Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Park (National/State/Provincial)One of the richest living natural-history museums in the nation, this state park is a vast, nearly uninhabited wilderness where you can step...
One of the richest living natural-history museums in the nation, this state park is a vast, nearly uninhabited wilderness where you can step through a field of wildflowers, cool off in a palm-shaded oasis, count zillions of stars in the black night sky, and listen to coyotes howl at dusk. The landscape, largely undisturbed by humans, reveals a rich natural history. There's evidence of a vast inland sea in the piles of oyster beds near Split Mountain and of the power of natural forces such as earthquakes and flash floods. In addition, recent scientific work has confirmed that the Borrego Badlands, with more than 6,000 meters of exposed fossil-bearing sediments, is likely the richest such deposit in North America, telling the story of 7 million years of climate change, upheaval, and prehistoric animals. Evidence has been unearthed of saber-toothed cats, flamingos, zebras, and the largest flying bird in the northern hemisphere beneath the now-parched sand. Today the desert's most treasured inhabitants are the herds of elusive and endangered native bighorn sheep, or borrego, for which the park is named. Among the strange desert plants you may observe are the gnarly elephant trees. As these are endangered, rangers don't encourage visitors to seek out the secluded grove at Fish Creek, but there are a few examples at the visitor center garden. After a wet winter you can see a short-lived but stunning display of cacti, succulents, and desert wildflowers in bloom. The park is unusually accessible to visitors. Admission to the park is free, and few areas are off-limits. There are two developed campgrounds, but you can camp anywhere; just follow the trails and pitch a tent wherever you like. There are more than 500 miles of dirt roads, two huge wilderness areas, and 110 miles of riding and hiking trails. Many sites can be seen from paved roads, but some require driving on dirt roads, for which rangers recommend you use a four-wheel-drive vehicle. When you do leave the pavement, carry the appropriate supplies: a cell phone (which may be unreliable in some areas), a shovel and other tools, flares, blankets, and plenty of water. The canyons are susceptible to flash flooding, so inquire about weather conditions (even on sunny days) before entering. Borrego resorts, restaurants, and the state park have Wi-Fi, but the service is spotty at best. If you need to talk to someone in the area, it's best to find a phone with a landline. Stop by the visitor center to get oriented, to pick up a park map, and to learn about weather, road, and wildlife conditions. Designed to keep cool during the desert's blazing-hot summers, the center is built underground, beneath a demonstration desert garden containing examples of most of the native flora and a little pupfish pond. Displays inside the center illustrate the natural history of the area. Picnic tables are scattered throughout, making this a good place to linger and enjoy the view. The sites and hikes listed below are arranged by region of the park and distance from the visitor center: in the valley and hills surrounding Borrego Springs, near Tamarisk Campground, along Highway S2, south of Scissors Crossing, and south of Ocotillo Wells.A 1½-mile trail leads to Borrego Palm Canyon, one of the few native palm groves in North America. The canyon, about 1 mile west of the visitor center, holds a grove of more than 1,000 native fan palms, a stream, and a waterfall. Wildlife is abundant along this route. This moderate hike is the most popular in the park. With a year-round stream and lush plant life, Coyote Canyon, approximately 4½ miles north of Borrego Springs, is one of the best places to see and photograph spring wildflowers. Portions of the canyon road follow a section of the old Anza Trail. This area is closed between June 15 and September 15 to allow native bighorn sheep undisturbed use of the water. The dirt road that gives access to the canyon may be sandy enough to require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The late-afternoon vista of the Borrego badlands from Font's Point, 13 miles east of Borrego Springs, is one of the most breathtaking views in the desert, especially when the setting sun casts a golden glow in high relief on the eroded mountain slopes. The road from the Font's Point turnoff can be rough enough to make using a four-wheel-drive vehicle advisable; inquire about road conditions at the visitor center before starting out. Even if you can't make it out on the paved road, you can see some of the view from the highway. East of Tamarisk Grove campground (13 miles south of Borrego Springs), the Narrows Earth Trail is a