Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert oasis known for its year-round sunshine, stunning mountain views, and vibrant lifestyle. Nestled at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, this iconic Southern California destination offers a unique blend of mid-century modern charm, resort-style living, and a thriving cultural scene that continues to attract visitors and homeowners alike.

Located at the very West end of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is often described as a small city with the cultural amenities of an urban area, the shopping, entertainment, dining and recreational opportunities are first-class. The city has a population of approximately 45,453, but swells between November and March due to an influx of "snowbirds," a majority of whom are Canadians. The median household income in Palm Springs is $118,351. The cost of living is lower than the California average, but higher than the National average. The median age is exceptionally high at 57.8, significantly older than the state and national average, reflecting its status as a popular retirement and "snowbird" destination. The homeownership rate is 65% in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs is in the Palm Springs Unified School District and there are 4 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high school. College of the Desert is currently building a West campus for a community college option.

Utilities available in Palm Springs include Southern California Edison for electricity. So Cal Gas, and Desert Water Agency.

Palm Springs offers a mix of mid-century modern homes, condos, and resort-style communities. It’s particularly popular for retirees, second-home owners, and people in creative or remote-work professions. Palm Springs has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, a strong arts scene, and a reputation for inclusivity. The downtown area features boutique shops, art galleries, and a lively restaurant and nightlife scene.

There’s also a strong sense of small-city living: you’ll likely run into familiar faces at farmers markets, coffee shops, and community events.

Palm Springs is home to the Palm Springs International Airport known for its open-air design, mountain views, and resort-like atmosphere, the airport features nonstop flights to 30+ U.S. cities plus seasonal service to Canada and Mexico.

Grocery store options include a Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Clark’s Nutrition, Trader Joe’s, Albertson’s, and Ralph’s.

Things To Do:

There is no shortage of things to do in Palm Springs! From golf and hiking, to nightlife and some of the Coachella Valley’s best restaurants, there is always something going on in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs is home to the Aerial Tram, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, that transports passengers from the desert floor of Chino Canyon to the pristine wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The rotating tramcar offer stunning panoramic views as it ascends over 8,500 feet. At the mountain station, visitors can explore hiking trails, enjoy dining at restaurants, and experience a significant drop in temperature as they transition from the desert to an alpine environment.

Palm Springs has its core shopping district along Palm Canyon Drive that features vintage boutiques, interior design shops and restaurants.

Visit some of the museums like the Palm Springs Air Museum, located next to the Palm Springs International Airport, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a living history museum that houses one of the world's largest collections of flyable and static aircraft, primarily from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War or the Palm Springs Art Museum, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, or the Architecture Museum.

Check out the Palm Canyon Theater, home of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Palm Springs is also home to one of the Agua Caliente Casinos, with history dating back to the 1880’s.

Some local places to eat you’ll definitely want to try are Clandestino, Gabino’s Creperie, Ponzu Sushi, The Heyday, The Sandwich Spot, Crudo, Bill’sPizza, Farm, and Spencer’s to name some of my favorites!

Click here for the Local Guide I created to discover ALL of my local favorite places to eat and things to do!