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5 California Retreats from Desert Getaways to Mountain Escapes

By Awais Manzoor

1 min read

Across Southern California, a desirable home can mean many settings, and this quintet captures the region’s range. In Rancho Mirage, golf course views frame generous living areas and a patio made for outdoor dining. Tehachapi and Forest Falls offer mountain-country calm, with community living in the Alpine Community and a well-maintained multi-level home on roughly a quarter acre. Joshua Tree adds a fully furnished desert retreat with proven short-term rental appeal. Pasadena rounds it out with a light-filled top-floor condo near the San Gabriel Mountains.

28 Calle Encinitas | $470,000

28 Calle Encinitas Rancho Mirage CA 92270
28 Calle Encinitas, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
gracereed
LISTING AGENT:
Grace Reed

Set along the fairway with golf course views, this 20 plan residence pairs a private courtyard entry with spacious living areas and bedrooms designed for easy everyday living. Out back, a patio becomes a natural extension of the interior—ideal for outdoor dining framed by picture-perfect vistas. The location adds a welcome sense of ease: near the main gate and just steps to one of many pools, spas, and the clubhouse. Within RLPCC, days can revolve around golf and tennis, then transition to the clubhouse for its spa and fitness center. When you feel like venturing out, it’s an easy walk to The River for theaters, shopping, and world-class restaurants. Offered furnished as per inventory, it’s ready to settle into and start enjoying the rhythm of the community.

Price:
$470,000
Size:
1,270 sq ft
Contact:
Grace Reed, Compass, 949.584.0535
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Countryside Retreat | $469,000

22390 William Tell Trail Tehachapi CA 93561
22390 William Tell Trail, Tehachapi, CA 93561
Joy Murphy
LISTING AGENT:
Joy Murphy

From its mountain countryside setting in Tehachapi’s Alpine Community, this retreat is designed for unhurried days framed by peace, serenity, and nature. A generous living room with vaulted ceilings and a cozy wood-burning fireplace sets an inviting tone for evenings in. The upgraded kitchen brings modern ease with granite countertops, a tumbled stone backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances, flowing into a sunlit dining area at the heart of the plan. Breezeway doors on both sides open toward the backyard, creating an easy indoor-outdoor rhythm. The primary suite rests on the first floor, paired with a spa-inspired ensuite bath for winding down. Upstairs, two guest bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath with thoughtful updates. An extra-deep two-car garage, a large Tuff Shed, and room for RV parking round out the practical perks, while the expansive backyard and deck invite wine, conversation, and everyday wildlife views.

Price:
$469,000
Size:
1,958 sq ft
Contact:
Joy Marie Murphy, Keller Williams Palmdale, 661.400.1471

Private Desert Spa Retreat With Income Potential | $450,000

62004 Sunburst Cir Joshua Tree CA 92252
62004 Sunburst Cir, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Diane Lynn Kohnen
LISTING AGENT:
Diane Lynn Kohnen

On a quiet circle in Joshua Tree, this fully furnished retreat is thoughtfully set up as a private desert escape with a proven short-term rental track record. Updated throughout, it pairs practical improvements like a newer roof and septic with the kind of outdoor living that guests come for: a cowboy pool, hot tub, sauna, and outdoor shower, plus multiple gathering zones for long evenings under expansive desert views. A fire pit and stargazing setup anchor the experience, while an outdoor barbecue area and lounge spaces make hosting feel effortless. Inside, the layout offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, along with private laundry. With an established Airbnb and VRBO history and a 4.97-star guest rating, it’s designed to enjoy now—and to keep building momentum into 2026.

Price:
$450,000
Size:
6,750 sq ft
Contact:
Diane Lynn Kohnen, Exp Realty, 760.636.2724
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1015 N Michillinda Avenue APT 304 | $450,000

1015 N Michillinda Avenue Apt 304 Pasadena CA 91107
1015 N Michillinda Avenue Apt 304, Pasadena, CA 91107
Aline Kharajian
LISTING AGENT:
Aline Kharajian

From its top-floor setting in Pasadena, this charming 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo is positioned near the San Gabriel Mountains in one of the area’s most desirable neighborhoods. Natural light moves easily through the thoughtfully designed living space, giving the interior a warm, airy feel that suits both quiet mornings and relaxed evenings at home. The layout emphasizes comfort and simplicity, with a sense of ease that comes from a well-considered plan rather than excess. Set within a city address that still feels connected to the mountains nearby, the home balances everyday convenience with a subtle reminder of Southern California’s landscape. It’s an inviting place to come home to—bright, calm, and comfortably in tune with its Pasadena setting.

Price:
$450,000
Size:
669 sq ft
Contact:
Aline Kharajian, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Golden Properties, 818.288.6505

9120 Torrey Pines Rd | $434,900

9120 Torrey Pines Rd Forest Falls CA 92339
9120 Torrey Pines Rd, Forest Falls, CA 92339
Team Gillmore
LISTING AGENT:
Team Gillmore

From its mountain setting in Forest Falls, this well-maintained, multi-level home balances comfort with practical flexibility on approximately 1/4 acre. Inside, a spacious living room centers on a river rock fireplace, flowing to a dining area and a kitchen with additional cabinetry. A sunroom adds an easygoing spot for reading or lingering over coffee, while a library/guest room offers adaptable space for work or visitors. Upstairs, a large primary bedroom includes built-in storage, joined by a 3/4 bath and an additional guest room; a loft area provides extra storage. Thoughtful updates include dual pane windows and sliders, an updated HVAC system with propane heat and electric AC, an electric water heater, and a whole-house fire sprinkler system with external alarm. With a backup generator, two parking areas, motion/sensor lighting, and a detached storage/work shed with power, daily life feels well supported in the Big Pine Tract community.

Price:
$434,900
Size:
1,641 sq ft
Contact:
Team Gillmore, Gillmore Real Estate, 909.794.2518