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

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South Palm Desert

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

South Palm Desert
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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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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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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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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
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 P7,852 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P7,852
P8,967 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
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! (3,051 reviews)
"Check in was great and very helpful! Will be back again!"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
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 P11,575 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P11,575
P16,246 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,010 reviews)
"The property was very well maintained. The grounds were immaculate, and plenty of poolside space. The lobby was bright and had sports on all the TVs! Loved that there was a Starbucks as well. Overall one of the best I've stayed at in the area."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
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 P5,235 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,235
P5,968 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
"Our stay was wonderful. The staff were all very nice, especially Brenda, who oversaw the breakfast. She was above and beyond. Beside setting up a fabulous breakfast she was gentle and friendly with our 3 littles who weren’t always model guests. We were in the pool a lot with the kids and it was refreshing, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 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.
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! (3,051 reviews)
"Check in was great and very helpful! Will be back again!"

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

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! (3,116 reviews)
"We enjoyed it"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 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! (2,621 reviews)
"My favorite getaway"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

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.

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