Location: Palm Desert
Top Things to do in Palm Desert
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What to do and see in Palm Desert, California (CA): The Best Free Things to do
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
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."
2. Heather James Fine Art
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. El Paseo Shopping District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,016 reviews
A unique nine-block shopping district filled with over 200 delightful discoveries... Shops, restaurants, art and more! Experience this mile of adventures by hopping aboard our fun Yellow Courtesy Cart and go from one end to the other, finding treasures every step of the way. Don't miss all the special events like El Paseo Cruise Night (1st & 3rd Fridays, Nov through April), Holiday events and Santa each December, Jazz Concert Series (Jan-Apr), Fashion Week El Paseo (Mid-March), Pam Desert Food & Wine (mid-March) and so much more! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online.
Reviewed By rodr345 - Edmonton, Canada
Best shopping in Palm Desert. Many high end outlets but also many more affordable options. El Paseo is a beautiful street especially at night when the tree lights are on. In addition to great shopping there are also many world class restaurants that are well worth a visit.
5. Tri-A-Bike
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Rent a 10-speed or mountain bike either on a daily or weekly basis.
Reviewed By 114jimf
We had the pleasure of riding a top of the line mountain ebike, I have been avoiding taking one for a ride as I was afraid I would like it. I was right, the staff at Tri-A-Bike were very helpful with setting up the bike and a short lesson on operation. Very easy to operate and settled right in, we rode up hill for many miles effortlessly and then off road into the desert. It was most Excellent, will do it again!
6. CODA Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Contemporary fine art gallery featuring paintings, photography, sculpture and glass
Reviewed By SKAY18 - Montreal, Canada
CODA is always our destination art gallery in Palm Desert-El Paseo. There works of art are very different, and wonderful to see.
7. 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
8. 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.
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!
