Friendly, fun-filled desert city near Palm Springs
About 7 miles east of Palm Springs in the hot, windy Coachella Valley, Cathedral City offers scenic golf courses, open desert spaces and a lively events scene. Nicknamed “Cat City” by locals, Cathedral City was incorporated in 1981 and has since attracted snowbirds and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as hospitality and healthcare workers. “Before it was incorporated, Cathedral City had always been more blue-collar, and in many ways, it still is,” explains Vince D’Angerio, a Cat City local and Real Estate Agent with Town Real Estate. “But things are starting to change. The downtown’s getting a new shopping center, we’re getting new people from everywhere between Los Angeles and Canada, and they’re building a new Amazon distribution facility right by the one we already have.”
Beautiful mountain views are seen from the Cimarron Golf Course in Cathedral City.
Larger employers like Amazon have recently built warehouses in Cathedral City.
The proximity to Eisenhower Medical Center attracts healthcare workers to Cathedral City.
Experience beautiful open desert spaces in Cathedral City.
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Scenic golf courses and rotating tram rides at Mount San Jacinto
Surrounded by nature and filled with golf courses, Cathedral City can feel like a sprawling resort. The 27-hole Desert Princess Country Club is popular for its well-maintained greens and sloping fairways, while the Cimarron Golf Resort’s two 18-hole courses offer easier, shorter games. “What really makes Cimarron great is the panoramic views of the mountains, because they’re completely unobstructed there,” D’Angerio says. The 7-acre Panorama Park is the city's largest park, with tennis and basketball courts, softball fields, a dog park and a central splash pad for kids.
The city’s namesake, Cathedral Canyon, was once filled with rock formations said to resemble holy temples; these were destroyed by a flood in 1946, but today the canyon remains a popular hiking spot. Indian Canyons, about 7 miles away, is home to the world's largest California fan palm oasis, while the Coachella Valley Preserve, 13 miles away, offers over 20,000 acres of pristine desert to explore. "There's just so much hiking here," says D'Angerio. "You can even hike along the San Andreas Fault, which starts around here and goes all the way past San Francisco."
Cathedral City residents can play golf all year round at the Cimarron Golf Resort.
Cathedral Canyon offers great hiking with amazing views of the Cathedral City area.
Enjoy the sunshine with your best friend at Panorama Park in Cathedral City.
Kids flock to the playground at Panorama Park in Cathedral City.
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Comparative affordability in Coachella Valley
“Affordability is really important here,” says Anthony Carrona, an experienced Broker with 4th Dimension Real Estate, who grew up in the Coachella Valley. “Cathedral City is right next to Palm Springs, but sometimes the homes can be literally half the price.” The median home price in Cathedral City is $517,000, compared to Palm Springs' $625,000.
Single-family homes dominate the market here. Most are ranch- or Spanish-style homes from the 1980s to 2000s, set in suburban subdivisions like Panorama or golf-oriented developments like Cimarron Cove; prices range from $275,000 to $800,000. Cathedral City Cove has a mix of new luxury developments and ranch-style homes from the 1930s, when an artist colony first moved into the area; these are often pricier and can range from $550,000 to $1 million.
Experience peaceful living in a ranch-style home amid the nature of Cathedral City.
The community of Cathedral City Cove features a mix of ranch and modern luxury homes.
A Spanish home with shady palm trees is seen in Cathedral City.
Many private communities in Cathedral City have access to resort-style amenities.
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Cathedral City's up-and-coming downtown
The Downtown Arts and Entertainment District might still be a work in progress, but it’s been Cathedral City’s center for shopping and dining since the 1990s. The 111 freeway is lined with a mix of locally owned businesses and regional chains, and many eateries blend American and Mexican cuisines. Entertainment options range from the Museum of Ancient Wonders to the Agua Caliente Casino. Across the street from the casino, a new shopping center is slated for completion in 2025.
Check out the latest entertainment at Agua Caliente Casino located in Cathedral City.
Trilussa offers fine cuisine and wine in Downtown Cathedral City.
Find local and regional chain dining options along the 111 freeway in Cathedral City.
Catch a movie at Mary Pickford D’Place Theater in Cathedral City's up-and-coming downtown.
