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.
*AREAS WITH NO HOA AND GATES
Palm Desert has a popular area of tiered wide streets behind El Paseo Dr, off Hwy 74. This area interests homeowners and home buyers who want older homes on larger lots that have no homeowner associations or HOA fees. The homes in this area are older or have been extensively remodeled. Prices range from the $300,000s to over $1 million. Some homes have mountain and/or city views. There are other areas of Palm Desert that are older and less expensive that also do not have homeowner associations or HOA fees. These areas have become popular for buyers or investors looking for homes that are in need of updating and remodeling.
