Mecca is a quiet and unincorporated community in Riverside County’s Coachella Valley. The town of just over 8,000 residents is known for its proximity to the Salton Sea and local farms. “The majority of the people in Mecca are working in agriculture, especially during harvesting season,” says Ruth Hernandez of HomeSmart, who has nearly two decades of experience in the area. “It’s a quiet farming community with affordable housing.” Mecca is known as one of the leading producers of dates in the nation; the town also grows grapes and citrus fruits. The hot desert community is under the jurisdiction of Riverside County, including the Riverside County Sheriff’s office and Riverside County Fire Department.
Mecca is located in an unincorporated area of Riverside County, near the Salton Sea.
Mecca is one of the largest producers of dates, with several farms in the area.
1/2
Cooling off at Mecca Beach and Salton Sea
Along the Salton Sea is Mecca Beach, which has buoyed-off areas for swimming. Fishing and kayaking are also popular activities, and locals visit the surrounding Salton Sea State Recreation Area for camping and hiking. Hikers head to the Mecca Hills Wilderness, a 26,000 acre sanctuary for hiking and birdwatching. The Box Canyon Road is part of the Mecca Hills Wilderness area, a 16-mile trail from the Salton Sea to Joshua Tree National Park. This track is a popular spot for driving and biking with views of the San Bernardino Mountains. Mecca Sports Complex has outdoor volleyball courts, soccer fields and a splash pad.
The Mecca Hills Wilderness Area is a popular destination for hiking, featuring scenic trails and landscapes.
Find activities such as hiking and boating at Mecca Beach on the Salton Sea.
1/2
Single-family homes built in the 1990s
The median price for a single-family home in Mecca is $327,000. Ranch-style builds from the 1990s and 2000s with Mediterranean influences are popular just north of downtown. Most homes in the downtown district are ranch styles from the 1950s and 60s, while manufactured homes are available on the far north end of the town. Wildfires are prevalent in the area, so locals are advised to keep their properties free of flammable debris.
Ranch homes from the 1950s and '60s are popular styles found in downtown Mecca.
Manufactured homes are primarily found on the north side of Mecca.
1/2
Mecca Moving Forward
Riverside County has proposed a Moving Mecca Forward community revitalization strategy aimed at boosting the local economy. Major goals of the project are to make improvements to 2nd Street, incentivize businesses to move into Mecca’s downtown district and attract big box stores to the area.
Efforts are underway to improve Mecca’s 2nd Street by bringing big-box stores to the area.
Riverside County is exploring projects to revitalize Mecca and help the area grow economically.
1/2
Mexican eateries on 2nd Street
Mecca has a limited selection of shopping and dining establishments along 2nd Street in its downtown district. Groceries are sold at national outlets like Dollar General, or local shops like Leon’s Meat Market or El Super Toro Loco. Local Mexican restaurants like Taco Time and The Plaza Restaurant are in town, while Chelo’s Burgers and Starbucks locations are just a couple miles west. While the city is looking to attract more retail outlets to the area, Mecca remains without many of the conveniences of larger towns. “Unless you are getting groceries, you need to drive up to Coachella for pretty much any other shopping,” says Hernandez.
Plaza Restaurant in Mecca offers a great shrimp cocktail to satisfy your seafood craving.
Mecca residents can find fresh groceries and produce at local markets, such as El Super Toro Loco.
1/2
Riding SunLine Transit buses
The SunLine Transit Agency provides bus service throughout Riverside County and into San Bernadino, with frequent stops in and around Mecca. Highway 111 intersects the town from north to south, leading locals 11 miles up the road to Coachella. Highway 86 goes 40 miles to Palm Springs; the Palm Springs International Airport is the nearest major destination for air travel.
Learning at the Coachella Valley Unified School District
Students in the area attend Coachella Valley Unified School District institutions. The district has a C-minus overall grade on Niche and serves over 16,000 students. Mecca Elementary School is located in town and holds a C-minus rating; older kids will have to take the bus to Toro Canyon Middle School and Desert Mirage High School in nearby Thermal. Desert Mirage High has a C-plus overall ranking.
Mecca Elementary School features outstanding playground facilities for students to enjoy.
Desert Mirage High School, near Mecca, offers excellent academic programs.
1/2
Heat and air quality concerns
Mecca experiences an extreme desert climate with dry, hot days and chilly nights. The temperature regularly tops out in the 100s from May through September, with lows in the upper 60s. Highs reach the 70s in the winter months and lows dip into the upper 30s. The city sees an average of three inches of rain per year. The drying of the Salton Sea is another environmental concern; it has caused rising dust and pollution levels in Mecca’s air.
The extreme desert climate of Mecca causes high temperatures to persist from late spring into early fall.
The shrinking of the Salton Sea near Mecca has led to an increase in dust and pollution in the area.
1/2
Written By
John Moyer
Photography Contributed By
Kory Ross
Video By
Aiyshanti Green
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Raquel Davalos,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Mecca, CA sell after 117 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Mecca, CA over the last 12 months is $385,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this completely remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom manufactured home on a permanent foundation, located in the quiet North Shore community. Set on a generous lot, this property offers breathtaking views of the Salton Sea and surrounding mountains.The interior has been tastefully upgraded with durable tile flooring throughout and smooth-finish textured walls, creating a modern and clean
An amazing opportunity to buy a residential vacant lot in North Shore. Looking to build your dream home, vacation home or manufacturing home and space for pool or off-road toys or RV? Look no further than this amazing residential lot in Northshore! Located in a quiet neighborhood, this oversized lot offers stunning views of the Salton Sea Lake and the Santa Rosa Mountains. Measuring 14,374 square
Amazing opportunity to build your dream home or place your manufacture home, Large 6,970 Sq Ft. lot. In fast growing and desirable North Shore, Enjoy beautiful Mountain and tranquil desert view, close to community park, and more, look no further this great opportunity to own your prime vacant lot is right here, don't miss out! Lot next to this one is also for sale APN # 723-30-4006
Charming Desert Oasis at 71793 Montenegro Drive,nestled in the heart of Mecca's serene landscape! This stunning residence offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and natural beauty. Ideal for anyone seeking tranquility and a vibrant lifestyle, this location presents an unbeatable opportunity to embrace the desert's captivating allure. Open floor plan to discover expansive living spaces
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
