Palm Springs is a sun-baked mix of palm trees, layered mountain views, and one-of-a-kind architecture.

Drive any residential street and you can pass a Spanish Colonial villa, a low-slung midcentury modern home by William Krisel, and a lush yard that looks intentionally relaxed. 

This guide walks through the character, architectural flavors, and everyday rhythms you’ll notice in the neighborhoods people talk about when they say Palm Springs, while offering a window into living in Palm Springs day to day.

Why Is Palm Springs a Desirable Place to Live?

Palm Springs sits at the western edge of the Coachella Valley with the San Jacinto Mountains rising to the west, so the town lives where desert light, mountain backdrop, and a century of design collide.

The city’s history as a retreat for Hollywood figures left a lasting architectural legacy; houses designed by modernist architects and Spanish Revival builders make the streets visually rich and architecturally varied. Prospective buyers exploring Palm Springs real estate quickly notice how design pedigree influences pricing and curb appeal.

The local scene mixes small-city conveniences such as galleries, live music venues, and the many things to do in Palm Springs clustered along a compact downtown on Palm Canyon Drive, with outdoor access like Indian Canyons and nearby trailheads.

Healthcare and regional services are well represented in the valley, and the area’s identity as a desert resort has encouraged careful restoration of iconic midcentury modern homes.

What Are the Top 5 Most Popular Neighborhoods in Palm Springs?

Below are five neighborhoods that show the range of Palm Springs: historic estates, tight midcentury collections, and quieter pockets that hug the hills. Each short profile describes the character, common housing styles, price range signals, and what daily life tends to feel like.

Vista Las Palmas

Vista Las Palmas is where many of the most celebrated midcentury modern homes cluster, with lots with clean lines, wide glass, and deep eaves that frame mountain views.

Walkable streets, iconic butterfly and flat-roof designs, and homes by builders like the Alexanders and architects associated with Donald Wexler and William Krisel give the area an instantly recognizable midcentury-modern identity. Expect to see carefully restored modern homes sitting alongside tasteful additions that respect the originals.

Living here feels architecturally curated. Mornings bring quiet poolside courtyards and people out for brisk walks with palm-lined vistas. Prices in Vista Las Palmas tend to be toward the higher end of the local market because of the architecture and celebrity provenance, and maintenance is often an owner's priority rather than an afterthought.

Movie Colony

The Movie Colony captures the old Hollywood chapter of Palm Springs: romantic Spanish Colonial Revival estates, mature landscaping, and some elegant modernist parcels, too. This neighborhood grew up alongside Palm Springs’ resort era, so you’ll spot larger lots, gated entries, and a still-visible sense of privacy that originally attracted performers and studio executives.

Daily life in the Movie Colony is quieter and more residential; evenings feel settled, and streets are often shaded by established trees.

Homes range from graceful Spanish Revival to sophisticated modernist residences, and the area’s history translates into diverse architecture and a strong preservation mindset.

Old Las Palmas

Old Las Palmas sits within walking distance of downtown and blends grand, historic homes with impeccably restored modernist houses.

The neighborhood’s palm-lined streets, occasional pocket parks, and larger setbacks give it a villa-like rhythm that reads as classic Palm Springs. You’ll see Spanish Revival, Mediterranean, and midcentury modern houses side-by-side, many updated while keeping original architectural gestures intact.

On any given weekend, there’s a mix of people strolling to nearby restaurants and residents enjoying private courtyards. Because of its proximity to downtown, Old Las Palmas attracts owners who want architectural character plus a short walk to Palm Canyon Drive.

Deepwell Estates

Deepwell Estates sits a little closer to downtown and is known for its combination of larger lots, desert-adapted landscaping, and midcentury bungalows with indoor-outdoor living.

Historically, the neighborhood drew those who wanted proximity to downtown with room for gardens and privacy; over time, Deepwell retained a quieter, more domestic feel than some of the high-profile celebrity pockets.

Life here often centers on outdoor living and backyard patios. Houses vary from modest midcentury to larger renovated homes, and homeowners commonly invest in gardens and shade elements to make the desert feel lush and usable year-round.

