Set amidst the beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains in Southern California and located just 16 miles east of Palm Springs, Indian Wells, CA, boasts some of the world’s finest resorts, spas and championship golf courses.
The weather of Indian Wells is almost as stunning as its surroundings, with an average temperature of 74 degrees and nearly 350 days of sunshine.
Residents and visitors of Indian Wells enjoy four, world-class resorts with endless amenities. These include the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas & Spa, the Miramonte Resort & Spa, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and the Indian Wells Resort Hotel.
Three, exceptional spas, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the Indian Wells Golf Resort, hiking and biking trails and even hot air balloon rides and jeep excursions are just a few of this city’s luxury, recreational activities.
Perhaps even more impressive than Indian Wells’ luxury amenities is its rich, colorful past.
Indian Wells has roots all the way back to the early 1800s, when it was formed around a simple, hand-built well in the middle of the southern california desert. It was then called Indian Village.
By 1823, gold was discovered in the Colorado River, so William D. Bradshaw built a trail from Los Angeles through the desert for hopeful prospectors. Indian Village was an important stop among the trail. In fact, for nearly 40 years it was the valley’s only established watering point. The trail was abandoned, though, as the Southern Pacific Railroad had at that point extended its line though the Coachella Valley around 1875.
By then, people began to recognize Indian Village and the Coachella Valley as a valuable resource for agriculture and mining, among other things. Settlers began to arrive, and soon the first market and post office were established.
By 1913, development in Indian Wells began to take off with the development of Rancho Palm Springs (now known at Eldorado Country Club) and a large homestead (now known as the Indian Wells Country Club).
Around 1916 Caleb Cook pioneered the valley’s date industry and by 1922 the date industry really took off.
The mid to late 1950s saw a huge boom in development, especially with the introduction of the Eldorado Country Club and Golf Course. What once was a simple wagon stop was now a celebrity-studded enclave. Indian Wells was now an exclusive playground for the rich and famous, including movie stars, sports legends and even American presidents. In fact, Dwight D. Eisenhower vacationed frequently in Indian Wells and loved it so much that he made it his winter residence.
Residents established the first property association in 1957 and the city was incorporated in 1967, making it the 400th city in California, and the 16th city in Riverside County. Residents and city leaders began eagerly establishing zoning and building policies.
The first Bob Hope Desert Classic was played at the Indian Wells Country Club in 1960, thereby making the name Indian Wells synonymous with world-glass golf.
Another interesting point is the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, which was founded by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in 1957. They envisioned a nine-hole, private country club surrounded by homes that members can use as their second homes. They purchased 50 acres of land in 1956 and made the dream a reality just one year later.
Since then, Indian Wells has hosted many, famous events, including the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1995. This star-studded event, in addition to attracting the world’s finest celebrity contestants and top PGA professionals, drew in a famous trio: President Bill Clinton, President George Bush and President Gerald Ford.
Many famous events are now held in Indian Wells throughout the year, as well, including the Frank Sinatra Countrywide Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament and the Pacific Life Open.
The luxury, opulence and amenities of Indian Wells still attracts the rich and famous who are looking for seclusion and relaxation amidst the mountain vistas and towering palm trees.