What to do and see in Palm Desert, California (CA): The Best Tours

May 20, 2022 Ying Subia

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. Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Desert

100 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Explore the lush palm oases of the Indian Canyons on this morning or afternoon 3-hour eco-tour from Palm Springs. Learn about the rich history and culture of the Cahuilla Indians as you ride a jeep their ancestral homelands with your knowledgeable guide. Take an easy 1-mile guided walk up Andreas Canyon for captivating views and see a stunning palm oasis from the rim of Palm Canyon. This small-group open-air outdoor adventure is limited to seven people per Jeep for a more relaxed, intimate experience.

Inclusions: Admission Fees, Granola Snack, Naturalist guided Jeep tour, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drink (unless otherwise specified), Gratuities

Reviewed By SicilianSliceNYC

Wonderful! A private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. A real treat and would definitely do this again!

2. Indian Canyons Bike and Hike Small Group Tour from Palm Springs

1590 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA Big Wheel Tours
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5.0 based on 33 reviews

A guided bicycle tour to the culturally significant and majestically scenic Indian Canyons in South Palm Springs. Age limit is 12 years old.

Inclusions: Local taxes, Bottled water, Snacks, Professional guide, Use of bicycle, Use of helmet, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Navigate293017

The whole thing! So fascinating to see the difference in faults. Amazing formations throughout the trip. Ben was very knowledgeable about everything we asked him

3. Half-Day Small Group Joshua Tree National Park Jeep Tour

Morton's The Steakhouse, 74-880 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA Big Wheel Tours
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4.9 based on 85 reviews

Explore a remote national park less than an hour's drive from the lush resorts of greater Palm Springs. Wonder at the otherworldly plants and rock formations in a unique, and wild desert setting. THIS IS A RUGGED, JEEP ONLY TRAIL. For those wanting a smoother experience and to see more of the park highlights please consider our Joshua Tree Driving/Van Tour. We don't recommend it for anyone with any back injuries, with any neck injuries, anyone that is pregnant or gets car sick easily. Age limit is 6 years old.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Bottled water, Snacks, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Navigate293017

The whole thing! So fascinating to see the difference in faults. Amazing formations throughout the trip. Ben was very knowledgeable about everything we asked him

4. Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Small Group Half Day Bike Tour

Morton's The Steakhouse, 74-880 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA Big Wheel Tours
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4.9 based on 105 reviews

A paved road, downhill bicycle tour through a Federally protected Wilderness zone along the San Andreas Fault. Riders will be treated to magnificent vistas of the wide open Colorado Desert, enter a tortured badlands canyon, then finish off with views of the Santa Rosa Mountains and ride through the agricultural fields of the Eastern Coachella Valley. Age limit is 12 years old.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Use of bicycle, Use of helmet

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Navigate293017

The whole thing! So fascinating to see the difference in faults. Amazing formations throughout the trip. Ben was very knowledgeable about everything we asked him

5. San Andreas Fault Small Group Half-Day Jeep Tour

Morton's The Steakhouse, 74-880 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA Big Wheel Tours
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4.9 based on 81 reviews

Small group Jeep/SUV tours of the San Andreas Fault zone.  Colorful canyons and tortured landscape make this tour a memorable once in a lifetime adventure. Also enjoy the area's agriculture, views of the Salton Sea.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Professional guide, Hotel drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By hbomb1947

Joshua Tree is a park of surpassing beauty, but two factors made my Big Wheel Jeep tour of it exceptional. The first is that rather than entering the park through the main western entrance, which probably would have been quite crowded, our ingress was at a remote area in the southern part of the park. To get to that point, and then to continue on inside the park, we had to drive over extremely bumpy roads that most vehicles aren't even capable of handling. The jolty ride (which I found sort of fun anyway) was well worth it. I saw very few other vehicles, and while my guide and I were wandering among the park's namesake trees I saw no other people at all, and the scene was so incredibly quiet. It felt like we had the 790,636-acre national park all to ourselves! That made for a priceless experience. The second great aspect of my tour was my guide, Colin. He was quite knowledgeable about the park and the surrounding area; and he was amiable and interesting to talk to. He was also skillful at taking photos of me that were suitable for becoming a social media profile pic. Also, he tailored the tour to my preferences; for example, he knew that in addition to Joshua trees I wanted to see cholla cacti, and he made sure to point those out at every opportunity and give me chances to photograph them. In addition, Big Wheel was very responsive in communications, and provided excellent customer service, in connection with my tour. Overall, I feel that Big Wheel Tours provided me with the best possible experience for a half-day tour of Joshua Tree National Park. It exceeded my expectations, even though those expectations were quite high going in.

