Resorts & stays
Indian Wells Resort Hotel
A desert hotel with a Hollywood connection. Pair the photo guide with the story of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.
A Desert Oasis Insider city guide
Indian Wells California
Resort afternoons. Mountain backdrops. A city with more to discover beyond the fairways.
Original photography & local storytelling by Mark Miller
Get your bearings
Small city. A distinct desert rhythm.
Between Palm Desert and La Quinta, Indian Wells brings together resort grounds, public golf, international tennis and residential neighborhoods beneath the Santa Rosa Mountains. Start with a place that interests you, see where it sits, then follow the stories behind it.
Resort countryGardens, pools & mountain viewsGolf + tennisTwo ways to experience the city7Places in this growing guide
The visual directory
Find your kind of Indian Wells.
Explore the photography, read each place guide, or find it on the map. Select a photo for a closer look.
Showing 7 of 7 places
Resorts & stays
Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort
Low-rise buildings, garden paths and mountain views give this resort its distinctive, relaxed setting.
City & landmarks
Indian Wells City Hall
The civic center of Indian Wells, with desert architecture, landscaped grounds and a connection to the city’s history.
Resorts & stays
Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas
Explore the pools, villas and palm-filled grounds of one of Indian Wells’ major resort destinations.
Public golf
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Get to know Indian Wells’ public golf destination, then check current course conditions and tee-time availability.
Tennis & events
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
The home of the BNP Paribas Open. Explore the venue and the story behind the valley’s tennis landmark.
Resorts & stays
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
A classic resort landscape: an expansive pool, landscaped grounds and the Santa Rosa Mountains beyond.
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Put it in perspective
See how the city fits together.
Choose a place to see its location. Many of the resorts cluster near Highway 111; the Tennis Garden is a separate destination to the east.
Indian Wells · satellite overview
Open in Google MapsUse Google Maps for directions, entrances and current travel times. Check access with the venue before visiting.
Make it your own
What brings you to Indian Wells?
Choose an interest for a simple starting plan. These are ideas to build on, with links for the details.
Build a day around the fairways.
Get to know the setting
Explore the Golf Resort photo guide before choosing where to play.
Explore the golf resortChoose your tee time
Use the official resort website for current course information and available reservations.
Check official golf detailsMake room to unwind
Consider a nearby resort stay to give the experience a little more breathing room.
See Renaissance Esmeralda
Confirm which courses are open and check seasonal maintenance, tee times and dining availability directly with the resort.
Find the setting that feels like a getaway.
Start with the atmosphere
Look through Miramonte’s gardens and low-rise architecture for a sense of its style.
Explore Tommy Bahama MiramonteCompare the resort experience
Browse Grand Hyatt’s grounds and accommodations to compare a different resort setting.
Explore Grand HyattAdd a little context
Read how the city evolved before heading out to experience its resort landscape.
Read the city’s story
Pools, spas and other amenities may require a room, reservation or approved day pass. Check the property’s current access rules before making plans.
Follow the story of Tennis Paradise.
Explore the landmark
See the venue through the photo guide and get familiar with its mountain setting.
Explore the Tennis GardenCheck what is happening
Find current events, club information and visitor details on the official venue website.
Visit the official Tennis Garden siteGo behind the tournament
Discover the venue changes, people and decisions that helped build the BNP Paribas Open.
Read the tournament’s history
The Tennis Garden’s access and activities depend on its calendar. An event ticket, court reservation or membership may be required; check official details first.
Look beyond the resort postcard.
Begin with the city’s origins
Follow the story from the Cahuilla well to the city’s incorporation and resort identity.
Read why Indian Wells existsFind the Hollywood connection
Meet the people behind a hotel that became part of the Indian Wells story.
Read the Desi & Lucy storyConnect the story to the place
Explore current photographs of the Indian Wells Resort Hotel and its surroundings.
See the hotel today
Start with the stories, then use the place guides and map to choose your stops. A place appearing in this guide does not mean every part of it is open for public access.
The place has a past
The stories behind the scenery.
A well, a Hollywood connection and a tennis tournament. Follow three threads that help explain Indian Wells.
Indian Wells · history
Why Indian Wells Exists: From a Cahuilla Well to California’s 400th City
Read the story
Indian Wells · history
Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball and the Hotel That Helped Build Indian Wells
Read the story
From visiting to living
Could this be your place in the desert?
Explore Indian Wells homes through Bloom, then compare the details that shape everyday life: the neighborhood, outdoor space, ownership costs and access to amenities. Mark can help you connect the city research with the homes that fit your plans.
Start with perspective
Understand the community first.
Use the homebuyer resource guide to organize your research before touring properties.
Open the homebuyer guideA closer comparisonToscana or Cotino?
Compare an Indian Wells country club setting with a different approach to desert living in Rancho Mirage.
Explore the comparisonA few useful answers
Before you make plans.
Use the guides for context and photography. Go to the venue or city for current access, reservations and official information.
Where is Indian Wells in the Coachella Valley?
Indian Wells is its own city between Palm Desert and La Quinta, with Highway 111 connecting many of its resorts and landmarks. Use the city map above to place individual destinations in context and check travel times for your starting point.
Can visitors play golf in Indian Wells?
Indian Wells Golf Resort offers public golf. Other golf properties in the area may be private clubs with different access requirements. Check the resort’s official website for current course availability, tee times, rates and seasonal maintenance.
Can I use a resort’s pool or spa without staying there?
Access varies by property, amenity and date. Some experiences require an overnight stay, spa reservation or approved day pass. Contact the resort before arriving; a restaurant booking does not automatically include pool or spa access.
Is the Tennis Garden only for the BNP Paribas Open?
The Tennis Garden is known for the BNP Paribas Open and also provides club and racquet-sport activities beyond the tournament. Check its official website for the current calendar, reservations and access requirements.
How should I start researching a home in Indian Wells?
Start with the neighborhood and the lifestyle you want, then compare individual homes and their ownership costs. Community amenities and club access can differ from one property to another. Use Bloom to explore available homes and speak with Mark about the details to verify before touring.
Keep exploring