Palm Desert is a scenic desert town in the Coachella Valley that has evolved into a vibrant getaway destination.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find hiking trails, off-road adventures, golf courses and more. In addition, visitors can enjoy museums, exhibits, great shopping and dining.
Here are some of the best things to do in Palm Desert and surrounding areas:
Sky High Fun
Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world’s largest rotating tram car travels over 2.5 miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon to the scenic wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The tram cars rotate slowly, offering spectacular views of the valley below. The Mountain Station is at 8,516 feet elevation and has two restaurants, observation decks, a natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop, and over 50 miles of hiking trails to explore.
Note: We recommend wearing layers, as it can be 20-30 degrees cooler at the top.
Go Wild
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers a unique zoo and botanical garden experience that specializes in the deserts of the world. Their mission is to conserve deserts through preservation, education and appreciation.
There are over 450 incredible animals to observe in geographic replicas from Africa to North America. Feed a giraffe, interact with goats, watch cheetahs run, wallabies hop, rhinos roam, explore nature trails, and so much more.
Hike the Trails
The Bump-n-Grind Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Coachella Valley. The 4-mile moderate loop start out narrow, and widens as you climb 1,000 feet to an overlook with stunning views of Palm Desert and the valley. A number of endangered wildlife species inhabit the area, so keep an eye out during your hike.
Make a Splash
Escape the heat at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. This eight-acre facility features three pools, multiple slides, diving boards, and play features for water lovers of all ages.
Family Fun
The whole family will love a visit to Boomers. Enjoy hours of fun with miniature golf courses, bumper boats, batting cages, go-karts, a rock wall, and a state-of-the art game room containing over 100 video games.
Take a Stroll
Downtown Palm Springs is a walkable area with numerous restaurants, shops, and attractions to enjoy. Explore the Walk of Stars, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs Air Museum, sculpture gardens, and more. There is also a weekly night market, VillageFest, with a variety of stalls featuring art, gourmet foods, crafts, and music.
Explore Indian Canyons
Visit Palm, Murray and Andreas Canyons, the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. For a fun family outing, stop by the Tahquitz Visitor Center to see cultural exhibits and get information about the area before heading to the Tahquitz Canyon where there’s a 60-foot waterfall and rock art.
Go Shopping on El Paseo
This luxury retail district is lined with iconic palm trees and boasts name-brand boutiques, great restaurants, public art exhibits, and more.
Playtime at the Park
Civic Center Park offers everything you need for a relaxing or active day at the park. Enjoy an open grassy area, a playground, several picnic areas, a dog park, walking trails, a rose garden, public art exhibits, and an amphitheater where many events and concerts take place throughout the year. Baseball fields, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts are also on-site.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Enjoy a unique and exciting way to view the stunning landscapes of the desert with a hot air balloon ride. Balloons Above has been flying visitors high up above the city and surrounding Coachella Valley in hot air balloons for over 40 years. Sunset flights are also available.
Hit the Links
Desert Willow Golf Resort is a high-end daily fee golf course with two top courses to choose from.
The Firecliff Course features a range of hazards and water features that are sure to keep your game interesting and challenging, while the Mountain View Course offers a more laid-back course with a few challenges along the way.
Desert Adventures
Climb aboard an open-air jeep for an engaging, educational, and exhilarating journey that captures the essence of the California desert with a highly-trained tour guide. Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours offers several tours including San Andreas Fault “Bones of the Earth” Jeep Tour, San Andreas Fault “Movers and Shakers” Jeep Tour, Indian Canyons “Ancient Footprints” Walking Tour by Jeep, Painted Canyon Jeep Tour, and the Joshua Tree National Park Tour with Lunch.
Hit the Jackpot
The Coachella Valley offers a diverse selection of casinos, ranging from a tiny locals’ favorite to a Vegas-style resort complex. Depending on what you are looking for, try your luck at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, Augustine Casino, Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, or Spotlight 29 Casino.
Book Your Desert Getaway with Us
Fairway Vacation Rentals by Meredith offers a lovely collection of vacation rentals in the beautiful resort communities of Palm Desert, La Quinta and Rancho Mirage. We can’t wait to share the everything the desert has to offer with you!
