Why the Rich and Famous Continue to Flock to Palm Springs (2024)

Palm Springs architecture has long made the town a favored destination of midcentury-modern design lovers, and the biggest names of that era (say, Walt Disney or Frank Sinatra) enjoyed the desert oasis plenty. A-lister home design standards have changed quite a bit since those days—you wouldn’t expect to find a Richard Neutra home equipped with smart home technology—and yet the appeal of the San Jacinto Mountain–surrounding region remains strong for big names and design lovers alike.

Take Leonardo DiCaprio, for instance. The Academy Award–winning actor supports a number of noble causes, and the preservation of Palm Springs’ distinct place in the history of modern architecture happens to be among them. In 2014, the actor purchased a gorgeous home designed by Donald Wexler, one of the key figures in Palm Springs’ midcentury architectural scene, right as superstars began flocking to the desert locale that’s just two hours from Los Angeles by car.

Frank Sinatra’s Palm Springs home, which appeared in the December 1998 issue of AD.

Photo: Mary E. Nichols

The home was built in 1964 for Dinah Shore, a Big Band era singer, and has been gorgeously preserved and furnished to honor that legacy. Now, under DiCaprio’s watch, the six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half bathroom home operates as a hotel where visitors can leisurely soak in the design of the era for $3,750 a night. Rock clad walls, wood-paneled ceilings, and a Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant light fixture in the dining room are among the many details that quietly maintain the midcentury atmosphere within the one-story home. To ensure a comfortable stay, the kitchen and other key elements have been updated to meet modern standards, though these elements are understated by design to avoid clashing with the rest of the home.

JOIN NOW

Memorial Day Sale: Join AD PRO and save $100 on an annual membership.

Why the Rich and Famous Continue to Flock to Palm Springs (1)

DiCaprio’s Dinah Shore home is located in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood, a favorite of many celebrities of the midcentury period—from Marilyn Monroe to Elvis Presley. Indeed, each neighborhood in Palm Springs tells a distinct story. La Quinta, an area in Greater Palm Springs which predominately features Hacienda- or Spanish-style homes that lack the same architectural allure as older builds in the area, is particularly en vogue with the reality television royalty of today, who seem to be injecting some architectural style into the neighborhood. Kourtney Kardashian and Kris Jenner own ultra-modern mansions in La Quinta, and Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian recently bought plots of land there. Kim in particular has big plans for her parcel—she shared in her recent Vogue cover story that Tadao Ando is designing a house for it.

Ando has designed memorable buildings across the globe (including a Malibu home that now belongs to Kanye West), and though his signature style is not quite desert modern, his emphasis on seamlessly integrating his homes in their natural surroundings is perfectly suited for the area and will become a valuable addition to the rich architectural legacy of Palm Springs. Other famous La Quinta residents include Lori Loughlin and Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber.

Why the Rich and Famous Continue to Flock to Palm Springs (2024)

FAQs

Why the Rich and Famous Continue to Flock to Palm Springs? ›

Palm Springs architecture has long made the town a favored destination of midcentury-modern design lovers, and the biggest names of that era (say, Walt Disney or Frank Sinatra) enjoyed the desert oasis plenty.

Why did Hollywood come to Palm Springs? ›

Our Mayor of Palm Springs at the time was the late Frank Bogert who was a talented promoter. Mayor Bogert was known for taking photos of Hollywood's elite frolicking in Palm Springs which were seen around the world. His gambit worked, thus, burnishing the town's reputation as a desired location to see and be seen.

Do celebrities still live in Palm Springs? ›

Former and current celebrity abodes can be found all over Palm Springs. Many of today's stars keep to gated communities and even some of the older homes are in secure estates (no, you won't be able to do a drive-by of the Kardashian's place).

Why do people want to live in Palm Springs? ›

You'll Never Get Bored

The best golf courses, hiking trails, museums, camping spots, stargazing destinations, shopping places, and even animal conservation organizations are found in this charming desert town. If you're looking to pick up a new interest, you might as well do it after you start living in Palm Springs.

Is Palm Springs California wealthy? ›

The per capita income in Palm Springs in 2018 was $56,196, which is wealthy relative to California and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $224,784 for a family of four. However, Palm Springs contains both very wealthy and poor people as well. Palm Springs is an extremely ethnically-diverse city.

