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Rancho Mirage, CA

Frequently asked questions

Rancho Mirage, CA

Rancho Mirage is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. The city is a low-density desert resort community with resorts, golf courses, and country clubs within the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert. Nestled along the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the south, it is located several minutes east of Palm Springs. The city is adjacent to Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and unincorporated Thousand Palms. The population was 16,999 at the 2020 census, down from 17,218 at the 2010 census, though the seasonal population can exceed 20,000. Incorporated in 1973, Rancho Mirage is one of the nine cities of the Coachella Valley.

Rancho Mirage is home to several celebrities past and present, including Don Sutton, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Billie Dove, and Gerald and Betty Ford. The city has been nicknamed "Playground of the Presidents" and "Golf Capital of the World." The city has hosted and currently hosts a variety of golf and tennis tournaments, including the Ryder Cup, Desert Classic (PGA Tour), Davis Cup, and the LPGA Tour (Chevron Championship).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.8 square miles (64 km2), of which 24.4 square miles (63 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 1.57%, is water, including the 10-story Desert Island Hotel-Golf Resort built on an island surrounded by a 25-acre artificial lake.

Whitewater River (Agua Blanco), a perennial stream, flows through the city in a southeasterly direction before discharging into the Salton Sea. Another creek, the Magnesia Spring Creek, is located in Magnesia Spring Canyon where the 40 ft. tall waterfall Magnesia Falls also is found. A flood along Magnesia Spring Creek's alluvial fan in 1979 led to one death and $7 million in damages. Concrete-lined spillways have since been installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Earthquakes are also somewhat common, and on July 8, 1986, an earthquake led to the destruction of 20 buildings and homes, along with big damage to roads and other structures.

Several street names are named for celebrities, entertainers, and presidents who resided in the city, including Gerald Ford Drive, Ginger Rogers Road, Frank Sinatra Drive (formerly Wonder Palms Road), Bob Hope Drive (formerly Rio del Sol), Kaye Ballard Lane, Danny Kaye Road, Dinah Shore Drive, Dean Martin Drive, and Bing Crosby Drive. Bing Crosby established the Blue Skies Village Mobile Home Park in 1953 and named its streets after celebrities such as Burns and Allen, Jack Benny, Greer Garson, Claudette Colbert, and Barbara Stanwyck.

A stretch of California State Route 111 in Rancho Mirage has earned the moniker "Restaurant Row" as there are over thirty eateries located between Bob Hope Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive. A number of these are located at the River at Rancho Mirage, a 30-acre outdoor shopping center. The area surrounding The River is also known as Downtown Rancho Mirage. On a per-capita basis, the city is home to one eatery for every 240 residents, making it the city in the Coachella Valley with the most restaurants per capita.

Native Americans came to the area 2,000 years ago. The local tribe in Rancho Mirage is the Agua Caliente Indian tribe of Cahuilla Indians. The tribe was almost annihilated by smallpox in 1862–63 but survived, today establishing a resort and casino within the modern city limits. An ancient Native-American trade route, the Halchidhoma trade route, follows the water holes and water springs along the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This trail is now partially California State Route 111 in Rancho Mirage. The trade route originally reached from the Pacific Ocean in the west to central Arizona, and was used for centuries for trading, food, and for religious purposes. About 1,000 years ago, the local Cahuilla tribes were introduced to pottery from Native American tribes by the Colorado River. The Spaniards also knew of the Coco-Mariposa Trail in the 1820s when they would send letters by Cahuilla runners along the trail to the mission in Tucson, Arizona. The natural environment in Rancho Mirage has supplied the Cahuilla people with various water sources. Although rare in such arid desert environments, the Cahuilla had access to Magnesia Spring in Magnesia Spring Canyon, which is 1.5 miles from the Whitewater River. In addition, a variety of natural springs are situated along the San Andreas Fault line near Indio Hills.

Rancho Mirage focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Rancho Mirage Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Del Webb, Sunrise Country Club, and Club Pilates. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Rancho Mirage, such as the Butler-Abrams Trail and the Bighorn Overlook to Jack Rabbit Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Rancho Mirage, CA are The River at Rancho Mirage, Sunnylands Center & Gardens, and Indian Canyons.

Population: 18,001 (2024). ZIP code: 92270. Area codes: 442, 760. Elevation: 272 ft (83 m). Area: 25.74 sq mi (66.67 km2).

FAQs

Is Rancho Mirage, CA a wealthy area?

Rancho Mirage is an affluent resort city nestled in the beautiful Coachella Valley, renowned for its luxurious lifestyle and stunning desert landscapes. It's a place of relaxation and recreation, boasting world-class golf courses, tennis facilities, and spas that attract visitors from around the globe. The city is also known for its fine dining and upscale shopping, particularly along the prestigious El Paseo shopping district.

What is Rancho Mirage, CA is known for?

Rancho Mirage is proud to be the home to institutions like Eisenhower Health, Hazelden Betty Ford Center, and the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center – all world-renowned health facilities. The Tolerance Education Center and the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert deliver programs and services that rival those in any major city. Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage is best described as “a place of history, hospitality, and diplomacy”.

Is Rancho Mirage, CA a good place to live?

Living in Rancho Mirage offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Rancho Mirage there are a lot of restaurants and parks. Many retirees live in Rancho Mirage and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Rancho Mirage are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Rancho Mirage

Rancho Mirage Recreation and Community Services Department

Del Webb

Sunrise Country Club 

Club Pilates

Butler-Abrams Trail 

Bighorn Overlook to Jack Rabbit Trail

The River at Rancho Mirage

Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Indian Canyons

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About Rancho Mirage

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