Palm Desert, CA

Travel Guide

Desert Holocaust Memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial
Desert Holocaust Memorial

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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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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Cahuilla Hills

Cahuilla Hills might not have many top sights, but Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo Shopping District are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Cahuilla Hills
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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 El Paseo Shopping District.

Bighorn
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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
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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
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
$300 nightly
The price is $342 total per night from Oct 30 to Oct 31
$342 total
Oct 30 - Oct 31
Total with taxes and 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,031 reviews)
"Loved the Resort!"

Reviewed on Oct 9, 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
$88 nightly
The price is $100 total per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
$100 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
Total with taxes and 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! (1,022 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Oct 17, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Palm-Desert by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Palm Desert -  Millennium by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Palm Desert - Millennium by IHG

2.5 out of 5
74777 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE, Palm Desert, CA
$108 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Oct 21 to Oct 22
$123 total
Oct 21 - Oct 22
Total with taxes and 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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,555 reviews)
"Rooms were clean. Staff was so nice. Breakfast was wonderful. We had a great stay, thank you."

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Palm Desert - Millennium 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! (3,190 reviews)
"No maid-clening service"

Reviewed on Oct 13, 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! (3,229 reviews)
"Great visit"

Reviewed on Oct 10, 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! (2,680 reviews)
"—"

Reviewed on Oct 15, 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

Things to do

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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