I’m a celebrity… get me to Palm Springs!

For decades the Californian city of Palm Springs has attracted some of the world’s most famous celebrity home buyers, and now global superstar Leonardo Di Caprio has joined the ranks by purchasing a six-bedroom house in the desert resort, further highlighting its status as Hollywood’s playground of the stars. 

Leonardo is said to have paid £3.1 million for the 1.34-acre desert dwelling in the Old Las Palmas area in Palm Springs. Having announced his plans to take a long break after his Oscar-nominated role in The Wolf of Wall Street, it could be that the film star intends to spend his free time relaxing at his newest retreat which was built by the famed Donald Wexler, an influential architect whose work in Palm Springs helped to develop one of the largest concentrations of mid-century modern architecture in the United States.

The latest in a long line of celebrity home owners in the city, Leonardo’s new lair highlights the enduring celebrity appeal of Palm Springs. The city gained notoriety back in the 1920s when the legendary ‘two-hour rule’ of Hollywood Studios stated that actors under contract had to be within two hours from the studio. Thus Palm Springs became a hideaway for Hollywood’s elite, with famous figures like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra commissioning homes there.

Today, visitors will find various ways to delve into the rich Hollywood history of Palm Springs. Sightseers can discover the secluded retreats of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and many more iconic figures on a celebrity tour or stay overnight in one of the celebrity homes. They can catch sight of a whole host of A-listers at some of the city’s famous events, such as the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival and Coachella Music Festival, take a stroll along Palm Springs’ own ‘Walk of Stars’ or dine in various celebrity haunts dotted throughout the city, including Melvyn’s Restaurant where Frank Sinatra had his own table.

In addition, local tour company Desert Adventures recently launched a brand new Gay Icons tour with a key focus on Hollywood history.  From Liberace and Judy Garland to current resident Barry Manilow, there are many gay icons that reside, or once resided, in Palm Springs. During this new 90-minute tour, guests can peer into houses that belonged to Cher, Elizabeth Taylor and more, and visit the Warm Sands all-male resort where Hugh Hefner once hid in waiting for his mistresses. Prices for the Gay Icons tour start from £35 per person, including transport and guided touring.

For more information, see visitpalmsprings.com.