Palm Springs has an interesting and long history that dates back to the 1880s when pioneers began settling in the Coachella Valley near - what was then - a tiny oasis named Agua Caliente, which translates to “hot water” in Spanish.
Palm Springs in Riverside County is part of the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley and a desert resort city. Palm Springs, California, is one of the most exalted and esteemed vacation destinations in the United States. Palm Springs is known for its iconic date palms, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and its location between Palm Springs Mountain Village, the San Jacinto Mountains range, and the Salton Sea.
Because of the beautiful weather from November to March, this is an ideal location for retirement and snowbirds. Palm Springs has restaurants for any palate. From upscale restaurants like Copley’s on Palm Canyon to more casual but equally as delicious restaurant like Felipe’s with their blue-ribbon winning chile rellenos. Pair a delicious meal with phenomenal weather and breathtaking mountain sunsets, you’ll never want to leave too. Palm Springs has a wonderful balance of a vibrant night life but also the quiet and relaxed feeling of a resort-like city. Did I mention that there is a large selection of spa-resorts to choose from? Not a fan? Maybe golfing at one of the dozens of golf courses like The Indian Canyon Golf Resort or Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs.
This article will tell you all about what makes this fashionable desert city such a great place, including the best neighborhoods for families in Palm Springs, CA.
Popular Neighborhoods in Palm Springs, CA
These popular neighborhoods offer just about everything one could possibly think of. Great schools, public transportation, great restaurants, fantastic shopping close by, recreational activities, and so much more. Finding neighborhoods this spectacular is no easy feat. We got you covered. Below are some of our top picks for Best Neighborhoods in Palm Springs.
Movie Colony East (See Current Listings)
This coveted neighborhood is on the list for various reasons. Estates in Movie Colony East once belonged to famous residents, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Steve Lawrence, Carmen Miranda, Keely Smith, Bing Cosby, and Hedy Lamarr. Accommodating over 700 homes in different sizes and architectural builds, mid-century modern and luxury manors being amongst the most popular. These homes have large bedrooms, living rooms, open-concept floor plans, and swimming pools. What makes this community so remarkable is the old timey Hollywood vibe with a modern feel since the homes were built between the 1930s to 2009. Located between N. Sunrise Way and N. Avenida Caballeros makes it a perfect location for anyone who likes to have access to great local amenities. Whether you are dining out or staying in there are plenty of options to choose from. Some local resident favorites include Koffi or Earnest Coffee to start your day, Cheeky’s Restaurant or Sherman’s Deli for lunch, El Mirasol at Los Arboles or Tac/Quila for killer tacos and if you’re feeling sassy, a refreshing margarita, and The Tropicale if you are looking for an extensive menu full of seasonal ingredients in a comfortable but luxurious environment. Did we mention there are some amazing dessert options too? A local favorite is Great Shakes, who is famous for gourmet shakes, malts, and floats.
If you are a fan of shopping, this neighborhood is located close to many fashion, art, and style boutiques. It's a short distance to the Uptown Design District. If you’d like to shop, get to know some local artists and vendors while enjoying some street food and entertainers, you can join the Palm Springs Village Fest Street Fair every Thursday located right in beautiful downtown Palm Springs. Some vendors include CV BBQ, Tesla, Aspen Mills Bakery, Birkenstock Comfort Shoes, Brandini Toffee, and so many more.
The neighborhood also has some great basic amenities, such as playgrounds and parks, including Ruth Hardy Park, Sunrise Park, and Wellness Park. If you have children and would like a consistent school experience for them, here are some great nearby schools:
- Katherine Finchy Elementary School
- Raymond Cree Middle School
- Desert Learning Academy
- Cielo Vista Charter School
- Palm Springs High School
Movie Colony East is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a good walk score. It's a short distance to the Uptown Design District. Ruth Hardy Park has plenty of options for outdoor activities and sports:
- Public tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- A children's play area
- Picnic tables
- Large grass area
Araby (See Current Listings)
Araby is a premier neighborhood community designed for comfortable family life. Araby includes two areas:
- Araby Commons
The neighborhood of Araby Commons comprises mid-century modern condos, including Imperial Park South, Marbella, Coco Cabana, and Sandcliff communities. Located in close proximities to Southridge where you can see Bob Hope’s estate on the mountainsides. You can hike past his estate on the Araby Trail and take pictures!
