Palm Desert, CA

Travel Guide
Desert Holocaust Memorial showing a 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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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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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
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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
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Summit

While Summit might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo Shopping District.

Summit
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 $251 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 21
$251
$326 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 20 - Jun 21
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy 5 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 8 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Great for family with kids , definitely will be back"

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
3.5 out of 5
74700 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA
The price is $94 per night from Jun 24 to Jun 25
$94
$108 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 24 - Jun 25
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Palm Desert. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
6.4/10 (1,002 reviews)
"would stay again"

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024

Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
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 $151 per night from Jul 11 to Jul 12
$151
$172 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 11 - Jul 12
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! (2,684 reviews)
"First time staying at this location and it won't be the last. From check in to the end of our stay, the experience here was absolutely wonderful. The rooms are exceptionally clean and provided all the amenities one could need. The point of this was peace and relaxation and it was definitely achieved. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 7, 2024

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.
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! (2,684 reviews)
"First time staying at this location and it won't be the last. From check in to the end of our stay, the experience here was absolutely wonderful. The rooms are exceptionally clean and provided all the amenities one could need. The point of this was peace and relaxation and it was definitely achieved. ..."

Reviewed on Jun 7, 2024

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
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, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,565 reviews)
"The entrance of this resort is beautiful and neat, the rooms are really clean and nice, it has a lots of pools throughout the property. Golf course is nice, amazing views. There’s shopping areas and plenty of places to eat close to the resort. Definitely recommend staying here."

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2024

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
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, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,298 reviews)
"Beautiful property"

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2024

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 58.146067415730336%
4 - Good
368
" "4 - Good 34.45692883895131%
3 - Okay
61
" "3 - Okay 5.711610486891386%
2 - Disappointing
11
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0299625468164795%
1 - Terrible
7
" "1 - Terrible 0.6554307116104869%

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

Les

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.

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