Desert Hot Springs / California

“The City of Desert Hot Springs is committed to becoming a world-class health and wellness destination based upon its famous miracle waters, unique desert ecosystem, spectacular mountain views, and natural environment.”

– City of Desert Hot Springs

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PLACE

Nestled between two mountain ranges, 1000 feet about the Coachella Valley floor, you will find Desert Hot Springs, “Spa City” of California. A true oasis in the desert and home to some of the worlds finest naturally occurring hot mineral springs, Desert Hot Springs draws people from around the world to soak in its therapeutic pools.

Visitors aren’t the only ones drawn to Desert Hot Springs; more people are calling it home and it’s easy to see why. Residents enjoy the views overlooking beautiful Palm Springs and being at the base of the Sand to Snow National Monument, mountain bikers, runners and hikers have countless miles of sweeping vistas to explore, from the desert floor to the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains.

For those that enjoy a welcoming peaceful atmosphere, Desert Hot Springs doesn’t disappoint. The city has a simple basic vibe of a village long ago yet continues to evolve and adapt as it grows. Here, housing is still affordable and the cost of living competitive. And having an international airport and world-renowned Palm Springs just 15 miles down the hill makes travel, shopping, and entertainment very convenient.

With honest hometown flair, internationally known spas, and proximity to phenomenal outdoor adventuring, Desert Hot Springs is on the rise.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE WATER

Desert Hot Springs not only has amazing natural hot mineral water to soak in, but it also has underground cold water springs just as pure for drinking. It is the only place in the world with both hot and cold mineral spring aquifers.

For centuries, the naturally heated waters were believed to hold medicinal powers. When the first scientific analysis of the hot mineral water was performed in 1937, its curative value was affirmed. Today, people come from around the globe to soak in the healing waters of Desert Hot Springs. The water comes from thousands of feet below the earth’s surface and is cooled only when necessary to keep a comfortable temperature.

And for hundreds of years, the cold water aquifer provided habitat to wildlife and sustained Native American people. Today, Desert Hot Springs’ groundwater is ranked among the nation’s best, winning national and international awards for its deliciously refreshing taste. Pumped directly out of the earth, the municipal drinking water is better than any store-bought bottle, and the gold, silver and bronze awards prove it.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE MAN

You can’t read about or visit Desert Hot Springs without hearing the name Cabot Yerxa (YER-ba). This hardworking visionary was the first to discover the hot and cold aquifers outside his homestead in the early 1900s.

In need of water, he dug a well near his home and discovered hot mineral water (the Desert Hot Springs Aquifer) right outside his door. 600 yards away he dug another well and discovered the pure cold water of the Mission Springs Aquifer. The two wells, one hot and one cold, led Cabot to name his homestead Miracle Hill.

Being the visionary that he was, he saw the area’s potential upon his arrival in those early years. In 1941 he began building the Old Indian Pueblo in its current location using materials from his original home. He painstakingly built the pueblo by hand over the next 20 plus years until his death in 1965. His intentions for the pueblo was to serve as a museum to house the many artifacts he had collected over the decades as an explorer and adventurer.

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum stands today as a cornerstone to Desert Hot Springs heritage.

Indian Wells By The Numbers