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If you are planning a visit to Palm Desert California, you might be wondering what types of fun things you can do in this area. There are people who come to this area from all parts of the country for the warm weather, the amazing attractions, and the delicious food. Known as an incredible vacation destination, it’ll be no surprise that among the incredible vacation rental homes, there’s so many fun things to do, as well.
If you want to take full advantage of everything the area has to offer, what are a few attractions you cannot miss? Take a look at some of the top things you need to add to your to-do list below.
1. Visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Also commonly called the Living Desert Museum, this is one of the top botanical gardens in Palm Desert. You will see a lot of animals and desert plants highlighted that are native to both Africa and North America. You will get the opportunity to learn about camels, zebras, wolves, giraffes, and more. In addition, you will get to enjoy a wide variety of other features during your stay, including a butterfly garden, an oasis, a cactus exhibit, and countless other attractions.
If you are someone who loves nature and wildlife, this is definitely one of the attractions that you will want to hit. Just remember that this area can get very hot during the summer, so make sure you wear sunscreen and do not forget to bring plenty of water with you.
2. Check Out the Palm Desert Aquatic Center
One of the best ways to beat the heat in Palm Desert, California is to go to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. Because the weather is typically very warm in the area, the water park is open throughout the entire year. While it is a fun visit for people of all ages, there are several areas that cater specifically to visitors of a certain age. Therefore, you should not have any trouble finding fun stuff to do during your visit, including some amazing water slides!
In total, the property is more than eight acres, meaning that there is more than enough to keep you busy for the entire day. In addition, if you are looking for a fun venue for a special event, you should consider renting out the property. This is also a great way to stay and shape because there are a lot of exercise classes that take place throughout the day, both in the water and on the deck.
3. Head Out on the Bump and Grind Trail
There are lots of people who love the hiking trails situated in Coachella Valley, and you can find some of the best trails in this area, including the Bump and Grind Trail. You will come across a wide variety of names, including the Dog Poop Trail, the Desert Mirage trail, the Patton Trail, and the Desert Drive Trail. The good news is that there are a lot of hiking trails that range widely in terms of their difficulty, so you should be able to find something that is right for you and your group.
There are so many trails available that you can make a day trip out of this. If you are willing to put in the work, you will be treated to some amazing views at the top. Furthermore, you will come across a wide variety of endangered wildlife species as a part of your journey. Make sure your camera is charged and has plenty of room!
4. Visit the San Andreas Fault
If you have even a passing interest in earthquakes, you need to swing by this area. The San Andreas Fault is one of the biggest fault lines in the world, and it goes right through the state of California. Earthquakes tend to happen along fault lines, so given that there is a giant one going right through California, it should come as no surprise that there are a lot of earthquakes in the area.
There are a lot of people who come to this part of the country wanting to see the famous fault. Now, it is not the most amazing exhibit, as the fault line isn’t a giant hole in the ground. On the other hand, you might be able to get more out of the visit if you decide to go with a professional geologist. You may want to talk to some of the nature centers in the area to see if they can help you. The local visitor center might be able to help you.
5. Take a Stroll Through Downtown Palm Springs
One of the best parts of visiting the greater Palm Springs area is the downtown area. This is a great way to get a feel for what living in the area is like. With so many great things to do in Palm Springs, you’re sure to have a lot of fun and stay entertained.
You will see a lot of fine art galleries during your walk, and you may want to put your head in a few of the boutiques. Furthermore, the traffic isn’t nearly as bad as it is in Los Angeles, but there is still a lot of sightseeing to do.
You may even run into a street fair with some delicious food, street performing arts, and delicious drinks. This is one of the best activities to try during your getaway, and you might be treated to some live entertainment as well! Don’t forget about downtown during your visit to the Palm Springs area! You might even get a bit of aftershave from the palm trees that line the streets.
6. Visit Cabot’s Pueblo Museum
One of the most important figures in the local area is Cabot Yerxa. He was an activist and explorer who built his house out of items that he could find in the desert. His house has been made out of reclaimed wood, sun-dried bricks, and numerous other attractive items. It is a large Pueblo home that reminds people of the Hopi style.
He began working on the house in 1941. Even though he worked on it for a long time, he continued to work on it until he died in 1965. The house is enormous. It has four stories and a total of 35 rooms. He decided to open the house up to tours while he was still alive, and the tours continue even to this day. If you decide to check out Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, you will see a lot of artifacts from his life.
7. Visit the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
This is another very popular nature preserve located in Coachella Valley. There are lots of activities to try in the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, including viewing wildlife, hiking, picnicking, and more. You have tens of thousands of acres from which to choose, so this is a great way to take a closer look at some of the desert wildlife.
If you want to make sure that you hit the biggest attractions, consider swinging by the Palm House. Here, you have access to a wide variety of services that can help you get the most out of your visit. In addition, you can take a guided tour of the area, which is free of charge. There are several of them every week, and they usually leave the visitor center. The tour is about two miles, so make sure you bring some good shoes with you.
8. Swing By the Palm Springs Art Museum
If you need a way to get out of the sun, you may want to consider visiting this amazing art museum. The Palm Springs Art Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the local area. Even though it has a lot of exhibits that focus on art and the natural sciences, it is also a frequent location for music performances. Initially, it was designed to be a museum that would focus entirely on information about the desert, but it has transformed significantly since that time.
Now, this is a museum that has a lot of things that focus on Native American art, studio art glass, paintings, sculpture, and numerous guided tours that give everyone the opportunity to learn more about the hard sciences. There are also special events that take place from time to time, so be sure to take a look at the calendar to see if there is anything unique happening during your visit.
