Palm Desert Travel Guide

  Golf Course, Academy, and Museum
by Basaic
 
  • Golf Course, Academy, and Museum
      Golf Course, Academy, and Museum
    by Basaic
  • Palm Desert Visitors Center
      Palm Desert Visitors Center
    by Basaic
  • Palm Desert Civic Center
      Palm Desert Civic Center
    by Basaic
  • Nice Flowers
      Nice Flowers
    by Basaic
  • College of the Desert
      College of the Desert
    by Basaic
 

Pro

Yaqui profile photo

 Lots of wonderful cafe/patio restaurants and shopping galore! 


Con

nyc10025 profile photo

 Very hot in the summer 


In a nutshell

atufft profile photo

 Palm Desert is an easy to appreciate town for a long winter weekend 

 

Explore Palm Desert

Things to Do  

El Paseo Art Gallery

El Paseo Art Gallery, Palm Desert

 3 Reviews  There are also a few statues in the El Paseo Shopping District. Most are either fountains or decorative mountain goats. There are also a large number of art galleries/shops along the shopping district. Join the Art Walk the 1st Thursday of the month 5 PM to 9 PM October through May. 

Living Desert Zoo

Living Desert Zoo, Palm Desert

 2 Reviews  Having seen wildlife happy and active in their native habitats many times, I'm less interested in visiting zoos these days. Moreover, I lived in San Diego for eight years and visited the world's largest zoo and wildlife parks several times. Even so, I know that a lot of older folks such as my... 

Living Desert Botanical Gardens

Living Desert Botanical Gardens, Palm Desert

 1 Review  Much of the effort of The Living Desert is to impress upon visitors the value of desert habitat. Along the walk that visits the zoo, there are a number of garden spots with desert botanicals, some of these are irrigated as the Coachella Valley is drier than some other deserts in North America, at... 

The Gardens

The Gardens, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  In the El Paseo Shopping District is a nicely landscaped area called "The Gardens". Palm Desert, and various organizations, sponsor open air concerts and other fund-raising events here. When I visited they were having a concert with some food booths collecting money for a... 

Palm Desert Civic Center Park

Palm Desert Civic Center Park, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  The Palm Desert Civic Center Park is a nice art park with a lagoon, beautiful landscaping, and a number of very nice statues. "Dancer" is by the Civic Center; my favorite is the fisherman (photo 3) but I also like the "dreamer". The park is connected to the civic center and... 

Watch For Neat Old Trucks

Watch For Neat Old Trucks, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  This old truck is probably effective as an advertisement because it sure is eye-catching. Interesting that the antique truck is advertising elder care. This truck was spotted in the El Paseo Shopping District. 

Bob Hope Cultural Center & McCallum Theatre

Bob Hope Cultural Center & McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  The Bob Hope Cultural Center & McCallum Theatre presents a wide variety of concerts, Broadway shows and other entertainment. One of the shows coming up (unfortunately after I was leaving) was "Rock of Ages". 

Palm Desert Library

Palm Desert Library, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  I am not always a fan of modern architecture; too often it has little ascetic value. This attractive building is the local library and is run jointly by the city of Palm Desert and the College of the Desert. This is a nice place to relax out of the summer heat, check your... 

Start at the Visitors Center

Start at the Visitors Center, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  A good place to start your tour of Palm Desert is the Visitors Center in the El Paseo part of town. The center has friendly personnel that can help you select brochures, maps and other types of information to help you plan your visit to maximize your enjoyment based on your... 

Hotels  

International Lodge

 4 Reviews and 94 Opinions  This place is horrible. The rooms are the grossest and dirtiest you will see. They do not wash the... 

Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa

 4 Reviews and 813 Opinions  You are schocked just from the beginning in the entrance of the hotel Pink pelicans welcome you... 

