Explore Palm Desert & View Listings

Quick History

The city of Palm Desert is located between Palm Springs and Indian Wells. Early maps labeled it as a Sand Hole. In the 1930’s a few homes were built and lots were sold in a development north of Highway 111 called Palm Village. World War II brought General Patton to Portola Avenue and to the Colorado Desert to train for African warfare. No one ever dreamed this would become a world-class destination resort! No one except Cliff Henderson and his brothers Randall, Phil and Carl, who with brother-in-law Tommy Tomson and investors, including Edgar Bergen, Leonard Firestone and Harold Lloyd, who turned a sand hole into a sparkling jewel called Palm Desert. They envisioned fine homes, swimming pools, schools, churches, and a culture drawing visitors and families from far and wide.

Today

Located between Palm Springs and La Quinta, Palm Desert offers stunning mountain views, 350 days of sunshine a year, and a wide variety of residents. The city’s environment encourages an active lifestyle with the numerous golf courses, hiking trails, bicycle clubs, and fitness facilities. Shopping and dining on elegant El Paseo Drive (the desert’s Rodeo Drive) excites both visitors and residents. Nearby is Westfield Palm Desert, the only regional mall in the area.

The city’s must-see attraction is The Living Desert Zoo & Botanical Garden, a wildlife park devoted to desert flora and fauna from around the world — and the proud exhibitor of a collection of model trains that will delight the whole family. Add to this the arts and culture offerings of McCallum Theatre. Palm Desert is also education focused, with three college campuses: College of the Desert; California State University, San Bernardino; and University of California, Riverside.