Palm Desert Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial which includes a garden and a memorial
Palm Desert
Desert Holocaust Memorial showing 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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Cahuilla Hills

While there might not be top attractions in Cahuilla Hills, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and The Shops at Palm Desert.

Cahuilla Hills
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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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El Paseo Village

While visiting El Paseo Village, you might make a stop by sights like El Paseo Shopping District and The Gardens on El Paseo.

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 Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and The Shops at Palm Desert.

Bighorn
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Spanish Walk

Spanish Walk might not have many top sights, but Acrisure Arena and Desert Willow Golf Resort are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Spanish Walk
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Silver Spur Ranch

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Silver Spur Ranch and surrounding area, you can visit Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo Shopping District.

Silver Spur Ranch
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹10,997 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹10,997
₹12,558 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 7 outdoor pools and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,950 reviews)
"Love staying here BUT it has changed. They no longer clean the rooms everyday, they also charge for requesting towels after the first request, parking is 25.00 per car. Glad the worker received a pay increase but don’t cheat the consumers."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹17,232 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹17,232
₹24,186 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
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 staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,012 reviews)
"Staff are accommodating and attentive to the needs of their guests."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
3.5 out of 5
74700 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹9,127 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹9,127
₹10,422 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free breakfast, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
6.8/10 (1,459 reviews)
"A good stay. The suite is good size and clean. The breakfast is pretty good."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

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 Wi-Fi, 7 outdoor pools and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,950 reviews)
"Love staying here BUT it has changed. They no longer clean the rooms everyday, they also charge for requesting towels after the first request, parking is 25.00 per car. Glad the worker received a pay increase but don’t cheat the consumers."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
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 Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,570 reviews)
"So comfy and everything we need for a great family vacay"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Marriott's Shadow Ridge
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 Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,023 reviews)
"Great family resort!"

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, 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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Palm Desert

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 73%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Like the shopping facilities and, Saturday and Sunday college of the desert market

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Marriott resort provided what we needed for a relaxing part of our vacation, making the most of the lovely weather. However, we found a local supermarket and the River for our daily basics (enhancing the Market and pool refreshments on site).

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We return year after year to wonderful Palm Desert and surrounding areas.

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