Looking for fun and refreshing things to do now that it’s officially summer and the triple-digits are upon us?
One of the Palm Spring Valley’s coolest attractions is none other than the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. It is owned by the city of Palm Desert and operated by the Family YMCA of the Desert. There is something there to please every member of the family. . . every age and fitness level.
The facility sits on 8 acres in Palm Desert’s City Center Park and includes 3 year-round pools for exercise and pleasure. There is a 50 x 25 meter Olympic-sized competition pool which allows for lap swimming and competetive events. It is also equipped with 1 and 3 meter diving boards.
The 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic-sized competition pool provides long course and short course options for lap swimming or competition events. It is equipped with one and three-meter diving boards.
The 25-yard family recreation pool is shallow, heated and features two waterslides and a wade-in entry. And the splash playground pool is ideal for those younger in age.
The Aquatic Center can be rented out for special events such as birthday parties, swimming competitions, corporate events, etc.
Admission: $4 for Palm Desert adult residents and $6 for adult non-residents: $3 for seniors over 60 and children ages 6-12 residents and $4.50 for non-residents: $2.50 for children ages 2-5 residents and $3.75 for non-residents. Annual and 3-month passes are also available.
Location: 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive on the northeast corner of Civic Center Park in Palm Desert.
For more information about the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, call 760-565-7467 or visit pdpool.com.
Just don’t forget to wear your sunscreen !!! See you there !!!
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South Palm Desert? One of the most coveted neighborhoods in the Palm Springs Valley . . . homes located in this beautiful hillside area south of El Paseo have Location Location Location !!!
Monterra is a small, 24 hr. manned gated community of 95 luxury residences built on large estate-sized lots, high up off of Mesa View Drive. It is adjacent to the renowned Ironwood Country Club and is just minutes away from several other exclusive country clubs – Bighorn, The Vintage, The Reserve and more. So if you are a golfer, you just hop on your golf cart and make your way to some of the finest golfing in the Valley… or in the world, for that matter.
Another benefit of living in Monterra is its panoramic mountain and down valley views, they are beyond compare. Being located on a hillside, you’re protected from the wind. The homes here were built in the late 1980s and are pristine, with beautifully manicured yards and private streets. HOAs are low at only $238/mo.
And even though you feel like you’re in your own little world when you own a home in Monterra, you are remarkably close to fashionable El Paseo, with its fine dining, upscale shopping, galleries, entertainment, etc. Also minutes away are The Living Desert, the McCallum Theatre and many other desert amenities.
So, think about the convenience, the views, the golf, the privacy . . . and other advantages that living in Monterra has to offer. You may just want to take a tour and see what life would be like living here . . . and having your own little piece of heaven.
Call Kim Kelly, experienced realtor with HK Lane Real Estate, who has the knowledge and experience you need and want when purchasing a home. You’ll be glad you did !
- Location: South on Hwy 74 (up hill), left on Mesa View Dr & follow to Monterra 24 Hr manned security guard house on left side, Palm Desert
- Year Opened: Built in the late 1980s
- Number of Homes: 95
- Recent HOA: approx. $238 (includes 24 guard gate and private street upkeep)
- Recent Home Values: from approx. $660,000 to approx. $760,000
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Palm Desert is proud to be home to a private, gated classic style country club called Chaparral. Driving through the front gates, you are met with breathtaking mountain views and an olive tree-lined avenue giving way to rolling fairway and water views.
Chaparral Country Club was established in 1980 and designed by famous golf course architect Ted Robinson. Homeowners and guests only are allowed to play the 18-hole course coined “the Little Monster” by Robinson himself.
With its picturesque mountain views, 13 lakes and 45 bunkers, this executive course offers challenges and opportunities from tee to green on every hole. Members also have access to a full-length driving range, practice bunkers with chipping greens, two practice greens and a 18-hole putting range. It is truly a golfer’s dream here at Chaparral.
But there is more to offer at Chaparral than just golf. With 6 lighted tennis courts and 21 heated pools and spas, there is something to offer for every active desert lifestyle. The full-service clubhouse features two restaurants for fine dining, as well as a lounge for relaxation after an afternoon of golf or tennis. Many social events keep members active and provide opportunities for socializing, as Chaparral is known for being a very friendly community.
The course is surrounded by 625 exceptionally well-maintained attached homes offering dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, manicured fairways and greens. Floor plans range from 2bd/2ba and 3bd/3ba at 1520 – 2150sf. In the past 17 years, there have been no member assessments, as the club operates under fiscally sound controls.
