By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/31/26 – As part of the Marilyn Monroe Centennial festivities, comedian, storyteller, and local historian Shann Carr led the 10 a.m. edition of her popular “Marilyn’s Morning After SNARKitecture” tour through Palm Springs. True to its name, the tour combined history, architecture, celebrity gossip, LGBTQ+ history, and plenty of humor, creating an entertaining and uniquely Palm Springs experience.
Carr’s style is less traditional historian and more colorful storyteller. Rather than delivering a dry list of dates and facts, she weaves together local lore, personal anecdotes, and tongue-in-cheek commentary that keeps passengers laughing while still learning about the city’s rich past.
The tour began with stories about downtown Palm Springs, including the Downtown Park fountain and the now-famous Marilyn Monroe statue. Carr discussed the previous day’s Guinness World Record celebration and joked about questions surrounding why the record attempt was held during the hottest part of the day, explaining that organizers scheduled it after the Marilyn-themed brunch events.
From there, the bus traveled through some of Palm Springs’ most famous neighborhoods, including Old Las Palmas, one of the city’s most iconic and historic neighborhoods, which I am also fortunate to call home. Carr highlighted the area’s long list of celebrity residents, past and present. Stops and commentary included references to homes connected to Gene Autry, Elizabeth Taylor, Dinah Shore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cary Grant, Barbra Streisand, Suzanne Somers, and Barry Manilow.
Naturally, Marilyn Monroe remained a central figure throughout the tour. Carr discussed the often-misunderstood history of Monroe’s Palm Springs connections, including the frequently photographed Rose Avenue home often associated with the actress. She reminded guests that Monroe never actually owned the Palm Springs property and that the only home she personally owned was in Los Angeles.
Architecture enthusiasts enjoyed stories about the legendary Alexander-built homes, Palm Springs’ mid-century design heritage, and several notable residences throughout the city. Carr also pointed out the Elvis Presley honeymoon house, another iconic Palm Springs landmark that continues to attract visitors from around the world.
One of the tour’s strengths was its willingness to move beyond celebrity homes. Carr incorporated local LGBTQ+ history, discussing pioneers such as Edie Adams and Pat McGrath, the evolution of women’s events including The Dinah, the White Party, and the ongoing importance of organizations such as The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. She also highlighted local institutions like Toucans Tiki Lounge and touched on community events including Desert Legends.
Additional stories ranged from the history of the Racquet Club, Desert Regional Medical Center’s origins as El Mirador, the famous tower that once served as a radio station, and colorful tales involving local personalities, real estate legends, and even Palm Springs’ reputation for having “as many churches as dispensaries.”
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the tour was that Palm Springs isn’t simply a collection of celebrity homes. Through Carr’s storytelling, visitors gained insight into the personalities, scandals, architecture, LGBTQ+ culture, and community spirit that helped shape the city into the unique destination it is today.
The SNARKitecture tour was not for visitors seeking a formal academic lecture. It was for those who appreciate humor, local gossip, fascinating side stories, and an insider’s perspective on Palm Springs history. Carr’s quick wit and deep local knowledge make the experience feel like riding around town with a friend who knows everyone’s secrets.
For Marilyn Monroe Centennial visitors looking to explore beyond the official festival events, Shann Carr’s SNARKitecture tour offered an entertaining and memorable look at the city Monroe loved and the colorful characters who helped make Palm Springs legendary. Adding to the spirit of community, Carr donated 20 percent of the tour’s proceeds to Greater Palm Springs Pride, supporting the organization’s ongoing work and helping fund Palm Springs Pride, which will return as usual this November.
