While the Cahuillas often spent the summers in Indian Canyons, the current site of Spa Resort Casino in downtown was often used during winter due to its natural hot springs. They also made tortillas from mesquite seeds. While men were responsible for hunting, women were responsible for collecting berries, acorns, and seeds.

The Cahuilla hunted rabbit, mountain goat, and quail while trapping fish in nearby lakes and rivers. Various hot springs were used during wintertime. The Cahuilla Indians had several permanent settlements in the canyons of Palm Springs due to the abundance of water and shade.

Palm Canyon was occupied during the winter months, but they often moved to cooler Chino Canyon during the summer months. Numerous prominent and powerful Cahuilla leaders were from the area, including Cahuilla Lion ( Chief Juan Antonio). They spoke Ivilyuat, which is a Uto-Aztecan language. Cahuilla Indians lived here in isolation from other cultures for hundreds of years prior to European contact. The first humans to settle in the area were the Cahuilla people, who arrived 2,000 years ago.