It’s a bit unfair that the popular and fun-loving Palm Springs gets the most attention from the Coachella Valley. Yes, Palm Springs is nice, but what most visitors don’t realize is that it is only one of nine towns spread across the Valley. There’s of course Indio and the famous Coachella festival, Indian Wells and its tennis tournament, as well as half a dozen other towns—including the delightfully laid-back Palm Desert.
A low-key and luxurious cousin to Palm Springs—but still full of midcentury charm—Palm Desert sits about 12 miles farther southeast (roughly a half-hour drive). The quieter lifestyle has attracted some serious wealth, as witnessed by the number of art galleries along the El Paseo Shopping District as well as the affluent Bighorn Golf Club and neighboring homes. But it’s equally easygoing, with family-friendly activities, restaurants that celebrate California’s bounty of ingredients, and fabulous hiking trails (at least outside of the scorching summer). It is absolutely worth a weekend visit to enjoy all that Palm Desert has to offer—and don’t be surprised if by checkout time, you’re ready to book your next stay.
Here are five places to eat, drink, stay and explore while you’re there.
Mojave Resort
A love letter to retro hotels of decades past, Mojave Resort is tucked into the quiet, residential streets of Palm Desert. A renovated single-story motel, the boutique spot welcomes guests in its 25 rooms (starting at $104 per night) with bright colors and vintage accents, blending midcentury nostalgia with contemporary taste. The service here is sublime; check-in comes with a complimentary drink, mornings include a selection of continental breakfast items left at your door in adorable coolers and each evening, drinks are served around the outdoor firepit as the sun sets. The property is in a prime location, within walking distance to El Paseo shopping district (or you can borrow one of the cruiser bikes available), but it is tempting to lay out by the large pool area and let the afternoon go by.
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Golf courses dot the entire area, but you don’t have to hit the links at an upscale hotel to ensure quality golf. Desert Willow Golf Resort contains two public courses, Firecliff and Mountain View. They are remarkable examples of what municipal courses can look like; well-kept with a great driving range, challenging but still enjoyable at reasonable rates (rounds starting at $52 for 18 holes). It will make any golfer jealous that their local muni doesn’t look like this. As a bonus, swing by the Terrace Restaurant, either after a round or just to take in the views; the patio here is fabulous and the food is far beyond standard golf grill fare.
San Andreas Fault Tour
While most visitors to Southern California have probably heard of the infamous San Andreas Fault, those traversing through Palm Desert may not realize how very close they are to it. In fact, just a few minutes off of the freeway you can actually go walking through the fault. To experience it, hop on a Red Jeep Tour (group tour starting at $186 per person) whose guides will drive you into the fault itself on the private, 800-acre Metate Ranch. The three-hour adventure is a fantastic way to get a historical and geological lesson while also traversing some stunning desert scenery. The tour includes some light hiking and knowledge of both local plants as well as a replica village of the Cahuilla People.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
A point of Palm Desert pride for over 50 years, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is dedicated to showcasing the beauty of deserts from across the world. So while you can go see desert dwellers like giraffes, rhinos and wallabies, you can also explore the five different botanical gardens that represent various geographical landscapes, like East Africa and Madagascar or Mojave and Upper Colorado. The zoo is heavily involved in worldwide conservation efforts and the team has been recognized for their efforts for local and international preservation.
Besides self-guided walks around the zoo and gardens (general adult admission $40), visitors can experience giraffe feeding ($10) or private safari tours (starting at $89 per person); during the hotter months, there are Wild Nights where you can enjoy the zoo after dark, complete with guided walks and trivia games. Close to the holidays, there’s also Wild Lights, another after-dark experience that includes music, light shows and festive cheer.
Chez Pierre
While there are numerous restaurants along the El Paseo shopping district and dotted around Palm Desert, one place worth booking an early reservation at is Chez Pierre. As the evening wears on, the small bar and tables at this sweet and unfussy bistro rapidly fill up with boisterous locals who are in search of perfectly crafted martinis and expertly crafted French cuisine. There’s an emphasis on the authentic here; complimentary bread comes with a side of homemade pate and while there’s the standard escargot and beef bourguignon on the menu, there’s also frog’s legs, beef tongue and sweetbreads, among other traditional French offerings. Difficult as it may be, the dessert selection is worth saving a bit of room for. Plan on budgeting approximately $75 per person for three courses.