In 1905, the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad was completed, followed by the construction of the train depot in the style of Spanish mission architecture.

The train depot, built in 1923, is now home to some city and county offices and a museum that exhibits historical information.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 54.8 square miles (141.9 km2), all of it land.

Summers are characterized by blazing sunshine, long days, cool nights, and high diurnal temperature range.

A majority of precipitation occurs in the winter months (Nov - March) due to the yearly dip of the jetstream bringing Pacific storms.

Southerly monsoon rains from mid-July through September bring thunderstorms, increased dew points, and flash flooding.Caliente is home to extensive outdoor recreation opportunities.

According to testimony given in the criminal case, Utah v. Warren Jeffs, the Hot Springs Motel located in Caliente is the site of several forced marriages between under-aged girls and older men.

Jeffs was the leader of the polygamous FLDS Church, and before his capture was on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.