Desert Island Country Club

Desert Island Country Club brings a different residential form to Rancho Mirage: three multi-story condominium buildings surrounded by a lake, with golf fairways beyond the water. The buildings’ broad terraces and elevated outlooks make the community immediately recognizable in Mark Miller’s aerial photographs.

Located near the southwest corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Bob Hope Drive, Desert Island combines a gated residential setting with a golf club that welcomes nonmember play. The homes, residential amenities and golf operation are distinct parts of the same landscape.

Three buildings, one distinctive lake setting

The residential community contains 226 condominiums in three buildings. A roughly 25-acre lake wraps around the residences, separating much of the residential shoreline from the surrounding golf course. From above, the arrangement reads as an island of buildings, lawns and palms within a larger green landscape.

This is condominium living with shared buildings and substantial outdoor terraces. Floor level, orientation and the position of neighboring wings can change the outlook considerably. A home may emphasize the lake, fairways, mountains or landscaped grounds; the aerial overview provides context, while the actual view is best understood from the residence itself.

The closer photographs show the stepped building forms, rows of balconies and pool areas near the water. These architectural details give Desert Island a character quite different from the low-rise villas and detached homes found in many nearby golf communities.

Residential amenities and golf access

Residential amenities include three community pools and spas, tennis courts, paddle boats and catch-and-release fishing. The lake is a central part of the setting and the community’s recreation, rather than simply a distant view.

The residential association and golf club serve different functions. Condominium ownership should not be read as an automatic promise of unlimited golf or every club privilege. HOA services, resident amenity rules, golf charges and membership terms need to be considered separately.

The club’s 18-hole course was designed by Desmond Muirhead. It currently advertises tee times for nonmembers as well as a membership program. Published member privileges include unlimited golf, access to reserve peak-hour tee times, member events and selected dining, instruction and shop benefits. Current availability and terms come directly from the club.

Golf, dining and a 1971 beginning

Desert Island was established in 1971. The original development combined residential towers, a lake, an 18-hole golf course and a clubhouse; by 1979, the three residential buildings and their 226 homes had been constructed. That early plan still explains the community’s recognizable layout.

Today’s club also includes 9 1/2 Bar & Kitchen, event spaces and a contemporary art gallery. Dining and event access follow the club’s current operating schedule, and hours can change seasonally. The public-facing golf and hospitality offerings do not make the residential buildings or their private amenities public.

A Rancho Mirage location with its own identity

Frank Sinatra Drive forms the northern edge of the property and Bob Hope Drive the eastern edge. The lake and course create an open interior landscape within this established part of Rancho Mirage.

Rancho Mirage Country Club is a separate nearby community with a different housing layout and golf history. The similar city and club names can be confusing, but Desert Island is the community distinguished by its three condominium buildings and surrounding lake.

Explore more local places in the Rancho Mirage collection, or compare communities in the Coachella Valley Homebuyer Guide.

Original aerial photography

These five photographs were captured by Mark Miller on October 13, 2026. The set includes wide aerial views of the three residential buildings, lake, golf course and mountain setting, together with closer views of the condominium architecture, terraces, pools and shoreline.

Frequently asked questions

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