Things to do in Palm Desert
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Palm Desert
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park, established in 1994, is located in the middle of the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. This is a desert. In this desert area with little rain, hot summers and cold nights, few trees grow. , but there is a tree called Joshua that grows here, and the park is named after it. There are three things to see here, Joshua trees, strange rocks and cacti. These three things are very strange, and when you walk into the park, you feel like you have come to an alien world. It will take more than half a day to visit Joshua Tree National Park by car. You can enjoy the bizarre trees and stones on both sides of the main road while driving, and you can stop and take pictures from time to time. In addition to the natural landscape in the park, you can also visit the former pastures, mining areas and the ruins of the Indians. The characteristic Desert Queen Ranch is a historic ranch that preserves its original features. In addition, sightseeing spots include Cactus Park (ChollaCactusGarden), HiddenValley, Chase Viewpoint (KeysView) and numerous trails and rock climbing spots. The bizarre stones in the garden are in different shapes. These rocks have existed on the earth for more than 100 million years and are now a paradise for rock climbers. Rock climbing and hiking in the park are free, there are seven famous rock climbing spots, and there are thousands of climbing routes named with different difficulty levels. In addition, there are 13 trails, you can choose the trail or climbing point that suits you according to your own situation. The most famous of these rocks is a piece called Skull Rock, which is shaped like a skull, with sunken eyes and nose, which is very lifelike. There is also an Arch rock not far from Skull Rock, which is also worth admiring.Riverside County · 46.9 km from Palm Desert
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a zoo and botanical garden located in Palm Desert, California, United States, dedicated to showcasing the flora and fauna of desert ecosystems. The park's exhibits simulate various desert environments, including deserts in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, such as camels, rhinos, cheetahs, and jaguars, with all animals living in environments as close to their natural habitats as possible. In addition, the park features multiple botanical display areas showcasing unique plant species from desert regions, where visitors can admire a diverse array of desert plants and learn about their ecological roles and growth characteristics. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens also offers educational programs and interactive experiences, making it suitable for family visitors and school groups. The park's trails are perfect for a leisurely stroll, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique charm of the desert landscape. Whether you are interested in wildlife or want to learn about desert ecosystems, this place offers a rich natural experience for visitors.Palm Desert · 2.5 km from downtown
Coachella Valley Vista Point
Riverside County · 8.5 km from Palm Desert
Shields Date Garden
Indio · 10.1 km from Palm Desert
Disneyland Park California
Starting May 16, 2025, Disneyland Resort will launch a year-long 70th anniversary celebration! Centered around the theme "Celebrate Happy," the resort will unveil exclusive global experiences to honor seven decades of magic and joy. The parks will be adorned with 70th anniversary-themed décor, while Mickey Mouse and friends debut special outfits. Interactive surprises await at select attractions. Limited-time ticket offers include 3-day and new 4-day tickets (upgradeable for park-hopper and Lightning Lane Multi Pass). The celebration runs through summer 2026—plan your visit now to experience Disney's "Rainbow of Happiness"! In 1955, Walt, the father of Disney, built California Disneyland in Los Angeles, which is the world's first original Disney theme park. The park is located within the California Disney Resort. There are two main parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The two parks are adjacent to each other. Visitors can visit both parks at one time and experience the joyful magic of Disney World. Come and enter the land of fairy tales and meet classic characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Disney princesses, Avengers, and Star Wars heroes. △ Step into fairy-tale worlds filled with Character sightings, attractions and more! △ Enjoy a leisurely stroll through small-town America—you'll love the turn-of-the-century charm! △ Explore this out-of-this-world land, where you can live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away!United States · Anaheim
Disneyland Resort California
Disneyland Resort California is an entertainment resort in Anaheim, California, USA. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its experiences division, featuring two theme parks (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), three hotels, and the Disney Downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Disneyland Park features Sleeping Beauty Castle as its landmark, with scenes from the fairy tale displayed inside. The Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area recreates the streets of Batuu from the movies, where visitors can board the Millennium Falcon. Classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square have been operating for decades, with daytime parades often winding through the park. At Disney California Adventure Park, Cars Land is modeled after the desert town from the movie, with Radiator Springs Racers remaining a perennial favorite. The Avengers Campus offers thrilling experiences like Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout! and an interactive shooting adventure with Spider-Man. Over at Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster races along the bay. At night, Disneyland lights up the sky with castle fireworks, while Disney California Adventure dazzles with a grand water and light show on the lake. Given the resort's size and long queues for popular attractions, two full days are recommended to fully explore both parks—hit the top rides early, then explore at leisure. Keep an eye out for hidden Mickey easter eggs scattered throughout the parks, as spotting them adds to the fun. After the parks close, head to Downtown Disney for dining and shopping to cap off your day. Disneyland was the company's first theme park, and also a theme park built by Walt Disney, which opened on July 17, 1955. Disney California Adventure Park is a theme park based on Disney's interpretation of California, which opened on February 8, 2001.United States · Anaheim
Universal Studios Hollywood
