While many visitors to Greater Palm Springs are familiar with its Hollywood and Rat Pack history of the 1950s and ’60s, what they might not know is that this Southern California oasis and the mountains encircling it were originally settled by Native Americans.

These people, the Cahuilla Indians, were peaceful hunters and gatherers who lived in independent clans throughout the region. The area, with its palm tree groves, mountain valleys, streams, hot springs, and an underground aquifer, provided shelter and plenty of food and water.

Descendants of these Cahuilla people still live in the area today, each with separate Federally recognized tribal governments and reservations. In the nine-cities that make up Greater Palm Springs, the tribes are the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, and the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. Nurturing stewards of their ancestral lands, the tribes also have a positive effect on the local community and region through the economic impact of their thriving business enterprises.

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in local Native American culture is by visiting the Cabazon Cultural Museum in Indio or the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, located in the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in Palm Springs. Here, five permanent exhibitions celebrate the history, culture, and modern achievements of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, plus a 2,200-square-foot changing gallery showcases traditional and contemporary Native American art. Next door, at the site of the Agua Caliente Tribe’s sacred hot mineral spring, you'll find The Spa at Séc-he, a 40,000-square-foot sanctuary offering state-of-the-art treatments and therapies, as well as rejuvenating mineral spring waters estimated to be 12,000 years old.

(Header photo above is courtesy of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Photo depicts a historic image of one of the Tribe's bathouses that were open to the public to use the Hot Mineral Spring.)

You can also head out for a hike in the pristine Indian Canyons—the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Tribe—which features trails for all levels in Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon, each with stunning views and indigenous flora and fauna in all directions. The Tribe’s Tahquitz Canyon is another option, where you can hike to a 60-foot waterfall and spend time before or after in the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center perusing its fascinating cultural and educational exhibits.

Looking for vibrant nightlife? The area's tribal casinos not only offer world-class entertainment and dining but also play a vital role in supporting the tribes' ongoing initiatives, including cultural preservation. 

And finally, a relaxing and rejuvenating experience at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa’s Sunstone Spa is the perfect end to a day or weekend of Native American cultural immersion.

Whether hiking ancestral lands, exploring museums, or unwinding in sacred waters, these experiences offer a deeper appreciation for the rich Native American heritage that continues to shape the region today.

Looking for more ways to learn about and celebrate Native American culture in Greater Palm Springs? View upcoming annual Native American cultural events here.