Guidebook for Palm Springs Greater Area
Entertainment & Activities
World class zoo with fantastic hiking, and one of the largest garden train layouts in the United States. Feed a giraffe or watch the 3 cheetah sisters run in their enclosure. A true hidden gem.
889 locals recommend
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola AveWorld class zoo with fantastic hiking, and one of the largest garden train layouts in the United States. Feed a giraffe or watch the 3 cheetah sisters run in their enclosure. A true hidden gem.
Good hiking, and interesting location being right at the San Andreas fault. Water comes up through the fault line, so you start walking through an oasis on a wooden deck with water below.
128 locals recommend
Coachella Valley Preserve - Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
29200 Thousand Palms Canyon RdGood hiking, and interesting location being right at the San Andreas fault. Water comes up through the fault line, so you start walking through an oasis on a wooden deck with water below.
Sightseeing
Historic House Tour Guides take visitors on an electric shuttle to the historic house. During the 90-minute tour, guides offer guests information about items from the Sunnylands Collection, the building's architecture and interior design, and the history of the estate as a private residence and a high-level retreat center. Many key figures of the 20th century enjoyed relaxing as guests at Sunnylands. The list includes seven U.S. presidents, the British royal family, and Hollywood icons like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Ginger Rogers, and many others.
73 locals recommend
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope DrHistoric House Tour Guides take visitors on an electric shuttle to the historic house. During the 90-minute tour, guides offer guests information about items from the Sunnylands Collection, the building's architecture and interior design, and the history of the estate as a private residence and a high-level retreat center. Many key figures of the 20th century enjoyed relaxing as guests at Sunnylands. The list includes seven U.S. presidents, the British royal family, and Hollywood icons like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Ginger Rogers, and many others.
In 1946, Pioneertown was founded by a group of Hollywood investors, including actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. They dreamed of creating an Old West set that was actually a town worth visiting, with 1880s-style false-front facades but interiors that had stuff for visitors to see and do too. Up went (from the outside) frontier stables, saloons, and jails; inside, they housed ice cream parlors, bowling alleys, and motels. More than 50 films and television shows were filmed here in the 1940s and ‘50s.
While location shooting and businesses here have dwindled, you can still see mock gunfights on Mane Street (pun intended. But the most happening place by far is Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Pa
558 locals recommend
Pioneertown
53688 Pioneertown RdIn 1946, Pioneertown was founded by a group of Hollywood investors, including actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. They dreamed of creating an Old West set that was actually a town worth visiting, with 1880s-style false-front facades but interiors that had stuff for visitors to see and do too. Up went (from the outside) frontier stables, saloons, and jails; inside, they housed ice cream parlors, bowling alleys, and motels. More than 50 films and television shows were filmed here in the 1940s and ‘50s.
While location shooting and businesses here have dwindled, you can still see mock gunfights on Mane Street (pun intended. But the most happening place by far is Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Pa
Offers phenominal views of the entire Coachella Valley and great hiking in the warmer months, and snow in the winter.
1213 locals recommend
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram WayOffers phenominal views of the entire Coachella Valley and great hiking in the warmer months, and snow in the winter.
Joshua Tree National Park
Salton Sea
Great place to walk around. Wonderful restaurants, art galleries and shopping.
335 locals recommend
El Paseo Shopping District
Great place to walk around. Wonderful restaurants, art galleries and shopping.
Arts & Culture
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
78-200 Miles AveWorld class tennis.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
81800 51st AveOutdoor music festival.
Stagecoach Festival
Outdoor country music festival.
Palm Springs Museum Trail
101 N Museum DrPalm Springs Air Museum
lot 745 N Gene Autry TrailShopping
The River Mall
71800 CA-111Movie theatres and restaurants.
Great street fair selling everything from art to food to anything you can think of.
65 locals recommend
The Street Fair at College of the Desert
43-500 Monterey AveGreat street fair selling everything from art to food to anything you can think of.
Food Scene
Great Mexican food and one of the best outside patios in the valley.
43 locals recommend
Las Casuelas Nuevas
70-050 CA-111Great Mexican food and one of the best outside patios in the valley.
Nice outside patio or go for the great views in the restaurant. Excellent happy hour.
229 locals recommend
La Quinta Cliffhouse
78250 CA-111Nice outside patio or go for the great views in the restaurant. Excellent happy hour.
Best Thai food in the valley, and great if you want take out to eat in the casita or on the patio.
19 locals recommend
Blue Orchid Thai Bistro
73030 El Paseo Best Thai food in the valley, and great if you want take out to eat in the casita or on the patio.
Excellent food and bar. The outside patio provides great views of the valley.
85 locals recommend
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
73595 El PaseoExcellent food and bar. The outside patio provides great views of the valley.
Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill
73325 CA-111Great Mexican food. Place fills up quick.
Wilma & Frieda's Cafe
73575 El PaseoThis is one of our guest favorites for breakfast.
El Paseo Grill
73030 El PaseoSmall hole in the wall. No views, but excellent option for lunch.
Ristorante Mamma Gina
73705 El PaseoOne of the best Italian restaurants in the area.
Fix On El Paseo
73580 El PaseoFantastic breakfast spot.
Daily Grill
73061 El PaseoEverything on the menu is always excellent.
Shields Date Garden
80-225 CA-111The best date shakes in the desert.
Hiking
Great place for hiking. Popular trails include “The Cross” and “The Bump and Grind”.
City of Palm Desert - Adams Park
72500 Thrush RdIndian Canyons
38520 South Palm Canyon DriveBear Creek Trailhead
Bear Creek TrailNice scenic walking trails. A very popular spot.
Carrizo canyon is a short 5 minutes by car and is only opened Oct-Dec as starting early spring the big horn sheep birth here. It is a beautiful slot canyon and early mornings you can occasionally see big horn sheep.
Carrizo Canyon
Carrizo canyon is a short 5 minutes by car and is only opened Oct-Dec as starting early spring the big horn sheep birth here. It is a beautiful slot canyon and early mornings you can occasionally see big horn sheep.