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What are you trying to do in Palm Desert?
The right local plan changes depending on who is going, how much time is available, the budget, the weather, and the kind of experience you need.
01where to eatChoosing the Right Dining Experience in Palm Desert
For upscale dining, steakhouses, and modern seafood, head to the El Paseo corridor to venues like Mastro's, Eddie V's, or Tommy Bahama Restaurant. For casual everyday meals, neighborhood Mexican, or craft coffee, explore San Pablo Avenue and Highway 111.
02what to do todayPlanning Your Daytime Activities
In winter, spend the day outdoors at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens or play a round at Desert Willow Golf Resort. During summer heat, restrict outdoor exertion to early morning hours before 8:30 AM and plan afternoon visits to indoor venues or the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
03what to do tonightNavigating Evening Dining and Nightlife
Palm Desert kitchens generally close between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. For an evening out, reserve tickets for a performance at McCallum Theatre, enjoy live jazz in the lounge at Eddie V's, or head to Kitchen 86 on El Paseo for late-night food and dueling pianos until midnight.
04what to do this weekendBuilding a Weekend Itinerary
Combine outdoor culture and performance arts: stroll through the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden on Saturday morning, ride or walk a section of the CV Link, enjoy sunset patio dining along El Paseo, and catch a touring Broadway production at McCallum Theatre.
05where to go on a dateRomantic Experiences in Palm Desert
Take a late-afternoon stroll through the 4-acre Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden among native desert plants and art installations, followed by outdoor patio dining and craft cocktails along El Paseo at Kitchen 86 or Porta Via.
06what to do aloneSolo Exploration Options
Hike the lower loop of the Bump and Grind Trail for valley views, buy a daily pass for lap swimming at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, or bike along the completed 5.44-mile central segment of the CV Link corridor.
07what to do with childrenFamily Outings and Kids' Activities
Visit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens for giraffe feeding and desert animal exhibits, then spend the afternoon at Civic Center Park for playgrounds, duck ponds, and splash zones or water slides at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
08what to do with visitorsShowcasing Palm Desert to Guests
Book a tee time at the city-owned Desert Willow Golf Resort, stroll the El Paseo retail strip, tour the desert habitats at The Living Desert, and enjoy scenic outdoor lunching with mountain views.
09what to do with a groupGroup Dining and Activities
Reserve group tee times on the Firecliff or Mountain View courses at Desert Willow, book private dining rooms at high-end El Paseo steakhouses like Morton's or Mastro's, or hold casual outdoor gatherings at Civic Center Park.
10what to do during bad weatherRainy or High-Heat Indoor Decisions
On rare rainy days or extreme summer afternoons, spend time indoors at the Palm Desert Public Library, plan a resort spa session at JW Marriott Desert Springs, or explore indoor retail and dining at The Shops at Palm Desert.
11what to do without reservationsSpontaneous Local Outings
Explore the open-air Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden (free, open daily sunrise to sunset), stroll through Civic Center Park's rose gardens, hike the lower Bump and Grind loop, or find first-come, first-served bar seating on El Paseo.
12what to do on a limited budgetLow-Cost and Free Palm Desert Outings
Take advantage of zero-cost experiences like the lower Bump and Grind trail, the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden, Civic Center Park, and the CV Link pathway. For low-cost recreation, purchase a day pass to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
