Coachella
Known as the “City of Eternal Sunshine,” Coachella is the easternmost city in the valley and the one the whole region is named after. It has deep farming roots, a growing arts scene, and some of the most affordable new homes in the desert, which makes it one of the fastest-growing cities in Southern California.
Coachella sits just east of Indio, surrounded by farmland, date groves, and the communities of Thermal and Mecca. The city has a population of approximately 42,900, a median household income of $67,235, and a median age of 33.4, making it one of the youngest cities in the Coachella Valley. The homeownership rate is about 66%. (Source: U.S. Census ACS, 2023)
Coachella is in the Coachella Valley Unified School District.
Utilities in Coachella include Imperial Irrigation District (IID) for electricity, the lower-cost electricity provider in the Coachella Valley. Water comes from the Coachella Water Authority and gas from SoCalGas.
The heart of the city is Pueblo Viejo, Coachella’s historic downtown, now a walkable arts and cultural district. It’s anchored by a Spanish Revival-style library with a clock tower and plaza, and Sixth Street is lined with palm trees, local eateries, and some of the best murals in the desert. Coachella is also the center of Mexican culture in the valley, with annual celebrations like El Grito Fiestas Patrias and Día de los Muertos.
Things To Do:
Coachella Walls is a public mural project launched in 2014. It features local and international artists, and their murals celebrate the area’s farmworker history across downtown. Start an art walk at Shady Lane Park, where a 1,000-foot wall of murals depicts Chicano history, and the fruit trees are free to pick.
Agriculture is still a big part of life here. The Coachella Valley grows nearly all of the dates produced in the U.S., and Highway 111 through town is named Grapefruit Boulevard after the crop that put Coachella on the map.
Coachella is just minutes from the Empire Polo Club in Indio, home of the world-famous Coachella and Stagecoach festivals. It’s also home to Spotlight 29 Casino and several city parks, including Rancho Las Flores Park, with sports fields, playgrounds, and basketball courts.
Some local places to eat include 6th Street Coffee inside the historic Coachella Library, El Tranvia, and Mr. Clamato.
Click here for the Local Guide I created to discover all of my favorite local places to eat and things to do!
