The 10 Best Things to Do in Indian Wells, California

1. Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Even when no tournament is on, the second-largest tennis stadium in the United States is worth a visit — the grounds are beautiful, the mountain views from the upper bowl are the best photo op in the city, and the stadium club restaurant serves lunch with a view over Stadium 1. In March, the BNP Paribas Open turns the place into the fifth Grand Slam — our full visitor guide covers tickets, parking, and where to stay.

2. Indian Wells Golf Resort

Two championship courses — the Celebrity and the Players — with the Santa Rosa Mountains looming over nearly every hole. The Players Course is the sterner test; the Celebrity is the scenic crowd-pleaser. Twilight rates after midday make this one of the best golf values in the valley, and the clubhouse's big patio is a destination even if you don't play.

3. A resort spa day

Indian Wells concentrates some of the valley's best spas within a two-mile stretch of Highway 111. The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells' spa and the Renaissance Esmeralda's both sell day access in various forms — and the Hyatt's water park pools make it the rare spa day that also works with kids. Our pool day-pass guide covers how to buy access without booking a room.

4. Hike the Cove-to-Lake or Bump and Grind

Two of the valley's most-loved trails sit on Indian Wells' borders. The Cove-to-Lake Trail in La Quinta coves country climbs to a ridge with huge valley views; the Bump and Grind, just north on the Palm Desert line, is the local workout ritual — a steep, honest hour with a summit panorama. Go early; there is no shade on either.

5. The Indian Wells Arts Festival

Each spring (typically late March or early April), the Indian Wells Arts Festival fills the Tennis Garden grounds with 200-plus juried artists — one of the desert's best art fairs and a far calmer experience than the tournament weeks on the same lawn.

6. El Paseo, ten minutes west

Indian Wells has no real downtown of its own — deliberately. The shopping and dining district is next door: El Paseo in Palm Desert, the 'Rodeo Drive of the desert,' is a straight ten-minute drive down Highway 111. Our El Paseo guide covers the galleries, boutiques, and where to lunch.

7. Date shakes and gardens at Shields

Shields Date Garden sits right on the Indian Wells border on Highway 111 — walk the date-palm garden, watch the delightfully dated 'Romance and Sex Life of the Date' film, and order the date shake that started it all. Full details in our Shields guide.

8. The Living Desert, fifteen minutes away

The valley's best family attraction — the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert — is an easy hop from any Indian Wells hotel. Giraffe feedings, a massive model train garden, and desert hiking trails. Our Living Desert guide has hours, tickets, and the morning strategy.

9. Resort-hopping golden hour

The resorts' grand terraces — especially the Renaissance Esmeralda's pool deck and the Hyatt Regency's mountain-facing lawns — are made for the hour when the Santa Rosas go pink. Non-guests can typically visit lobby bars and restaurants; arrive an hour before sunset.

10. Day-trip base camp

Indian Wells' real trick is geography: 25 minutes to downtown Palm Springs, 20 to Palm Desert's museums, 45 to Joshua Tree's north entrance, and minutes to La Quinta's Old Town. If you want one quiet, central base for a valley-wide trip, this is the strongest case in the desert — see our Indian Wells hotel guide for where to book.