Coachella Valley

The Coachella Valley in Southern California has approximately 511,000 residents in nine distinct communities – Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella, as well as two unicorporated cities with Bermuda Dunes and Thousand Palms. The Coachella Valley’s population fluctuates seasonally, as the number of residents can swell to around 600,000 in the winter months and drop to about 300,000 during the hot summer months.

Each city is unique in it’s own way and you can travel from one end of the Coachella Valley to the other in just 30 minutes.

🌴 The 9 Incorporated Cities

1. Palm Springs

  • Vibe: The most famous of the valley cities, known internationally; Iconic, stylish, artsy.

  • What Makes It Unique: Mid-century modern architecture, Hollywood history, thriving LGBTQ+ culture, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, world-class art and film festivals.

2. Cathedral City

  • Vibe: Residential and community-oriented.

  • What Makes It Unique: Family-friendly neighborhoods, public art, Mary Pickford Theater, Hot Air Balloon Festival.

3. Rancho Mirage

  • Vibe: Luxurious and refined.

  • What Makes It Unique: “Playground of Presidents,” golf resorts, Eisenhower Health Medical Center, Agua Caliente Casino, and Disney Cotino Lagoon.

4. Palm Desert

  • Vibe: A bustling retail and cultural hub

  • What Makes It Unique: El Paseo shopping district (the “Rodeo Drive” of the Desert), Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts, and Acrisure Arena (Home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds).

5. Indian Wells

  • Vibe: Exclusive and world-class.

  • What Makes It Unique: Famed for the BNP Paribas Open (a premier international tennis tournament), luxurious golf resorts and gated communities, and one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the U.S.

6. La Quinta

  • Vibe: Resort living with village charm.

  • What Makes It Unique: Film and art festivals, golf - especially PGA West and the American Express tournament, a charming “Old Town” with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants, hiking trails like the Cove to Lake Cahuilla, and popular with retirees and vacation homeowners.

7. Indio

  • Vibe: Energetic and fast-growing.

  • What Makes It Unique: “City of Festivals” — home to Coachella Music & Arts Festival, Stagecoach, Tamale Festival, and the Riverside County Fair and International Date Festival, strong agricultural roots (dates, citrus, and produce), and one of the fastest-growing cities in the valley with the largest population of all the cities.

8. Coachella

  • Vibe: Cultural and historic.

  • What Makes It Unique: Rich Latino heritage, public murals, Día de los Muertos celebrations, strong ties to farmworker communities.

9. Desert Hot Springs

  • Vibe: Laid-back and healing.

  • What Makes It Unique: Natural mineral hot springs spas, mountain views, eco-conscious community, emerging cannabis tourism.

🌵 The 2 Unincorporated Communities

10. Thousand Palms

  • Vibe: Quiet desert living with natural beauty.

  • What Makes It Unique: Gateway to the Coachella Valley Preserve, home to the Thousand Palms Oasis, less commercialized, with a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation and wide-open desert views, known for its affordable housing and rural feel, yet close to Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage.

11. Bermuda Dunes

  • Vibe: Golf-centered and suburban.

  • What Makes It Unique: Famous for the Bermuda Dunes Country Club, one of the oldest golf communities in the desert, residential hub for families and seasonal residents, and offers central access to Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert, making it a convenient base for festival-goers.