With 300+ sunny days per year and perfectly mild winter temperatures, Palm Springs is the ultimate Southern California desert oasis.
This city of 45,000 – one of the largest in the Coachella Valley – offers something for everyone: Warm weather, fresh mountain air, great shopping and dining and a thriving arts scene.
Thanks to its ideal weather, Palm Springs encourages active lifestyles. Hiking, golf, camping and a year-round calendar of cultural events give visitors, second-homers and families things to do from January to December. But beyond the incredible weather and the endless fun, real estate in Palm Springs remains affordable. That’s why snowbirds, families and second-homers have been retiring and/or settling in Palm Springs for decades.
Are you considering buying a home in Palm Springs? Our short buyer’s guide will give you an insider’s look at the climate, neighborhoods, and various attractions Palm Springs offers.
Hollywood’s Playground
Palm Springs is situated in the San Jacinto Mountains 105 miles east of Los Angeles. And thanks to its location, since the 1950s, the city has become a hangout for celebrities, studio execs, and directors.
Many of Old Hollywood’s biggest stars like Marilyn Monroe and Bob Hope owned estates in the city. Neighborhoods like Movie Colony were haunts for celebrities, and Frank Sinatra was such a fixture that Palm Springs has roads named after him. (You can also rent his former estate for events.)
Today the city still has strong ties to Hollywood. Each year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival beckons many of the biggest names in the movie business. The festival, which is held each year in January, was founded by former mayor Sonny Bono, and the city’s numerous four- and five-star resorts remain popular hangouts for Hollywood insiders.
Palm Springs Homes: Mid-Century Modern Stunners
Palm Springs came of age in 1940s and 1950s, and it was during this period that a distinctive form of architecture took over the landscape: Desert Modernism.
Closely related to mid-century modern architecture, Desert Modernism utilizes glass walls, clean lines, open floor plans, indoor/outdoor spaces, and steel to create elegant, simplistic profiles. Today, many homes for sale in Palm Springs have this distinctive look, and you’ll notice it with all types of properties, including residential, Palm Springs hotels and civic buildings like the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Several Palm Springs’ neighborhoods showcase this distinctive architecture including:
• Movie Colony – Within walking distance of Palm Springs’ bustling downtown, Movie Colony is home to a range of mid-century residential and commercial spaces.
• Twin Palms – Located in South Palm Springs, many of the original mid-century Alexander homes were built here in 1956 and 1957.
• Indian Canyons – This neighborhood – home to the Canyon Country Club golf course – was developed in the 1960s, and features numerous Desert Modern homes and buildings.
• Vistas Las Palmas – When construction began in 1958, Vistas Las Palmas was known for its modernist architecture and celebrity residents. The Swiss Miss homes are quite popular in Las Palmas.
• Deepwell Estates – A central Palm Springs neighborhood, Deepwell features a mix of mid-contemporary and newer green homes, with wide streets great for bikers and dog-walkers.
Year-Round Warm Weather in the Coachella Valley
Planning to buy a house in Palm Springs? Well, be sure to pack the sunblock. The city boasts 300-350 sunny days per year. And Palm Springs’ unique desert climate receives just 5 inches of rain. That makes it perfect for year-round golf and outdoor adventuring.
Temperatures tend to fluctuate between hot, dry summers and mild winters. In winter, early spring and fall, temperatures average about 70-80 degrees. This is one reason the Coachella Valley is popular for snowbirds and winter retirees. In fact, the population of the entire valley peaks at about 800,000 in January, and drops to about 200,000 in July.
Summers can be hot in the desert, with temperatures hovering in the 90-115 degree range.
Amenities Galore: Shopping, Dining, Events, Arts and Outdoors
Palm Springs is popular among active vacationers, families and homeowners. The reason is simple: There’s just so much to do, see and experience in this desert paradise.
• Nature: Joshua Tree National Park is about 45 minutes away, offering an escape for nature lovers. Looking to get outdoors without the drive? The San Jacinto Mountains, which rise just outside the city, offer numerous hiking and dog-walking trails.
• Arts and Culture: Downtown Palm Springs boasts a lively events schedule and great dining and shopping options. Villagefest – a weekly street faire – draws vendors, artists and more downtown each week during the winter. Weekly wine tastings, concerts, yoga classes, shopping, and restaurants serving up everything from Mexican and Italian, to fresh seafood – you’ll find them all here.
• Golf: Golf is probably one of the biggest draws to Palm Springs. The city and the entire Coachella Valley are home to dozens of award-winning golf clubs and resorts. Nearby, you’ll find public courses like Indian Wells Golf Resort and Escena Golf Club.
Search For Palm Springs 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.
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Beautifully remodeled and updated 1 bedroom with beautiful and serene courtyard view. All new kitchen counters, cabinets, and appliances. All new bathroom cabinetry, c...
Huge warehouse and on property living. Excellent opportunity in the North Palm Springs area bordering Desert Hot Springs. The property consists of a 960 sq. ft. modular h...
First time on the market. Nestled on the inside corridor of the private gated community of The Canyons at Belardo, this home is bursting with Views, Space, Light and Amen...
ICONIC PALM SPRINGS, Midcentury Modern 3 Bedroom and 3 Bath on Fee Land in Deepwell. Step back in time in this well maintained 2,363 Square Foot home on private 10,454 Lo...
All new LVF flooring throughout whole condo for updated flow and consistency. Freshly painted and new insulated ceiling and roof put in back room for more usable sq. foo...
A lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath condo located in the desirable community of Sunshine Villas. Great curb appeal with a front lawn, mature trees and a small private patio leading...
Beautiful unit, before it's gone! A wonderful 2 Bed 2 Bath single level home with a large breakfast nook and a 2 car garage! Enjoy outdoor living in the beautiful privat...
CORNER, LOWER LEVEL, 2BE/2BA turnkey furnished cozy condo in a great location! CLOSE TO POOL (but not on top of it), separated with a lush greenbelt area with spectacu...
Awesome potential!! This 4 bdrm 3 bath mid century pool house is a clean slate for your creative imagination. It is a 2 bedroom one bath home with a master bedroom and ba...
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.
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Bennion Deville Homes/Rancho Mirage
71691 Hwy 111
Rancho Mirage CA 92270
Karen@KarenStearns.com
760-413-2694
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