This part of the Desert in California is called the Coachella Valley.
You may know it as the Palm Desert /Palm Springs area.
When you arrive here, no matter where you turn you see scenic, rugged
mountains. That’s because this picturesque valley, which is below sea
level, is surrounded by several mountain ranges—to the north Mount San
Gorgonio (around 10,800 feet), the high-desert mountain range and the
Little San Bernardino Mountains; to the west, Mount San Jacinto (10,500
feet) and the San Jacinto mountains; to the south, the Santa Rosa
Mountains; and to the east in the distance, the Chocolate Mountains.
In the winter when the skies are clear blue and the days are sunny and
dry at 75- to 85-degree days, the mountains are covered with snow. It’s
an amazing and beautiful sight!
The valley is a vacation paradise, offering amenities and resorts of all
kinds, varieties and sizes in each city. Each city has its own unique
character. Palm Springs is at the west end of the Valley. Traveling
east, you encounter Cathedral City, then Rancho Mirage, followed by Palm
Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and finally Indio. It's no more than 30
miles from Palm Springs to Indio.
Palm Springs
Originally called Agua Caliente (Spanish for "warm water"), Palm Springs
was selected in 1863 as a stop on the stagecoach line between New
Mexico Territory and Los Angeles. It was developed as a residential
community in the 1880s.
Palm Springs is the Valley’s oldest and probably best-known city, made
famous by Hollywood stars in the '30s, '40s and '50s who used it as a
getaway. About 50 percent of the population is full-time and the rest
are weekenders, vacationers and seasonal residents. Houses in Palm
Springs range from $239,000 to $8 million.
Palm Springs has older, charming neighborhoods, all nestled at the base
of Mt. San Jacinto, and some new neighborhoods are springing up in the
north part of town. The main street, Palm Canyon Drive, is a classic
desert boulevard lined with tall palm trees shading fun shops and trendy
restaurants. It's a great walking street and a terrific place to shop,
dine, meet people or just sit in a sidewalk café and watch the world go
by.
Every Thursday night, year-round, lower Palm Canyon Drive is blocked off
for the Street Fair. The fair features music, a Farmer's Market, arts,
crafts and more. On North Palm Canyon Drive there’s another year-round
event called First Friday. The historic district’s art galleries and
specialty shops stay open and offer wine, cheese and other enticements
the first Friday of each month. It’s another wonderful Palm Springs
experience!
Palm Springs also is the center of the Valley’s gay population, having
the highest concentration of gay people among area cities. In October
2003, the city’s Chamber of Commerce estimated that 57 percent of the
population is gay and lesbian. Census 2000 reported that 11 percent of
couples living together in Palm Springs are same-sex couples. That
compares to 7.4 percent in San Francisco.
Cathedral City
Going east, Catherdral City is a bit more commercial, with more strip
malls, car dealerships and other commercial activities as well as a wide
variety of housing options. The city has some nice residential areas
also, and housing is generally less expensive than in Palm Springs.
Prices ranged from $220,000 to $1.5 million. The City is building a new
shopping and restaurant complex next door to the Imax Theatre, the only
one in the area.
Rancho Mirage
The next city going east, Rancho Mirage is much less commercial and
mostly comprised of high-end residential properties, country clubs and
gated communities. Former President Gerald Ford lives in Rancho Mirage,
as did Frank Sinatra. A popular place is The River at Rancho Mirage, a
new shopping and dining “experience.“ Houses here range from $329,000 to
$6.75 million.
Palm Desert
Palm Desert is in the Valley’s center. The largest and probably
fastest-growing Valley community, Palm Desert is experiencing a boom of
new residential and commercial construction. In addition to residential
housing and condo complexes, there are many large gated communities,
golf courses and resorts. Home prices range from moderate to very
expensive ($249,000 - $7.5 million). The city offers several large
shopping centers with major department stores and national retailers. El
Paseo Drive—with shopping, dining and art galleries—is comparable to
Los Angeles’ “Rodeo Drive. Palm Desert is also home to College of the
Desert, and branches of the University of California-San Bernardino and
University of California-Riverside.
Indian Wells
Indian Wells is considered to be the most upscale community in the
Valley by many people. It's quiet, with numerous exclusive
neighborhoods. For example, the homes in one community range from $5
million to $15 million. The city also has several large resorts, such as
the Hyatt Grand Champions, and is home to the Indian Wells Tennis
Garden, which hosts the annual Tennis Masters Series by Newsweek each
March.
La Quinta
Next is La Quinta the newest and smallest city in the valley. In
addition to residential housing, there are many gated communities, with
housing prices ranging from $200,000 to $6.9 million. Like Palm Desert,
La Quinta is experiencing huge growth in both commercial and residential
development. The city also is in the process of building an 18-hole
municipal golf course, and is home to the La Quinta Arts Foundation,
which holds a nationally renowned art festival each spring.
Indio
At the eastern end of the valley, is Indio a smaller city that also is
experiencing growth. Called the “City of Festivals,” Indio hosts the
annual Date and Tamale Festivals. Home prices range from $175,000 to
$2.4 million.
Desert Hot Springs
Desert Hot Springs is a beautiful, unique little city of spas and
resorts nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains and
Joshua Tree National Park, overlooking Palm Springs and the other
Coachella Valley cities. Desert Hot Springs is built over one of the
world’s finest, natural hot-mineral-water aquifers. Naturally occurring
mineral waters bubble and percolate to the surface city. Visitors can
calm and renew themselves in polished marble resorts, retro-hip motels
or ultra-exclusive celebrity retreats.
Desert Hot Springs also boasts pure and delicious award-winning
municipal drinking water, clean air, magnificent scenery, and easy
access to all the events and attractions in the other cities of the
Coachella Valley.
The beautiful Coachella Valley offers an extensive variety of home options for those seeking a relaxed, Desert lifestyle.