Located on the northwestern edge of the Sonoran Desert, the resort city of Palm Springs is home to a thriving community of retirees, many of whom are second-home owners — but the city has plans to accommodate more working professionals, as well. "We're maintaining our hospitality and tourism, but the goal is to diversify into industries that support the community year-round," says Wayne Olsen, Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Palm Springs. "We have billions of dollars in commercial investment coming to the city, with a significant portion allocated to the airport. We anticipate our employment doubling over the next three years, so we want our airport to accommodate that." Major employers here presently include the Palm Springs Unified School District and Desert Regional Medical Center, and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is served by 13 airlines.
Most of the city's residential areas are found on the north side, while the desert dominates the landscape to the south. Palm Springs has been home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for about 5,000 years, and today, the Agua Caliente is the city's largest landowner, collecting land-lease fees from homebuyers and running four different casinos. The city has been a tourist destination since the 1920s, when resort hotels promoted its dry heat as a health cure. Starting in the 1930s, though, Hollywood's "two-hour rule" — which required actors to stay within 120 minutes of Los Angeles during filming — transformed Palm Springs into a celebrity hot spot, ultimately attracting stars like Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. The city's Hollywood connections are today honored by the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which features over 400 "Golden Palm Stars" along Palm Canyon Drive.
Spacious homes and stunning mountain views make the Racquet Club Estates neighborhood.
The Palm Springs Visitor Center welcomes you with stunning mid-century architecture.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has panoramic views of the mountains.
Strolling along the Palm Springs Walk of Stars offers a glimpse into the city's history.
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Pet-friendly dining and casinos
Serving as the heartbeat of Palm Springs' downtown, Palm Canyon Drive is lined with upscale shops and restaurants like the James Beard award-winning Workshop Kitchen & Bar. Many eateries here have pet-friendly outdoor seating, and consignment and furniture stores cater to the city's midcentury modern aesthetic. Just north of downtown, the Agua Caliente Casino has restaurants of its own and visiting entertainers, while the Palm Springs Art Museum, just west of downtown, features a sculpture garden and live art demonstrations. In the adjacent city of Palm Desert, El Paseo Drive is a popular shopping district that offers a free trolley to ferry shoppers to more than 300 stores, art galleries and restaurants.
Palm Canyon Dr is the heart of Palm Springs, lined with boutique shops and dining options.
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs offers an exciting blend of gaming and dining in downtown.
Fine dining in Palm Springs blends sophisticated flavors with locally sourced ingredients.
A visit to Palm Springs Art Museum is a must for visitors and residents of Movie Colony East.
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Palm Springs High offers strong athletic programs
The Palm Springs Unified School District employs about 2,000 staff and serves more than 23,000 students with a total of 30 schools: 17 elementary, 7 middle and 6 high schools. The standout Palm Springs High School earns an A-minus from Niche and has won many state championships in football and volleyball; alumni here have gone on to play professional sports and pursue careers in acting and politics. Palm Springs High students can earn associates degrees at the College of the Desert Palm Springs Campus, which as of fall 2024 is undergoing a massive revamp.
Palm Springs High School scores an A minus on Niche.
Educational opportunities abound at Katherine Finchy Elementary School, Palm Springs.
Raymond Cree Middle, Palm Springs is a safe nurturing environment.
Vista Del Monte Elementary School in Palm Springs challenges children to learn.
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Essential services and commuter convenience
Interstate 10, just north of the city, leads 110 miles west to Los Angeles. Amtrak Thruway trains connect Palm Springs to L.A., Ontario and Bakersfield, while local SunLine Transit Agency buses travel throughout Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs International Airport is the only commercial service airport in the Coachella Valley, hosting 13 airlines with one-stop connections to more than 300 global cities; the busier Ontario International Airport is 72 miles from town. Major hospitals in the area include the Desert Regional Medical Center and the Eisenhower Hospital. "Many of Palm Springs' young professionals are coming here straight from medical school,” says Amir Khadir, Riverside County based Broker Associate with Keller Williams. “These hospitals not only provide essential medical services to our community but also give space for upcoming medical professionals to thrive in the healthcare industry."
