Your luxury tour bus departs from Palm Springs promptly at 9:30 AM for a comfortable 1½ hr. drive west to the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts, located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Alta Loma. Home to the artists’ family for nearly half a century, today’s Maloof is a Smithsonian Affiliate and part of the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios consortium established by the National Trust.

Woodworker Sam Maloof (1916–2009) was a pioneer in America’s studio craft movement, famous for exquisite furniture that brought together fine craftsmanship with a midcentury Modernist aesthetic. His works are included in scores of important public and private collections.

Upon arrival, guests will take a private docent-led tour of the Maloof Historic Home. In addition to experiencing the organic Modern architecture of the home, designed and built by Sam, guests will view examples of the world’s largest collection of Maloof furniture, including many original prototypes. The house also boasts a collection of extraordinary art, sculpture, ceramics, and other works by Claremont artists identified with California Modernism, including Harrison McIntosh, Rupert Deese, Sue Hertel, Betty Davenport Ford, and others.

Following a buffet-style picnic lunch in the courtyard, guests may view the new exhibit “Garry Knox Bennett: Crafting the Counterculture,” including a screening of the Craft in America episode celebrating Bennett’s influential life and work. The exhibit’s curator will be onsite for a Q+A, exploring the role of Garry and his wife, Sylvia Bennett, and their contemporaries in carrying forward the California Modernist aesthetic after Maloof. malooffoundation.org