short walk off the road. Along the way you can see evidence of the many geologic processes involved in forming the canyons of the desert, such as a contact zone between two earthquake faults, and sedimentary layers of metamorphic and igneous rock. The 1.6-mile round-trip Yaqui Well Nature Trail takes you along a path to a desert water hole where birds and wildlife are abundant. It's also a good place to look for wildflowers in spring. At the trailhead across from Tamarisk Campground you can pick up a brochure describing what can be seen along the trail. Traversing a boulder-strewn trail is the easy, mostly flat Pictograph/Smuggler's Canyon Trail. At the end is a collection of rocks covered with muted red and yellow pictographs painted within the last hundred years or so by Native Americans. Walk about ½ mile beyond the pictures to reach Smuggler's Canyon, where an overlook provides views of the Vallecito Valley. The hike, from 2 to 3 miles round-trip, begins in Blair Valley, 6 miles southeast of Highway 78, off Highway S2, at the Scissors Crossing intersection. Just a few steps off the paved road, Carrizo Badlands Overlook offers a view of eroded and twisted sedimentary rock that obscures the fossils of the mastodons, saber-tooths, zebras, and camels that roamed this region a million years ago. The route to the overlook through Earthquake Valley and Blair Valley parallels the Southern Emigrant Trail. It's off Highway S2, 40 miles south of Scissors Crossing. Geology students from all over the world visit the Fish Creek area of Anza-Borrego to explore the canyon through Split Mountain. The narrow gorge with 600-foot walls was formed by an ancient stream. Fossils in this area indicate that a sea once covered the desert floor. From Highway 78 at Ocotillo Wells, take Split Mountain Road south 9 miles.
View Tours and ActivitiesVisitor Center, 200 Palm Canyon Dr., Hwy. S22, Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA760-767–4205Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; day-use parking in campground areas $10, Make a campground reservation at: reservecalifornia.com -
2. El Paseo
Pedestrian MallWest of and parallel to Highway 111, this mile-long, Mediterranean-style shopper's paradise is lined with fountains, courtyards, and upscale...
West of and parallel to Highway 111, this mile-long, Mediterranean-style shopper's paradise is lined with fountains, courtyards, and upscale boutiques. You'll find shoe salons, jewelry stores, and children's shops, as well as two dozen restaurants and nearly as many art galleries. The strip is a pleasant place to stroll, window-shop, people-watch, and exercise your credit cards. In winter and spring, a free, bright-yellow shuttle ferries shoppers from store to store and back to their cars.
Between Monterey and Portola Aves., Palm Desert, California, 92260, USA877-735–7273 -
3. Galleta Meadows
Public ArtAt Galleta Meadows, camels, llamas, saber-toothed tigers, tortoises, and monumental gomphotherium (a sort of ancient elephant) appear to roam...
At Galleta Meadows, camels, llamas, saber-toothed tigers, tortoises, and monumental gomphotherium (a sort of ancient elephant) appear to roam the earth again. These life-size bronze figures are of prehistoric animals whose fossils can be found in the Borrego Badlands. The collection of more than 130 sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda was commissioned by the late Dennis Avery, who installed the works of art on property he owned for the entertainment of locals and visitors. Maps are available from Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Borrego Springs Rd., from Christmas Circle to Henderson Canyon, Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA760-767–5555Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
4. Indian Canyons
CanyonThe Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente, part of the Cahuilla people. You can see remnants of their ancient life, including...
The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente, part of the Cahuilla people. You can see remnants of their ancient life, including rock art, house pits and foundations, irrigation ditches, bedrock mortars, pictographs, and stone houses and shelters atop cliff walls. Short easy walks through the canyons reveal palm oases, waterfalls, and, in spring, wildflowers. Tree-shaded picnic areas are abundant. The attraction includes three canyons open for touring: Palm Canyon, noted for its stand of Washingtonia palms; Murray Canyon, home of Peninsula bighorn sheep; and Andreas Canyon, where a stand of fan palms contrasts with sharp rock formations. Ranger-led hikes to Palm and Andreas canyons are offered Friday–Sunday for an additional charge (no dogs allowed). The trading post at the entrance to Palm Canyon has hiking maps and refreshments, as well as Native American art, jewelry, and weaving.