Eisenhower Health in Palm Springs is known for its expert physicians and top-tier services.
Palm Springs residents can easily access the Public Library for books and resources.
Experience Palm Springs from a unique vantage point with a rooftop bus tour.
Palm Springs residents have the luxury of living right next to the Palm Springs Airport.
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Largest collection of midcentury modern architecture in the world
Palm Springs has the world's largest collection of midcentury modern homes, which here is known as Desert Modernism, a style pioneered in the late 1950s and '60s by notable architects like Albert Frey, William Krisel and Richard Neutra. Desert Modernist homes encourage an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, with simple lines, open floor plans and tall picture windows and doors, as well as backyard pools and patios. Some of the city's best examples were developed by the Alexander Construction Company and The Meiselman Brothers, and can be found in neighborhoods like Racquet Club Estates, Vista Las Palmas and Chino Canyon (also known as Little Tuscany). The style is celebrated each February during Modernism Week, when upward of 15,000 visitors flock here for guided home tours, lectures and parties.
Desert Modernist homes are some of the most expensive homes in Palm Springs, with multi-million-dollar price tags, and so are large Hacienda-style mansions from the 1920s, like those found in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood near downtown. Midcentury ranch-style homes cost between $800,000 and $1 million, while tract homes and mobile homes range from $275,000 to $500,000. As of September 2024, the median home price here was around $640,000, compared to the California median of $673,333 and the U.S. median of $416,700. Between January 2020 and January 2023, prices here increased by 26%, but they only increased 2% between January 2023 and January 2024.
Elegant Palm Spring hilltop homes are some of the most unique in the country.
Some hilltop homes offer swimming pools overlooking the Palm Springs neighborhood.
Frey House II, architect Albert Frey's second home in Palm Springs, was completed in 1964.
Palm trees and pools are a common sight in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood.
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Events held year-round at public parks
Palm Springs is a golfer’s paradise, with more than 130 courses to choose from, both public and private. The city has nearly a dozen parks, many of which feature scenic trails, pickleball courts and play structures; the largest is the 38-acre Sunrise Park, which includes the Palm Springs Swimming Center, with its Olympic-sized public pool, and the Palm Springs Public Library. In the city's far northeast, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway carries visitors from the desert floor up the San Jacinto Mountains, to the hiking trails and casual restaurant in Mt. San Jacinto State Park.
Every Thursday evening downtown, Palm Canyon Drive is closed to vehicular traffic, and thousands of pedestrians come out for VillageFest, a de facto block party with local vendors and live music. The city's annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is also held on Palm Canyon Drive, every first Saturday in December since 1995.
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs provides a beautiful and challenging experience.
Palm Springs Swim Center offers an Olympic-sized pool perfect for laps or family fun.
VillageFest in Palm Springs transforms downtown into a bustling open-air market every Thursday.
Palm Springs Air Museum provides a captivating journey through the evolution of aviation.
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Less crime than the state average
According to the FBI, over the past decade Palm Springs has seen an 18% decrease in property-related crime and a 3% increase in violent crime; during the same period, California as a whole has seen a 19% increase in violent crime. To ensure the safety of area residents, the Palm Springs Police Department has initiatives that include an LGBTQ+ Outreach Committee and a Citizens on Patrol program.
Long summers and short, mild winters
The city experiences over 300 days of sunshine annually. From June to September, temperatures consistently top 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while from December to February, milder temperatures range from about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in spring and fall range from the high 60s to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Palm Springs has some great golf courses with desert mountain views.
Wind turbines stretch across the horizon, capturing the desert breeze to power Palm Springs.
Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs offers a challenging and scenic hiking trail for nature lovers.
Mt. San Jacinto provides a serene escape for campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
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