MarketsFree
Sat, Oct 17 · 8am
College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert, Palm Desert
Greater Palm SpringsEl Paseo shopping district, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, McCallum Theatre, golf.
Palm Desert, California
El Paseo shopping, the Living Desert and golf
Palm Desert is the valley's civic and retail center: bigger than Palm Springs, greener, and built around El Paseo, a mile-long shopping street that locals call the Rodeo Drive of the desert. It is where valley residents actually go for dinner, art, theatre and groceries, and it makes a comfortable, central base if you plan to drive around the Coachella Valley rather than stay put.
Visiting Palm Desert?
Enter your dates and we'll help plan the trip — hotels, events during your stay and what to do nearby.
Why base here
Palm Desert sits at the geographic middle of the valley. From here, Palm Springs is twenty minutes northwest, Indio and the festival grounds twenty minutes southeast, and the Santa Rosa Mountains rise immediately to the south. If your trip involves golf, the McCallum Theatre, El Paseo shopping and a festival, this is the shortest total drive time of any city here.
El Paseo and the arts
El Paseo runs roughly a mile between Highway 74 and Portola, lined with galleries, independent boutiques, national luxury names and around thirty restaurants with patios. The city rotates a public sculpture exhibition along the median every two years. A block north, the McCallum Theatre brings in touring music, dance and comedy from November through April.
The Living Desert and the mountains
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is one of the valley’s leading family attractions: 1,200 acres of desert habitat, giraffes you can feed, and a G-scale model railroad. Behind the city, the Bump and Grind Trail climbs a fast 1,000 feet for a valley-wide view, and the Randall Henderson and Art Smith trailheads on Highway 74 lead deeper into the Santa Rosas.
Where to stay and eat
Hotels here skew to full-service resorts with golf, tennis and multiple pools rather than the small boutiques of Palm Springs, and rates tend to run slightly lower for comparable rooms. Dining is dense along El Paseo and Highway 111, from steakhouses and sushi to long-running Italian rooms and a strong casual scene.
Events
What's on in Palm Desert
MarketsFree
Sat, Oct 24 · 8am
College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert, Palm Desert
MarketsFree
Sat, Oct 31 · 8am
College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert, Palm Desert
MarketsFree
Sat, Nov 7 · 8am
College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert, Palm Desert
MarketsFree
Sat, Nov 14 · 8am
College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert, Palm Desert
MarketsFree
Sat, Nov 21 · 8am
College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert, Palm Desert
Where to stay
Palm Desert hotels
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
4.5-star hotel classPalm Desert · $$$
Best for: Families, conferences, golf
Hotel Paseo, Autograph Collection
4-star hotel classEl Paseo · Palm Desert · $$$
Best for: Shoppers, couples, golf weekends
Marriott's Shadow Ridge
4-star hotel classNorth Palm Desert · Palm Desert · $$$
Best for: Families, golfers, longer stays
The Westin Desert Willow Villas
4-star hotel classDesert Willow · Palm Desert · $$$
Best for: Families, golfers
Food & drink
Where to eat in Palm Desert
Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill
Mexican · Palm Desert · $$
Lively Highway 111 spot in Palm Desert for tableside guacamole, big combo plates and a busy bar. Family-friendly with patio seating.
Patio
Chef Tanya's Kitchen Palm Desert + Kreamery
Vegan · Palm Desert · $
The Palm Desert location of Chef Tanya's Kitchen adds the Kreamery — plant-based ice cream — to the same freshly made vegan take-out, deli case and specialty grocery. Longer hours than the Palm Springs original.
Patio
Cuistot
French · El Paseo · $$$$
A Provencal-style special-occasion restaurant that has anchored El Paseo fine dining for decades. Cuistot is a French spot in El Paseo, Palm Desert. Prices sit in the splurge range — plan on a special-occasion bill. Served here: lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Best for anniversaries and celebration dinners.
Patio
Guillermo's
Mexican · Palm Desert · $$$
Upscale Mexican on El Paseo - white-tablecloth service, steak and seafood alongside classics, and one of the boulevard's most reliable date-night tables.
Piero's PizzaVino
Italian · Palm Desert · $$
Neapolitan pizza, pasta and Italian wine in a lively room off Highway 111. Piero's PizzaVino is an Italian spot in Palm Desert. Prices sit in the mid range. Served here: lunch, dinner. There is a patio. Kids are comfortable here. Best for casual family dinner.
Patio
Casuelas Cafe
Mexican · Palm Desert · $$
The Palm Desert branch of the Casuelas family on Highway 111 - big menu, big portions, mariachi on weekends, and a patio built for groups.
Patio
Things to do
Sights and activities in Palm Desert
Family Activities
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Palm Desert · Listed daytime admission: $44.95 adult 18+; $34.95 ages 3–17; under 3 free. Prices may vary by date; advance purchase required. WildLights is separate.
Arts
McCallum Theatre
Palm Desert · Varies by show
Photo unavailable
Golf
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Palm Desert · Seasonal dynamic green fees
Photo unavailable
Golf
The Classic Club
Palm Desert · Seasonal green fees
Photo unavailable
Golf
Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Palm Desert · Seasonal green fees
Photo unavailable
Spas
Spa Desert Springs
Palm Desert · Spa and fitness day passes available
Neighborhoods
Where to base yourself in Palm Desert
- El Paseo
- Palm Desert’s walkable shopping and dining district, with galleries, boutiques and restaurant patios along El Paseo.
- Desert Willow
- North Palm Desert’s golf-focused pocket around Desert Willow’s two courses and resort-lined fairways.
Guides
Palm Desert guides
Where to Stay Near Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert
Choose a golf-friendly base for Firecliff or Mountain View without confusing hotel rooms with tee-time packages.
Hotels Near El Paseo in Palm Desert: Shopping, Dining & Weekend Stays
Where to sleep if El Paseo's boutiques and restaurants—not a resort golf course—are the purpose of your trip.
Living Desert WildLights 2026: Dates, Tickets & Where to Stay
Selected nights November 24–December 30 in Palm Desert, with separate daytime and evening admission.
The best restaurants in Palm Desert
Where to eat on and around El Paseo
Acrisure Arena Visitor Guide: Parking, Bags, Tickets & Hotels
Plan the arrival and the return journey before concert or game night
Things to Do in Palm Desert
A zoo that is really a desert preserve, a concert hall and a mile of shops
El Paseo shopping guide
How to spend an afternoon on Palm Desert's main street
The Best Hotels in Palm Desert
Where to stay on and around El Paseo
Events email
Get verified desert events by email
Join the list for our upcoming events email: verified dates across the Coachella Valley. We’ll only email you about PalmSpots events and guides.