Explore iconic movie scenes, join immersive photo activities, enjoy upgraded tours, and indulge in themed food and collectibles. Explore Hollywood's grand movie street scenes and discover behind-the-scenes insights into film production. Explore the magical world of Harry Potter and discover the mysterious Hogwarts Castle Step into the Super Mario™ world on Super Nintendo and get ready for Mario Kart™. Experience thrilling roller coasters and realistic movie scenesUnited States · Los Angeles
Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Palm Desert · 1.4 km from downtown
Sphere
It is located on the Las Vegas Strip in the United States. The exterior wall area is about 54,000 square meters and is composed of 1.2 million programmable LED panels. Its screen covers an area larger than three football fields and wraps around, above and behind the stage, providing viewers with a fully immersive experience that is 100 times clearer than HDTV. The outside of the entire building is equipped with 54,000 square meters of programmable lighting, so that the audience outside can also feel the performance inside the venue. Sphere is a next-generation entertainment medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment, allowing the foremost artists, creators, and technologists to create extraordinary experiences that take storytelling to a new level and transport audiences to places both real and imagined. The venue is powered by cutting-edge technologies that ignite the senses and enable audiences to share experiences at a never-before-seen scale.United States · Las Vegas
Disney California Adventure Park
This is a Disney adventure park themed around California. Originally conceived as "experiencing all of California in one day," the park's entrance once featured a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, vividly showcasing the state's captivating culture and rich history—the very essence the "paradise park" aimed to convey. Disney California Adventure Park opened on February 8, 2001. Originally the parking lot for Disneyland, it has since evolved into a vibrant theme park featuring rides, shopping, and dining. From Cars Land and Buena Vista Street to Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, and San Fransokyo Square, the park has continuously expanded over the years, with even more exciting additions planned for the future.United States · Anaheim
Experiences you can't miss in Palm Desert
Featured Day tours in Palm Desert
View all Day tours
5.0/5
· 15 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSGD 212.64SGD 223.84
![U.S. Grand Canyon West + Hoover Dam 1-day tour English group [optional lunch, glass bridge]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0353j12000re9b5d65687_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
4.6/5
· 22 reviews· 282 bookedFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
187 travelers saved
FromSGD 159.29
4.1/5
· 116 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 99.85
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 191.33
FromSGD 280.33
4.9/5
· 154 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
100 consecutive positive reviews
FromSGD 53.77
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromSGD 49.93
5.0/5
· 78 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
78 consecutive positive reviews
FromSGD 53.77
Featured Outdoor experiences in Palm Desert
View all Outdoor experiences
5.0/5
· 19 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 96.01
FromSGD 191.33
4.7/5
· 180 reviewsFree cancellation
93.3% of travelers recommend
FromSGD 203.53
Free things to do in Palm Desert
Joshua Tree National Park
Riverside County · 46.9 km from Palm DesertThe Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Palm Desert · 2.5 km from downtownCoachella Valley Vista Point
Riverside County · 8.5 km from Palm DesertShields Date Garden
Indio · 10.1 km from Palm DesertDisneyland Park California
United States · AnaheimImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeDisneyland Resort California
United States · AnaheimBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeUniversal Studios Hollywood
United States · Los AngelesImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimePalm Desert Aquatic Center
Palm Desert · 1.4 km from downtownSphere
United States · Las VegasBook now for tomorrowDisney California Adventure Park
United States · AnaheimBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytime
What travelers say about Palm Desert
hutianJanuary 6, 2026
5.0
The Joshua Tree in Joshua Tree National Park has many unique features. It's not a true tree, but a large succulent belonging to the genus *Yucca* in the family Asparagaceae. It has a distinctive shape, with twisted branches and sharp, dagger-like leaves. It grows slowly, can live for hundreds of years, and is said to be edible.
Joshua Tree National Park
m34***49November 26, 2019
4.0
Las Vegas and Palm Springs are worth a visit!
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
TodemmyMarch 18, 2020
5.0
Excellent views. Well worth the trip. Just be careful. It is on a blind curve and people fly around that curve. Also be careful on the road, I had someone tailgate me at 55mph on sharp turns. It’s a curvy tight road.
Coachella Valley Vista Point
Anonymous userOctober 14, 2026
5.0
Ticketing is convenient and quick.
The world's first Disney park is a bit old, and the castle looks somewhat shabby, but it's the first one! The fun atmosphere remains undiminished, and the food prices inside the park are reasonable, similar to those outside, and the taste is also good.
Visiting both parks in one day is perfectly feasible.
Disneyland Park California
EN−February 26, 2026
5.0
It felt a little different from Disney Resort in Japan! It was exciting to ride Cars, a ride that doesn't exist in Japan!
Disneyland Resort California
205***52October 16, 2026
5.0
Actually, the queue wasn't too long, but the speed pass saved a lot of time. It was easy to buy and the entry was smooth. The most fun ride was Mario. The roller coaster looked a bit scary, and although I was tempted, it wasn't suitable for older people, so I skipped it. Los Angeles is too sunny, so be sure to take precautions against the sun.
Universal Studios Hollywood
coo***anMarch 11, 2020
5.0
This place is a fantastic facility for all ages and all level of swimmers. I visit it every day when I am in palm desert, doing lap swimming and then relax on one of the sunloungers . It is open seven days a week , well staffed with life guards and only costs a few dollars .
Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Anonymous userOctober 1, 2026
5.0
I watched the most expensive movie of my life, experiencing naked-eye 4D, a seamless 16K giant screen, and 360-degree surround sound in a $2.3 billion giant sphere. It was incredibly immersive. The only minor drawback was the lack of subtitles. (75 minutes of English listening practice included.)
Sphere
Anonymous userAugust 20, 2026
5.0
This place is worth the visit. I will go again but with my daughter dor the second time. My innee child is sooo happy
Disney California Adventure Park
