Palm Desert is a city in the Coachella Valley just east of Palm Springs and a couple of hours away from Los Angeles. It is home to a number of golf courses, shopping opportunities, and country clubs. The popular Shops on El Paseo feature several art galleries as well as tasty restaurants and designer shopping boutiques. A number of leisure activities are available, including many opportunities to get out and explore the surrounding desert. Whether you choose to book a hike with Tallgrass Hiking and Tours, go on a hot air balloon tour with Balloons Above, or just spend the day exploring the shops and art galleries, a visit to Palm Desert is sure to be enjoyable.
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, formerly known as the Living Desert Museum, is a zoo and botanical garden in Palm Desert. The park highlights desert animals from around the world, especially in North America and Africa. Highlights include the Mexican wolf, eagles, giraffe, zebras, camels, and more. The park’s garden section features cactus, a butterfly garden, and a palm oasis area, among other plantings. The best time to see the animals is in the morning when the animals are often at their most active as it is the coolest time of day. The zoo can be quite hot, especially in the summer, so plan ahead, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
Palm Desert Aquatic Center is a popular water park in Palm Desert that is open all year round for family-friendly water fun any time of year. The facility includes three swimming pools, a number of water slides, diving boards, and several play features specially built to cater to visitors of all ages. The property spans 8 acres, providing plenty of room for water fun. For those who are looking for a special event venue, the property is available for rental. They also offer a number of exercise classes both in the water and on land, perfect for those who like to stay fit during their vacation
