Places to Explore

• Borrego Springs

  The permanent population of Borrego Springs, set squarely in the middle of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, hovers around 2,500. Long a quiet town, it's emerging as a laid-back destination for desert lovers... (more)

• Cathedral City

  One of the fastest-growing communities in the desert, Cathedral City is more residential than tourist-oriented. However, the city has a number of good restaurants and entertainment venues with moderate... (more)

• Desert Hot Springs

  Desert Hot Springs' famous hot mineral waters, thought by some to have curative powers, bubble up at temperatures of 90°F to 148°F and flow into the wells of more than 40 hotel spas.... (more)

• Indian Wells

  For the most part a quiet residential community, Indian Wells is the site of golf and tennis tournaments throughout the year, including the BNP Paribus Open tennis tournament. The city has three hotels... (more)

• Indio

  Indio is the home of the date shake, which is exactly what it sounds like: a delicious, extremely thick milk shake made with dates. The city and surrounding countryside generate 95% of the dates grown... (more)

• La Quinta

  The desert became a Hollywood hideout in the 1920s, when La Quinta Hotel (now La Quinta Resort) opened, introducing the Coachella Valley's first golf course. Old Town La Quinta is a popular attraction... (more)

• Palm Desert

  Palm Desert is a thriving retail and business community, with some of the desert's most popular restaurants, private and public golf courses, and premium shopping.... (more)

• Palm Springs

  A tourist destination since the late 19th century, Palm Springs had already caught Hollywood's eye by the time of the Great Depression. It was an ideal hideaway: Celebrities could slip into town, play... (more)

• Rancho Mirage

  Much of the scenery in exclusive Rancho Mirage is concealed behind the walls of gated communities and country clubs. The rich and famous live in estates and patronize elegant resorts and expensive restaurants... (more)

• Salton Sea

  The Salton Sea, one of the largest inland seas on Earth, is the product of both natural and artificial forces. The sea occupies the Salton Basin, a remnant of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla. Over the centuries... (more)

• Twentynine Palms

  The main gateway town to Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms is also the location of the U.S. Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Center. You can find services, supplies, and limited lodgings... (more)

• Yucca Valley

  One of the fastest-growing cities in the high desert, Yucca Valley is emerging as a bedroom community for people who work as far away as Ontario, 85 mi to the west. In this sprawling suburb you can shop... (more)