🧭 Moving to Riverside County
Just moved to Palm Springs?
Curated by Simir Shah
Who lands here
Year-round families alongside many part-year residents; the town and the airport's flight schedule both get busier from fall through spring, when the weather cools.
The vibe
Downtown feels like a resort town, with VillageFest every Thursday night on Palm Canyon Drive; neighborhoods spread out around it at the foot of the mountains. Summers are extremely hot, so family life shifts to mornings, pools and indoor spaces.
Schools
Palm Springs is in Palm Springs Unified, which also serves Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms. Schools are assigned by address, so use PSUSD's Find My School tool before you sign a lease.
Getting around
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is in town, with nonstops to 31 airports. SunLine buses cover the valley, with youth fares of $0.85 and free rides for high schoolers through the Haul Pass. Amtrak's stop is an unstaffed platform off North Indian Canyon Drive, and Greyhound's Palm Springs North stop is nearby on Indian Canyon. Most families still drive.
Finding your community
The city runs its own library (temporarily on East Palm Canyon Drive during renovations) and the Swim Center in Sunrise Park, where kids 4–12 swim free. Register for the city's Everbridge alerts and Riverside County's Alert RivCo.
Now go explore Palm Springs
A friendly orientation, not advice. Neighborhoods, schools and prices change and depend on your exact address — always verify school assignments and lease details directly. New to the area? Start with the New to SoCal hub.
New to Palm Springs? Let us be your local friend
We'll send the best family things to do near you every week as you settle in. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palm Springs a good place for families new to Southern California?
Palm Springs is the Coachella Valley's best-known city, with a walkable downtown on Palm Canyon Drive, mid-century architecture and the valley's main airport. Year-round families alongside many part-year residents; the town and the airport's flight schedule both get busier from fall through spring, when the weather cools.
How are the schools in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is in Palm Springs Unified, which also serves Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms. Schools are assigned by address, so use PSUSD's Find My School tool before you sign a lease.
Do I need a car in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is in town, with nonstops to 31 airports. SunLine buses cover the valley, with youth fares of $0.85 and free rides for high schoolers through the Haul Pass. Amtrak's stop is an unstaffed platform off North Indian Canyon Drive, and Greyhound's Palm Springs North stop is nearby on Indian Canyon. Most families still drive.