With tons of warm weather, desert scenery and relative isolation, Palm Springs became a popular hideaway for film celebrities during Hollywood's golden era. Stars could leave the studio Friday evening and in just over two hours be relaxing by the pool at the "Springs."

Located just over 100 miles east of Hollywood in Riverside County's Coachella Valley, the community of Palm Springs began its tenure as a fashionable resort destination in the 1900s. Hollywood discovered the Springs in the '20s when celebrities began building grand vacation homes in a modern architectural style unique to the area. In addition to fancy homes, several swank hotels popped up in Palm Springs, the first and most famous of which is the Desert Inn. Others included the El Mirador and Charlie Ferrell's Racquet Club.

Along with the hotels came ritzy (but casual) clubs and eateries (like the Dunes Club and Sausser's 139 Club) and snazzy golf courses, all of which helped Palm Springs earn the title "Playground of the Stars."

And who were the stars who played in Palm Springs? Among the first were Rudolph Valentino and Theda Bara. Following in their footsteps came Paulette Goddard, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant, Lucille Ball, and of course, the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra.