You’ve probably driven past it on the I-10 while heading toward the neon lights of Palm Springs or the dust of Coachella. To most, Desert Hot Springs—or DHS if you’re a local—is just that hillside town with the wind turbines and the phenomenal water. But lately, things have shifted. If you’re looking for Desert Hot Springs CA news, you aren’t just finding weather reports or spa openings anymore. You’re finding a city grappling with an identity crisis, a massive cannabis economy, and a real estate market that’s honestly a bit of a rollercoaster.
DHS is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. It sits on two different aquifers—one icy cold, one piping hot—separated by the Mission Creek Branch of the San Andreas Fault. That literal tension in the ground mirrors the tension in the town’s development. For decades, it was the "sleepy neighbor," but the last few years of headlines show a city trying to outrun its reputation for crime while becoming the literal cannabis capital of Southern California.
The Green Rush Is Not Over Yet
When people search for news in this area, the first thing that usually pops up is the industry that saved the city from bankruptcy: weed. Back in 2014, Desert Hot Springs became the first city in California to legalize large-scale medical marijuana cultivation. It was a gamble. A big one. At the time, the city was broke, facing a multi-million dollar deficit that threatened its very existence.
Today, the Coachillin' Business Park is the titan of the industry here. It’s not just a couple of greenhouses; it’s a massive, multi-parcel ecosystem. When you look at the recent Desert Hot Springs CA news cycles, much of the talk is about whether the "Green Rush" can actually sustain the local economy long-term.
Prices for wholesale flower have plummeted across California. This has hit local growers hard. While the city still relies on those tax revenues to fix the potholes on Palm Drive and fund the police department, there’s a growing conversation about diversification. Can a city survive on one industry? Probably not. The City Council has been looking into ways to pivot, but for now, the smell of flowering cannabis is as much a part of the atmosphere as the smell of sulfur from the hot springs.
The Water War You Didn't Know About
Let's talk about the award-winning water. It sounds like marketing fluff, right? It isn't. Desert Hot Springs consistently wins international water tasting competitions (yes, those are real). The Mission Springs Water District (MSWD) manages the municipal supply, and they take it incredibly seriously.
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But the news lately hasn't been about the taste; it’s been about the infrastructure. Because the city is growing—new developments like Miralon nearby and infill housing within DHS—the pressure on the wastewater system is immense. There’s a massive new Regional Water Reclamation Facility that just came online. This was a huge deal. Without it, the city literally couldn't grow. If you're looking at property here, you need to know if you're on a septic tank or connected to the new sewer lines, because the city is aggressively pushing to move everyone over to protect those precious aquifers.
Crime, Perception, and the Reality of 2026
If you check the police blotter or the local "DHS Neighbors" Facebook groups, you'll see a lot of chatter. DHS has a reputation. People call it "Desert Hot Ghetto." Honestly, it’s a bit unfair, but reputations are hard to kill.
The Desert Hot Springs CA news regarding public safety has been a mixed bag. Chief of Police Jim Henson and the department have been vocal about using more technology—like FLOCK license plate readers—to crack down on the "pass-through" crime that comes up from the I-10.
- Violent crime is down from the peaks of the early 2000s.
- Property crime remains a headache for residents.
- The "encampment" issues seen in Los Angeles or San Francisco have hit the desert too, with the city trying to balance compassion with clearing public spaces.
There’s a new sense of pride, though. You see it in the mural projects and the revamped parks. The city isn't just letting things slide anymore. But when you read a headline about a shooting or a bust, it tends to go viral, overshadowing the fact that most people are just trying to enjoy their mountain views and quiet nights.
Real Estate: Is It Still the Last Affordable Desert Town?
Prices in Palm Springs are astronomical. La Quinta? Forget about it. This has pushed everyone toward DHS. This is a huge driver of local news. Investors have been scooping up the mid-century "spa" properties for years, turning them into trendy Airbnbs.
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But here is the catch. The city has implemented stricter short-term rental (STR) rules recently. They saw what happened to other desert towns—locals getting priced out and neighborhoods becoming ghost towns of tourists—and they’re trying to prevent that. If you're looking to buy an investment property in DHS today, the news isn't as rosy as it was five years ago. You have to navigate permits, higher fees, and a community that is increasingly protective of its "local" feel.
The real news in housing is the "Skyborne" development and other master-planned communities on the outskirts. These are bringing in families, not just weekenders. This shifts the demographics. It means more demand for schools, grocery stores (we finally got a better selection, thank god), and actual sit-down restaurants.
The Boutique Spa Renaissance
While the big news is often about cannabis or crime, the heart of the city is still the spas. There’s a new generation of owners taking over these old 1950s motels. Places like The Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort have raised the bar. They aren't just "hotels"; they are wellness destinations.
The news here is the shift toward high-end wellness. We're talking "fasting retreats," "sound baths," and "vibration therapy." It’s a bit "woo-woo," but it brings in serious money. This helps the tax base without the heavy footprint of a massive hotel. The challenge? Making sure these resorts stay accessible to locals and don't just become islands of luxury in a city that still has a 20% poverty rate.
What Most People Get Wrong About DHS
Most people think it’s just a windy version of Palm Springs. It’s not. The wind is real—sometimes 60+ mph gusts that will sandblast the paint off your car—but that wind is also why the area is a leader in renewable energy.
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The wind farms are a constant source of news, especially regarding "re-powering." That's when they take down the hundreds of tiny, old-school turbines and replace them with a few giant, high-efficiency ones. It changes the skyline. It’s a visual reminder that DHS is literally powering a huge chunk of Southern California.
Key Takeaways for Residents and Visitors
If you're following Desert Hot Springs CA news to decide whether to move here, visit, or invest, you need to look past the surface-level stuff.
- Check the District: Life on the "top of the hill" is very different from the "flats." The views are better up high, but the wind is brutal.
- Water is Gold: The Mission Springs Water District is the most important entity in town. Follow their board meetings if you want to know how the city will look in 10 years.
- Cannabis is Volatile: The industry is shrinking and consolidating. Don't assume a "Green Rush" job or investment is a sure thing anymore.
- Community Matters: The "DHS Women’s Club" and the local "Historical Society" are actually where a lot of the real power lies. They influence the Council more than you’d think.
The reality of Desert Hot Springs in 2026 is that it’s a city in transition. It’s no longer the "forgotten" stepchild of the Coachella Valley. It has its own economy, its own problems, and a very specific, rugged identity. Whether it’s the expansion of the 64-acre park or the latest debate over warehouse space on the southern edge of town, there is always something happening.
To stay truly informed, don't just look at the big outlets like the Desert Sun. Look at the city council agendas. Look at the local community groups. That’s where the real story of DHS is being written, one meeting at a time.
Actionable Steps for Staying Updated
- Sign up for the City Manager’s Bi-Weekly Report: This is the "cheat sheet" for everything from road construction to new business permits.
- Follow MSWD: If there’s a water rate hike or a new conservation order, you’ll hear it here first.
- Support Local: Visit the smaller spas like Two Bunch Palms or The Sands. They are the backbone of the city’s historic "spa" identity and often have the best pulse on the neighborhood.
- Monitor the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG): Much of what happens in DHS is dictated by regional decisions on transportation and homelessness.
Desert Hot Springs is complicated. It’s hot, it’s windy, and it’s beautiful. The news will keep reflecting that contradiction for years to come.