Movie Colony Hotel in Palm Springs, California

There's nothing like staying at a unique, trendy and/or historic property to make any location more memorable. I found all of these things at the Movie Colony Hotel in Palm Springs, California. The property is located in the historic Movie Colony neighborhood, named for the numerous homes of movie stars that used to live here in the 1930's to 1960's. Notable residents included Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Jack Benny, and Bing Crosby to name a few.

Designed in 1935 by famed modernist architect, Albert Frey, the Movie Colony Hotel is a prime example of Desert Modern architecture. It was one of Frey's first projects, and it only seemed to further fuel his love of the Palm Springs area. Among many other notable buildings, Frey also designed both the Aerial Tramway Station and the Palm Springs City Hall.  

The property went on to become a popular hangout for celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. There's even a bit of folklore about Jim Morrison of The Doors leaping off of the balcony of townhouse #29 into the pool here. Today the Movie Colony is a 16 room boutique hotel, and for me, it was my hub for a week during travel shoots for my Roadside California series.

Architect Albert Frey

World's Oldest McDonald's in Downey, California

Opened in 1953, this McDonald's location in Downey, California is the 3rd McDonald's restaurant to be opened, the 2nd McDonald's restaurant to be franchised by Richard and Maurice McDonald before the involvement of Ray Kroc, and currently the world's oldest still operating McDonald's. On appearance alone it feels like a roadside attraction right out of a movie.  

This McDonald's location is particularly notable because the building still retains its original Googie architecture and design featuring double golden arches and walk-up ordering windows. This McDonald's also houses a small museum full of memorabilia in an attached seating area that was later added, and has its original sign featuring "Speedee" McDonald's original mascot. 

Fittingly, the historic Downey location is also the only McDonald's in the continental US that still serves the original deep fried apple pie. The modern version of the apple pie is baked at all the other locations so this variation does provide one more excuse to come and have a look and experience this really unique McDonald's throwback.

 

Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California

A few visuals of the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California.