Immediately north of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley is Desert Hot Springs. This once-sleepy resort town transformed itself in 2014, when it became the first Southern California city to legalize medical cannabis. “Ten years ago, Desert Hot Springs was a run-down little desert community filled with retired vets who wanted to be left alone,” explains Mitchell Stein, a local Broker Associate with KW College Park. “Before marijuana was legal in California, Desert Hot Springs allowed people to distribute and sell it in the city legally. Property values shot through the roof immediately. It brought in jobs and money to fix up the city, and there’s a younger, hipper crowd moving in because of it.”
Now, Desert Hot Springs’ Arts and Culture District is amid revitalization, and the city is busy expanding its infrastructure. Included in this wave of development was a new city hall built in 2019 and a library built in 2021. Also, an Amazon facility is expected to be completed by 2025. Despite all this growth, Desert Hot Springs maintains a calm, resort-like atmosphere, befitting its nickname Spa City. “The town’s energy is pretty relaxed, and it’s away from the hustle and bustle,” says Michael Valerio, a HomeSmart Realtor and Broker Associate who has lived here since 2015. “I see a lot of people walking their dogs and running the trails in the San Jacinto Mountains. You can dip into one of the hot springs afterward and recharge.”
Desert Hot Springs is the ideal home for relaxation and desert exploration.
Enjoy the desert lifestyle in the golf community of Desert Hot Springs.
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Low Southern California housing costs
As of late 2023, the median home price in Desert Hot Springs is approximately $400,000, compared to the California median of $890,000 and the national median of $406,000. “You can still buy a three-bed, two-bath home for under $400,000 here, which is basically unheard of in California,” Stein says. “A similar house in Palm Springs will cost you over $800,000, even though the two are right next to each other, so homes sell really fast here, too.”
Single-family homes dominate the market here. Most of these homes were Spanish Revival from the 1990s to the 2020s; these often ranged from $375,000 to $600,000, depending on how new or large they were. Midcentury California ranch-style homes are also prevalent in Desert Hot Springs, with many of them in need of renovation. “One of the great and bad things about Desert Hot Springs is there’s always been tons of residential development here,” Stein explains, “which means that there’s tons of homes, but also that there’s tons that have been vacant for a long time.” Prices for these ranch-style homes range from $200,000 to $400,000, depending on their state of renovation.
Stucco walls and tile roofs define Spanish-style homes in Desert Hot Springs.
Find Pueblo Revival homes that blend perfectly into the desert landscape of Desert Hot Springs.
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Mountain ranges, open spaces and community parks galore
Set in a flat between two mountain ranges, Desert Hot Springs experiences a low desert climate, with mild winters, hot summers and arid weather year-round. The San Bernardino Mountains sit immediately north of the city, its valleys serving as gateways to popular open spaces. Around 9 miles west, the Mission Creek Preserve is comprised of lush foothills and wetlands that are home to deer, bears and mountain lions. Around 31 miles north, the famous Joshua Tree National Park offers nearly 800,000 acres of desert scenery filled with unique rock formations, hiking trails and campsites. To the south, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes explorers up to Mount San Jacinto State Park, which has over 50 miles of trails and pine forests.
Within Desert Hot Springs, locals have access to eight parks, including dog parks, community green spaces and aquatics centers. A narrow strip of greenery in the city's center, Guy J Tedesco Park is the city’s largest park at over 6 acres and features splash pads, a skate park and grassy lawns.
Residents of Desert Hot Springs can explore the trails at Mission Creek Preserve.
Desert Hot Spring Skate Park is the home to a thrilling small skate park for skaters of all levels.
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Colorful arts scene in Desert Hot Springs
Set on the corner of Palm Drive and Pierson Boulevard, Desert Hot Springs’ Arts and Culture District is home to colorful buildings painted over with murals by local artists. “Desert Hot Springs has become very popular with artists recently,” explains Stein. “They like it here because the city feels progressive with it being at the forefront of cannabis legalization, and it’s also fairly affordable. You’ve got to sell thousands of paintings before you can start charging thousands for them, so Desert Palm Springs feels like a place where they can work on their art and own their home.” Cabot’s Pueblo Museum – a century-old rambling adobe building built by local artist Cabot Yerxa – also invites city artists to share their work at the Artisans at the Pueblo event every month.
Desert Hot Springs' Art District brings together community and creativity in every piece.
Explore art, history, and culture at the iconic Cabot's Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs.
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Cafes, dispensaries and hot springs in the arts district
The Arts and Culture District is a hub for local businesses. “It’s a mix of old Americana and trendy new coffee shops,” Stein says. “Imagine car shops where you can see mechanics in overalls covered in oil, and next door, there’s a new little cafe filled with younger artists.” Here, dispensaries and old barber shops neighbor new pizza and Mexican restaurants. True to its name, Desert Hot Springs is also home to numerous spa resorts. Many of them are closely attached to the city’s burgeoning cannabis industry. “The resorts here are especially popular because they’re some of the only hot springs where you can smoke while lounging in the water,” Stein explains. Additional shopping centers can be found along Palm Drive and Pierson Boulevard, offering grocery stores, chain retailers and restaurants.
A local favorite of Desert Hot Springs, is Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant.
Relax with friends at the San Jacinto Bar and Lounge in Desert Hot Springs.
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Palm Springs Unified Schools
Local kids are served by the Palm Springs Unified School District, which scores a B on Niche and is ranked among the top 10 districts in Riverside County. The district supports a group of Artists-in-Residence who create interactive, educational experiences within a variety of artistic disciplines.
Bella Vista Elementary in Desert Hot Springs gives students the skills to succeed.
Desert Springs Middle School offers a space where students can thrive in Desert Hot Springs.
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Convenient commutes within the Coachella Valley
Desert Hot Springs is immediately north of Interstate 10, making commutes into Riverside and Los Angeles counties convenient. SunLine Transit Agency buses service the city and travel between Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs, but most locals rely on cars to get around. Palm Springs’ medical district, 11 miles south, is home to various hospitals and urgent care clinics. The closest hospital to Desert Hot Springs is Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, 17 miles west. Palm Springs International Airport is 11 miles south, and Ontario International Airport is around 70 miles west.
Lowering crimes rates, incoming police facilities
According to FBI data, since 2015, property crime in Desert Hot Springs has dropped by over 57% and violent crime by over 28%. Desert Hot Springs Police Department serves the area, and they built a new dispatch center and remodeled the police station in 2023. “It used to be a place you’d visit the hot springs, but you’d want to make sure you locked your car, or else it was getting broken into,” explains Robert Perez, a local Realtor with Evernest Realty Advisors. “But it now feels a lot safer.”
Written By
Fletcher Varnson
Photography Contributed By
Kory Ross
Video By
Pasha Chichagov
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Desert Hot Springs, CA sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Desert Hot Springs, CA over the last 12 months is $400,250, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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