Discover Pioneertown for a Fun Afternoon While Visiting Palm Springs

Palm Springs has a rich history of Hollywood connections from Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Gene Autrey and many others. One of the most interesting Hollywood landmarks to visit in Palm Springs is Pioneertown, built in the early 1940’s just outside Yucca Valley. Original developers and investors included Roy Rogers, Dick Curtis, and Russell Hayden who envisioned a live-in Old West motion-picture set. The 1870’s frontier town had facades for filming and interiors open to the public. More than 50 films and several television shows were filmed in Pioneertown throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s.

The town is centered on Mane Street with a variety of restaurants, shops, and live Western entertainment. The bowling alley is abandoned now and stands opposite a reconstructed jail, bathhouse and bank. Set props can be seen throughout the town including carts of “dynamite”, realistic manikins in rocking chairs on porches and fake crows attached to posts & rails. With a population of around 350 people, you can often find locals hawking their wares along Mane Street including handcrafted saddles, feathered dream catchers and other nick-knacks.

The premier attraction at Pioneertown is Pappy & Harriet’s, a restaurant and bar with a thriving music scene. The original facade was used as a “cantina” set for many films and was purchased in 1972 by Harriet’s mother, Francis Aleba. Along with her husband, John, the building was transformed into an outlaw biker burrito bar called “The Cantina.” After 10 raucous years, “The Cantina” closed but the building remained in the family.

In 1982, Harriet and her husband, Claude “Pappy” Allen, opened “Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace”. While the bikers still hung around, Pappy & Harriet’s presence created more of a family atmosphere. With family style Tex-Mex cuisine and live music featuring Pappy, Harriet and their granddaughter Kristina, P&H quickly became a local favorite with all walks of life getting along under one roof! The tradition of great food and music continues today even attracting big-time musicians such as Robert Plant, Vampire Weekend, Leon Russell, Sean Lennon and many more. The legendary bar has become an indie rock favorite with a vibe that can’t be matched.

Make POSH Palm Springs Inn Your Place To Stay

Make POSH Palm Springs Inn your home base for exploring Hollywood’s Old West history. After your adventure in Pioneertown, relax in our large refreshing pool perfect for a quick dip or just lounging around. Float in the pool while you soak up the desert sun and enjoy our complimentary happy hour complete with a frosty POSH martini from 4-5 pm. Check our availability and reserve your room today!

Photo Credit: Priscilla Westra, Stocksnap.io