Aside from the wonderful people, amazing views, fabulous amenities, etc., Chaparral is about location, location, location as it is situated right in the heart of Palm Desert and is only minutes away from shopping on the renowned El Paseo, the McCallum Theatre, The River and so much more. Palm Springs International Airport is less than 30 minutes away.
The living is easy and affordable here at Chaparral. If you would like to tour this lovely community and find out more about what is for sale there, contact Kim Kelly with HK Lane Real Estate. You’ll be glad you did.
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Today, Embassy Suites in Palm Desert is the location for a two-day foreclosure seminar (was held yesterday too) that the bank is putting on for it’s customers to discuss home loan modifications and other foreclosure alternatives. 10,846 BofA customers in a 175 mile radius of Palm Desert were invited, all 60 days or more behind on their mortgage payments.
Maybe Bank of America is finally putting its proverbial money where its mouth is and started truly reaching out to thousands of homeowners who are behind on their mortgages and facing foreclosure.
Many of those attending from the Coachella Valley are getting information on loan refinancing that could significantly reduce their monthly payments and principal so that they could stay in their homes. After all, Riverside County has the highest foreclosure rate in the state of California. There are knowledgable mortgage specialists, underwriters, HUD counselors and other experts ready and waiting to provide assistance.
Bank of America is providing one-on-one counseling service to its homeowner customers who are facing possible foreclosure or who want to explore other loan mods, etc. The event is free today from 8am to 8pm at Embassy Suites Palm Desert, 700 Highway 111. You can register by calling 855-201-7426 or go to bankofamerica.com/homeownerevent
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of Short Saling your home, please consider contacting Palm Springs Valley’s Short Sale Expert – Kimberley Joy Kelly. She has extensive knowledge,experience and Success in Short Sales and will be happy to give a free consultation. Call her at 760-285-3578.
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Finally the Palm Desert Country Club is back in the game. During the past few years, the golf course owner filed for bankruptcy and closed the course down . . . meanwhile, allowing the nearly 50 year old course to deteriorate. Imagine having a home in PD Country Club and looking out your back windows only to see dead grass and weeds where once were emerald green manicured fairways. Not only were aesthetics devalued, but values of the homes in the club went down as a result . . . in an already depressed market. Foreclosured and short saled homes were abundant and it was a depressing scene.
Enter a group of Canadian partners called PD Investments which bought the 27 hole golf course last year. Things began to shape up in the neighborhood very quickly. There are fewer homes for sale now, they’ve been bought and tidied up, bringing property values back up again.
PDCC’s director of golf, David Zickau, was hired in November and asked to embrace a simple philosophy as he moved forward in his new position . . . and that was to make the club friendly for all who go there. The course was overseeded, new carts brought in and other improvements were made to bring the club back up after 18 months of being closed.
The club’s management goal is to provide affordable golf at a high quality course, and there are membership packages available for every level of golfer. A round of golf can be had for $45 to $69, depending on time of day. Memberships range from $3,300 for single to $4,500 for a couple, with special rates for snowbirds. In addition, improvements have been made to the 13,000sf clubhouse – such as a new outside patio area with 4 fire pits.
The Palm Desert Country Club’s golf course has been almost fully booked since re-opening, and hopefully the young and enthusiastic staff will continue to please members and attract newcomers. Kudos to PD Investments for their commitment to bringing the club back and hopefully exceeding expectations.
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I used to live in Silver Spur Ranch, so I guess you could say that’s why I’m partial to this quirky and cool established
Stunning views at Silver Spur Ranch
neighborhood tucked up on a hillside just minutes away from El Paseo. Really, you have the best of all worlds living in Silver Spur and here’s why:
1) Its “under the radar” location adjacent to some of the priciest real estate in Southern California like The Vintage, The Reserve and Ironwood Country Club cannot be matched.
2) Its serene and peaceful setting, directly across the street from The Living Desert (though on occasion, I did hear strange animal noises coming from there . . . but mostly it was the coyotes howling out in the open desert that caught my ear)… stunning down-valley views as well.
3) Being within walking distance of trendy El Paseo with all of its fine restaurants, upscale shopping, boutiques, coffee shops, art galleries and more – it’s a good little jaunt up and down Portola, but so worth it. AND
4) It’s history – the cute little covered wagon that sits at its entrance off of Portola harkens to this neighborhood’s early beginnings in the 50s and 60s when Bing Crosby lived here and was involved in Silver Spur’s development.
