Perched high on a ridge above the canyon floor of Palm Springs is Southridge, an ultra-exclusive private community with fewer than 20 homes.

Developed over 30 years ago by the late actor William Holden, Southridge enticed such celebrity residents as Bob & Dolores Hope, Stefanie Powers, and Steve McQueen. It was also home to the "The Fugitive" star, actor David Janssen, whose estate "La Piedra" ("The Rock") was seven years in the making. Sculpted entirely from 600 tons of precisely-laid Idaho quartzite, it is truly an architectural gem.

Recently the setting for a select group of top-tier award recipients, cocktails and canapés were served on the upper veranda adjacent to the putting green just above the stunning pool. As dinner approached, guests were escorted through the home to the back patio overlook, where they dined while enjoying the soothing sounds of a Native American flautist. The evening concluded with planetary stargazing supplied by high-powered state-of-the-art telescopes complementing a crystal clear evening.

La Piedra is accessible by sedan or limousine only and can accommodate up to 40 persons.

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