Palm Desert, CA

Travel Guide

A desert landscape with tall palm trees and a mountain range under a blue sky with clouds.
An outdoor patio with string lights, tables, chairs, a fireplace, and palm trees.
A golf course with water features and residential areas.
A gazebo with a white fence and a bench in a park.
A sign for 'The Shops on El Paseo' with a prominent 'EP' logo.
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

Find the best Palm Desert areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Palm Desert
Learn more about Palm Desert

Cahuilla Hills

Cahuilla Hills might not have many top sights, but Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and The Shops at Palm Desert are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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.

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.

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 El Paseo Shopping District.

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 The Gardens on El Paseo.

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$8,490 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
NT$8,490
NT$11,371 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,153 reviews)
"No usb-c charging ports. TV at pool Bar was old and wouldn’t play World Cup final. It’s about a foot thick. Saturday night the pool bar closed at 6pm. Way too early. Couldn’t even get food. Very few waiters walking around to serve."

Reviewed on 2026/7/23

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
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$4,358 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
NT$4,358
NT$4,976 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,421 reviews)
"I was charged $30.00 per day for parking which I wasn’t aware with Expedia when I booked."

Reviewed on 2026/7/22

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
The price is NT$4,911 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
NT$4,911
NT$5,609 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
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.
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 aparthotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 7 outdoor pools, and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,421 reviews)
"I was charged $30.00 per day for parking which I wasn’t aware with Expedia when I booked."

Reviewed on 2026/7/22

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
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
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 aparthotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,936 reviews)
"Luv it"

Reviewed on 2026/7/23

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages
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.

Stay near popular Palm Desert attractions

Cities near Palm Desert

Explore a world of travel with Expedia