Since the 1980s, Palm Desert, CA has rapidly grown into one of the Coachella Valley’s top places to live and play. Today, this Southern California city’s population sits at 50,000 year-round residents, and thanks to its warm winter climate, population grows by about 30,000 from December to May.
Centrally located in the valley just 15 miles east of Palm Springs, the city offers visitors, residents, families and snowbirds a variety of year-round events, cultural sights and outdoor spaces to explore. Palm Desert’s El Paseo, for instance, has become a top retail district in the valley, and its high-end boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants beckon visitors every year. The city also has numerous outdoor adventures on tap, including golf and tennis, a network of parks, and the nearby San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
Are you interested in real estate in Palm Desert? Our handy buyer’s guide offers a glimpse into Palm Desert’s housing market and all that the city has to offer.
Palm Desert: A Popular Destination in the Coachella Valley
Palm Desert’s relatively short history began in the 1920s. At the time, Palm Desert was known as “Palm Village” and it was only a small, isolated desert community. Modern Palm Desert began to rise in the 1940s, when realtors began developing the area.
Early in its history, Palm Desert built a reputation as a resort and golf mecca. In fact, in 1947, Palm Desert’s first golf cart parade was held – a tradition that continues today.
Palm Desert grew exponentially in the 1980s. The population in 1980 – just 11,000 – had doubled by 1990, and it doubled again by 2000. Today, Palm Desert continues to experience growth, as the city has become one of Coachella’s most popular destinations for snowbirds and retirees.
Palm Desert Neighborhoods
Due to its rapid growth over the last 30 years, Palm Desert’s neighborhoods offer homebuyers access to newer homes in gated communities, many of which feature Spanish Colonial, Mediterrean-style or mid-century architecture. Some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods include:
• Cahuilla Hills – Secluded Cahuilla Hills attracts many of Palm Desert’s celebrity residents, and the private neighborhood offers luxury homes on larger lots.
• Chaparral Country Club – The secret’s out about Chaparral Country Club. This private, golf community sits close to the El Paseo shopping district, and is anchored by an 18-hole Ted Robinson-design course.
• Lantana – A centrally located neighborhood, Lantana offers a mix of newer single-family homes, low HOA fees and proximity to great schools, recreation and shopping.
• Hidden Palms – A condo community located just north of Highway 111, Hidden Palms offers all the amenities, including swimming pools, a private lake and tennis courts.
• Bighorn Golf Club – Situated at the base of the Santa Rosa mountains, Bighorn Golf Club is home to private luxury estates that offer access to two 18-hole golf courses.
Palm Desert: An Ideal Desert Climate
Why is Palm Desert such a great place to buy a home? Beyond the numerous things to do, many choose Coachella Valley for the weather. The city’s unique desert climate boasts average winter temperatures in the 70s and 80s – making the city the perfect wintertime escape for snowbirds.
Overall, the weather remains pleasant throughout winter, early spring and fall, while hotter temperatures arrive in summer. From late May to August, temperatures climb into the 90s and 100s.
Another added benefit of the region’s climate: The Coachella Valley is renowned for its sunshine. The valley receives about 300 sunny days per year, and with low annual rainfall, Palm Desert is an ideal location for people who love to get outdoors.
Year-Round Events, Vibrant Arts and a Rich Cultural History
Considering buying a home in Palm Desert? Not only are the weather and beautiful scenery draws, Palm Desert is perfect for an active lifestyle.
Downtown, residents and visitors flock to the Street & Art Fair & Farmers Market – which is held Saturdays and Sundays, year-round. The weekly fair is held in Palm Desert’s retail district – El Paseo – which is the center of retail activity in the valley.
If you’re looking for golf, you can’t swing a nine-iron without hitting an award-winning course. Some of the top include the city-owned Desert Willow Golf Resort, the Shadow Mountain Golf Club, or the iconic Classic Club.
Looking for great eateries? Palm Desert is home to more than 150 restaurants, from casual Mexican joints to upscale fine dining establishments, and El Paseo is renowned for its upscale shopping – sometimes called the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert.”
The arts? There’s plenty here. The McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts ballets, musicals and shows through the fall and winter, and the city was one of the first in the valley to introduce public art displays (you’ll notice sculptures in many public places).
Search For Palm Desert Properties
This is the only website you will need to search for homes, condos, land and foreclosure properties in the Palm Springs area. It is easy-to-use and updated every 15 minutes by the official MLS database. You can save searches, and get daily email alerts for new listings, price changes, properties sold, and market reports. Our Interactive Map Search allows you to view properties on a map or refine your search by drawing the boundaries around the area you desire.
Find out what’s happening in your neighborhood? You can create a custom market report to see what’s active, under contract, and sold in your neighborhood!
Considering selling or refinancing your home? Get an INSTANT property valuation now!
Contact me today to find out how I can help you!
Beautifully remodeled home set back from the street on oversized corner lot, close to the base of the mountains. Fully remodeled kitchen & baths! All new appliances! Til...
Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house in Central Palm Desert location-walking distance to restaurants and grocery stores.Located at the end of the cul-de-sac on a quiet str...
This amazing home is ready and waiting! 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths and a large office with customs built ins. Large open GREAT ROOM includes Custom Built Ins below Mounted Tel...
Located in an ideal Palm Desert location, the gated community of Monterey Sands, this 3-bedroom two-bathroom residence is the perfect winter getaway or full-time residenc...
Offered Turnkey Furnished! Quaintly appointed on a VIEW lot, this home is tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac street in the highly desirable South Palm Desert area. This ho...
A DELIGHT at Terracina! Just off Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert. LOCATION + VALUE + STYLE. Former ''model home'' remains a looker with its Mediterranean influenced ar...
Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of . This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Putting The "Real" back in Real Estate
Certified Residential Specialist
Bennion Deville Homes/Rancho Mirage
71691 Hwy 111
Rancho Mirage CA 92270
Karen@KarenStearns.com
760-413-2694
LIC #00827541
Freshest Data Available
Active Listings Only
Customizable Search Options
New Listing Alerts
Instant Home Value Assessments
Karen is absolutely the best real estate agent we have ever used and now we have found her we would never want to use another. I cant praise her highly enough. L Jenkins
Karen was extremely efficient in marketing and selling our property quickly. When it came time for escrow, she was, again, super helpful with the entire process. Thank you, Karen! J Miller
Read More Testimonials