Things to do in Palm Desert, California (CA): The Best Sights & Landmarks

March 11, 2022 Moriah Teneyck

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 Holocaust Memorial

Civic Center Park, Fred Waring Dr & San Pascual Ave, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260
Excellent
81%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 77 reviews

Desert Holocaust Memorial

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."

2. Coachella Valley Vista Point

Pines to Palms Hwy, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/null/recarea/?recid=74124&actid=105
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 65 reviews

Coachella Valley Vista Point

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.

3. Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church & Academy

47-321 Ca-74, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260 +1 760-346-8195 [email protected] http://www.pdpresby.org/
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church & Academy

Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada

This is a lovely church. The church is white. They have a lot of flowers and Palm trees. There is a lot of parking places. There are shrubs as well. On Sunday it opens at 8:30 and 10:00 Worthwhile to see!

4. Temple Sinai

73297 Hovley Ln W, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-0319 +1 760-568-9699 http://www.templesinaipd.org/
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Temple Sinai

Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada

The Temple Sinai is done with the Jews. There were parking and Lots of rocks. There were lots of flowers. Thy have a Rose Garden There are palm trees as well. There are palm trees. They teach here with kids and adults. Worthwhile to see!

5. Palms to Pines Scenic Byway

Highway 74, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260 +1 760-833-7100 [email protected] https://www.blm.gov/visit/palms-pines-scenic-byway
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 388 reviews

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway

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!

6. Sacred Heart Church

43775 Deep Canyon Rd, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-3164 +1 760-346-6502 http://www.sacredheartpalmdesert.com/
Excellent
78%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Sacred Heart Church

Reviewed By 78michaelv - Saint Louis, United States

Beautiful Church for celebrating Mass ----- Concise Review It’s good to celebrate Mass each Sunday. 6:30/6:45 Mass at Sacred Heart has an added sunrise bonus. Inspiring homily - thank you, Monsignor! ----- Longer Review We visited Southern California - Palm Desert, Yucaipa, and Malibu - for Spring Break 2021. We celebrated the 6:45am Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart. Many churches built since the 1960s or so are built with a more open architecture, often with a more open nave (the main part of the church). Historically Catholic Churches were in the shape of Jesus’ Cross, with the altar to the west and the front doors opening to the east, to let in the first light of the sun. Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a more classical Cruciform-shaped (Cross-shaped) but with a North-South in orientation. The west arm of the Cross has a clear window at the top with Jesus’ Crucifix in the window, and the San Jacinto mountains far in the background... Jesus on the Cross before us, in front of His Creation. The other arm of the Cross points east, also with clear windows. At one point during Mass, I briefly looked back and saw a most beautiful sight... the sunrise shining through the outside palm trees, shining straight through the windows and onto us... the beauty of God’s Creation! This is what the early church builders surely looked to create with their east-facing front doors... such a lovely sight! Monsignor’s homily: For God so loved the world that he sent his only son, Jesus, to save the world Faith and works are needed together... the works help get us closer to heaven Thank you, Monsignor Lincoln, for your homily and hospitality. We’ll see you next trip! ----- ----- -----

7. Family Golf Center of Palm Desert

73450 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-2869 +1 760-341-0994
Excellent
14%
Good
71%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 7 reviews

Family Golf Center of Palm Desert

8. Studio 55

Not AN Attraction--It's a Business Suite E, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260 +1 760-565-8267 [email protected] http://Studio55elpaseo.com
Excellent
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

Artist and gallery owner Joe Graziano is self-taught and was born in 1955 hence the name Studio 55. Joe opened the gallery in order to create an environment where the artist can interact and exchange energy with gallery visitors. It was his love of modern, contemporary and abstract art that ignited his passion to create. The art spoke to him in language that he understood. Joe incorporates colors

9. Henderson Community Center

Highway 111, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

10. Temple Sinai

73251 Hovley Ln W, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-0319 +1 760-568-9699 http://www.templesinaipd.org/
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada

They have preschool and childcare. The people an learn about the temple and also about how Jews about Sinai. There are nice flowers and palm trees.

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