Location: Palm Desert
Top Things to do in Palm Desert
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The 8 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Palm Desert, California (CA)
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. Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,527 reviews
Desert Adventures is the desert's premier eco-tour and outdoor adventure company, offering unique and memorable excursions to the San Andreas Fault and beyond. We are the only adventure company with access to 800+ acres of pristine, private property filled with interactive displays and exhibits to enhance your experience. We also offer numerous group activities, team-building programs, and events. Life is an adventure...Make it a Desert Adventure!
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
A state-of-the-art performing arts center that presents a stunning variety of entertainment and cultural experiences from Broadway productions and opera to classical and rock music.
Reviewed By 305lindar - Altadena, United States
The McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert is a wonderful venue for a wide range of the performing arts with many noted performers. While there is limited handicap seating, it is the one place I opt for because of this special seating. There is free parking in a large lot right next to this beautiful theatre and the staff and ushers are most helpful and friendly. A wide range of concerts and events are offered each year, making this the place to definitely go to for leisure pleasure and enjoyment.
5. 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!
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. San Andreas Fault
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By JimF7988 - Chesterfield, United States
Was expecting this to be a drive by a crack in the ground but it was staggering. Our guide, Craig, showed us an amazing geological tour of the site and was full of factual information. Highly recommend this tour...ask for Craig.
8. The Street Fair at College of the Desert
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 441 reviews
Located on the College of the Desert campus in Palm Desert CA this year round weekend event sponsors over 200 merchants offering a wide variety of unique gifts, gadgets, tools, clothing, outstanding food, original art, housewares, yard/patio furniture and décor and much much more.
Reviewed By dellesol - Cumberland, Canada
My beloved and I went here two Saturdays in a row. There is a lot to see - you have interesting demonstrations of kitchen appliances. You have fresh produce and also nuts and dried fruits. Clothing for men and women (no name brands except the odd golf stuff). It is free. It has a small food court area with a variety of yummy foods. My husband had a chicken gyro and it was HUGE. 9 Dollars for what could feed us both. I had a lovely, freshly prepared crepe with fresh fruit. It was divine. Only $5.50. There are picnic tables to sit and eat. Musicians performing - really nice vibe. You have so much to choose from: pashminas, to kitchen gadgets, to reclaimed golf balls (and if you golf like me - it is awesome to get a deal for a ball you will lose to the wilderness). There is golf clothing, metal art, framed art, jewelry, bbq sauce and strange but interesting items. Of course also, as cannabis is legal here in California, there are many stalls that offer lotions and potions with CBD. Lots to see ... No fee for attending. If you want close parking it is 4 dollars but there is a little trolley to take you to and from drop off points. Also, the bathrooms are on the perimeter and they are clean, clean, clean! Worth the trek to see what is available in the area.
