When the longing to travel strikes and you’re looking for a place to vacation that’s packed with beauty, sunshine, and history too, a Palm Desert trip is always going to be the right call. Sitting in the endlessly scenic Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a place of unparalleled entertainment for visitors with interests of all types, easy access to a rich arts and culture scene, and wonderful opportunities to explore the great outdoors too. Whether you’re looking for chic and sophisticated days of dining out and shopping, or you can’t wait to find your vacation state of mind on area hiking trails, Palm Desert, California is a place where it’s easy to enjoy the very best of it all!
Natural Wonders are Waiting for You in Palm Desert
Because Palm Desert enjoys warm weather and sunshine year-round, it’s a top destination among those who enjoy spending as much time as possible in the great outdoors. When you’re excited to experience the natural wonders waiting for you within the Coachella Valley, this is a place you’re certainly going to want to find yourself. Palm Desert is surrounded by the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains alike meaning there’s no shortage of options when it comes to finding a hiking trail that fits your skill level and offers up breathtaking views along the way. Afterward, you can reward yourself with pampered time in one of Palm Desert’s delightful upscale spas where a massage might be just the trick to feeling ready for a hike the very next day too. When cravings come calling in Palm Desert, time on El Paseo puts high-end eateries right at your fingertips. This is also where you’ll find fantastic shops to explore ranging from big-name apparel brands to luxury home décor and art galleries.
Palm Desert is also a vacation destination loved by travelers from near and far for its robust arts and culture scene. Places like the world-renowned McCallum Theatre boast great lineups of performances year-round, offering entertainment for travelers of all ages. With over 300 days of sunshine on the annual calendar and a vibe that’s decidedly inviting and friendly, Palm Desert is a place first-time visitors often end up returning to time and again. When you want your next trip to be an exercise in experiencing Palm Desert like a true local, this guide is the place you’re going to want to start.
Know What’s at Your Fingertips When It Comes to Day Trips
Those who decide to call Palm Desert their permanent home often adore this location not only for the activities, Palm Desert attractions, and warm weather within its own boundaries but its easy proximity to other fascinating locales in and around the Coachella Valley. A visit to Palm Desert can easily be combined with day trips to nearby destinations that will expand your experience and insight of the area at every turn. Palm Desert sits just over 14 miles from Palm Springs, 3 miles from Rancho Mirage, 10 miles from La Quinta, and 7 miles from Cathedral City to name a few of many. If you’re looking to hop in your rental car and explore a bit further, you can reach Joshua Tree National Park in 45 minutes, the charming mountain town of Idyllwild within an hour, and the hillside landmark known as Salvation Mountain in an hour and a half. Both San Diego and Los Angeles are about a 2-hour drive from Palm Desert when you’re planning to fly in and drive, or you’re looking to explore even more for a day.
Top Area Activities to Enjoy
Locals love this city for the many Palm Desert activities for adventure and fun it provides year-round, and it won’t take long upon arrival to see why. For those who have a passion for lacing up their hiking boots and hitting the trails, an afternoon exploring the Cross Hike route is a must. Locals love this moderately difficult trek in Palm Desert for the views that can be enjoyed once you reach the cross at the summit. In total, Cross Hike covers just over 2 miles of terrain, but because it’s fairly exposed, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of water packed for the journey. A trek to Tahquitz Canyon is another wonderful route loved by locals and visitors alike in the Palm Desert area. Adults will need to pay a $15 entrance fee to utilize the path, and kids can enjoy the hike for $7 each. It’s open from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm daily and showcases gorgeous waterfalls and places to take a swim. The route is even more meaningful to explore when you realize that it marks land that was sacred to the Cahuilla Indian tribe in the area as well.
When locals are looking for some creative inspiration, you’ll likely find them heading over to the nearby Palm Springs Art Museum. This location hosts a variety of unique events year-round in addition not the contemporary art exhibits and displays to browse and enjoy at your own preferred pace. If you’re more in the mood to set out on a grand adventure in Palm Desert with access to backcountry beauty you might otherwise miss, the team at Red Jeep Tours in Palm Desert is happy to help. With this local company, you can book your spot on a guided Jeep tour that takes you to mesmerizing geological formations in the region. You’ll explore the landscapes of the desert with a knowledgeable guide and have options to pick and choose between tours that focus on time at Painted Canyons, the San Andreas Fault, Indian Canyons, or Joshua Tree as well. Red Jeep Tours has been providing exceptional area tours here since 1988 and remains a fan-favorite option for sightseeing and adventure with good reason.