38520 S. Palm Canyon Dr., south of Acanto Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-323–6018Sight Details
Rate Includes: $9, ranger hikes $3, Closed Mon.–Thurs. July–Sept. -
5. Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Art
Arts/Performance VenueThis vast, 10-acre art installation full of “assemblage art” on a sandy tract of land in the town of Joshua Tree honors the work of artist Noah...
This vast, 10-acre art installation full of “assemblage art” on a sandy tract of land in the town of Joshua Tree honors the work of artist Noah Purifoy. The sculptures blend with the spare desert in an almost postapocalyptic way. Purifoy lived most of his life in this desert until his death is 2004. He used found materials to make commentary on social issues. His art has been showcased at LACMA, J. Paul Getty Museum, MOCA, and many more.
63030 Blair La., Joshua Tree, California, 92252, USA(213)-382-7516Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closes at sunset -
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6. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
ViewpointA trip on the tramway provides a 360-degree view of the desert through the picture windows of rotating cars. The 2½-mile ascent through Chino...
A trip on the tramway provides a 360-degree view of the desert through the picture windows of rotating cars. The 2½-mile ascent through Chino Canyon, the steepest vertical cable ride in the United States, brings you to an elevation of 8,516 feet in less than 20 minutes. On clear days, which are common, the view stretches 75 miles—from the peak of Mt. San Gorgonio in the north to the Salton Sea in the southeast. Stepping out into the snow at the summit is a winter treat. At the top, a bit below the summit of Mt. San Jacinto, are several diversions. Mountain Station has an observation deck, two restaurants, a cocktail lounge, apparel and gift shops, picnic facilities, a small wildlife exhibit, and a theater that screens movies on the history of the tramway and the adjacent Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. Take advantage of free guided and self-guided nature walks through the state park, or if there's snow on the ground, rent skis, snowshoes, or snow tubes. The tramway generally closes for maintenance in mid-September. Ride-and-dine packages are available in late afternoon. The tram is a popular attraction; to avoid a two-hour or longer wait, arrive before the first car leaves in the morning.
View Tours and Activities1 Tramway Rd., off N. Palm Canyon Dr. (Hwy. 111), Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA888-515–8726Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $27, Closed 2 wks in Sept. for maintenance -
7. Palm Springs Air Museum
Museum/GalleryThis museum's impressive collection of World War II, Vietnam, and Korea aircraft includes a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, a Bell P-63 King Cobra...
This museum's impressive collection of World War II, Vietnam, and Korea aircraft includes a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, a Bell P-63 King Cobra, and a Grumman TBF Avenger. Among the cool exhibits are model warships, a Pearl Harbor diorama, and a Mohawk into which kids can crawl. Photos, artifacts, memorabilia, and uniforms are also on display; educational programs take place on Saturday; and flight demonstrations are scheduled regularly. Rides in vintage warbirds are also available, including a T-28 Trojan, PT-17 Stearman, T-33 Shooting Star Jet, and P-51D Mustang.
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-778–6262Sight Details
Rate Includes: $19 -
8. Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Historic HomeThe stunning, 25,000-square-foot winter home and retreat of the late Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg and his wife, Leonore, opened to the public...
The stunning, 25,000-square-foot winter home and retreat of the late Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg and his wife, Leonore, opened to the public in 2012. You can spend a whole day enjoying the 15 glorious acres of gardens, and there are guided walks, landscape tours, classes, and other programs. The history made here is as captivating as the surroundings, given that eight U.S. presidents—from Dwight Eisenhower to Barack Obama—and their First Ladies have visited Sunnylands. Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also relaxed here, as did Princess Grace of Monaco and Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu. Photos, art, letters, journals, and mementos provide insight.
37–977 Bob Hope Dr., south of Gerald Ford Dr., Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, USA760-202–2222Sight Details
Rate Includes: Historic walking tour $25; guided bird tour $39; open-air shuttle tour of grounds, $125 per shuttle (up to 6 persons); visitor center and gardens free, Closed Mon. and Tues. Closed June–mid-Sept. and during retreats -
9. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Zoo/AquariumCome eye-to-eye with wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, cheetahs, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, warthogs, and owls at the Living Desert, which...