Restaurants  

Sullivan's Steakhouse: Steaks Seafood and Martinis (shaken not stirred)

Sullivan's Steakhouse: Steaks Seafood and Martinis (shaken not stirred), Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  Sullivan's is a nice place, full of energy, to get a steak dish or some seafood. They also serve martinis (shaken not stirred like James Bond likes). Decor is fairly fancy and the service is good. A bit pricey. Too fancy and formal looking for me. Sauteed Sea Scallops. 

Pacifica: Great Seafood

Pacifica: Great Seafood, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  Pacifica is my choice for seafood in Pam Desert. It has a nice balcony to sit on and watch the people on El Paseo and has a bit less formal an atmosphere than Sullivan's. Food and service is very good. They also have 142 Vodkas from 22 countries at their "Vodka Bar". Lake... 

Omri and Boni: First Class Dinner

Omri and Boni: First Class Dinner, Palm Desert

 nyc10025 Says:  Set in a contemporary building Omri and Boni provides a comfortable setting, excellent service and great food. O & B offers creatively sauced food particularly very fresh fish and grilled meats (which you can see being prepared in their open kitchen. It was the best... 

Locanda Toscana: Incredible Veal...

Locanda Toscana: Incredible Veal..., Palm Desert

 Agraichen Says:  Somewhat "off" the mainstream in a supermarket mall that had McDonald's as the "entre" restaurant, Locanda Toscana was recommended by the Concierge of the J.W. Marriott in Palm Desert as a "must see." I was not disappointed, and I asked to be "fit in" as a diner on New... 

LG's Prime Steakhouse: Beef that melts in your mount

LG's Prime Steakhouse: Beef that melts in your mount, Palm Desert

 Agraichen Says:  A local favorite that I'd eaten at before in Palm Springs but didn't recall the name. The second restaurant in Palm Desert didn't disappoint either. Casual elegance is the operative word with very efficient and doting wait staff.LG's was the ONLY CA steakhouse to be rated in... 

Lakeview: A pretty good hotel buffet

Lakeview: A pretty good hotel buffet, Palm Desert

 Robachu1 Says:  It was 9pm on a Saturday night and we had just finished a full day of sightseeing in the hot desert. Needless to say we were very hungry and not in the mood for dressing up and going out. Lakeview at the JW Marriott Palm Desert was just the thing. The had a very good buffet... 

Nightlife  

Tommy Bahama's: Nice Place to Get a Drink

Tommy Bahama's: Nice Place to Get a Drink, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  Tommy Bahama's also serves food (and I heard it is quite good) but I just stopped here to get a drink and check the place out. They have a nice balcony and the wicker furniture, palm trees and ceiling fans make you think of the Caribbean. Good, friendly service. I enjoyed... 

Shopping  

Various: El Paseo Shopping District

Various: El Paseo Shopping District, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  The El Paseo Shopping District has a wide variety of shops, art galleries, beauty centers, plastic surgery places, and other places to spend your money. Most of them are aimed at those with money; and names like Tiffany's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Place Vendome... 

El Paseo Shopping Drive: Rodeo Drive of the Desert

El Paseo Shopping Drive: Rodeo Drive of the Desert, Palm Desert

 Yaqui Says:  Over 300 world-class shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, restaurants and much, more...all lined along a beautifully maintained picture-postcard floral and statue-filled mile! Known as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, El Paseo boasts a wide spectrum of stores... 

Local Customs  

Watch out for golf carts!

Watch out for golf carts!, Palm Desert

 rainfairy Says:  While driving around the desert area, keep your eyes open for golf carts roaming outside the courses, often on the sidewalk. Perhaps more prevalent at night, you may spot one coming toward oncoming traffic possibly on the street or sidewalk.The website below describes a test... 

Sports & Outdoors  

College of the Desert Golf Course

College of the Desert Golf Course, Palm Desert

 Basaic Says:  There is a nice public golf course/driving range connected to the College of the Desert. The site has a golf course, driving range, golf institute, pro shop, and a golf museum. Bring your clubs or rent some (I don't have any anymore). 

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