Sun City Palm Desert Homes

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Sun City Palm Desert Real Estate

Located in the beautiful Coachella Valley area, the lush desert oasis of Indian Wells invites those who seek the best in southern California living.   Home to the largest number of millionaires per capita in the United States, Indian Wells residents enjoy the one of the highest standards of living in this area.   Immerse yourself in luxury in this community offering world-class resorts, fine dining and championship golf and tennis.

 

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History

Indian Wells traces its roots to an ancient tribal well found in this area.   As early as 1823, Spanish explorers documented the area now known as Indian Wells.   Later that century, Indian Wells became an important stop for prospectors traveling to and from gold discovered on the Colorado River.  

Near the turn of the 20 th century settlement of the Indian Wells area began in earnest.   In spite of extreme weather conditions in the valley, these early settlers including the families of William Blair, Ernie Chapin Sr., Melvin Harmon, and James O'Neal, who opened "Dan's Market" and established the first Indian Wells post office, set established homesteads in Indian Wells.   Some of Indian Wells’ most well-known country clubs, including Indian Wells Country Club and Eldorado Country clubs are built on the grounds of these early homesteads.

During the early 1900’s, Date Ranching took root in the Indian Wells area.   A pioneer in the date industry, Caleb Cook is credited with planting Indian Wells’ first date gardens.   The imported date palms flourished, and by 1922, a local publication, noted, "No section of the Coachella Valley is now undergoing more rapid and substantial improvement than is Indian Wells."

This desert oasis became a popular destination for celebrities in the 1950’s and 60’s.   While vacationing here, President Eisenhower was so impressed with the golf and beautiful environment, that he made it his summer residence.   During this era, tennis and golf tournaments were played here annually.   The first Bob Hope Celebrity Classic cemented this area’s reputation as a premier golf destination.

Today many come to Indian Wells to bask in the luxury of this oasis in the desert.   While many visit to witness championship tennis or golf, or to play on the city’s two award-winning golf courses.   Many seeking the finer things in life are choosing to relocate to Indian Wells.

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Golf and Tennis

Indian Wells is synonymous with the best in golf and tennis.   Whether you are an avid spectator, enthusiastic amateur, or a seasoned professional, Indian Wells offers golf and tennis opportunities worth traveling for!

Indian Wells Golf Resort

Golf Digest named the Indian Wells Golf Resort as its “Best Places to Play” Gold Medal Winner in 2004-2005.   This highly coveted distinction cements this facility’s reputation as a premier golf destination worldwide.   Undergoing a complete makeover in 2005-2006, Indian Wells Golf Resort now boasts a Celebrity Course designed by famed golf architect Clive Clark.   With breathtaking mountain views, meandering streams winding their way through the course, and colorful landscaping, this beautiful course not only is challenging for players of all levels, but is a visual feast.

Situated within walking distance of all of Indian Wells’ luxury resort hotels, the Indian Wells Golf Resort is not only a great stop for vacationers, but an ideal location your next golf tournament.   From 12 to 144 players, the team at the Indian Wells Golf Resort can help you create a memorable tournament experience.

 

PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
Held each spring in Indian Wells, the Pacific Life Open, a Tennis Masters Series event, draws the best tennis competitors from around the world.   Along with Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open, the U.S. Open, and the Nasdaq 100 Open, the Pacific Life Open (known formerly as the Indian Wells Open) is one of the few professional tennis events where top men and women players compete at the same time.   The fifth-highest attended non-Grand Slam tennis tournament in the world, the Pacific Life Open draws thousands of spectators to the 16,100 seat stadium of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden—and millions more who watch the television broadcast!

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PARKS & RECREATION  

The picturesque mountains and the stark beauty of the desert are hallmarks of nature’s handiwork in this part of Southern California.   Residents and visitors to Indian Wells have ready access to parks and recreation opportunities unparalleled in other parts of the country.   Most notable among these are Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area and Joshua Tree National Park.

Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area
Outlined by the waterline of the ancient Lake Cahuilla, a terminal reservoir makes this possible today.   With the Santa Rosa Mountains as a backdrop, and an ancient seabed as a shore, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area. Individual and group camping are available, along with fishing, picnicking, swimming, special events and equestrian and hiking trails.

Joshua Tree National Park
A jewel of the desert, Joshua Tree National Park is one of this nation’s most unique, and most visited national parks.   Whether you plan to visit for the day, or camp in one of the park’s five campgrounds, Joshua Tree National Park offers visitors over one million acres of spectacular Mojave and Colorado Desert landscape. Be surprised by the enclaves of flowering plants and shrubs with songbirds darting to and fro, contrasting with the arid and tranquil high desert.

Other Local Attractions

Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center
The Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center strives to rehabilitate and release wild birds. This facility features a wetland habitat, ideal for the observation and study of these wild birds.  

Indian Canyons
In the Coachella Valley area, the ancient beauty of the Andreas, Murray and Palm Canyons remains untouched by time. Abundant palms and rocky gorges line, the 15-mile-long Palm Canyon, one of the most beautiful spots in western North America. A Trading Post, picnic grounds, hiking and horse trails are available to the public.

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Local Galleries

The beauty of the Coachella Valley region inspires many artists and artisans.   Many of these artists have opened galleries in the Indian Wells area.   Find a unique piece of art for your new home at one of these galleries that are open to the public:

• A Gallery Fine Art
• Andre Blanche Studio
• Art At El Paseo Square
• Art Works Gallery
• The Art Place
• The Figurative – Gallery of Contemporary Art
• Tre Contemporary Fine Art Gallery

Museums

Coachella Valley Historical Society and Museum and Cultural Center
Housed in a 1920s Mission-style adobe structure, this museum preserves the history of the Coachella Valley.   See artifacts from the Southern Pacific Railroad; a model of a “Desert Submarine” or water cooled quarters of railroad workers; an historic 1909 schoolhouse; and a snapshot of 1930’s life in the Coachella Valley.

Cabazon Cultural Museum at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
This museum on the Cabazon Reservation showcases the history of the Cahuilla Indians.