Racquet Club Estates Palm Springs

If you close your eyes and picture Palm Springs, you are likely visualizing Racquet Club Estates.

Located in North Palm Springs, bordered roughly by Vista Chino to the south and San Rafael to the north, this neighborhood is essentially a time capsule of 1950s optimism. It feels like the set of a movie, and in many ways, it is. While other areas have pockets of cool architecture, Racquet Club Estates (RCE) holds the title for having the largest concentration of Alexander-built homes in the city.

For buyers who want that quintessential "Palm Springs look"—the clean lines, the high windows, and the indoor-outdoor flow—this is often the first place we look. But beyond the aesthetics, there are practical realities about wind, rental rules, and land ownership that every buyer needs to understand before writing an offer.

History & Architecture: The Alexander Legacy

You can’t talk about this neighborhood without talking about the sheer architectural pedigree on display here. It’s what makes the area world-famous.

Most of the homes here were developed by the Alexander Construction Company between 1959 and 1961. If you are looking for mid-century modern homes with historical significance, this is the jackpot. The vast majority were designed by the legendary architect William Krisel of Palmer & Krisel. His genius was taking a standard floor plan (originally about 1,225 square feet) and rotating it, flipping it, and applying different rooflines to create a streetscape that looked custom rather than cookie-cutter.

When driving the streets, look for the signature roof styles that define the area: the soaring Butterfly roof, the steep A-frame (often called the "Swiss Miss"), and the classic Flat roof. These homes feature post-and-beam construction, open carports, and breezeways that connect the indoors to the mountains outside.

It is also worth noting that RCE is home to the famous "Steel Houses" designed by Donald Wexler. There are only seven of them, but they are Class 1 Historic Sites and architectural icons. They were a bold experiment in prefabricated steel construction that stopped short due to rising steel costs, but they remain some of the most coveted properties in the desert.

Real Estate Market & Home Prices

As of early 2026, the market in Racquet Club Estates has found a new rhythm. After the frenetic pace of the post-pandemic years, things have stabilized. Inventory has normalized, meaning you aren't necessarily competing against twenty other offers within an hour of a listing going live.

Buyers today have a bit more leverage. The days on market are averaging around 70 to 80 days, suggesting a balanced environment where you have time to do your due diligence. In terms of pricing, you are generally looking at a range between $800,000 for entry-level fixers up to $1.4 million for homes that have been meticulously restored or expanded.

Most of these homes started as 3-bedroom, 2-bath layouts. However, over the last 60 years, many have been expanded to include casitas or larger primary suites. The price usually dictates whether you are getting a "time capsule" that needs work or a turnkey architectural gem.

Fee Simple vs. Lease Land

If you have been reading a Palm Springs neighborhood guide or browsing listings, you have likely run into the concept of "Lease Land." This is unique to our area, where much of the land is owned by members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and leased to homeowners.

Here is the good news for RCE: Racquet Club Estates is almost entirely on Fee Simple land.

This means when you buy the house, you buy the land underneath it. There is no monthly lease payment and no lease expiration date to worry about. For many buyers, especially those looking for long-term stability or those using conventional financing that can get tricky with short leases, this is a massive value add compared to nearby neighborhoods on Indian Lease land.

The Wind Factor: What You Need to Know

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the wind. There is no point in sugarcoating it—North Palm Springs is located in a high-wind zone. The geography of the valley funnels wind from the San Gorgonio Pass right through this area.

The wind is seasonal. It is generally strongest in the spring and early summer. If you are lounging by the pool in April or May, you might find your umbrella taking flight if you aren't careful.

However, locals often view this as a trade-off rather than a dealbreaker. In the heat of the summer, that breeze can be a lifesaver, cooling down the evenings significantly more than in the wind-sheltered south end of town. Just know that if you live here, you will likely spend a little more time skimming leaves out of the pool.

Short-Term Rental Rules & Regulations

If you are an investor looking to buy a vacation rental, you need to pay close attention here. Palm Springs enforces a strict cap on vacation rental permits, limiting them to 20% of the homes in any given neighborhood.

Racquet Club Estates is currently "Over the Cap." Historically, the density of vacation rentals here has hovered between 30% and 40%.

What does this mean for you in 2026? If you buy a home in RCE today, you cannot apply for a standard short-term rental certificate. You would be placed on a waitlist, and given the popularity of the area, that wait could be very long. There are "Junior Permits" available (which allow for a limited number of rental contracts per year), but if your financial model relies on heavy Airbnb income, this neighborhood is likely not the right fit right now.

Lifestyle: Parks, Community & Location

Life in RCE is about more than just the architecture. The neighborhood is anchored by Victoria Park, a lovely central green space with picnic areas and plenty of room for dog walking. It serves as a natural meeting point for neighbors.

The location is also highly convenient. You are about a 5-minute drive from the Uptown Design District and North Palm Canyon Drive, where many of the city's best restaurants and vintage shops are located.

The community spirit here is strong, largely thanks to the Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization (RCENO). This is a voluntary but very active group that organizes social events, charitable drives, and the famous annual home tour during Modernism Week. It gives the area a true "neighborhood" feel where people actually know each other.

Living in Racquet Club Estates: Pros & Cons

To summarize, here is how the neighborhood stacks up for a potential buyer:

Pros:

• Fee Simple Land: You own the land, which is huge for resale value and peace of mind.

• Architecture: It is visually stunning and historically significant.

• Utilities: Most power lines are underground, preserving those mountain views (though some perimeter streets still have overhead lines).

• Community: Active neighbors and a pride of ownership vibe.

Cons:

• Wind: It is the windy end of town, especially in spring.

• Rental Restrictions: No new standard vacation rental permits are available.

• Airport Noise: Depending on where you are in the tract, you may hear flight path noise, though it’s generally less intrusive than in central neighborhoods.

Comparison: How It Stacks Up

When you compare RCE to other popular areas, the distinctions become clear.

Compared to Vista Las Palmas, Racquet Club Estates is significantly more affordable. Vista Las Palmas has similar architecture but commands prices double or triple what you see here. The trade-off is that RCE is windier.

Compared to Tahquitz River Estates in the south, RCE offers more architectural uniformity. Tahquitz is eclectic with Spanish and Ranch styles mixed in, whereas RCE is a pure mid-century modern enclave. If you want that consistent "Palm Springs Modern" look on every street, RCE wins.

FAQs

Is Racquet Club Estates on lease land?

No, the vast majority of Racquet Club Estates is on Fee Simple land, meaning you own the land outright. This is a distinct advantage over many other Palm Springs neighborhoods that are on Indian Lease land.

Who built the homes in Racquet Club Estates?

The homes were developed by the Alexander Construction Company between 1959 and 1961. Most were designed by architect William Krisel, with a few rare steel homes designed by Donald Wexler.

Can I operate an Airbnb in Racquet Club Estates?

Currently, no new standard short-term rental permits are being issued because the neighborhood is over the city's 20% density cap. New buyers can join a waitlist, but you should not purchase here expecting immediate vacation rental income.