About
We’re Dave and Phyllis Ball, the owners and operators of Artisan Food Tours of Palm Springs. Together, we’ve explored much of the world, with food & wine experiences along the way (so far, six of the seven continents!). We believe that food is one of the best ways to experience the rich and varied cultures across our planet.
In our former lives, we owned a boutique winery, making Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Sonoma Pinot Noir and had “real jobs” to support our passions. Dave practiced healthcare business law and Phyllis owned her own company, providing international travel and cultural immersion experiences to students. We were pretty passionate about those jobs, too!
We “retired” to Palm Springs but Dave soon began guiding celebrity home and architecture tours with the leading tour company, Palm Springs Celebrity Tours. Dave has guided over four hundred and fifty tours, achieving consistent five star reviews, a rather remarkable feat!
Dave’s storytelling is rooted in his deep knowledge of our local history, culture and architecture. He loves to entertain and educate visitors with humor, delight and surprise.
Phyllis’ experience in running her own travel company provides us with the tools to professionally schedule, book and handle all of our customer communication. We provide top-shelf service to all of our guests!
We have our own adventure together now. Join us for a tour!
What guests say…
“Dave Ball had a seemingly endless supply of facts and stories about the history and architecture of Palm Springs and the celebrities who have spent time here. Even more impressive than the extent of his knowledge were the enthusiasm and sense of humor he displayed while engaging all of his passengers. He reminded me of a great teacher I once had- he made learning fun.” Curious240707
“We’ve been visiting the desert for almost 30 years, and while I’d heard stories of Hollywood celebrities past and present in Palm Springs, I never imagined the rich history that was hiding in plain sight. Thanks to Dave, I saw it all with new eyes. He’s a true treasure—a fountain of knowledge, full of fascinating stories and juicy morsels about our beloved stars. What an unforgettable experience! I highly recommend the tour.” Sofia V
“…absolutely one of the highlights of our time in Palm Springs. Dave, your knowledge, enthusiasm and storytelling…made the difference between a good tour and a great tour. Thank you for a great tour and memorable experience.” Mobile820271