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

Default Image

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
Default Image

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
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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
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 NT$4,040 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
NT$4,040
NT$4,613 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,066 reviews)
"The pool closer to the bar could be cleaner. The other pools are maintained clean. Activities are fun: mariachi hour, movies for kids, bingo, etc. We receive a fast response when we were in need of anything. Thank you"

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

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 NT$5,955 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
NT$5,955
NT$8,358 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (1,012 reviews)
"This is our second time coming to the resort . It was once again a beautiful experience . We really like the fact that there is good eating options within the resort"

Reviewed on 2025/8/4

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 NT$2,633 per night from Aug 8 to Aug 9
NT$2,633
NT$3,002 total
Aug 8 - Aug 9
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Got this hotel last minute and had availability traveling in the middle of the night especially with a baby. It was stroller accessible and they provided a crib. The staff were very nice and the room was clean, comfortable and quiet in a very nice area. They served a small hot breakfast station with ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,066 reviews)
"The pool closer to the bar could be cleaner. The other pools are maintained clean. Activities are fun: mariachi hour, movies for kids, bingo, etc. We receive a fast response when we were in need of anything. Thank you"

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

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! (3,124 reviews)
"The property is well kept. The 1 bedroom villa is nice and has everything one needs for an extended stay there. The beds are comfortable. It smells so good too!"

Reviewed on 2025/8/6

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! (2,626 reviews)
Amazing!
"Loved our stay. Had great time at the pools. We somehow ended up with a handicap suite which was fine but the showers because it is a handicap suite or capable for wheelchair entry which just makes the water go everywhere. One of us fell in slipped."

Reviewed on 2025/8/3

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

Cities near Palm Desert