Palm Desert, CA

Travel Guide

Beautiful Golf Courses - The Palms at Dawn 1
Beautiful Golf Courses - The Palms at Dawn 1
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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

Palm tree oasis in the death valley desert landscape at dusk

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
san jacinto mountain, palm springs, california

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
desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) and fan palms (Washingtonia filifera) near Rogers Spring

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
"Desert Art" The Mojave and Colorado Deserts transition in Joshua Tree National Park. The park is just east of Palm Springs in Southern California.

Park Palms

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Park Palms and surrounding area, you can visit Desert Willow Golf Resort and Rancho Las Palmas Country Club.

Park Palms
Panorama of Joshua trees

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
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 NT$6,355 per night from Feb 2 to Feb 3
NT$6,355
NT$7,257 total
Feb 2 - Feb 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,284 reviews)
The facilities were extremely clean and spacious!

Reviewed on 2026/1/22

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages

3.5 out of 5
9003 Shadow Ridge Road Palm Desert CA
The price is NT$4,494 per night from Feb 2 to Feb 3
NT$4,494
NT$5,132 total
Feb 2 - Feb 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,744 reviews)
Clean room. Very comfortable room. Great amenities. Giuseppe’s is a great place!

Reviewed on 2026/1/25

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages
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 NT$3,848 per night from Feb 5 to Feb 6
NT$3,848
NT$4,387 total
Feb 5 - Feb 6
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! (1,005 reviews)
Room was clean. Easy to park.

Reviewed on 2026/1/23

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
Book a stay at this golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,284 reviews)
The facilities were extremely clean and spacious!

Reviewed on 2026/1/22

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages

3.5 out of 5
9003 Shadow Ridge Road Palm Desert CA
Book a stay at this golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,744 reviews)
Clean room. Very comfortable room. Great amenities. Giuseppe’s is a great place!

Reviewed on 2026/1/25

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln Palm Desert CA
Book a stay at this 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 reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,254 reviews)
The area around Palm Desert is pretty. The Villas were well appointed and walkable to the main Marriott. I would stay there again.

Reviewed on 2026/1/28

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.

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

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