Silver Spur offers a range of architectural styles ranging from modest cottages and MidCentury homes to contemporary and Spanish style homes. It is eclectic and every home is unique, no cookie cutter here. What’s not to love about living in Silver Spur Ranch??? Honestly, I can’t think of a thing.
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Avondale Golf Club – A Tradition
Avondale's beautiful setting and superbly maintained course
In our society today, it is often times held that “new is better.” Our world is fast and busy and Americans tend to have short spans of attention. We want new… different… now. Yet, these days, tradition seems to speak to people like never before. Older values like longevity, substance and affordability resonate once again.
Avondale Golf Club is one of those traditions. Established and built in 1969, Avondale proudly stands as one of the longest-running private golf clubs in the Palm Springs Valley. For over 40 years, this club has been offering great golf in a breathtaking setting with a superbly maintained course and a very active social setting. It is affordable . . . and most importantly, the golfers at Avondale can play golf under their own terms – as tee times and games are always available to members. Golfers can even walk this course !!!
It’s an amazing place to live… and convenient, as Avondale is central to just about every other desert city. Beautiful custom and semi-custom homes were built here from the early 70s through 2000 – and HOAs are low. Avondale Golf Club members come from all over the country and Canada to enjoy the desert lifestyle here and all that it has to offer. Shouldn’t you think about checking out this very special place too ???
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There's a reason it's called "Bighorn"
Bighorn Golf Club real estate is regarded by many as the top luxury golf community in the Desert !!! First of all, a club named after our beautiful indigenous Bighorn Sheep has got to be special . . . and it certainly is. Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, you might actually get to see Bighorn sheep while you’re playing one of the Club’s two distinct championship courses – Mountain Course or Canyons Course. What’s really cool is the tunnel under Hwy. 74 that links the two courses together.
You can also look down on beautiful Bighorn while you’re hiking the Art Smith Trail – the trail head is located on the rt. hand side of Hwy. 74 about 1/4 mile after passing Bighorn’s main entrance . . . and offers panoramic views, a possible viewing of Bighorn Sheep in their natural habitat, several palm oases, and an abundance of wildflowers, cactus and other desert flora and fauna.
Bighorn Golf Club homes are within a few minutes drive down the hill to the fashionable El Paseo Shopping District with its gourmet restaurants, quaint cafes, upscale shopping, boutiques, art galleries and so much more. You’ve got the Best of Both Worlds living in Bighorn – quiet and serene while surrounded by pristine desert habitat, and just minutes away from the desert’s very own “Rodeo Drive.” What more could the discerning buyer ask for???
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Cahuilla Hills real estate is a unique community located in highly desirable South Palm Desert, adjacent to Bighorn Country Club. If you’re looking for a relaxed and serene environment that is also convenient to the fashionable El Paseo shopping district and many other fine desert amenities, then Cahuilla Hills is for YOU !!!
Cahuilla Hills started out many years ago with small homesteader cabins built on large parcels of land. Over the past 15 years, this popular neighborhood has grown immensely, attracting custom home builders looking to build their own personal Shangri-Las.
The Cahuilla Hills homes vary in architecture and interest, including anything from a rustic horse ranch to a Contemporary showplace. Many of the old rustic homes coexist with the new homes, giving Cahilla Hills a special ambiance all its own.
Come express your own personal style and build your dream home somewhere with a country-like setting and convenient too. Or, if you’re looking for a custom resale or an older original home with land, Cahuilla Hills is worth considering !!!
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Smiling through hard times
I don’t have children, but of course, I know people who do. And I know some of those children . . . young adults coming up in a tough economy and unstable times. Remember back when you were young – in your late teens and into your twenties – these are heady times . . . sometimes exhilarating as you step out into the big wide world as an “adult” and all the freedoms allowed . . . and often times scary as you learn about the responsibilities that also come with being “of age.”
But life in today’s world !!! So fast, so complicated, so multi-tasking . . . so much information !!! And jobs are hard to come by, it’s hard for many of these young adults to find their place. There is a survey out there that says nearly half of young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 take jobs just to be able to pay their bills; nearly a quarter work without pay to get work experience and more than a third go back to school because they can’t find a job !!! Many are delaying marriage and having babies, and some move back in with mom and dad. Young adults looking to buy their first home need an experienced realtor.
It just wasn’t like that back when I was fresh and green and just starting out. Opportunities were abounding. This same survey says that optimism is high among young adults anyway . . . hmmm, maybe it’s their youth . . . I guess it beats the alternative. Wishing for better times and recovery for us all.
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