If you want to expand on adrenaline-pumping fun further during your stay, locals will recommend you reach out to Desert Moto Rentals. This locally owned company offers up access to quality motorcycle rentals with a variety of bikes within their inventory to choose from. Their collection spans street bikes and dual sport models alike with brands like Moto Guzzi, Triumph, BMW, HD, and Royal Enfield all in the lineup of options. While you’re more than welcome to set out independently with a rental in place, it can be a wonderful experience to ride alongside a guide as a part of a tour they offer. Tours can be fully customized to the areas around Palm Desert or Palm Springs that you want to see most, making it a memorable way to enjoy heart-pounding adventures while you’re in town.
Attractions to Check Out During Your Stay
For the Palm Desert-bound traveler who is looking to shop in luxury like a local, there’s no better place to add to your itinerary than a well-deserved afternoon exploring El Paseo. There’s a reason this area of town is referred to frequently as the “Rodeo Drive of Palm Desert,” so above all, come ready to do some serious window shopping or build a shopping extravaganza into your vacation budget from the start. If it’s an open-air shopping experience you’re after, the Palm Springs Strip isn’t ever far away from your Palm Desert stay while Cabazon Outlets has over 100 outlet stores to browse when finding great discounts is what gets you motivated.
Locals know that Palm Desert is an oasis of pampered fun when you’re looking to relax and unwind with a healthy side of luxury included. Some of the top spas to check out in the area when you’re craving a wrap, exfoliating treatment, massage, hot stone therapy, or aromatherapy too include the Agua Caliente Resort & Spa as well as the Miracle Springs Resort & Spa.
For those who are planning to spend time in Palm Desert with the entire family included in the adventure, a day spent at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens promises to be wonderful from start to finish. Here, the result of dedicated wildlife conservation is on full display as you walk through a space that houses more than 150 species hailing from across the globe. You can also take the opportunity to explore desert environments that have been replicated on-site to represent authentic regions from across North America, Africa, and Australia as well. Spanning 1,200 acres and housing miles of hiking trails, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a place where education and engaging moments go hand-in-hand. The facility is involved in nearly 100 conservation projects around the world and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It’s been a staple in the area for more than 50 years and is well worth your while to explore while you’re visiting Palm Desert. If you want to make sure the kids love it all as much as you do, don’t leave without taking time to feed the giraffes!
The Shield’s Date Garden is yet another one-of-a-kind attraction in Palm Desert that is sure to stand out in your mind long after you’ve left this inviting vacation destination behind. Packed with history and flavor alike, the Shield’s Date Garden has been an icon in the area for nearly a century. It’s a place where date culture is showcased at its best whether you’re sipping a date shake at the 1960s-inspired counter, learning about how dates are grown and harvested in the region, or sampling the fare at the on-site café. A trip through the 17-acre date farm tops off your visit and along the way, you’ll be treated to views of over 23 handcrafted statues.
If you value eco-friendly travel and you’re heading to California in an electric vehicle, be sure to book one of our Palm Desert vacation properties with EV outlets!
Delicious Stops Loved by Locals You Won’t Want to Miss
When you’re spending time in Palm Desert and you need to energize for the fun ahead, locals will very likely send you to IW Coffee in town. This inviting and newer establishment has set itself apart with a robust lineup of fun flavors to choose from when even a little caffeine boost might go a long way. If you’re looking for something sweet, don’t miss out on ordering their Almond Joy latte when you drop by. They’re open from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm daily making it an easy addition to even the most packed of itineraries. For a more comprehensive breakfast experience in Palm Desert, both Keedy’s Fountain & Grill as well as Wilma & Frieda’s on El Paseo are known and loved for their delicious morning menu options. At Wilma & Frieda’s you can pair coffee with blackberry custard French toast while Keedy’s is a laid-back place to land and fill up on everything from bacon and eggs to omelets, cinnamon rolls, bagels, pancakes, and much more to start your day on a super tasty note. For dinner, don’t miss out on an elegant meal enjoyed over at Jillian’s at least once. This delightful and elegant steakhouse also serves up seafood selections in abundance and has an impressive wine list to browse that’s often best enjoyed from a place on the charming patio.
Book Your Luxury Retreat Today
Your trip to La Quinta deserves to include elevated standards of luxury, comfort, and exceptional style whether you’re here for a few days or enjoying a sunny and extended stay. When you book your accommodations through TRAVLR, you’ll find it’s easy to live exactly the way you like in Palm Desert while also feeling right at home upon arrival. Reach out today to learn more about our beautiful property options available here and to start turning your travel plans into a reality soon.
