Palm Desert

Travel Guide
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

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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 Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo Shopping District.

Bighorn
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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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Cahuilla Hills

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

Cahuilla Hills
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Spanish Walk

While Spanish Walk might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Acrisure Arena and Desert Willow Golf Resort.

Spanish Walk
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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 CA $285 per night from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14
CA $285
CA $379 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 13 - Aug 14
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy 5 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 8 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Relaxing. Romantic. Stress-free stay.
"We stayed for our three-year anniversary and had an amazing time. We were joined by some friends on the second night and reserved chairs at the pool and it was amazing. Housekeeping did an amazing job resetting the room and provided us with enough towels. Valet and bellhop services made checking ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 24, 2024

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
The price is CA $176 per night from Aug. 19 to Aug. 20
CA $176
CA $200 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 19 - Aug 20
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,653 reviews)
"Extremely happy with my stay"

Reviewed on Jul. 25, 2024

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
3.5 out of 5
74700 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA
The price is CA $109 per night from Aug. 7 to Aug. 8
CA $109
CA $125 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 7 - Aug 8
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Indian Wells Tennis ...
6.4/10 (1,017 reviews)
"didn’t get room cleaned or towels second night"

Reviewed on Jul. 22, 2024

Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
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.
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, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,653 reviews)
"Extremely happy with my stay"

Reviewed on Jul. 25, 2024

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
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! (2,769 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on Jul. 22, 2024

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, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,362 reviews)
"Always a pleasure to be at this Hotel !! always clean great service ! we stay here for a week every year if not more !!!"

Reviewed on Jul. 23, 2024

Marriott's Shadow Ridge
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Palm Desert

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
53
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
51
" "4 - Good 48.113207547169814%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 1.8867924528301887%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very good walks and hikes in the area.

5/5 - Excellent

TK

Palm Desert is easy to get around in. Upscale. Feels safe.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Attended the excellent Palm Springs Regional Duplicate Bridge Tourney.

5/5 - Excellent

LLOEWEN

Such a great relaxing place to vacation!

4/5 - Good

Ernie

Very HOT in Summer. Will likely return in fall/winter months

5/5 - Excellent

Christopher

As a first time visitor the Indian canyons were very nice. Easy to drive around the cities and plenty of food options!

Cities near Palm Desert