Neighborhood Spotlight: Palm Springs, CA

For those who want to enjoy life, Palm Springs, California, is the place to be. This desert oasis has a small-town vibe with big-city amenities and has been a favorite destination for the famous and well-healed for decades.

Palm Springs at a glance

Located in Riverside County, Palm Springs is situated on the western edge of the Coachella Valley about 107 miles east of Los Angeles. Many Angelenos own second homes in Palm Springs, so while the permanent population is about 45,000, that number can triple between November and March. The city is a popular retirement and vacation destination and attracts people because of its wide array of recreational activities, arts and culture scene, and stylish architecture. It is located in the Colorado Desert and Mt. San Jacinto serves as the stunning backdrop to this elegant and vibrant city.

Palm Springs real estate and neighborhoods

Known as the modernism capital of the world, Palm Springs is famous for its architecture. Here you’ll find many homes built in a midcentury modern style and designed by some of the world’s most famous architects. These include William Krisel, Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, Hugh Kaptur, and Donald Wexler. Palm Springs is also known for being a popular retirement destination and many of the city’s neighborhoods feature resort-style amenities to cater to the vacation and retirement crowd. Popular neighborhoods include Araby Cove, Deepwell Estates, Gene Autry, Historic Tennis Club, The Mesa, The Movie Colony, and Twin Palms. The median home price in Palm Springs is approximately $315,000.

Palm Springs history

While people have been living in the Palm Springs area for thousands of years, its modern history began in the early 1900s. It was then that the city became famous as a fashionable resort town, attracting visitors who needed the dry heat for medical conditions. Several hotels and resorts were built through the first three decades of the 20th century. By the 1930s Hollywood stars began building homes in the area because of the seclusion and sunny weather, and nightclubs became popular. Famous architects were commissioned to create homes for the wealthy, spawning a style known as Desert Modern, which became a template for modern suburban living. Palm Springs continues to be a popular destination for year-round residents, snowbirds, and tourists.

Palm Springs amenities

Palm Springs attracts up to a million visitors each year and it’s easy to see why. The city boasts excellent weather, especially in the winter months, and loads of interesting things to see and do. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a great place to begin your adventure in Palm Springs. Travel 8,500 feet up Mt. San Jacinto to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area from above. It’s the world’s largest rotating tramcar, and it travels to the top of the mountain in approximately 10 minutes.

The city is home to a large number of annual events. Some of the most popular include the Palm Springs International Film Festival and Modernism Week where you can explore all the midcentury modern homes, buildings, and attractions that have made the city famous.

Recreational opportunities abound in the city with 350 days of sunshine a year. There are more golf courses in the Coachella Valley than in any other area in California. Residents and visitors also enjoy many city parks and recreational facilities, hiking and biking trails, and horseback riding.

Palm Canyon Drive is the heart of the city. This is where many of the city’s parades and festivals take place. This commercial, one-way strip includes art galleries, boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Or browse the Walk of Stars to spot the names of some of your favorite celebrities who have graced the streets of Palm Springs.

There are also many world-class museums and cultural institutions in Palm Springs. These include the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Moorten Botanical Garden, and the Annenberg Theater.

Palm Springs schools

Students in Palm Springs are served by the highly-rated Palm Springs Unified School District. Palm Springs is also home to Kaplan College and the California Nurses Educational Institute.

Explore Palm Springs today!

Have you been dreaming about relocating to one of Southern California’s most vibrant and attractive cities? Then view available properties in Palm Springs and schedule your private showing today!