Coachella / California

Unique Culture

The City of Coachella isn’t known for its grand resorts, posh hotels, fancy dining and upscale shopping like its better-known sister city of Palm Springs. As a matter-of-fact, if it weren’t for the famous Coachella Music and Arts Festival held annually, which many mistakenly think is held in the City of Coachella but is held in neighboring Indio, Coachella would only be known by those that live in the Valley.

The City of Coachella prides itself on strong family values and heritage. Coachella is a small, friendly town of just over 45,000 residents, where people know their neighbors and ride their bikes to nice, safe parks.

Ninety-eight percent of the population in Coachella is Hispanic, agriculture is a vital thread to the community’s fabric and art and culture are a way of life as seen by the many outdoor murals spread across the city. Here they celebrate their heritage and take part in annual cultural festivals such as Cinco de Mayo, Fiestas Patrias, Virgin of Guadalupe and the Coachella Christmas Parade.

Downtown

Although known largely as a rural and agricultural community in the desert, the City of Coachella has big plans for the coming years.

The brand-new library and conference center are a wonderful addition to the historic downtown area, honoring the traditional aesthetic of the Spanish Revival style. The new library is part of the city’s beautification of downtown. Located across the street from city hall, the library includes a coffee shop, classrooms, a teen and children’s sections, and books in both English and Spanish.

The CV Line will soon have a bike path that will connect to the City of Coachella, Indio and La Quinta. Named the Music and Arts Line after the

Coachella Music and Arts Festival, the nearly 10-mile route will be unlike any other in the desert, featuring musical and rhythmic elements, illuminated art displays and interactive artistic creations.

Fiscally Sound

Coachella is starting a period of unprecedented growth and transformation by diversifying its economy and expanding into new business sectors. The most recent additions of national retailers like Wal-Mart and Big 5 Sporting Goods shows visible steps in that direction. The city is also working on attracting other national brand retailers and a physical fitness retail location.

Two of the city’s largest employers are also a place for entertainment. Both the Spotlight 29 Casino and Augustine Casino are within Coachella’s city limits and employ more than 1000 residents. They also bring in visitors from throughout the Valley to play and watch live entertainment from top performers all year-long.

Fun Facts

The City of Coachella is 68 feet below sea level; the Salton Sea is 228 feet below sea level

95% of the country’s dates are produced in Coachella and its neighboring cities

The Coachella Grapefruit is named after the city and so vital to its economy that the main highway running through town (Highway 111) is known as Grapefruit Boulevard

The city’s name was originally Conchilla, after the tiny snail shells found in the deserts sandy soil. But when the printer misspelled it Coachella in 1901 on the town prospectus, the founders kept the name, not wanting to delay the news of the new city.

Recently receiving a $3.19 million grant, the city plans to fund 20 infrastructure projects via the state’s Urban Greening program. These projects will enhance the urban area by creating more green spaces that are sustainable, making Coachella a more healthy and vibrant community. The grant will also allow for at least 200 trees planted throughout the city. This will improve the environment by adding much-needed shade and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

Gateway To The Salton Sea

Located at the easternmost section of the Coachella Valley, 28 miles east of Palm Springs, and surrounded by lush agricultural fields, the City of Coachella is more a place you come to live and raise a family than to visit. But with year-round sunshine, the largest lake in California, the Salton Sea, just 10 miles south, not to mention the best Mexican fare you’ll be sure to find anywhere, there is good reason to make a stop in Coachella while in the Valley.

Desert Hot