Local News Entertainment Autos Classified Ads

Click for map

Just north of Palm Springs, in the shadow of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, lies Desert Hot Springs, a small community of about 17,000 people marked by its sense of wilderness, hotels and spas.

A quirky settler named Cabot Yerxa, a Minnesota native who arrived in Southern California in 1913, founded Desert Hot Springs. He settled in the desert, and, after digging in the sand, hit pay dirt: the hot springs. The city has sought to capitalize on its natural resource. Today, thousands of visitors and "snowbirds" come to the city, taking advantage of the spas -- believed by some to bolster nutrition and improve circulation and relaxation.

Thanks to growth in the downtown area, Desert Hot Springs is more self-contained now than it once was. Today, the city has a K-Mart and several fast food and family-run restaurants.

Web sites desert-hot-springs.us deserthotsprings.com

Desert Hot Springs also has three city parks, the crown jewel being Hot Springs Park, an interactive water display showcasing the city.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Mayor: Matt Weyuker
City Hall: 65950 Pierson Blvd
Desert Hot Springs, CA. 92240 760-329-6411
Population: 17,181
Median Age: 35.7
Average Household Income: $29,655
Average Resale House Price: $76,612
Sheriff: 911 (Administration: 760-329-2904 or 800-950-2444)
Fire: 911 (Administration: 760-329-5123)
Hospital: 911
Chamber of Commerce: 760-329-6403
Post Office: 66321 Pierson Boulevard 800-275-8777

Schools:
Palm Springs Unified School
District: 760-416-6000

Public Parks:
Park Dept: 760-329-6411 ext. 232
Arroyo Park, Hacienda Avenue and Cactus Drive
Constitution Park, West Drive behind library
Eastside Park, Don English Way
Hot Springs Park, Palm Drive
Mission Springs Park, Palm Drive & Parkview
Wardman Park, Eighth and Cactus streets

Libraries:
Desert Hot Springs Library:
11691 West Drive 760-329-5926

Central Shopping District:
Palm Drive

Central Restaurant District:
Palm Drive & Pierson Blvd.

Utilities:
Phone Company: Verizon 800-483-4000
Electricity: Southern California Edison 800-655-4555
Gas: Southern California Gas Company 800-427-2200
Water and Sewer: Mission Springs Water District 760-329-6448
Cable: Adelphia 760-329-6436
Sanitation: Desert Valley Disposal 760-329-5030