2. Araby Cove
If you’re looking for a unique bohemian-style neighborhood, Araby Cove is the perfect neighborhood for you. First established in the 1920s, the neighborhood homes are mostly newer builds. Located in South- East Palm Springs, this community offers over 80 diverse homes each with their own distinctive style from cabin-style, ranch-style, and modern homes. These homes are located on a hill giving its residents some spectacular mountain views.
Both Araby Commons and Araby Cove offer plenty of options for amenities, restaurants, and shops, a short drive from the shopping district along East Palm Canyon Drive. Choose from some of the most popular chains like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Cold Stone or go for more local placed like Manhattan in the Desert and Mario’s Italian. Both communities are also conveniently located close to major grocery stores like Ralph’s and Trader Joe’s and even more health specific choices like Nature’s Health Food and Café.
Both Araby communities are near great schools with good ratings in Palm Springs. These include
- Desert Learning Academy
- Cielo Vista Charter School
- Cahuilla Elementary School
- Raymond Cree Middle School
- Palm Springs High School
Araby also provides an outdoor escape. With numerous nature trails in The Indian Canyons and the San Bernardino National Forest, residents can go hiking, see wildlife, and explore beautiful landscapes right outside their doorstep.
For golfers less than 10 minutes from Araby, you can find the following golf courses:
Chino Canyon (See Current Listings)
This neighborhood is great for anyone who likes the feeling of being close to nature, but still has the option to be close to the city. These exclusive homes are on the higher price point, but the views of the Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Mountains are priceless. You can find Modern, Contemporary, Ranch, Spanish and Mediterranean style homes on the hill. Many of these homes were in fact designed by some of the most famous architects in the world.
Just a short 10-minute drive to North Palm Canyon, residents could enjoy all the amenities of Palm Springs, including all the fabulous restaurants, shopping, spas, golf, schools, and so much more.
Chino Canyon offers some amazing hiking trails. Even though there are many hiking trails in Palm Springs alone, Chino Canyon trails cannot be beat. With one of the steepest drops in the United States, the views from the hiking trails are breathtaking.
For the adventurers, Chino Canyon is close to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which takes 13 minutes to reach the peak of Mount Station. Along the way, marvel at sagebrush, cacti, pines, douglas fir, spruce, and an alpine meadow.
Sunrise Park (See Current Listings)
If living centrally to the city is on your checklist, then Sunrise Park is the perfect neighborhood for you. Located just one short mile from downtown, residents have access to all the wonderful amenities Palm Springs has to offer. Some local resident favorite eating spots include Cartel Coffee, Workshop Kitchen and Bar, and The Real Italian Deli of Palm Springs, but due to the closeness to downtown, the options are extensive.
Since this neighborhood is centrally located, anyone with children have access to some great school which include:
• Katherine Finchy Elementary School
The houses in Sunrise Park are beautiful mid-century modern and ranch style homes. Many of these homes are built with floor-to-ceiling- windows which allows the residents to take in the famous mountain sunrises and sunsets. These homes are also luxuriously built with high ceilings, large open plans, bedrooms with private access to back patios, granite or quartz, and creative glass tile-work.
There is a certain unique specialness that comes with living directly in Palm Springs. It has a vintage vibe with modern twist. One of the favorite shopping spots for residents that live in Sunrise Park the Palm Springs Vintage Market located in the Camelot Theatre. This market offers some terrific desert views paired with fantastic vintage shopping. If you are a fan of vintage clothing, furniture, décor, and other collectibles, this is the place to check out. Just a few minutes from Sunrise Park, the Vintage Market is open every first Sunday of the month. The Camelot Theatre is also famous for the Palm Springs Film Festival, which is one of the largest film festivals in North America.
