Cahuilla Hills

Pronounced kah-WEE-yah

Nestled against the Santa Rosa Mountains just south of Palm Desert, Cahuilla Hills is a ruggedly beautiful enclave with deep historical roots and timeless appeal. Named in honor of the local Cahuilla people, the community was once known as Jackrabbit Flats before residents chose a name that better reflected the land’s heritage and spirit.

The origins of Cahuilla Hills trace back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Small Tract Act of 1938, a visionary move designed to encourage settlement and development of federal land. In the 1940s, Section 36, Township 5S, Range 5E, SB Meridian was opened to the public for homesteading. For just $25, individuals could claim a five-acre parcel—so long as they built a small structure. Many of those original hand-built cabins still stand today, quietly echoing a bygone era.

Today, Cahuilla Hills is a unique blend of old and new. Rustic foundations sit alongside modern estates on large parcels—often an acre or more. Homes here enjoy panoramic mountain views, a peaceful rural atmosphere, and a level of privacy rarely found so close to the heart of the Coachella Valley.

Importantly, Cahuilla Hills lies outside the Palm Desert city limits, in an unincorporated area of Riverside County. This means it's not subject to city ordinances, including those that govern short-term rentals—a valuable distinction for investors and homeowners seeking flexibility.

Whether you’re drawn to its history, the open space, or its income potential, Cahuilla Hills remains a desert gem with a legacy built by homesteaders and continued by dreamers.