Modernism Week Announces Inaugural Day Trips Across Southern California

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Modernism Week is expanding beyond its signature desert festivals to launch a series of curated, small-group day trips showcasing architecturally and historically significant communities across Southern California, organizers announced Tuesday.

The Palm Springs-based nonprofit, known for its annual autumn and winter architecture festivals in the desert, will host its inaugural regional tour on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Pasadena. Held in partnership with Pasadena Heritage, the event will highlight postwar midcentury residential design with exterior views of homes by famed architects Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Craig Ellwood, and Buff & Hensman.

Participants will also receive private interior access to residences designed by Buff & Hensman and Harold B. Zook, alongside an afternoon presentation on women's historical influence on midcentury design at the historic 1906 Blinn House.

Upcoming tours also include visits to Los Angeles in November, Claremont in December, La Jolla in March, Pasadena's Gamble House and Huntington Gardens in April, and a vintage home tour in Riverside in May.

The trips will cover major regional design movements:

• Los Angeles (Nov. 14): A tour exploring midcentury landmarks, including interior access to Frank Lloyd Wright’s UNESCO World Heritage-designated Hollyhock House, Richard Neutra’s VDL Research House, the rarely opened Reunion House, and a guided walking tour of the Silver Lake Colony led by architectural historian Barbara Lamprecht.
• Claremont (Dec. 12): A day trip led by Claremont Heritage Executive Director David Shearer focusing on the architectural and artistic legacy of California Scene Painting figure Millard Sheets, examining his integration of fine art, murals, and mosaics into regional architecture.

Each day trip will be limited to 25 participants and include customized itineraries, expert-guided property tours, catered lunches, and motorcoach transportation.

"In addition to offering popular architecture and design festivals in October and February, Modernism Week is now offering curated tours of architecturally and historically significant Southern California communities to provide unique opportunities for guests to explore the beauty, innovation and history of the region," organization officials said in a statement.

Proceeds from Modernism Week events support the organization's 501(c)(3) charitable mission, which provides college scholarships to local architecture and design students and grants to preserve modernist architecture throughout California.

Information and ticket sales for the regional tour series are available online at modernismweek.com.