Come eye-to-eye with wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, cheetahs, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, warthogs, and owls at the Living Desert, which showcases the flora and fauna of the world's arid landscapes. Easy to challenging scenic trails traverse terrain populated with plants of the Mojave, Colorado, and Sonoran deserts. In the 3-acre African WaTuTu village you'll find a traditional marketplace, as well as camels, leopards, hyenas, and other African animals. Children can pet domesticated African creatures, including Nigerian dwarf goats, in a "petting kraal." Gecko Gulch is a playground with crawl-through underground tunnels, climb-on snake sculptures, a carousel, and a Discovery Center that holds ancient Pleistocene animal bones. Wallabies, emus, and kookaburras interact with visitors in the immersive Australian Adventures experience, and a cool model train travels through miniatures of historic California towns. Time your visit to begin in the early morning to beat the heat and feed the giraffes.
47900 Portola Ave., south from Hwy. 111, Palm Desert, California, 92260, USA760-346–5694Sight Details
Rate Includes: $25 -
10. 29 Palms Art Gallery
Museum/GalleryThis gallery features work by local painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers inspired by the desert landscape. If you find yourself inspired...
This gallery features work by local painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers inspired by the desert landscape. If you find yourself inspired as well, sign up for one of the day-long art workshops.
74055 Cottonwood Dr., Twentynine Palms, California, 92277, USA760-367–7819Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. Also closed Thurs. in summer -
11. Backstreet Art District
Museum/GalleryGalleries and live–work studios just off East Canyon Drive showcase the works of a number of highly acclaimed artists. Painter and ceramicist...
Galleries and live–work studios just off East Canyon Drive showcase the works of a number of highly acclaimed artists. Painter and ceramicist Linda Maxson, innovative digital photographer Taylor Mickle, and new and emerging artists at Galleria Marconi are among the stars here. On the first Wednesday evening of the month, the galleries are open from 5 to 8.
2600 S. Cherokee Way, Palm Springs, California, 92264, USASight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Most galleries closed Mon. and Tues. -
12. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeOnce a Native American village and later a cattle ranch, this preserve is a serene oasis around a natural spring generated by snowmelt from...
Once a Native American village and later a cattle ranch, this preserve is a serene oasis around a natural spring generated by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. Big Morongo attracts all manner of birds and animals to riparian woodland filled with cottonwoods and willows. You may spot great horned owls and Vermilion Flycatchers, and are likely to see many songbirds here any time of the year.
East Dr., Morongo Valley, California, 92256, USA760-363–7190Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, No pets permitted -
13. Boomers Palm Springs
Amusement Park/Water ParkAt this mini–theme park you can play minigolf, drive bumper boats, climb a rock wall, drive a go-kart, swing in the batting cages, test your...
At this mini–theme park you can play minigolf, drive bumper boats, climb a rock wall, drive a go-kart, swing in the batting cages, test your skills in an arcade, and play video games.
67–700 E. Palm Canyon Dr., at Cree Rd., Cathedral City, California, 92234, USA760-770–7522Sight Details
Rate Includes: Passes from $15 -
14. Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Museum/GalleryCabot Yerxa, the man who found the spring that made Desert Hot Springs famous, built a quirky, four-story, 35-room pueblo between 1939 and his...
Cabot Yerxa, the man who found the spring that made Desert Hot Springs famous, built a quirky, four-story, 35-room pueblo between 1939 and his death in 1965. Now a museum run by the city, the Hopi-inspired adobe structure is filled with memorabilia of Yerxa's time as a homesteader; his encounters with Hollywood celebrities at the nearby Bar-H Ranch; his expedition to the Alaskan gold rush; and many other events. The home, much of it crafted out of materials Yerxa recycled from the desert, can only be seen on hour-long tours. Outside, walk the grounds to a lookout with amazing desert views.
67–616 E. Desert View Ave., at Eliseo Rd., Desert Hot Springs, California, 92240, USA760-329–7610Sight Details
Rate Includes: Grounds-only ticket $5, pueblo-tour ticket $13, Closed Sun.–Wed., Tours every ½-hr 9–11:30 and 1:30–2:30 -
15. Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
Museum/GalleryThis museum features more than 80 hands-on exhibits, including a miniature rock-climbing area, a magnetic sculpture wall, make-it-and-take-it...