6. San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

Desert Adventures Metate Ranch, 38635 Monroe St, Indio, CA 92203, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
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4.9 based on 229 reviews

Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone. On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth! You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired. This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment. A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.

Inclusions: Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour, Granola snacks, Bottled water, Land Use Fees

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drink (unless otherwise specified)

Reviewed By SicilianSliceNYC

Wonderful! A private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. A real treat and would definitely do this again!

7. Joshua Tree National Park Driving Small Group Half Day Tour

Morton's The Steakhouse, 74-880 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA Big Wheel Tours
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4.8 based on 73 reviews

Just north of Palm Springs lies one of nature's majestic creations, Joshua Tree National Park. In the comfort of an enclosed, climate-controlled vehicle your guide will take you on an extensive tour through the stunning rock formations and otherworldly landscape of the Mojave Desert.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Bottled water, Live commentary on board, Driver/guide, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Navigate293017

The whole thing! So fascinating to see the difference in faults. Amazing formations throughout the trip. Ben was very knowledgeable about everything we asked him

8. Mods & Icons Tour of Palm Springs

275 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA Five Star Adventures Tours
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

• Designated Historic Districts: We will point out many of the different registered, historic neighborhoods surrounding the downtown Palm Springs area. • The Famous Palm Springs Walk Of Stars: We will point out the many inlaid sidewalk stars honoring the international and local celebrities who have made their mark in Palm Springs. • Palm Springs Talked About Landmarks: The Art and Air Museums, the Plaza Theater, the Indian and Tahquitz Canyons, the Aerial Tramway, historic inns, wind farms, the San Andreas Fault Line, and more. • The Historic Indian Canyons: Learn how the Cahuilla Indians lived, survived, and thrived for over 3,000 years.

Inclusions: Award Winning Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Small to large groups, Private tours available

Exclusions: Gratuities, Not responsible for any mentioned properties closed due to events, any season, foreclosures or any acts of God.

Reviewed By carolhJ5822FD

The tour was really fun with a great overview of Palm Springs, the homes of the stars and lots of interesting information. Our guide Annette was very good and had a great sense of humor.

9. The Legends & Icons Tour of Palm Springs

275 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA Five Star Adventures Tours
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4.6 based on 10 reviews

• Designated Historic Districts: We will point out many of the different, historic neighborhoods surrounding the Palm Springs area. • Palm Springs Walk Of Stars: We will point out the many inlaid sidewalk stars honoring the international and local celebrities who have made their mark in Palm Springs. • Talked About Landmarks: The Art and Air Museums, the Plaza Theater, the Indian and Tahquitz Canyons, the Aerial Tramway, historic inns, wind farms, the San Andreas Fault Line. • The Rat Pack Hideaway: Tour the private property of The Rat Pack Hideaway, where Frank, Dino, and Sammy partied and played.*† • Hollywood Movie Location: This private property where the movie "Behind The Candelabra," starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.*† *†Not responsible for any mentioned properties closed due to events, any season, foreclosures or any acts of God.

Inclusions: Award Winning Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Small to large groups, Private tours available, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities, Not responsible for any mentioned properties closed due to events, any season, foreclosures or any acts of God.

Reviewed By ronniesellsreale2021

Me and my wife took this tour, and the guide was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and informative the whole trip. I would highly recommend and on our next trip, we will be using this service again to take another trip.

10. San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Springs

38635 Monroe St, Indio, CA 92203, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone. On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth! You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired. This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment. A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.

Inclusions: Land Use Fees, Granola snacks, Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drink (unless otherwise specified), Gratuities

Reviewed By tnt4au46

Wonderful trip, so informative. Will definitely do others. Our guide Morgan was absolutely amazing!!

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