Tour eight distinct homes at CoCo Cabana, a beautifully preserved 1955 garden apartment retreat showcasing classic desert resort living in one of Palm Springs' most scenic neighborhoods.

Please join us for this special Modernism Week home tour and experience quintessential midcentury desert resort living at CoCo Cabana, a rare and beautifully preserved garden apartment community in the prestigious Araby Cove neighborhood.

Originally built in 1955 as a garden apartment hotel and designed by Coachella Valley architect Charles W. Doty, CoCo Cabana is comprised of 31 residences set across five meticulously landscaped acres. Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, the property remains one of Palm Springs’ finest and most intact examples of low-density, garden apartment-style architecture and is currently in the process of pursuing Historic Designation.

Guests will meander through lush greenbelts and tour eight distinct homes, including original 1955 units as well as “tennis units” added during a 1972 expansion. These one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences reflect a range of thoughtful updates, each offering a unique interpretation of the desert leisure lifestyle while honoring the community’s midcentury roots.

Inspired by the British Garden City movement, CoCo Cabana was designed as a self-contained oasis—where open green space, a central pool, and harmonious architecture create a tranquil retreat. This design philosophy was widely embraced in Southern California, particularly during the post–World War II boom, offering an idyllic alternative to urban living.

From its early days as a stylish 1950s and ’60s hotel known for lively cocktail gatherings, to its evolution in the 1970s as a discreet tennis retreat for the well-heeled, CoCo Cabana has long embodied the spirit of Palm Springs leisure living. Today, it continues to thrive as a vibrant residential community for full-time residents, seasonal visitors and modernism enthusiasts alike.

A portion of the funds raised from this tour will directly support CoCo Cabana’s official Historic Designation initiative.

Instagram

Photo Credits: CoCo Cabana HOA

Location & Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 13 and older
  • Are pets, animals, or service animals permitted?Dog on a leash Pets and animals not permitted
  • Are food and drinks permitted?Food and drink No outside food or drinks
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Walking activity with exterior and/or interior steps
  • What type of parking is available?Car Free neighborhood street parking
  • What is the policy for personal effects?Bag or purse Large purses, bags, backpacks discouraged
  • Is photography permitted?Camera Photography permitted at discretion of host
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms not available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor and outdoor activity
  • What is the policy regarding smoking?Cigarette with smoke No smoking or e-cigarettes
  • What type of tour is this?Group of people Interior/exterior tour
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Limited wheelchair accessibility
The organizer of this event is: CoCo Cabana HOA

View more Home Tours

Even More To Do At Modernism Week

Home ToursEvent Category Home Tours

Kirk Douglas Estate Tour

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation will host a tour of the historic Kirk Douglas Estate, designed by famous Modernist architect Donald Wexler and built by Robert Higgins in 1954

Walking ToursEvent Category Walking Tours

Uptown Design District

In the early glory days of our town, Hollywood stars and business magnates alike discovered this neighborhood, which provided them with all they needed to revel in sun-kissed days and star-filled nights.

Browse Activities By Category