Living in Palm Springs
Warm weather, sunny skies, cool palm trees, and a one-of-a-kind vibe makes Palm Springs a destination to live for so many people. Palm Springs has the perfect balance of relaxed, quiet, and calm feeling with a fun, exciting, and vibrant energy. The best part is that you get to choose. Here are some examples of things to do in Palm Springs area:
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
Ever wanted to feed a giraffe? You can do this at the Living Desert. This zoo is home to hundreds of animals and plants that thrive in desert environments, including giraffes, rhinos, kangaroos, foxes, cheetahs, and goats. Since the zoo is nestled between mountains, you can even see the famous Coachella Valley bighorn sheep in their wild habitat. Join the Living Desert for the wild light celebration during the holidays. With over a million holiday lights, animal lanterns, and fun activities to do, it’s an tradition you don’t want to miss.
Palm Springs Children's Museum
Palm Springs Air Museum and Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert provide hands-on experience for all ages. The Cabazon Dinosaurs Museum is 20 minutes from Downtown Palm Springs. It's a roadside attraction that features Brontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Triceratops replicas.
Boomers Palm Springs
One of the best things to do in Palm Springs with children is to visit Boomers. Boomers Palm Springs has Go-Karts, two 18-hole miniature golf courses, a rock wall, bumper boats, a batting cage, and an arcade with over 100 video games.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. It travels over two miles up, allowing visitors to experience breathtaking views of the Chino Canyon Mountains. Once you make it up to the 8,516 ft elevation, you can choose whether to hike alongside the mountains or take a nice stroll around the guided pavement trail. Home to many unique bird species, animals, and views, no wonder the tramway is a favorite for locals and tourists.
The Cabazon Dinosaurs
This roadside attraction is home to some of the biggest fake dinosaurs. You can even go inside them and look down from the mouth of the dinosaurs. Learn some cool dinosaur facts while taking a stroll through the robotic dinosaur garden.
Agua Caliente Casino
There are three Agua Caliente Casinos in the Coachella Valley, one located in Palm Springs. Each hotel offers exciting luxury amenities with the laid back and relaxed vibe of Palm Springs. You can play the slots, table games, enjoy some of the very best dining experiences at The Steakhouse, or get pampered in their five-star Sunstone Spa.
Tahquitz Canyon
Hard to believe there that there is a 60-foot waterfall with flowing water in the desert huh? Well, believe it. In order to reach the waterfall, one must hike a two-mile loop alongside a stream that directly leads to the waterfall. The hiking trail and waterfall are well-kept allowing visitors to really immerse themselves in the experience.
Desert Hot Springs
There are plenty of great natural hot springs in Palm Springs to enjoy. Desert Hot Springs is 20 minutes north of Palm Springs and is known for its healing mineral water. Resorts include Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Spa, The O Spa, and Sahara Resort & Spa. If you're not interested in staying overnight at these resorts, some of them do offer day passes to use the hot springs and pools.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
This estate is open to the public offers 12-acres open to the public. Take a free walk through the gardens, which boasts over 70 species of native and arid-adapted plants. Or perhaps take a tour of the mansion, although tickets to sell out months in advance.
Joshua Tree National Park
There is plenty of exploring and hiking in this almost 800,000 acres park. If hiking is not always doable with small children, you can still view the breathtaking landscape by driving and stopping at various lookout points. There are short walks and trails recommended year-round, and there are moderate to challenging hikes not recommended during peak summer temperatures.
Palm Springs Living
Palm Springs is a little slice of paradise tucked between large mountains. With over 350 days of sunshine, there is something to do for just about anyone. Residents of Palm Springs get to enjoy the small town feeling but in a luxurious, unique, and city like vibe.
One of the best aspects of living in Palm Springs is the sense of belonging one feels. There is something available to just about anyone. Great for those who wants to create roots and even great for those who is looking for a fabulous home away from home. The Palm Springs ambiance will not disappoint.
The Wasserman Real Estate Group is a team of determined and passionate industry professionals, who will help you navigate the real estate market in Palm Springs and surrounding communities. Wasserman Real Estate Group is dedicated to find you the perfect home!
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