05.23.2022 Valerie Roca
If you’re considering a move to Greater Palm Springs, living in Rancho Mirage can give you that perfect desert lifestyle you’ve always wanted. Natural splendor, stunning homes, and quiet country sophistication with nearby metropolitan areas all await—but where exactly in Southern California is Rancho Mirage? What are the pros and cons of living in Rancho Mirage? And, how does Rancho Mirage compare to the other nine cities in Coachella Valley?
From geographic location to climate, real estate, fun things to do, and more, this guide will cover it all. Read on and you’ll understand why more lucky folks every year decide to call Rancho Mirage home. Let’s take a closer look at what living in Rancho Mirage is like…
Where is Rancho Mirage, CA?
Located between Palm Springs and Palm Desert in central Coachella Valley, Rancho Mirage is a small city in Riverside County where the concept of country club living all began. With its easy access to Highway 111 and an international airport, visiting Rancho Mirage at any time of the year couldn’t be easier.
Rancho Mirage is located:
- 11 miles southeast of Palm Springs
- 120 miles southeast of Los Angeles
- 125 miles north of San Diego
- 275 miles northwest of Phoenix
Centrally located among a collection of charming, small towns in Coachella Valley, Rancho Mirage is an idyllic desert oasis—but doesn’t feel isolated. Residents enjoy all the benefits of living in a small community, with access to all the modern amenities they could want. For a more metropolitan experience, big city life is a short drive away.
Now that you know where Rancho Mirage is located, let’s explore the top reasons so many families, couples, and others are leaving the hustle and bustle behind, and finding the good life here.
1. Living in Rancho Mirage, CA is Beyond Beautiful.
The easiest way to imagine what it’s like living in Rancho Mirage, CA is to envision the perfect country club lifestyle—a golf course home with a gorgeous view, a full-suite of amenities, a full calendar of social events, and an engaging community that’s as warm and welcoming as the desert climate all year long (by the way, the average temperature is 88º during the daytime and 55º at night with less than 3½ inches of rain per year).
Living in Rancho Mirage is diverse and active—partly due to its world-famous tournaments, like the LPGA Chevon’s Championship and the March Madness pickleball event—but mostly because it’s a community that can all agree on one thing: the desert lifestyle is hard to beat. When residents aren’t engaged in their favorite sport or enjoying the great outdoors, there’s enough shopping, dining and socializing to fill every day with non-stop fun.
2. Rancho Mirage is for More Than Golfing!
With its natural beauty and ideal climate, Rancho Mirage has long been a Mecca for golfers. However, its popularity as a golf paradise in the early days quickly grew to include visitors in search of much more. Once the word got out, this quiet community bordering Palm Springs evolved into an exclusive vacation destination of its own, attracting presidents, celebrities, and other notables.
The stunning desert scenery in Rancho Mirage has become the ideal backdrop for tennis, pickleball, hiking, biking, and many other outdoor activities. Magnificent, palm tree-lined roads play host to exotic car clubs. Art galleries, music venues, and other entertainment outlets provide a feast for the senses. And, the bounty of California’s foodie scene is on full-display, everywhere from farmer’s markets to casual eateries and fine dining restaurants.
Residents and visitors enjoy a long list of fun things to do in Rancho Mirage, including:
- Downtown Rancho Mirage
- El Paseo Shopping District
- Rancho Mirage Observatory
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Numerous parks, museums, wineries, and more!
3. Real Estate Trends in Rancho Mirage Are Strong.
Houses for sale in Rancho Mirage are in high demand. A typical house for sale in Rancho Mirage is purchased within 58 days on the market at a median price of $860k (with a median home listing price of $364/sq. ft.). Real estate listings in Rancho Mirage range from $395k - $2.4 million, meaning there is a good chance of finding an affordable country club home within your budget.
Country club living in a gated community is an especially popular real estate trend in Rancho Mirage, where some of the oldest country clubs in all of California can be found. Country club residents enjoy exclusive access to a host of amenities, including:
- Social events
- Dining
- Golf courses
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Fitness centers
- Spas
- Sports instruction and training facilities
Before looking at homes for sale at a country club in the Greater Palm Springs area, you can save a lot of time by narrowing down your list of clubs. Learn what questions to ask a country club before joining and you’ll be able to differentiate between the best country clubs in Rancho Mirage and beyond.
Find Your Perfect Home in Rancho Mirage
The Springs is a vibrant, welcoming country club in Rancho Mirage with all of the right ingredients to tailor the perfect desert lifestyle—social events, fine dining, golf, tennis, pickleball, and more—but finding the right home is about fulfilling your unique needs. That’s why we created a new resource to help in your search.
Our Membership Discovery Guide is packed with information to help you compare country clubs in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and throughout the Coachella Valley. Learn everything you need to know about membership at The Springs, life in Rancho Mirage, and much more.
