Gated golfing communities
A top-tier residential resort community in the heart of the desert-chic Coachella Valley, Indian Wells promises first-rate amenities and world-class tennis and golf venues. Known for high-end luxury at high-end prices, about two-thirds of the city is behind gates at six different country clubs. “This area of the valley has everything a big city has but without the big city problems; it’s such a great place to live,” says Mayor Greg Sanders, a full-time resident since 2017 who has had a presence in the community dating back to 1964. Once home to Dwight Eisenhower, the city is popular with current and former CEOs and is known for its engaged residents. “These are people who are not shy about offering their opinions, but we welcome them and use them as a resource.”
Top names in tennis
Oracle Co-Founder and CEO Larry Ellison, a well-known tennis enthusiast, has owned the Indian Wells Tennis Garden since 2009. The world’s second-largest outdoor tennis stadium, each March, the venue hosts the prestigious BNP Paribas Open, which attracts the biggest names in the game. Notoriously tough to get tickets to, all residents are automatically entered into a yearly lottery. Each private club has its own golf facilities and amenities, but the city owns the Indian Wells Golf Resort. “We’ve got two championship golf courses, a great restaurant and a popular convention facility,” Sanders says. “It’s very, very nice. There are a few national rankings that have the Players Course rated as one of the best municipal courses in the U.S.”
Luxury real estate market
A luxury real estate market by any metrics, Indian Wells is the priciest place in the Coachella Valley to buy a home, with a median home price of nearly $1.5 million in early 2024. That’s over $1 million higher than the national median and well above broader California at $800,000. “About 75% of the city is behind gates, and prices are climbing,” Sanders says. “We bought our home during a low in 2017, and it has since tripled in value.” In Indian Wells, the different golf course communities offer widely varied landscapes, architectural styles and price points. On the more affordable end is the Desert Horizons Country Club, where homes range in price from around $700,000 on the low end for a desert ranch with a pool to $1.6 million for a palacios retreat with 270-degree views of the mountains and a placid lake. Even higher-end neighborhoods include the communities at the Toscana Country Club and The Reserve Club at Indian Wells. “Toscana is a newer development with amazing views of Eisenhower Mountain,” Sanders says. At The Reserve, an empty parcel sells for over $1 million, with high-end Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired estate homes that can list for over $5 million. Though Indian Wells is largely built out, Mayor Sanders says there are two parcels of undeveloped land the city is eyeing. “There are five acres around Highway 511 and 35 acres within the city that we may acquire for affordable housing and parkland.” Sanders points to the need for workforce housing for middle-income professionals and first responders like firemen, police and nurses.
School system is growing
Indian Wells is primarily served by the Desert Sands Unified School District, which is a high-ranking district with an A-minus from Niche. DSUSD contains 34 schools and is responsible for close to 27,000 students. Ninety-five percent of teachers in the district have three or more years of experience, and the graduation rate is nearly 90%. “The district has been very successful with its bond measures, allowing for new construction and renovations to older buildings, so everything is new or redone,” says Mayor Lupe Ramos Amith of nearby Indio. “Our growing population in the valley is 25% under the age of 18, so schools are a top priority for us.” Niche rates the district as good for athletes and teachers, with metrics that put it in the top 10% of schools in the state with the best teachers.
More hotels than restaurants
Palm Desert to the west and La Quinta to the west have much more extensive shopping and dining options than comparably quiet Indian Wells, which is better known for the hotels lining Highway 11 that serve droves of overflow visitors from nearby cities. Nobu at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden started as a pop-up during the BNP Paribas Open, but the globally known Japanese restaurant is now open year-round.
No congestion or bottlenecks
Unlike cities closer to the coast, which have bike lanes and robust public transportation options, residents of Indian Wells travel primarily by car. Situated about 125 miles east of Los Angeles via easily accessible I-10, the city is in the heart of the Coachella Valley. State Route 111 is the main thoroughfare running east to west, bisecting the community. There is limited commercial development outside 111, so the local surface roads are sleepy and residential without a lot of congestion or bottlenecks common in more populous urban areas nearby, like Palm Springs. Traveling to the airports along the Southern California coast can take as long as two hours, but there are local airports in Ontario, Palm Springs and Thermal. The Sunline Transit Agency provides bus service to the valley on Routes 5, 6 and 11, though it’s difficult to get around the region via mass transit.
Sleep easy at night
Residents of Indian Wells enjoy clean, safe streets that are policed by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Palm Desert Station. “We have by far and away the lowest crime rate in the Coachella Valley and one of the lowest in the state of California,” Sanders says. “We have a staffing agreement with the police allowing heavy patrols.” Violent crime happens at almost half the national rate, though property crime is well above the national average. However, between 2020 and 2022, the number of car thefts and residential burglaries both declined.
Desert temperatures are climbing
Indian Wells faces environmental threats like persistent drought conditions, extreme temperatures and air pollution. A study released by the University of California – Riverside in 2020 finds that climate change will have a particularly negative effect on the greater Palm Springs area. Already known for daily triple-digit heat in the summer months, the number of days above 85 degrees between November and April is projected to increase by up to 150% by the end of the century.
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Located 15 miles Southeast of Palm Springs in the resort community of Indian Wells, CA. It is one of the world’s most revered and critically-acclaimed sports and entertainment venues. The state-of-the-art facility is a year-round tennis club that is open to the public, and also plays host to incredible live music performances and diverse sporting events – including the world’s largest combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament – the BNP Paribas Open.
The Nest
The Nest has been a beloved establishment in the valley since 1965, and it’s not difficult to see why. The restaurant boasts a fresh, contemporary atmosphere, excellent service, and a menu that blends Mediterranean and Californian cuisine. There is also a lively bar scene complete with talented local performers. In 2010 Dodi and Kevin Henry took over as owners and have since dedicated themselves to caring for their guests with passion and enthusiasm. The menu at The Nest offers contemporary dishes, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, while also featuring classic favorites such as escargot, and sole piccata. Dodi’s European heritage along with the Adriatic Sea is also well-represented, with dishes like Mom’s Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Spinach Knish, Goulash, Moussaka, and homemade sausage (cevapcici) being featured on the menu. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time guest, The Nest has something for everyone to enjoy.
Featuring local entertainment nightly. The Nest offers Happy Hour six nights a week. The Dining Room and Bar open at 4pm Our Early Bird menu runs Tuesday – Sunday starting at 4pm.