Where do celebrities go in Palm Springs? ›

The swanky Parker Palm Springs hotel is often a go-to spot for celebs when they come to the desert.

What is the richest part of Palm Springs? ›

Andreas Hills is often referred to as the "Bel Air of Palm Springs'' since it's the most exclusive, prestigious, and scenic neighborhood in the desert city.

Where do rich people stay in Palm Springs? ›

  • Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel. View. Courtesy of Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel / Expedia. ...
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. View. Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage / Expedia. ...
  • Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa. View. Courtesy of Miramonte Indian Wells Resort and Spa / Expedia. ...
  • Avalon Hotel and Bungalows. View.
Feb 7, 2022

Do the Kardashians own a house in Palm Springs? ›

It's beginning to look a lot like Calabasas - in Palm Springs. Kylie Jenner's mansion appears to be the crown jewel of an expanding Kardashian-Jenner real estate empire in the Palm Springs, California area, where her mother Kris Jenner and sisters Kourtney Kardashian also have opulent abodes.

Is there a homeless problem in Palm Springs? ›

Palm Springs continued to have by far the most unsheltered people in the valley at 239, up 8% from last year's 222. The figure more than doubled in Desert Hot Springs, from 48 unsheltered people last year to 107 this year. In total, there were 982 homeless people counted in the Coachella Valley, up 3% from 949 in 2022.

What is the average household income in Palm Springs? ›

The average household income ($106,420) for 92264 is less than the average household income for 92270 ($147,469) and 92561 ($113,745). But it's more than 92234 ($78,863), 92260 ($99,512), 92262 ($102,622), Riverside County ($100,004), and Palm Springs city ($104,560).

Why are houses so flat in Palm Springs? ›

As a result of the hot Palm Springs summers, low-profile, horizontal, single-story structures closer to the cool earth are ideal. The smaller air volume inside the structure makes it easier to cool in the hot summers. Flat roofs with long overhangs aid in shading the home and outdoor living spaces.

What's the richest part of California? ›

The richest city in California is Los Altos Hills. With a median income of $254,000 at the beginning of 2023, the town just edges out Woodside and Hillsborough. Los Altos Hills has been the wealthiest in California since 2019 (prior, it was in fourth place).

What is the wealthiest city in Coachella Valley? ›

On the western end is Palm Springs, known for its old Hollywood glamour, stylish resorts, and significant architecture. But more mid-to-east valley, about 30 minutes from Palm Springs, is Indian Wells, which has the area's priciest residential real estate as ranked by median listing price, according to Realtor.com.

Is the cost of living high in Palm Springs? ›

Palm Springs, California's cost of living is 20% higher than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, its average salary and the real estate market of that area.

Does Kylie Jenner have a house in Palm Springs? ›

Kylie Jenner—the youngest daughter in the fam—now boasts yet another home in Palm Springs. The mom of two purchased prime real-estate next to her mother's in a gated community for $3.25 million.

What celebrities are in Palm Springs 2023? ›

So many celebs were in attendance at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Awards, which kicked off awards season! Cate Blanchett, Austin Butler, and Michelle Yeoh were among the stars who walked the red carpet at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Thursday (January 5) in Palm Springs, Calif.

What celebrities live in Rancho Mirage? ›

It is home to and has been home to a number of celebrities, including Don Sutton, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Billie Dove and Gerald and Betty Ford.

Does Leonardo DiCaprio have a house in Palm Springs? ›

Palm Springs, California has plenty of homes and mansions that are breathtaking inside and out. Leonardo DiCaprio's Palm Springs estate, located at 432 Hermosa, is no exception. Want to see Palm Springs architecture & history for yourself? Check out the tours available TODAY!

What is Palm Springs known for? ›

This popular resort town is known for its gorgeous sunny climate, golf courses, restaurants, hotels, and natural hot springs. Palm Springs is home to many Hollywood stars, as it has been a preferred destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles since the 1930s.

Why are all houses in Palm Springs one story? ›

All of the residential homes in Palm Spring could not be built any higher than one story, for the beautifully simply reason that nobody is blocking anyone's view of the mountains as well as nobody being able to see into your backyard.

What is the main industry in Palm Springs? ›

Leisure and Hospitality, Retail, Education, and Health account for the top employment sectors in Palm Springs. To learn more about the Palm Springs business climate, click here for economic and demographic reports.

What is billionaires row palm beach? ›

Billionaires Row in Palm Beach is a stretch of ultra-exclusive waterfront properties located along South Ocean Boulevard.

