Nestled in the heart of the desert, Palm Springs, California, emerges as a vibrant oasis steeped in culture and history. This sun-kissed haven boasts world-renowned architecture, pristine golf courses, inviting tennis courts, refreshing swimming pools, exquisite dining experiences, captivating art galleries, and an array of lively festivals. With a myriad of mountain hiking trails at your fingertips, exploring Palm Springs' essence is an adventure in itself.
Palm Springs effortlessly marries the tranquility of a small city with the cosmopolitan allure of a metropolis. Its exceptional shopping, top-tier entertainment, delectable dining, and recreational opportunities are second to none. Situated in central Riverside County, just 107 miles east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs rests within the enchanting Colorado Desert, at an elevation of 487 feet. Dominating the skyline is the majestic Mt. San Jacinto, rising to an impressive 10,831 feet. Covering a generous 96 square miles, Palm Springs is graced with well-established neighborhoods and a burgeoning fascination with mid-century modern architecture, adding to its eclectic design tapestry.
Being a mere two-hour drive from Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties, Palm Springs beckons a multitude of second-home seekers. With a permanent population of 43,800, which swells to nearly 75,000 during the winter season, Palm Springs is a thriving desert paradise. Drawing in approximately 1 million tourists who choose to stay in hotels and another 600,000 in alternative accommodations, the city's allure is undeniable. Its climate, with an abundance of 350 sun-soaked days annually, is a major attraction.
Residents of Palm Springs are privileged to enjoy numerous parks and recreational facilities, including a municipal golf course, tennis courts, an Olympic-size public pool, a dog park, and a baseball stadium. For the active at heart, the city offers hiking trails, scenic bicycle routes, a thrilling water park, and horseback riding adventures. Cultural enthusiasts can explore the city's library and museums, immersing themselves in the local heritage.
An unforgettable experience awaits those who embark on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, ascending 8,500 feet to the mountain station on Mt. San Jacinto in just 15 minutes. Downtown Palm Springs, adorned with tall, straight palm trees along Palm Canyon Drive, serves as the stage for the city's vibrant parades and festivals. A leisurely stroll along this bustling thoroughfare reveals charming antique shops, captivating art galleries, chic boutiques, enticing restaurants, and lively nightclubs. Take a closer look at the Walk of Stars and discover the names of iconic Hollywood legends who have left their mark on this chic desert haven. Once the favored playground of Hollywood's elite, Palm Springs continues to exude timeless charm and sophistication.
Investing in Palm Springs Real Estate offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of this captivating desert community, where leisure and luxury converge amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
Events and Activities
In the heart of Southern California's desert paradise, Greater Palm Springs offers a diverse range of events and activities catering to all ages and interests. Whether you're into weekly live music, world-class entertainment, or exploring cultural gems, this region has it all.
For theater enthusiasts, the renowned McCallum Theater hosts touring Broadway acts, while the newly opened Acrisure Arena, with its impressive 11,000-seat capacity, welcomes top artists from around the world. Sports fans can catch the excitement of Firebirds hockey games at the same arena.
Music aficionados can dance the night away at Vicky's of Santa Fe, where live entertainment spans from soulful blues to lively jazz. Art enthusiasts can immerse themselves in contemporary artworks every Thursday night at the Palm Springs Art Museum, free of charge.
The Arenas District, nestled in downtown Palm Springs, is the epicenter of LGBTQ unity and a vibrant blend of relaxed charm and lively panache. It boasts the largest concentration of LGBTQ establishments in the Coachella Valley, offering a unique and welcoming atmosphere. Blackbook is a standout, renowned for its excellent menu and award-winning craft cocktails. Across the street, Hunters Palm Springs is a hot spot for clubbing, featuring go-go dancers, Drag Bingo on Wednesdays, and Fur Fridays with enticing drink specials. Quadz Video Bar lets you sing along to Broadway and showtunes, fostering a sense of camaraderie and fun.
Chill Bar, adjacent to Quadz in the Arenas District, serves up a delightful mix of shows, parties, food, and drinks. With internationally acclaimed DJs and performers, it boasts the city's largest dancefloor and state-of-the-art sound and light systems. Streetbar, an enduring favorite, adds its own charm with a bustling atmosphere and its iconic chandelier. Meanwhile, Dick's on Arenas brings leather and Levi realness, creating a safe space for the gay community and promoting inclusivity.