Twin Palms / Twin Palms Estates (including Mesa influences)

Twin Palms, sometimes overlapping with references to the Mesa area, showcases strong midcentury modern bones and some notable architect-designed houses.

The neighborhood has flat-roof lines, integration with the desert landscape, and a playful midcentury language of indoor-outdoor spaces. Streets are generally quieter, and the area gives off a tidy, architecturally minded neighborhood vibe.

Expect a mix of intact midcentury properties and careful restorations that keep the architecture front and center. Residents here trade long commutes for short drives to downtown and the cultural anchors that make Palm Springs feel like a desert retreat with a design pedigree.

What Are Some Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Palm Springs?

New interest often moves slightly outward from the historic cores: smaller pockets near the central city that still offer value and room for sensitive renovation.

Areas that border the established neighborhoods have seen increased attention from buyers seeking original midcentury details without the highest price tags. Local design-minded renovators are quietly investing in properties that can be modernized while preserving original elements.

Other rising spots are those with good walkability to Palm Canyon Drive or easier access to Indian Canyons trailheads. Watch for modest infill projects and careful restorations rather than large-scale new subdivisions; the city’s preservation culture nudges investment toward repair, not replacement.

How to Choose the Right Neighborhood For You?

Think about rhythm before you buy.

If architectural pedigree and a walkable downtown are priorities, neighborhoods like Old Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas deliver that historic, design-forward pulse.

If you want larger lots and a quieter residential cadence, consider Deepwell Estates or the Movie Colony.

For someone focused on midcentury-modern authenticity at a somewhat lower sticker price, Twin Palms and select Mesa pockets can make sense.

Practical considerations matter too: proximity to healthcare providers, access to the San Jacinto foothills for hiking, and summer weather tolerance. Indian Canyons is a local natural asset for hikers and outdoor lovers; access to those trails is part of what makes some neighborhoods feel more outdoors-oriented.

Also factor in property upkeep in a desert climate. Landscaping, irrigation systems, and pool maintenance are recurring costs homeowners expect.

FAQs About Palm Springs Neighborhoods

Are there many mid-century modern homes in Palm Springs?

Yes. Palm Springs is one of the country’s best-known midcentury-modern hubs; many neighborhoods include architect-designed houses by figures like William Krisel, Richard Neutra, and Donald Wexler.

Conservation and restoration of these homes are active community priorities.

What is the typical price range for homes in central Palm Springs?

Prices vary widely by neighborhood, architecture, and lot size.

As of June 2025, the local market showed a median list price near $1,095,900 for single-family homes according to regional market reporting, and citywide median sale figures reported by market trackers indicated mid-six-figure medians in 2025, depending on the dataset. Always check the most recent neighborhood comps for exact pricing.

Is downtown Palm Springs walkable from the main neighborhoods?

Many central neighborhoods, including Old Las Palmas and parts of Deepwell, are a short walk or bike ride to Palm Canyon Drive and the downtown core.

That proximity is one reason these neighborhoods are popular with people who want a compact, pedestrian-friendly downtown life.

What outdoor recreation is nearby?

Indian Canyons and Palm Canyon trails provide immediate access to hiking that ranges from easy palm-lined walks to steeper ridge routes. The San Jacinto Mountains are visible from many neighborhoods and offer year-round hiking and seasonal cooler retreats above the valley.

Are there medical facilities near Palm Springs neighborhoods?

Regional healthcare is served by Eisenhower Health and local clinics in the Coachella Valley, providing hospital and specialty services within a short drive from most neighborhoods. Check provider details for current services and locations.

Sources

• Visit Palm Springs — Explore the Unique Neighborhoods of Palm Springs

• Modernism Week — Modernist homes and Vista Las Palmas programming

• Palm Springs Historical Society — Walking tour summaries; Movie Colony history

• Deepwell Estates Neighborhood Association — About Deepwell

• Chartwell Escrow / Modern Living Palm Springs — June 2025 market snapshot