$248,069Average Value$221Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Salton City, once a resort town, offers buyers near Coachella room to grow
Salton City is a small, developing suburb that sits on the shores of the Salton Sea. Once known as a resort town, today it draws its identity more from its proximity to Coachella. “You could call it an extension of Coachella Valley, or say it’s Coachella Valley-adjacent,” says Realtor Carols Ortega with Century 21 Coachella Valley, who has 5 years of experience in the area. “It’s appealing to people because prices up in Coachella have gone up, and Salton City is one of the most affordable places you can buy a first home within a reasonable commuting distance. Otherwise, it’s pretty much just out there. It’s not desolate, but it’s growing slowly into a community.”
Salton City features modern homes set on generously sized lots, offering uninterrupted views and a true sense of openness between properties.
With a rich tournament history and elevated tee boxes overlooking the valley, The Golf Club at Terra Lago in Coachella brings premier desert golf close to Salton City.
1/2
Modern Traditional starter homes on the banks of the Salton Sea
The residential streets of Salton City are sparsely dotted with single-story homes, often stucco-sided and featuring Spanish tile roofs. Homes sit on small lots, with backyards large enough to accommodate in-ground pools, but are spaced out due to slow construction. “There’s not much current development there,” Ortega says. “Most homes were built in the last boom cycle, around 2005 or 2006. Some are manufactured, but I’d say most are Modern Traditional houses, three bedrooms and two baths, just good starter homes for young families.” Prices for single-family homes range from around $110,000 to $370,000, depending on the number of bedrooms, square footage and build year. “One nice thing is that, even though it’s developing slowly, the majority of homes in the area are on city amenities,” Ortega adds.
Buyers in Salton City can find modern traditional homes with plenty of space to grow, starting around $110,000.
Each home in Salton City feels like its own retreat, with surrounding land separating it from the next neighbor.
1/2
Coachella Valley Schools earn C ratings
Salton City is zoned for the Coachella Valley Unified School District, which earns an overall grade of C-minus from Niche. Sea View Elementary, located on Sea Shore Avenue in the heart of the community, receives a C-minus. West Shores Middle and High School scores a C.
Sea View Elementary in Salton City offers a welcoming environment where students grow through academics and community connection.
West Shores High School stands as a pillar of education in Salton City, encouraging students to explore, excel, and lead.
1/2
State Route 86 is Salton City's main commuter highway
California state Route 86 is Salton City’s main highway, cutting through the west side of the area and connecting it north to Coachella, home to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, the closest hospital. “Pretty much everyone who lives in Salton City is going to be commuting on the 86 to Coachella daily,” Ortega says. “It’s about a 30 to 40 minute drive most days, depending on the traffic.”
Highway 86 runs through Salton City, providing residents with direct access to nearby towns, regional attractions, and scenic desert drives.
Enjoy the freedom of horseback riding on expansive grass polo fields at Empire Polo Field, a memorable adventure close to Salton City.
1/2
Limited local options, with most major shopping in Coachella
The closest supermarkets, including Aldi, Ralph’s and Albertsons, are located over 30 miles north of the city in Coachella. Both Family Dollar and Dollar General are available within the community for daily household necessities. “Most of the supermarkets and shopping centers residents have access to are going to be up in Coachella Valley,” Ortega says. “I’d say the one people would be most likely to visit is the WinCo Foods, since it’s right by the freeway. The rest are in the city, so they’re a bit more inconvenient.” Restaurants at the travel plaza on the south side of town include Subway, KFC and Jack in the Box. The area’s only sit-down spot is Alamo Restaurant, located on Marina Drive.
Salton City residents rely on Family Dollar for quick access to cleaning products, personal care items, and more.
Salton City Travel Plaza provides a reliable stop for gas, snacks, Cinnabon, Pizza Hut Express, and clean restrooms in a tidy and welcoming facility.
1/2
The Tierra Del Sol Desert Safari is the largest off-roading event in the nation
Local children can play on the shaded jungle gym at Salton City Park. Just west of town, hikers can explore the trails at Slot Canyon. The closest trailhead is at the Calcite Mine. While the prospect of the nearby Salton Sea is appealing, it is not often a source of recreation for locals. “It’s contaminated and drying up,” Ortega says. “It looks beautiful from far away, but when you get close it smells awful.” Instead, residents turn to the western desert when looking to get outside. “Off-roading is a huge thing out there,” Ortega continues. “The events they hold out there still draw plenty of people every year.” The Tierra Del Sol Desert Safari, which takes place every March, is the largest such event in the country.
