The setting immediately attracts you and draws you in. The Palm Desert’s towering mountains, blue skies, and a near perfect climate set the stage to embrace this place set away from the crowds. It is little wonder why Palm Desert has become a haven for those seeking resorts, golf courses and spas that are ranked among the world's finest. The setting is quintessential Southern California-a perfect vacation spot- situated just a few hours' drive from major metropolitan areas and airports. The luxury of sparkling pools, championship golf courses, and stunning attractions causes travelers to return over and over again.
The community of Palm Desert is a city rich in natural resources. It is situated between the famous Joshua Tree National Monument, located to the north in the high desert, and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, which borders the southern end of the Coachella Valley.
The climate and extraordinary terrain encourage outdoor activities throughout the year. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy hiking, cycling, and horseback riding and the Hopalong Cassidy Trail, named after Palm Desert pioneer and Western movie star William Boyd.
Accommodations
Inspiring resorts are throughout the Palm Desert area, along with other lodging. Some of the resorts include: the Desert Springs Resort, The Palm Desert Comfort Inn, Courtyard Palm Desert, and the Embassy Suites. Residence Inn Palm Desert is known for its amenities, Marriott's Shadow Ridge offers a beautiful setting, and the Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas have special offerings. The excellent array of choices make it challenging to select just one option.
Restaurants
Endless. Whether you are looking for a romantic candlelight dinner for two or casual dining with the kids, exceptional dining options is offered as Palm Desert boasts more than 150 restaurants. Every kind of cuisine imaginable is available and many restaurants have charming outdoor patios heated and cooled for diners comfort. Some of the charming stops along the way include: Charlie's California Fresh, Chez Pierre, Colibri Grille and the Meerkat Cafe.
Some of the other mouth-watering choices include: The Sea Grille Restaurant, Ristorante Tuscany, Augusta Restaurant and the Le Paon Restaurant.
Shopping
Palm Desert is renowned as the desert's retail oasis. For an upscale shopping adventure, visitors can go to the El Paseo. It is referred to as the "Rodeo Drive of the Desert ". The mile-long eclectic mix of shops offers jewelry, apparel, art, home décor and a 200,000-square-foot complex noted for its spectacular national retailers. There also are more than two dozen restaurants, bistros, coffee cafes, and bakeries - many with outdoor seating. The Palm Desert is an enclosed mall complete with nearly 100 shops.
Arts
Public art in the Civic Center Park is an interesting venture. You can meet a guide who will walk you through the Park where details are provided. The City of Palm Desert offers walking tours of the artwork. At the Palm Desert Library is also an option and numerous galleries of fine and very interesting artworks are throughout the Palm Desert area.
Golf
A place in the sun, breathtaking scenery and a good round of golf make Palm Desert a very popular location. Palm Desert has won numerous awards for its unique and challenging play and its environmentally sensitive design and construction. Golfers can take their pick from more than 100 courses in the Coachella Valley.
When it comes to playing golf in Palm Desert, golf courses like Desert Willow Golf Resort displays its’ captivating greens, ominous bunkers and water features that contend with golfers at a number of holes. Some of the other appealing golf courses include: the Chaparral Country Club; Del Webb's Sun City Palm Desert; Desert Willow Golf Resort and the Emerald Desert Country Club. All of Palm Desert offers excellent opportunities to challenge your game and enjoy the great scenery.
Major Attractions
For a close-up encounter with spectacular desert plants and animals, the Living Desert is a must on interesting locations to experience. Gecko Gulch, Wildlife Wonders, and the Village Wa Tu Tu are also a sampling of the presentations and exhibits designed to entertain and educate.
The McCallum Theatre, a recognized state-of-the-art performing arts center, hosts world-class artists and distinguished ensembles and companies. The Center provides inviting entertainment and is recognized as a beautiful and prestigious theater.
At the Air Museum one can climb up and look into the cockpits of the legendary bombers and fighters of World War II. The Palm Desert is an excellent place to experience Jeep Eco-Tours and Special Events by Desert Adventures.
Serving the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta, Desert Adventures' offers jeep tours of the San Andreas Fault and Joshua Tree National Park.
The Desert Adventures' Metate Canyon Ranch, has an exclusive 1000 acre private desert preserve and offers jeep eco-tours, hiking and biking adventures.
Desert Adventures was voted the Best Attraction and Best Front Line Staff by the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors authority. Sunset Magazine calls Desert Adventures' jeep eco-tours “Eco-Tourism at it‘s best“; Conde' Nast Travelers Magazine agrees and defines Desert Adventures' guides as the "Best Guides in America".
Written by: Karen J. Lee
