Which Palm Springs neighborhoods do the mountains shade first and when?

The nighborhoods along the base of the mountains will get shade earlier than the rest of the valley, particularly in winter, when the days are shorter. Shadows can fall by 3pm or earlier for some areas.

Is it a problem that neighborhoods closest to the mountains get shade early?

It depends. In the summer when the the days are long and warm, the shade is typically a welcome relief. In the winter when the days are much shorter, the mtn. shadow may cut your pool time short, which may or may not be an issue.

Is there a benefit to having a west facing pool?

People like having west facing houses and pools on the west side so that you can enjoy a big view from the pool. However, this also means that the pool will get shade in the morning, and potentially in the afternoon, which could keep the pool cooler due to less sun exposure.

Is there a best orientation for a home in terms of sun exposure?

A home that runs east to west, so the front and back yards are either to the north or south can often be the best orientation. In the summer, when the sun is highest in the sky, this orientation usallly limits the amount of direct sun coming in throught the windows. And if your pool is on the south or north side of the home, and isn't shaded by your property, it will tend to get sunshine all day.

Mountain Shade Map for Palm Springs

Which neighborhoods get mountain shade first and when?

Where is it shady in Palm Springs?

I am frequently asked if the mountains make certain neighborhoods or homes shadier than others. For the neighborhoods closest to the mountains, shade can definitely be a factor when buying a home. Most of the year the mountain shadows aren't an issue because the days are long, and the sun lasts until late in the evening. However, during the winter months when the days are shorter, the sun slipping behind the mountains at 3PM or sooner might be an issue, particularly if being in the sun is your priority.

When will it be shady?

This Shade Map link allows you to see when it will get shady at any address and at any time during the year. You can search for an address or navigate the map to a specific location. Then by using the scroll bars to change the day and time, you can see the shadows cast by the mountains at that time and whether a property will be affected. There are mountains along all of the desert cities, and this link will work for each affected area, like in Palm Desert and La Quinta.

If you have any questions, particuarly about real estate that I can help with, please do not hesitate to call.

This page is currently under construction. Soon you will be able to find other useful information on how a property's orientation may affect which homes you consider for purchase. For instance, a home with North-and-South facing yard will typically have less sun coming through the windows during the summer, which can cut down on potential heat gain. I will also be including information on the length of shadows, cast from the typical home throughout the winter months, so you can figure out if a property might cause your pool to be in the shade.

More Coming Soon, check back again later. Thank you.

* All information is considered reliable but is not guaranteed accurate. Buyer to verify. Disclaimer link.

** The information contained on this page is to be verified and should not be relied upon as accurate. The map information was derived from the Bureau of Indian Affairs website and the accuracy of the maps is based on the original document. The MarkGPS Indian Lease Land Map and the descriptions of indian lease land, along with the indian lease land Calculator, are the intellectual property of Mark Gutkowski, Copyright 2023-25. The Palm Springs indian lease land Map is an artist representation of the Palm Springs area and the location of indian lease land. It is not deemed to be accurate and any information gained, or decisions made based on is use, or this page, must be independently verified for accuracy. Mark Gutkowski and Bennion Deville Homes do not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information contained herein, or of the information contained in pages linked-to from this page.