Location: Palm Desert
Top Things to do in Palm Desert
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Palm Desert That You Shouldn't Miss
Relax and sight-see in this southern Californian oasis. Located in the center of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a vibrant city featuring top notch resorts, world class golfing, shopping, and entertainment that appeals to many types of consumers. Hike, bike or ride horseback through the desert trails. Or, soak in some culture with seasonal festivals, stylish art galleries, and a thriving music and nightlife scene.
Restaurants in Palm Desert
1. Big Wheel Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 577 reviews
We provide customized guided Bicycle, Jeep, and Hiking tours of the greater Palm Springs area. Bicycle rentals also available. Come with us to explore Joshua Tree National Park, the San Andreas Fault, the Indian Canyons or any of the other beautiful natural places in the Coachella Valley. Each tour is personalized to suit your group's needs and interests. Outstanding guides, small groups, and customized service are our trademarks. We also carry a full range of bicycles for rent from Benno Cruiser bicycles to full suspension mountain bikes to battery powered ebikes. With over 400 bicycles in our fleet we are sure to have what you are looking for. Conveniently located on the corner of South Palm Canyon Drive and Avenida Olancha. For over 20 years we have been the Palm Springs Outdoor Adventure Company!
2. Desert Holocaust Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By PJCoastToCoast
I don't mean this in a snarky way but when I heard a memorial was in the park I hadn't expected much - perhaps a plaque or two. But this space is really impressive. Very sobering and contemplative to be there. While it's not a huge space, there are several areas and artistic depictions of the Holocaust. The piece at the center is so very well done - a star of David with representations of victims, a map and a count of the number of those killed in each country. As one of the plaques says, "Never Again."
3. Coachella Valley Vista Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By sdbctb - Brooklyn, United States
This highway is very nice to drive to palm springs from San Diego or anywhere on the west coast, it takes you through the mountains with switchbacks on the roadway and scenic views, this view is the winner as far as i saw. you see the valley from up high with amazing views of mountains and valley as well as the picturesque view of the roadway the rest of the way down. almost like the pikes peak roadway. if your stomach is sensitive and get nauseated on the roadway though this is not for you.
4. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,006 reviews
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit, accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring the highest standards of all aspects of animal care, education, conservation, public service, and operations. The Zoo is active in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the world, as well as in its own community. The Zoo has been a top attraction in the Palm Springs area for nearly 50 years. The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
Reviewed By LaurieStory - Santa Monica, United States
Lovely desert gardens, fabulous model train display (huge), lots of interesting animal chats, free tram around the park, and wide selection of animals in large natural enclosures. I could happily spend several days there. Lots of places to sit in the shade and have a snack, good bathroom facilities (and plenty of them), nice combo of sunny and shady pathways. Not to be missed!
5. Palm Desert Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Conveniently located inside Palm Desert City Hall, make Palm Desert Visitor Services your first stop for whatever you need to enjoy your stay in the desert. Need information? You'll find one of the Valley's most comprehensive selection of maps, hiking and biking guides, magazines, brochures and more available to be picked up--free of charge--from our extensive literature displays. Have questions or need a local's perspective? Our helpful and knowledgeable staff are true experts on the area, and will gladly share their insight with you.
Reviewed By offdagolf7
We are two couples, aged 79 to 82 who have been to Palm Desert for the past 15 years on golf vactions. We are usually there in mid to late Sept and play golf daily. As we have gotten a little older, 18 holes of golf in the mid day heat is more and more difficult but efforts to book 9 holes instead or 18 is nearly impossible. At that time of year there are very few golfers on the course mid day thru early afternoon and drops to almost no one in the late afternoon heat. A nine hole o[pton would result in higher food and beverage sales after the 9 holes.
6. Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains rise from the desert floor, reaching an elevation of 10,834 feet at the summit of Mount San Jacinto. Providing a picturesque backdrop to local communities, the National Monument contributes to the Coachella Valley's lure as a popular resort and retirement community. It is also a desirable backcountry destination that can be accessed via trails from both the valley floor and the alpine village of Idyllwild. The Monument was created on October 24, 2000 and is a cooperative effort of the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, state agencies and local governments. The Visitor Center has exhibits on desert wildlife and cultural history, provides information on the Monument hiking trails and vistas. The Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteers operate a gift shop and bookstore at the Visitor Center and also offer hikes, lectures, and host classroom programs and projects.
Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument,California, is a beautiful mountain range full of green pinyon,redwood and pinyon trees.Lots of wild life,a great modern mountain road,stops on the way for food and gas.Start at the visitors center in Palm Desert and take about a one hour scenic drive to the mountain resort town of Idylwild and return or continue on the loop to Banning and the I-10 freeway-head east to return to Palm Desert. Along the way is Lake Hemet and Hurkey Creek Lake for a nice stop over.Needless to say theres plenty of photo ops along the way! . . . #santarosaandsanjacintonationalmonument #santarosa #sanjacinto #highway246 #highway74 #highway243 #mountainroads #californiadeserts #palmdesert #idylwild #photography #bringyourcamera #takesomepictures
7. Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By Jan154982 - Oakville, Canada
The Palm Desert Aqua Centre has a huge heated Olympic size pool. They offer boot camp deep water aqua-fitness classes 3 times a week: Monday, Wednesday & Friday. It’s a great way to keep fit when you’re living here or visiting the Coachella Valley. The Aqua-Fitness instructor Karen Creasey is terrific. She’s the best of the best!
8. Desert Tasty Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Taste your way through Palm Desert's upscale shopping and art district or catch the downtown vibe of Palm Springs while enjoying an entertaining, cultural, educational journey. You'll walk away with a new-found culinary perspective, a satisfied stomach and a local's knowledge of this beautiful destination. This 3 hour walking tour covers 1 mile at a leisurely stroll. Whether you are a visitor or a local, our food tour is a fun, casual way to sample the sights, sounds and flavors of Palm Desert and Palm Springs, CA.
9. Bump and Grind Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
Reviewed By Dandlightman
If you are looking for more of a challenging hike - at the entrance to the trail, take it to the left and it will loop you around. Pretty hard to get lost... If you happen to be sipping on a Starbucks while wearing lulu lemon, starting the trail to the right is likely the best fit for you. ???? Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, Dec-March you are likely to see some big horn sheep - while March-May you may see Chuckwallas (Big scary looking lizards).
10. Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 388 reviews
This scenic driving tour climbs from the desert through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, before descending again to the desert. The route passes through a series of areas preserved for animal habitat, ranging from desert oasis to snow-capped mountains, and parts of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and San Bernardino National Forest. Drivers can pull off the winding and often steep road at a number of pulloffs or lookout points, each with habitat ranging from forested mountainsides with pine, oak and fir, to a reservoir, to arid brush- and cactus-covered stretches -- not to mention sweeping views of mountains and valleys.
Reviewed By W6633PYpauls - Costa Mesa, United States
We'd not had time to do this drive in the past so over Labor Day, 2020, we added this to the list. I'm glad we did! If you're into sightseeing and beautiful drives (vs. just going to destinations), this is a good quick trip. It's a slow winding two-lane highway taking you from the "desert floor" into the mountains. There are turn outs along the way which I would recommend using for photos opportunities. These are the kinds of attractions where the journey is the destination. Don't rush to the "top". Just take your time. Take a picnic lunch along. Get photos. But just enjoy the drive!