Where to live to marry rich? ›

Cities ranking high in all three areas are likely good places to find single, rich men.
  1. San Jose, CA. San Jose, California.
  2. San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, California. ...
  3. Washington, DC. Washington, DC. ...
  4. Boston, MA. Boston, Massachusetts. ...
  5. New York, NY. New York, New York. ...
  6. Seattle, WA. ...
  7. Hartford, CT. ...
  8. Philadelphia, PA. ...

Where do rich people usually hang out? ›

One route is to take a job at a place where rich, successful people hang out. This could be: golf courses, hotels, resorts, convention centers, places where people have wedding receptions, ski resorts, yacht clubs, etc. Rich people love to have "blue collar buddies" to chat with while they're doing opulent stuff.

Where did the Real Housewives stay in Palm Springs? ›

Stalk It: Colony 29, from the “Palm Spring Breakers” and “Escape to Bitch Mountain” episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, is located at 147 South Tahquitz Drive in Palm Springs' Historic Tennis Club neighborhood. You can visit the property's official website here.

Where is Kylie Jenner's house? ›

The internet is poking fun at Kylie Jenner's new $3.25 million home in Palm Springs, saying that the 15,500-square-foot mansion looks a lot like a Costco.

Who lives in the same neighborhood as Kim Kardashian? ›

Miley Cyrus and Kanye West & Kim Kardashian

It's no surprise that a lot of stars live in Hidden Hills in Los Angeles as the area boasts some seriously envious views and a star-studded residence. Amongst it, Miley Cyrus lives close by to Kim Kardashian, who divorced Kanye West after six years in 2021.

Does Kourtney K have a house in Palm Springs? ›

If you love Kourtney Kardashian's Calabasas, California, home, then you're definitely going to flip out over her Palm Springs property!

What city has the biggest homeless problem? ›

In 2022, Los Angeles had the nation's largest homeless population. About 582,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness, according to 2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) data.

Is Palm Springs safe to live in? ›

One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21. Within California, more than 97% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Palm Springs.

Do people go out in Palm Springs? ›

In Greater Palm Springs, you'll find everything from late-night dance parties and karaoke nights to inspired mixology and speakeasy-style bars.

What are the best months to live in Palm Springs? ›

If you're looking to come at the most popular time of year with nearly perfect weather, that would be February, March and April. This is when the average temperature hovers in the 70s and 80s by day with cooler temps rolling in during the dry desert nights. If that sounds nice to you, you're not the only one.

Is Palm Springs a good place to raise a family? ›

Although the city is known for its retirement neighborhoods and active-adult communities, it's also a phenomenal place to raise a family. The city is filled with convenient amenities, like charter schools and community parks, which make Palm Springs the perfect city for families.

How many people live in Palm Springs full time? ›

Table
Population
Population, Census, April 1, 202044,575
Population, Census, April 1, 201044,552
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent 2.5%
54 more rows

Where not to live in Palm Springs? ›

The area that is known as 'Desert Highland Gateway Estates'. It is probably the worst area in Palm Springs. In terms of good and bad areas, stay out of North Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and parts of Cathedral City. Stay in South Palm Springs and you should be good.

How popular is Palm Springs? ›

A popular resort city for many years, Palm Springs is known for its natural hot springs, hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and sunny weather. It's been a favorite destination for Hollywood stars since the 1930s, and many celebrities maintain homes in the Palm Springs area.

What is America's richest city? ›

New York is the wealthiest city in the world⁠—home to 345,600 millionaires with a total private wealth that exceeds $3 trillion.

Is California richer than NY? ›

Overall, in the calendar year 2022, the United States' Nominal GDP at Current Prices totaled at $25.463 Trillion, as compared to $23.315 Trillion in 2021. The three U.S. states with the highest GDPs were California ($3.6 Trillion), Texas ($2.356 Trillion), and New York ($2.053 Trillion).

Where do the rich shop in California? ›

West Hollywood

Robertson Boulevard is well-known for celebrity sightings and the paparazzi that stake out The Ivy during daytime hours. High-end stores like Kitson, Chanel and Intermix are all celeb faves.

Who owns the Coachella land? ›

Meet Philip Anschutz, Billionaire Owner of Coachella.