9. Grab Some Coffee at Fix on El Paseo
If you need to grab a cup of coffee, you should definitely consider visiting Fix on El Paseo. This is a rustic coffee house, but it serves a wide variety of desserts, pastries, and more. It is open for breakfast and lunch, so consider swinging by on your way to one of the other attractions in the area. Furthermore, if you are looking for an amazing lunch spot, this could be the place to go.
Regardless of whether you are looking for an entire meal, or are simply looking to grab a quick cup of coffee, you should swing by this area. You might even want to purchase a wedding cake here if your big day is coming up. They are one of the most popular options in the area.
10. Sign Up for a Hot Air Balloon Tour
If you are looking for a new way to experience the valley, then you should think about signing up for a hot air balloon tour. This will give you a view of the area that you never could have possibly imagined. You can also sign up for a tour from companies that include brunch, a flight, and even some champagne! You can customize your experience to meet your needs, so make sure you take a look at all of the options available to you. Then, you can set yourself up for an experience that you are never going to forget.
11. Play a Round of Golf
If you are looking for a fun golf course in the area, there are plenty of options from which to choose. Because the weather is warm throughout the entire year, it should come as no surprise that there are lots of amazing golf courses in the Southern California area. Because there are so many, you may want to take a look at a travel guide to see which ones you should check out.
If you haven’t played golf in a while, there are plenty of ways for you to kick off the rust! You might want to try heading to the driving range first, or you might want to consider signing up for a lesson or two! Then, head out to the course and play around! If you are looking for a specific golf resort in the area, you may want to check out the Desert Willow Golf Resort.
12. Sign Up for Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, you should consider signing up for some jeep tours. These are versatile vehicles that can go just about anywhere, and their abilities will be on full display if you decide to sign up for one of these tours. You can choose from a wide variety of options, and you decide what you see. You might be interested in exploring the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area, the Painted Canyon, or even Palm Springs Indian Canyons.
If you are looking for a fun getaway for you and your family, do not overlook this option. There is a reason why so many people speak so highly of this tour when they visit the local area. This is a great way to explore some of the best desert plants as a part of the desert landscape.
13. Play Some Tennis
Another major perk of visiting the local area is that there are plenty of tennis courts as well. Because the weather is warm throughout the entire year, it is always a good time to play a match! You might be interested in playing singles, or you might want to get together with a few friends and try some doubles.
Regardless, there are lots of tennis courts from which to choose. You can choose from clay courts or hard courts, but you might be interested in some grass-court opportunities as well. If you are concerned that you are a bit rusty, that is okay! You can try signing up for a lesson with a professional, and then get out there and play a full match.
14. Visit the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitors Center
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is a monument that attracts countless visitors from all over the United States every year. It shows up in the desert rather abruptly as you approach it, but this is definitely not something you want to miss. When you visit, you will get access to mountains covered in snow, hot springs, and palm oases. It goes without saying that you will have a lot of emotions and feelings at the same time.
It can be difficult to figure out where you want to start your adventure, so when in doubt, head to the visitor center. Then, you can learn more about some of the recreational facilities in the area, and you can check out the Randall Henderson Trail as well as the Hastey Garden Trail. There is a lot to take in, so this is one of the best day trips in the local area.
15. Visit the Desert Holocaust Memorial
This is definitely not a happy exhibit, but it is definitely something that everyone should experience. It is a constant reminder of just what people are capable of, and it is something that people should never forget.
The Desert Holocaust Memorial serves as a reminder to everyone who lost their lives during the Holocaust and it serves as a testimony to everyone who risked their lives in an effort to save those who were targeted during the atrocity.
The monument is an important symbol. It has a circle of trees that represents the boundary between normal life and those who live in the concentration camps. Then, after you step inside the ring, you will see the actual memorial alongside numerous educational exhibits that help people learn more about what took place during the Holocaust. This is a very sobering exhibit, but it is an important one for everyone who comes to visit the local area.
16. Visit the CODA Gallery
If you are interested in artwork, and you are looking for something uplifting, the CODA Gallery could be the perfect place for you. You will get an opportunity to gaze at the artwork of some of the most talented artists in the area, and the gallery has been open for more than 30 years. It focuses on contemporary fine art, but it also has some exhibits from people who are from outside of the United States.
You will be treated to a wide variety of different art exhibits. There are examples of paintings, sculptures, photography, and even glass art. There are also some educational classes that take place at the gallery from time to time. You might want to take a look at the calendar to see what is happening and keep in mind that the exhibits can rotate from time to time. There is always something interesting to see at this amazing art gallery.
17. Catch a Show at the McCallum Theatre
The McCallum Theatre opened to the public back in 1988, and it has become one of the most popular locations for people looking for a night out. Regardless of whether you are looking for a drama, a ballet show, or some classical music, you will definitely have a good experience at this theatre. People consistently praise it because of its amazing sound system, and it has a wide variety of performances that take place throughout the year.
There are also a lot of educational programs that focus on instilling a love of the performing arts in the local population. If you want to see a show during your visit, you should take a look at the calendar to see what is available.
Plan Your Visit To Palm Desert, California Today
These are just a few of the many fun things that you can do during your visit to Palm Desert, CA. Regardless of whether you want to visit the Palm Springs Air Museum, check out the Moorten Botanical Garden, or simply relax in the Civic Center Park, there is something for everyone in this amazing city. Don’t forget to take a drive down Palm Canyon Drive for some amazing views!
Then, if you are looking for a place to stay during your visit, remember to take a look at some of the vacation rentals in the local area! That way, you can put yourself in the perfect position to take advantage of everything this amazing place has to offer. Come and learn why so many people come to check out this desert city from all over the country!
Featured Image Credit: Kamil Zelezik
