Palm Springs is a city with a glamorous past and an exciting future. Beautiful architecture, amazing weather, and many arts, entertainment and dining options make Palm Springs a fantastic location to visit or settle down in.
If you’re wondering whether Palm Springs is right for you, then read on to discover the five reasons why Palm Springs is one of the best places to live in California.
The Weather
Palm Springs is known as a desert community so that you can expect warm weather and sunshine.
Palm Springs residents enjoy over 300 days of sunshine every year, making this a premier destination for sunseekers and sports enthusiasts, as you could be out sunbathing or taking in a round of golf deep into the winter months.
The heat does get turned up in the summer, but thankfully, the surrounding mountains, like the San Jacinto range to the west, provide shade to a large part of Palm Springs, bringing the temperature down.
The mountains provide another benefit, shielding much of Palm Springs from the strong spring and fall winds that blow through much of the Coachella Valley to the north.
Palm Springs weather is one of the leading attractions for visitors and residents alike, providing excellent levels of comfort all year round.
Active Lifestyle
Following the great weather, Palm Springs is well-equipped to promote outdoor enjoyment. Whether you just want to relax near the pool, enjoy the sunshine and clear desert air, or do something more active, like hiking or golfing, Palm Springs has you covered.
Almost every Palm Springs neighborhood, community, and development has at least one pool. Many have more than one, usually nestled within a lush garden beneath swaying palms.
In all, the Greater Palm Springs area has more than 50,000 pools - the highest rate per capita in the country! So, anywhere you go, and at almost any time of year, you can dive into perfect crystal blue waters, returning to the spa, cabana, or your residence, which is sure to be nearby.
Palm Springs is also known as the Golf Capital of the World, with some world-class courses and clubs, like:
The Greater Palm Springs area has around 100 beautiful golf courses. Palm Springs hosts a giant Golf Cart Parade each fall, proceeding down El Paseo Drive.
Palm Springs is also known for its other favorite pastime: tennis. The city has high-quality, prestigious tennis clubs with various court types and surfaces.
Natural Beauty & The Great Outdoors
Palm Springs is also a great place to live if you ever want to escape the city. Not only are the surrounding mountains a sight to behold, but they’re also an adventure waiting right at your doorstep.
One of the city’s premier attractions is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a cable car that climbs the slopes of the San Jacinto Mountains. People enjoy the trip for the stunning views, cool and crisp mountain air, and the excellent dining options at the top.
Once you’ve taken the lift, you can enjoy the range's many hiking trails and routes, taking in the views and fresh air.
Palm Springs has many opportunities for hiking and biking, and the surrounding area also has many parks and locations to visit, like the Joshua Tree National Park.
The Architecture
Palm Springs is famous for its abundant examples of authentic mid-century modern architecture, featuring designs by some of its biggest names.
Palm Springs even has a week-long celebration of this heritage. Every February, Modernism Week hosts tours and events around these beautiful buildings, those who designed them, and those who lived in them.
Some common features of these buildings include floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto enclosed patios, low-hipped A-frames with clerestory windows, decorative brickwork, open-plan interiors, and generally clean lines throughout.
If you're a visitor or a resident, attend one of the many tours through Palm Springs's mid-century modern landscape. Tours and hosts include:
- The MidMod Design Tour
- The Palm Springs Mod Squad
- The Palm Springs Historical Society
Palm Springs' architecture is just the tip of the arts and culture iceberg. So, also take in the many galleries and museums throughout the city.
The History
As the story goes, when a Hollywood star signed an exclusive contract in the early 20th century, they were required to stay within a 2-hour drive of the studio in case they were needed. Also, the paparazzi that so often dogged celebrities were paid travel expenses up to 100 miles around the city.
As it happens, Palm Springs is within 2 hours of Hollywood and more than 100 miles outside Downtown L.A. So, by residing in Palm Springs, some of Hollywood's biggest stars could enjoy the combination of privacy, warm weather, and a laid-back atmosphere, all while abiding by their studio contracts.
Palm Springs became a popular destination for some of the biggest stars of the past 100 years, including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, and Elvis Presley.
Today, the area is full of stories of who stayed where or frequented which club, and many places just ooze a Golden Age of Hollywood aesthetic.
You can also enjoy the glamorous lifestyle at one of Palm Springs' many resort-turned-condo communities and become a part of this history.
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There you have it. Great weather, active living, outdoor fun, iconic architecture, and a star-studded heritage make Palm Springs one of the best places to live in California.
Come visit to discover it for yourself.
Looking to learn more about making Palm Springs your home? Get in touch with me and I'll be your local guide to everything that's related to the Palm Springs real estate market.
Posted by Geoffrey Moore on
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