What is Coachella Valley famous for? ›

Coachella Valley is home to some of the country's best music and arts festivals, attracting people from all over the world. In particular, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival draws in hundreds of thousands of thanks to its mix of world-renowned musicians, up-and-coming artists, and fashion.

Where do the Kardashians live in Coachella Valley? ›

Kris Jenner's Palm Springs abode is located in La Quinta, California, within the confines of the Madison Club, a high-end golf resort.

Do any celebrities live in Palm Springs? ›

Leonardo DiCaprio became Palm Springs' most famous resident when he purchased Dinah Shore's former home at 432 Hermosa. When he isn't using his Palm Springs residence, the Oscar-winning actor rents the property out. The mid-century modern home includes 6 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms.

Why do people retire in Palm Springs? ›

Situated on Coachella Valley's western edge, Palm Springs sees over 350 days of sunshine each year! There's very little rain and, for most of the year, the weather is simply spectacular. It provides a small-town feeling because about 50,000 people live in the area.

Why is Marilyn in Palm Springs? ›

The sculpture was purchased in 2020 by PS Resorts, a City-funded tourist agency that was mandated to increase tourism to Palm Springs. According to the Art Newspaper, the City Council unanimously voted in 2021 for the statue's placement near the museum.

Did Walt Disney have a home in Palm Springs? ›

Most valley residents know that Walt Disney loved Palm Springs. He liked to come here to play polo, and he owned two homes in Smoke Tree Ranch. The first one he sold to help finance the building of Disneyland, which opened in July 1955. Once Disneyland became successful, he built a second Smoke Tree Ranch home in 1957.

Which Kardashians own homes in Palm Springs? ›

Kylie Jenner's mansion appears to be the crown jewel of an expanding Kardashian-Jenner real estate empire in the Palm Springs, California area, where her mother Kris Jenner and sisters Kourtney Kardashian also have opulent abodes.

Does Goldie Hawn live in Palm Springs? ›

Goldie Hawn's California cool residence

According to Ranker, longtime love birds Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have owned their Palm Springs residence for years. Of all the homes they own in California, the Palm Springs abode they purchased in the '70s is the most conservative.

Where did Marilyn Monroe live in Palm Springs? ›

In the 195O's, she was a regular visitor to Palm Springs with her second husband, baseball great Joe DiMaggio, and by the 196O's she had a home in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood. Marilyn Monroe loved Palm Springs and the exhibit of Forever Marilyn is a true homecoming.

Why is Palm Springs so famous? ›

Palm Springs architecture has long made the town a favored destination of midcentury-modern design lovers, and the biggest names of that era (say, Walt Disney or Frank Sinatra) enjoyed the desert oasis plenty.

Where do the rich live in Palm Springs? ›

Andreas Hills. Andreas Hills is often referred to as the "Bel Air of Palm Springs'' since it's the most exclusive, prestigious, and scenic neighborhood in the desert city. Boasting incredible views of Mount San Jacinto, Andreas Hills has a wide array of homes in different architectural styles.

What was Palm Springs old name? ›

Palm Springs (back then known as Agua Caliente, meaning hot water, then Palm Valley and finally Palm Springs, incorporated as a city in 1938) was discovered by a government survey team sent out to find a railroad route to the Pacific in 1853, for what would come to be, Southern Pacific Railroad.

Where is Disney buying land? ›

Rumors in Florida flowed about which company was buying up 27,443 acres of land in Orange and Osceola counties. There was much speculation about the various companies that could possibly be responsible.

What town is owned by Disney? ›

The Town of Celebration, Florida is a community founded by the Walt Disney Company in 1996. Today, however, all properties in the community are privately owned. It is in Osceola County west of the City of Kissimmee and about 20 miles southwest of downtown Orlando.

Where is Disney moving to Florida? ›

The Walt Disney Company plans to relocate about 2000 jobs from California to Orlando's Lake Nona community. On June 16, 2022, Disney said the timeline to move its employees to Lake Nona would be delayed from 2022 until 2026.

Why do houses in Palm Springs have flat roofs? ›

Flat roofs with long overhangs aid in shading the home and outdoor living spaces. With the minimal amount of rain that Palm Springs gets each year, flat roofs are sufficient for handling the small amounts of precipitation.

What is the abandoned city in Palm Springs? ›

Calico is an Old West mining town that has been around since 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. With its 500 mines, Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year span. When silver lost its value in the mid-1890s, Calico lost its population.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6250

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.