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Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival and Candy Cane Lane
“Over the past decade, the city's been developing a downtown gathering space we call Festival Lawn, in front of City Hall, where we celebrate culture and diversity,” says Stephen Burchard, Cat City resident and Realtor with BHG Desert Lifestyle Properties. “We have all kinds of events, from the Tejano Festival to Gay Days, and there's a real dynamic focus on bringing people of all walks together." Started in 2015, the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival is the community’s showcase event, filling the night sky with glowing balloons and the Festival Lawn with food trucks and market stalls. During the winter holiday season, Minerva Street transforms into what locals call “Candy Cane Lane,” as all the homes are decorated with lights, inflatables and Christmas trees.
High-performing Palm Springs Unified Schools
Cathedral City students are served by the Palm Springs Unified School District, rated an overall B by Niche; in fall 2024, local voters approved Measure S, granting Palm Springs Unified $465 million to renovate and revitalize its schools. In 2022, the Cathedral City High Marching Band won the Southern California Division 4 and 6 championships. Every year, the mayor hosts a ceremony to rename the street adjacent to the high school after high-achieving students.
Cathedral City High band won Southern California Division 4 & 6 championships in 2022.
Nellie N. Coffman Middle teaches Cathedral City students preparedness, respect, and empathy.
Agua Caliente Elementary School in Cathedral City offers students the latest learning tools.
Rancho Mirage Elementary, near Cathedral City, is part of the Palm Springs Unified District.
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Near Palm Springs airport, minimal public transit
Cat City sits right between Interstate 10 and Route 111. I-10 leads roughly 120 miles to downtown Los Angeles, while Route 111 leads 7 miles west to central Palm Springs and the Palm Springs International Airport. "The airport is ridiculously close, literally only 5 minutes away from my house," says D’Angerio. "It's become quite busy and has even started to surpass pre-COVID levels of traffic, so now there's plans to bring more gates." Residents largely rely on cars to get around the area, but the SunLine Transit Agency provides nine public SunBus routes along main roadways. The city also set plans to develop its trail systems to improve walkability throughout the city in its 2023 Cathedral City Active Transportation Plan. Cathedral City is also near several hospitals, many of which are the area's top employers. "The Eisenhower Medical Center has been a big deal for a long time," Carrona says. "Even though it's in Rancho Mirage, a lot of people from Cathedral City work there."
Crime and environmental concerns
According to FBI statistics for 2023, Cathedral City’s rate of property crime was 1 reported incident per each 1,000 residents, compared to the national rate of 18. The city's violent crime rate was less than 1 reported incident per every 1,000 people, compared to the national rate of about 4. The Cathedral City Police Department offers a Current Crime Reports Map that helps residents keep track of recently reported crimes and where they took place.
The San Gorgonio Pass naturally funnels desert breezes and gusty winds through the city, sometimes filling the air with dust and causing air pollution. During the summer months, daily temperatures rarely dip below 100 degrees, and from December to February, Cathedral City experiences a rainy season; although the city rarely receives more than an inch of rainfall per month during this time, it can be prone to flooding due to the desert landscape’s inability to absorb or receive water.
With a fervent passion for architecture and design paired with a robust background in sales and finance, I embarked on my real estate career 23 years ago. Over the years, this career has blossomed into my life’s work, driven by my dedication to delivering unparalleled real estate experiences to my clients.
My journey in real estate features over a decade of affiliation with a major national brokerage, where I consistently ranked in the “Top 10” among more than 100 agents. My ability to foster long-term relationships has allowed me to serve multiple generations within families, assisting over 400 clients with diverse needs, from residential homes and multi-unit investment properties to vacant land and commercial ventures.
In 2018, I co-founded Parkway Real Estate Co., which has quickly grown into the leading independent real estate brokerage in Chico, CA, with a team of 50 agents. My leadership extends beyond my company as I’ve played active roles in local and state real estate associations, serving on boards and committees including the Professional Standards, Grievance, and Education Committees, and most recently, the statewide Grievance Committee of the California Association of Realtors.
I hold a degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in finance from UCSB. On a personal note, I enjoy a fulfilling life with my husband, a restaurateur I met three decades ago, our two wonderful grown daughters, and Milo, our beloved Goldendoodle. An avid gamer, I enjoy playing tennis, pickleball, golf, and cribbage, with a particular love for tennis!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