To celebrate its Hollywood legacy, Palm Springs hosts the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), one of North America's largest film festivals, showcasing a diverse lineup of international features and documentaries.
Modernism Week, another annual event, shines a spotlight on the city's rich mid-century design and architecture. Palm Springs boasts some of the world's most spectacular mid-century modern homes, designed and built by renowned architects like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and Donald Wexler.
Beyond events, Greater Palm Springs offers access to stunning national parks and attractions like The Living Zoo and Gardens and The Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center. Joshua Tree National Park, a short drive away, is a must-visit with its unique terrain drawing visitors from around the world. And don't miss the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which transports riders from downtown Palm Springs to the breathtaking wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, offering hiking trails and spectacular vistas.
For families, the region provides numerous educational options, including public and private schools. Palm Springs High School stands out for its excellent sports program, while Cielo Vista Charter School and Katherine Finchy Elementary School have received gold ribbons from the U.S. Department of Education. Moreover, Greater Palm Springs is conveniently located near affordable colleges and universities through the UC and Cal State education systems, with California State University, San Bernardino, and the University of California, Riverside, just a short distance away.
Palm Springs History
Palm Springs’ Beginnings
Long before movie stars and golf pros arrived, a peaceful tribe of Indians lived in the area that became Palm Springs. The ancestors of today’s Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians dwelled in an area of lush vegetation now known as Indian Canyons more than 2,000 years ago, which is just a few minutes outside downtown Palm Springs.
In 1853, the U.S. Government sent a survey party to Palm Springs and its natural hot springs to establish the first wagon route through the San Gorgonio Pass. In 1876, the United States government established the Agua Caliente Reservation over 31,128 acres in a checkerboard format of alternating sections of 640 acres. The alternating non-reservation sections were granted to the Southern Pacific Railroad as an incentive to bring rail lines through the Sonoran desert. This checkerboard format includes downtown Palm Springs, making the Agua Caliente one of the wealthiest tribes in the United States. Those interested in buying Palm Springs real estate may be shocked to discover that the land underneath some of the homes or condos they wish to purchase is leased. The Agua Caliente secured the right for its members to lease land for 99 years at a time in 1959.
In 1884, the first major settlement began when Judge John Guthrie McCallum relocated from San Francisco with his family hoping the dry climate would cure his son’s tuberculosis. McCallum purchased land from Southern Pacific Railroad and built an aqueduct to bring water to the Coachella Valley. Although Dr. Welwood Murray built the first hotel in 1886, it closed in 1909, the same year that the Coffman Family opened the Desert Inn as a health resort. The hotel was modernized in 1927 but closed in 1967, and a shopping complex was built on the site.
Palm Springs was incorporated as a city in 1938, long after it became a playground for movie stars in the 1920’s.
Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley played an important part in World War II. The desert became a training ground for General George S. Patton’s troops prior to the North Africa invasion. The El Mirador Hotel was purchased by the U.S. government and converted it into Torney General Hospital. Today it’s the location of the Desert Regional Medical Center.
The airfield near the city that was a staging area for the Air Corps Ferrying Command’s 21st Ferrying Group is now the location of the Palm Springs International Airport.
Hollywood’s Playground
The Hollywood studios had a “two-hour rule” that required actors under contract to be available within two hours from the studio for any last minute film shoots. Palm Springs is about an hour and 50-minute drive from Los Angeles, so the “two-hour rule” helped put Palm Springs on the map.
Famous residents with Palm Springs hideaways included: Albert Einstein, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Kirk Douglas and Cary Grant. Famous ladies that frequently visited, included Marilyn Monroe, Dinah Shore, Lily Tomlin and Elizabeth Taylor.
High-powered couples that rendezvoused here included Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, Elvis and Priscilla, President Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, President Ronald and Nancy Reagan and Walter and Lee Annenberg.
Today, Hollywood A-Listers are often drawn to Palm Springs in January for the Palm Springs International Film Festival founded by Mayor Sonny Bono in 1989. Frequent visitors include Clint Eastwood, John Travolta, Ron Howard, Halle Barry and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Many details from Palm Springs’ rich history still remain in the city, and make it a fascinating city to tour.
