Desert Hot Springs sits above one of the most unusual geological features in California: a naturally occurring hot and cold water aquifer system that feeds more than 20 mineral spring lodgings right in town. Known locally as DHS and nicknamed California's Spa City, this Coachella Valley community has grown steadily from a small desert outpost into a city of roughly 35,000 people, drawing those who want wide-open desert scenery without the price tag of neighboring Palm Springs, just minutes away.

The city spans 31 square miles against a striking backdrop, with San Bernardino National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, and Mount San Jacinto State Park all within reach. Cabot's Pueblo Museum, built by pioneer Cabot Yerxa beginning in 1941, stands as a beloved landmark and a window into the area's Native American and homesteading history. College of the Desert is a short drive south, giving the area a steady educational anchor.