Palm Desert

Travel Guide

Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial and a park
Palm Desert
Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial
Palm Desert
A lush oasis in the middle of the parched Coachella Valley, this city makes a great base to explore an incredible area of the world.

Come to Palm Desert to get away from your hectic life. Drive a jeep across a lunar-like landscape, visit unusual animals in the zoo or relax indulgently at the spa.

Spend days in the glorious sunshine enjoying one of the many outdoor activities. Bring the whole family along for a day at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. The unusual collection of animals includes hedgehogs, leopards and coyotes. Feed a giraffe, visit the butterfly house or take an exciting night safari around the park.

Hike up the Bump and Grind Trail to get a view over the city or take panoramic photos on a hot air balloon at dawn. Ride a horse into the sunset on a tour along the Hopalong Cassidy Trail or play a round at Desert Willow Golf Resort.

Soar like a bird on a biplane flight taking you over the spectacular Santa Rosa Mountains and San Jacinto Mountain range.

Take a four-wheel drive tour to the legendary San Andreas Fault. Twisting rock formations make up this unique geological landmark. Greenery surrounds a desert spring. Learn about the history of the Native American Cahuilla tribe, who once lived off the plants and animals of this dry region.

Back in town enjoy shopping at the El Paseo Shopping District and head to the markets at the outdoor College of the Desert Street Fair. The Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert features exciting collections and an interesting sculpture garden. In Civic Center Park, find the Desert Holocaust Memorial. Bring your children to this moving site but be sure to explain that this is not an area for play.

If your kids need to burn some energy then spend a day at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. This fun water park has slides, a swimming pool and a splash park for young children. The kids will also enjoy a visit to the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, which has fun interactive displays. Watch them find their way out of a rope maze, learn how to tie a sailing knot and get involved with the nuts and bolts of building.

Palm Desert is a lush green city in a striking desert location.

Where to stay in Palm Desert

Beautiful Fountain at the Gardens...

El Paseo Village

If you're spending some time in El Paseo Village, El Paseo Shopping District and The Gardens on El Paseo are top sights worth seeing.

El Paseo Village
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Bighorn

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Bighorn and surrounding area, you can visit Palm Desert Cross and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

Bighorn
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Cahuilla Hills

Cahuilla Hills might not have many top sights, but Palm Desert Cross and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Cahuilla Hills
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Park Palms

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Park Palms and surrounding area, you can visit Palm Desert Aquatic Center and Desert Willow Golf Resort.

Park Palms
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Silver Spur Ranch

Though Silver Spur Ranch might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo Shopping District.

Silver Spur Ranch
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Summit

While Summit might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo Shopping District.

Summit
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
4.5 out of 5
74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA
The price is P19,459 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
P19,459
P24,832 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Palm Desert. Enjoy 5 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 8 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"It was great! Beautiful and the kids loved it!"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
4 out of 5
75 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, CA
The price is P11,661 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
P11,661
P13,316 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,949 reviews)
"Stay was just for 1 night but I wish I had more time as room was spacious and clean and the view was amazing. I will opt for this facility next time I’m in Palm Desert."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
Holiday Inn Express Palm-Desert by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Palm-Desert by IHG
2.5 out of 5
74675 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA
The price is P5,568 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
P5,568
P6,347 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Asaaaassss"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Palm-Desert by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
4 out of 5
75 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,949 reviews)
"Stay was just for 1 night but I wish I had more time as room was spacious and clean and the view was amazing. I will opt for this facility next time I’m in Palm Desert."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
Marriott's Shadow Ridge
Marriott's Shadow Ridge
3.5 out of 5
9003 Shadow Ridge Road, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,511 reviews)
"Beautiful resort. Nice pools. The studio was a bit cramped in kitchen area and they did not refill the coffee when room was cleaned (midway through our stay). We also had to request more bath/shower wash because initially it was just water in the container! Would stay here again though. Close to ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2025

Marriott's Shadow Ridge
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,877 reviews)
"Our shower was dirty. It had hair all over it and the water was either scalding hot or ice cold. If I took a shower before my husband, there was no hot water for him. I took scalding hot showers and he took ice cold showers!! So that was pretty crappy. Otherwise everything else was good. The room ..."

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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