Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately 14 miles (23 km) east of Palm Springs, 121 miles (195 km) northeast of San Diego and 122 miles (196 km) east of Los Angeles. The population was 53,087 at the 2020 census. The city has been one of the state’s fastest growing since 1980, when its population was 11,801.
A major center of growth in the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a popular retreat for “snowbirds” from colder climates (the Eastern and Northern United States, and Canada), who swell its population by an estimated 31,000 each winter. Palm Desert has seen more residents become “full-timers”, mainly from the coasts and urban centers of California, who have come for both affordable and high-valued homes.
Palm Desert Quick Facts
Area: 69.98 km²
Elevation: 67 m
Population: 53,087 (2020)
Area code: 760
Palm Desert CA offers one of the widest choices of homes in the Coachella Valley. Buyers can find condos and townhomes near El Paseo, single-family homes in established neighborhoods, newer homes north of Interstate 10, and luxury properties in gated golf communities like Bighorn, Ironwood, and Palm Valley Country Club. Sun City Palm Desert is a popular option for active adults age 55 and up.
Hillside areas south of Highway 111 offer mountain views and larger lots, while many golf communities include shared pools, tennis courts, and clubhouses. HOA fees vary widely, so it helps to compare what each community includes before you make an offer.
Palm Desert is known for the El Paseo shopping and dining district, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and the McCallum Theatre. The city-owned Desert Willow Golf Resort, Civic Center Park, and miles of hiking trails in the Santa Rosa Mountains give residents plenty to do year-round. College of the Desert and Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus also make the city a hub for education.
Many seasonal residents spend their winters here, so the market tends to be busiest between January and April.
Some golf communities require a club membership, and the cost can be significant, so ask about this early. Check the age of the pool equipment, air conditioning, and roof, and ask for recent utility bills to see what summer cooling really costs.
Wilder Perez has more than 22 years of experience helping buyers and sellers across the Coachella Valley, from Palm Desert to Indio and La Quinta. Whether you are buying a home or selling a home, call (760) 483-3479 for a free consultation.
