Palm Desert, CA

Travel Guide

Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial and a garden
Desert Holocaust Memorial featuring a memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial which includes 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

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

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 ₩183,967 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩183,967
₩210,082 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
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! (2,977 reviews)
"Great location, great for families, perfect desert experience."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 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 ₩271,181 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
₩271,181
₩380,621 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
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! (1,008 reviews)
Great hotel with a few glitches
"Very nice property but way too crowded. I don't know if they ran a special but people from the area around it were allowed in at the pool and it was so crowded you could hardly moved. I asked and talked to some people who were wearing special bands at the pool. Not really comfy. Also, I've never ..."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 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 ₩99,615 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
₩99,615
₩113,560 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
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! (1,004 reviews)
"This place was fine. Close to everything, quiet. Only minor complaint was that the gap under the main door was pretty big. I would stay here again though if I ever did need to stay in the area."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 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! (2,977 reviews)
"Great location, great for families, perfect desert experience."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 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! (3,044 reviews)
Enjoyed our stay
"Relaxing, lots of amenities, excellent customer service, beautiful views, good food"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 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! (2,581 reviews)
"What’s not to love the room was beautiful the golfing was top notch my Dad had the best time!"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Palm Desert

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
621
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
368
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
61
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
11
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
7
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Host was very good!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful city!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful modern excellent shopping, restaurants and Pickleball

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

This hotel is not what you expect when booking an Embassy Suites Hotel

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Palm Desert has many available activities, and it is close to my family and friends.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It’s an amazing place to go, however between Palm Springs and Palm dale I felt very limited on things to do for young people.

Cities near Palm Desert