Palm Springs is weird. You’ve got the mid-century modern obsession, the neon-soaked cocktail bars, and then, tucked away in the Mesa neighborhood, you find something that feels like a glitch in the desert matrix. It’s called Bit of Country Palm Springs CA, and if you’re looking for a glass-and-steel cube with a kidney-shaped pool, you’re in the wrong place.
Honestly, most people drive right past it. They're looking for the Bob Hope estate or the Kaufmann House. But Bit of Country is different. It's a small, private enclave of homes that looks like someone plucked a neighborhood out of a rustic mountain town and dropped it onto the sand. It’s got wood siding. It’s got pitched roofs. It feels like a hug in a city that usually feels like a high-end art gallery.
What Bit of Country Palm Springs CA Actually Is
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first because people get confused. Bit of Country isn't a hotel. It’s not a restaurant. It is a specific residential community located in the southern part of Palm Springs, specifically within the Mesa area. If you look at a map, you’ll find it nestled near the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.
The vibe here is "Old California."
Think back to the 1970s. While the rest of the desert was going all-in on "Palm Springs Modern," a few developers decided that maybe people wanted to feel like they were in a lodge instead of a spaceship. The homes in Bit of Country Palm Springs CA feature heavy timber accents, shingle roofs, and a lot of stone work. It’s cozy. That’s the word. You don't usually use the word "cozy" for a city that regularly hits 115 degrees, but here we are.
The Mesa Connection: Why Location Matters
You can't talk about Bit of Country without talking about the Mesa. This neighborhood is legendary. It’s shielded from the wind—which is a big deal in Palm Springs—and it has this weird microclimate that keeps it a few degrees cooler than the valley floor.
Living in Bit of Country means you’re basically neighbors with history. Sonny and Cher lived in the Mesa. Barry Manilow has a place nearby. But while those estates are hidden behind massive gates and 10-foot hedges, Bit of Country feels more like a real neighborhood. You see people walking dogs. You see actual neighbors talking to each other.
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The architecture is the real draw, though. Because these homes have pitched roofs rather than the standard flat roofs of the desert, they have amazing vaulted ceilings. Inside, you get these massive beams and "great rooms" that make the houses feel much larger than their actual footprint. It’s a masterclass in how to build for volume rather than just square footage.
Why Investors and Homebuyers Are Obsessed
The real estate market in Palm Springs has gone absolutely nuclear over the last few years. Everyone wants a piece of the desert. But here’s the thing: everyone is buying the same white-box house with a pool.
Smart buyers are looking at Bit of Country Palm Springs CA because it offers something unique.
- The Short-Term Rental Potential: Palm Springs has some of the strictest Airbnb laws in the country. However, the aesthetic of Bit of Country—that "desert lodge" feel—photographs incredibly well. It stands out in a sea of identical mid-century rentals.
- The Layouts: Many of these homes are surprisingly spacious. We’re talking three or four bedrooms with enough yard space for a decent pool and an outdoor kitchen.
- The Mountain Views: Because you are literally at the foot of the mountain, the views aren't just "distant peaks." They are "massive rock walls" that turn purple at sunset. It’s dramatic.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. If you're looking at Bit of Country, you need to know about the maintenance. Wood siding in the desert is a commitment. The sun here eats wood for breakfast. If you buy one of these homes, you're going to spend a lot of time (and money) on staining and sealing. It’s the price you pay for not living in a stucco box.
Living the Bit of Country Lifestyle
What does a Saturday look like here?
You wake up, and the mountains are casting a long shadow over the house, so you can actually sit outside with coffee without melting. You’re five minutes away from the Moorten Botanical Garden, which is arguably the coolest place in the city. If you haven't been, it's a "cactarium." It’s family-owned, weird, and perfectly fits the vibe of this end of town.
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Then you head over to Koffi on South Palm Canyon for a muffin. By the time the tourists are waking up and heading to the Design District, you’re already back in your quiet, wood-beamed living room.
There’s a misconception that Palm Springs is just for partying. Bit of Country proves that’s wrong. It’s for people who want to disappear. It’s for the writers, the retirees who still hike, and the young families who want a house that feels like a home rather than a stage set.
Common Myths About This Neighborhood
I’ve heard people say that Bit of Country is "too far from downtown."
That’s nonsense.
You can bike to the center of town in ten minutes. You can walk to Mr. Lyons or The Saguaro in about fifteen. You’re tucked away, sure, but you aren't isolated.
Another myth? That these houses are "dark." People think that because of the wood and the mountain shadows, the interiors are gloomy. Actually, the architects who built these homes were obsessed with light. They used massive clerestory windows and sliding glass doors to make sure the desert sun filtered in without baking the inhabitants. It’s a delicate balance, and they nailed it.
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The Real Estate Reality Check
If you’re looking to buy in Bit of Country Palm Springs CA today, be prepared for a fight. These homes don't come up for sale that often. When they do, they go fast.
The price point? It’s higher than the outskirts but lower than the heart of the Movie Colony or Old Las Palmas. You’re paying for the neighborhood and the specific "Mesa vibe."
Check the HOA status. Some parts of the Mesa have them, some don't. In Bit of Country, the rules are generally geared toward preserving that rustic aesthetic. You can't just paint your house neon pink (well, you could try, but the neighbors might have a collective heart attack).
Actionable Steps for Exploring Bit of Country
If you’re serious about this neighborhood, don't just look at Zillow.
- Drive the Loop: Take South Palm Canyon Drive, turn onto Mesquite Ave, and then wind your way into the Mesa. Look for the transition where the flat roofs turn into gables. That’s your target zone.
- Visit in the Afternoon: See how the mountain shadows affect the light. Some houses lose the sun by 3:00 PM in the winter. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it’s the best part of the day.
- Check the Land Lease: This is the "big one" in Palm Springs. Much of the land is owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Some homes in this area are on "fee land" (you own it), and some are on "lease land" (you rent the land). This changes your mortgage options and your monthly costs significantly. Always, always check the status before falling in love with a kitchen.
- Talk to a Local Specialist: Don’t just use any realtor. You need someone who knows the Mesa specifically. They’ll know which houses have had their foundations reinforced and which ones still have the original 1970s plumbing.
Bit of Country represents a specific moment in Palm Springs history—a time when the city was trying to figure out if it could be more than just a playground for Hollywood. It succeeded by creating a pocket of warmth and character that still stands out fifty years later. Whether you’re looking to move or just curious about desert architecture, it’s a spot that deserves a closer look.