This museum features more than 80 hands-on exhibits, including a miniature rock-climbing area, a magnetic sculpture wall, make-it-and-take-it-apart projects, a rope maze, and an area for toddlers. Kids can make music on oversize drums, chimes, and a metallophone, work as chefs in the museum's pizza parlor, assemble their own cars on a racetrack, and build pies out of arts and crafts supplies.
71–701 Gerald Ford Dr., at Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, USA760-321–0602Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Mon. Sept.–mid-Nov. -
16. Coachella Valley History Museum
Museum/GalleryLearn about dates at this museum inside a former farmhouse. The exhibits here provide an intriguing glimpse into irrigation, harvesting, and...
Learn about dates at this museum inside a former farmhouse. The exhibits here provide an intriguing glimpse into irrigation, harvesting, and other farming practices; a time line and other displays chronicle how the agriculture industry emerged in the desert a century ago.
82616 Miles Ave., Indio, California, 92201, USA760-342–6651Sight Details
Rate Includes: $8, Closed Tues. and Wed. Closed Sun.–Thurs. June–Sept. -
17. Coachella Valley Preserve
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeFor a glimpse of how the desert appeared before development, head northeast from Palm Springs to this preserve. It has a system of sand dunes...
For a glimpse of how the desert appeared before development, head northeast from Palm Springs to this preserve. It has a system of sand dunes and several palm oases that were formed because the San Andreas Fault lines here allow water flowing underground to rise to the surface. A mile-long walk along Thousand Palms Oasis reveals pools supporting the tiny endangered desert pupfish and more than 183 bird species. Families like the relatively flat trail that is mostly shaded. The preserve has a visitor center, nature and equestrian trails, restrooms, and picnic facilities. Guided hikes are offered October–March. Be aware that it's exceptionally hot in summer here.
29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd., Thousand Palms, California, 92276, USA760-343–2733Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Visitor center closed May–Sept. Parking lot and hiking closed Aug. -
18. Elvis's Honeymoon Hideaway
Historic HomeThe hideaway of the King of rock ’n’ roll and his young bride, Priscilla, during their first year of marriage, this house perches on a hilltop...
The hideaway of the King of rock ’n’ roll and his young bride, Priscilla, during their first year of marriage, this house perches on a hilltop abutting the San Jacinto Mountains. A stunning example of local mid-century modern architecture, it is rich in Elvis lore, photos, and furnishings. Docents describe the fabulous parties that took place here, attended by celebrities and local legends. Built in 1962 by Robert Alexander, one of Palm Spring's largest developers, the house consists of four perfect circles, each set on a different level. At the time, Look magazine described the structure as the "house of tomorrow," and indeed many of its features are standard in the homes of today.
1350 Ladera Circle, Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-322–1192Sight Details
Rate Includes: $30 weekdays, $35 weekends and holidays, $30 -
19. Faye Sarkowski Sculpture Garden
Museum/GalleryThis 4-acre desert garden at the west entrance to El Paseo holds 14 cutting-edge works by contemporary sculptors, including Donald Judd, Betty...
This 4-acre desert garden at the west entrance to El Paseo holds 14 cutting-edge works by contemporary sculptors, including Donald Judd, Betty Gold, Yehiel Shemi, Felipe Castañeda, Jesús Bautista Moroles, Dan Namingha, Giò Pomodoro, and Dave McGary.
72–567 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert, California, 92260, USA760-346–5600Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
20. Hi-Desert Nature Museum
Museum/GalleryNatural and cultural history of the Morongo Basis and High Desert are the focus here. A small live-animal display includes scorpions, snakes...
Natural and cultural history of the Morongo Basis and High Desert are the focus here. A small live-animal display includes scorpions, snakes, lizards, and small mammals. You'll also find gems and minerals, fossils from the Paleozoic era, taxidermy, and Native American artifacts. There's also a children's area and art exhibits.
Yucca Valley Community Center, 57090 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley, California, 92284, USA760-369–7212Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun.–Tues.
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