. On this tour, you can sit back and relax as Palm Springs' architectural ambassador Robert Imber takes you through the city's diverse neighborhoods, reveals their many treasures and tells their fascinating stories.

Robert's narrative includes the history of Palm Springs, the people who lived, worked and vacationed here, the Hollywood stars who played and built homes here and the architects, builders and designers who, from the late 1930s through the early 1970s, developed the "desert modernism" style for which Palm Springs has become famous.

You'll see distinctive homes by noted architects, celebrity hideaways, familiar film locations, revolutionary modern tract developments, beautifully preserved commercial buildings and civic buildings that influenced public architecture throughout the world. You'll also see resorts, country clubs and hotels from Palm Springs' legendary Rat Pack days and a variety of notable older and newer structures that provide context and character to the city's eclectic built environment.

Feel free to ask questions or request more in-depth information on a particular area of interest and Robert will be happy to oblige. It's a fun, informal conversation and a rewarding, information-packed cultural experience that you'll never forget.

Richard Neutra's meticulously restored Kaufmann house (left) is widely considered to be one of the finest works of residential architecture in North America (along with Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water," which was commissioned by the same family.)

Vista Las Palmas was developed in the 1950s by the George Alexander Construction Company using modern home designs by the architectural firm of Palmer and Krisel, Inc. and by architect Charles Dubois. Look for classic "Swiss Miss" and "butterfly" rooflines, and don't miss the "House of Tomorrow," (left) Elvis and Pricilla's honeymoon hideaway.

The commercial core is an eclectic mix of architectural styles from early settlers' cabins to 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival, to classic mid-century modern – plus newer designs that reflect the city's architectural legacy. Standouts include Lloyd Wright's Oasis Hotel tower (left), William F. Cody's Del Marcos Hotel, Herbert W. Burns' Orbit In and landmark bank buildings by Donald Wexler, E. Stewart Williams and Victor Gruen Associates.

Palm Springs' south end is a purist's dream – an endless maze of mid-century resorts, apartment complexes, country clubs and fabulous custom homes lining emerald-green fairways. From cool modernism to Hollywood regency to rustic ranch and roadside kitsch, the South Palm Canyon area of town warrants a tour all its own.

Modernist's love Palm Springs' Civic Center buildings for their purity, simplicity and subtlety. Similar structures from the 1960's can be found around the world, but these 1950's originals are prototypes that spawned a revolution in essential and economical, but nonetheless profound, civic architecture. (Left: City Hall's iconic sun screens)

A quirky historic outpost in a mountain cleft at the southeast end of town, Araby Cove contains a handful of surprises like this mid-century "cottage" (left), a tri-level mini-estate built by aviation/media tycoon and legendary germ-o-phobe Howard Hughes with foot-controlled electrical switches.