Written By
Hugh Taylor
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Cammell
Video By
Matt Pangman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Carlos Ortega,
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
Welcome to this brand-new home in the Vista Del Mar community of Thermal. Located at 2817 Gram Drive, this newly constructed residence offers modern design, functional space, and the opportunity to be the very first owner.Featuring 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the home offers a well-designed layout ideal for comfortable living and entertaining. The spacious floor plan provides an open living
Turnkey. Stunning. Must-See.Welcome to this beautifully upgraded 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offering approximately 1,600 sq ft of stylish and functional living space. This move-in ready gem delivers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and value.Ideally located just minutes from the Fire Station, Vista Deli, and Highway 86, this home offers quick access while maintaining a quiet, residential
Corner lot opportunity in the growing community of Thermal, also known as Salton City. This 11,098 sq ft lot sits on a prime corner location, giving you more flexibility, easier access, and added visibility compared to interior lots.Utilities are already there, water, sewer, and power to the property line, making this a solid option whether you're looking to build now or secure land for the
Welcome to the Salton City Keys--where you get space, views, and real opportunity. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a massive lot just under an acre, giving you the flexibility most buyers can't find. Room for RVs, off-road toys, extra vehicles, or simply the freedom to enjoy your own space. Inside, you'll find travertine flooring in the bedrooms, Living room, Kitchen, nook, and bathrooms have
BUYER'S WIN! HUGE PRICE REDUCTION! PLUS+INCLUDES THE ADJACENT LOT. Welcome to a cozy and peaceful home in the tranquil community of Thermal. This charming property features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, along with a spacious living room that flows seamlessly into a welcoming dining area.An additional third room and bathroom were thoughtfully added within the enclosed covered patio, conveniently
PRICE IMPROVED! BUYER'S WIN. ONLY $315,000 FOR THIS GEM!Welcome to the beautifully upgraded manufactured home on a permanent foundation (433A), offering 2 bedrooms plus a bonus room/optional third bedroom, 3 bathrooms, and an impressive 1,950 sq. ft. of living space on a sprawling 32,510 sq. ft. lot. Pride of ownership is evident throughout, making this one of the most desirable homes in the
Welcome to this spacious manufactured home on permanent foundation offering comfort, flexibility, and room to grow in the heart of Thermal. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus a versatile bonus room, this property adapts to your needs -- whether you envision a fourth bedroom, home office, hobby space, or utility room.Situated on a generously sized lot, there's ample space for RV parking, work
Discover this spacious residential lot, offering affordability and ample space to build your dream home. Zoned R-1, with the possibility of manufactured homes permitted (please verify with Imperial County Planning & Development). Conveniently located near the emerging California Lithium Valley, this property presents an opportunity for both comfortable living and potential investment. Don't miss
Opportunity is knocking in Thermal / Salton City. Introducing TWO side-by-side vacant residential lots, each over 10,000 square feet, offering unobstructed lake views and wide-open desert skies. If you've been waiting for the right location to build, invest, or secure land in a growing area -- this is it.Both parcels feature water and sewer at the property line, with power conveniently running
Discover this spacious residential lot, offering affordability and ample space to build your dream home. Zoned R-1, with the possibility of manufactured homes permitted (please verify with Imperial County Planning & Development). Conveniently located near the emerging California Lithium Valley, this property presents an opportunity for both comfortable living and potential investment. Don't miss
Opportunity is knocking in Thermal (Salton City) with this vacant residential lot located on the west side of Highway 86, offering the perfect canvas to build, invest, or position yourself for future growth. This 10,989 sq ft residential lot provides a generous footprint to bring your vision to life. Whether you're planning to build a custom single-family residence, place a manufactured home, or
Own a Piece of California's Next Great Opportunity! Discover the perfect blend of natural beauty and future growth with this affordable lot located in the heart of the Salton Sea area. Whether you are an investor looking for the next big thing or a future homeowner ready to build your desert oasis, this property offers incredible potential. Key Highlights: Prime Location: Situated just minutes
Own a Piece of California's Next Great Opportunity! Discover the perfect blend of natural beauty and future growth with this affordable lot located in the heart of the Salton Sea area and along a busy Marina Dr. Whether you are an investor looking for the next big thing or a future homeowner ready to build your desert oasis, this property offers incredible potential. Key Highlights: Prime
Here's your chance to secure a 16,291 sq ft commercial lot in the rapidly evolving Thermal / Salton City area--an opportunity built for vision, growth, and long-term upside. This street-to-street parcel offers excellent visibility and easy access to the highway, making it ideal for a variety of commercial uses.Located in an up-and-coming development corridor, this lot positions you to be early in
Wide open desert surrounds this Salton City retreat, where peace and quiet reign and the views are uninterrupted. On a nearly 9,500 sq ft lot, this freshly remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offers two separate bedroom wings, a primary suite, indoor laundry hookups, and a two-car attached garage. A crisp, contemporary look and brand new kitchen appliances give it an elevated, refreshed feel inside
Renovated and move-in ready in Salton City! Enjoy a nearly 9,500 sq ft lot in a neighborhood where everyone has plenty of space to breathe, plus a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a primary suite, attached garage, and a pleasant, modern feel throughout. Turnkey desert living at this price won't last long!
Your own slice of desert serenity in Salton City. Set on an expansive, nearly 9,000 sq ft lot, this freshly remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bath home is move-in ready and thoughtfully designed for comfortable living. The functional floor plan features two separate bedroom wings, offering added privacy, and includes a primary suite. Enjoy the convenience of indoor laundry hookups in a dedicated space and a
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
