To Catch a Taste: Cary Grant, Mid-Century Style and the Flavor of Palm Springs

Cary Grant in Palm Springs, sporting French cuffs, cufflinks and jeans with a sharp crease.

If you have ever watched Cary Grant effortlessly hold a martini, outrun a crop duster, or romance Grace Kelly on a sun-drenched balcony, you may have wondered: How did he do it? How did he become Cary Grant?

While we cannot give you his exact chin dimple, we can give you his coordinates. And we can tell you the fascinating and heart-wrenching stories about the private man behind his on-screen persona.

Long before Palm Springs became the epicenter of neon-drenched pool floats and festival chic, it was the ultimate desert sanctuary for Old Hollywood. And nobody did the desert quite like Cary Grant. For nearly two decades, the screen’s most sophisticated leading man used the Coachella Valley as his personal playground. He brought along his unparalleled sense of style and taste for the good life.

So, put on your oversized sunglasses and adjust your silk ascot. Let’s take a stroll through the culinary and cultural footprint of Palm Springs’ most dashing resident.

The Ultimate Host at Las Palomas

In 1954, as he was contemplating retirement (a threat he made about as often as he changed his pocket squares), Grant fell for an Andalusian-style farmhouse in the star-studded Movie Colony neighborhood. He snapped up the estate and named it Las Palomas (“The Doves” in English).

Grant was the ultimate host here, entertaining everyone from Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable to Sophia Loren and Katharine Hepburn on his 1.5-acre property. He even had a dedicated guest casita designed specifically for his close friend and frequent director, Alfred Hitchcock.

Hitchcock didn’t just sunbathe by the pool—he used his stays at Las Palomas to coax Grant out of retirement. Over drinks and desert breezes, Hitchcock convinced him to star in To Catch a Thief and later in North by Northwest.

From Star’s Sanctuary to Modern Epicurean Hotspot

Las Palomas remains a privately owned historic jewel (the estate’s current owner is a major Hollywood director who, not coincidentally, is a big fan of Hitchcock and Cary Grant’s work). But you can still literally dine in the footprint of Grant's desert legacy.

Today, part of that historic footprint lives on at Copley’s on Palm Canyon, one of the premier culinary destinations in Palm Springs. What is now Copley’s was Cary Grant’s separate guest and entertainment house a short walk from Las Palomas.

At Copley's, the vibe is exactly as Cary intended: casually sophisticated, upscale yet deeply relaxing, and framed by breathtaking views of the San Jacinto Mountains. You can sip a perfectly balanced cocktail or enjoy dinner on the patio, right where Hollywood royalty once gossiped under the stars. It is the ultimate fusion of mid-century glamour and contemporary flavor.

In the nearby Old Las Palmas neighborhood, walking distance from Copley’s, sits a beautifully maintained estate that once served as another of Grant's preferred retreats, affectionately known as Villa Paradiso. Cary stayed here as a guest numerous times. It is currently on the market at a bit over $12,000,000, in case you are interested. One of your neighbors would be Leonardo Di Caprio.

Sip and Stroll Like a Legend

Cary Grant’s approach to life in the desert was all about balance—sharp tailoring mixed with poolside relaxation, high-end entertaining paired with local, laid-back charm. That exact blend of history and flavor is what makes Palm Springs such an incredible culinary tapestry today.

At Artisan Food Tours, we believe the best ways to experience Palm Springs is by seeing it firsthand, hearing the stories of the people who lived here, breathing in the aromas and tasting the flavors. We can’t guarantee a Hitchcock sighting on our next walk, but we can promise an unforgettable journey. You’ll see our living history, hear the incredible stories of our legendary residents and taste the artisanal flavors. Join us on one of our small-group walking food tours through the heart of Palm Springs. Tours begin Oct. 2 but you can reserve your spot now at Artisan Food Tours for our Downtown Tour.