Things To Do

Hiking

The Coachella Valley is a hiker’s paradise, with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument to the south and Joshua Tree National Park to the North. Numerous trails start right in Palm Desert (5 minutes), and many more options are a short drive away.

Mountain Biking

The best of desert mountain biking is right in the backyard of The Desert Wave. Palm Desert boasts some of the region’s toughest trails (5 minutes), with a wide range of trail lengths and difficulty levels found locally and throughout the Coachella Valley.

Joshua Tree National Park

A perfect day trip from The Desert Wave, Joshua Tree National Park (40 minutes) features fascinating geologic formations, sweeping vistas, a variety of animal species, and a whole lot of incredible Joshua Trees. Experience the park by car, on one of many hiking trails, or climbing up one of Joshua Tree’s iconic monzogranite rock formations. Kids can become a park ranger in just a day.

Golf

Year-round sun and warm weather is the perfect equation for golf lovers. The Desert Willow Golf Resort and J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (5-10 minutes) are two local championship golf courses.

Shopping

Palm Desert’s very own El Paseo Shopping District (5 minutes) is a walk away, with Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Tesla, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Nearby Palm Springs and its Uptown Design District (20 minutes) offers mid-century modern retailers, antiques, and other premier shopping.

Arts & Culture

Cultural venues line the Coachella Valley. The nearby McCallum Theatre (5 minutes) hosts Broadway shows and musical performances. The Palm Springs Art Museum (20 minutes) boasts an incredible collection, workshops, and lectures.

Architecture

Southern California was at the forefront of the mid century modern architectural movement. Guests can visit the nearby Palm Springs Architecture and Design Museum (20 minutes) or tour numerous mid century desert homes by Albert Frey, Richard Neutra, and even our very own Walter S. White.

The Franz Alexander House | Walter S. White Archives, UCSB

Gardens

Cactuses and many othe plant and animal species thrive in the desert. Guests can visit the cactarium at the Moorten Botanical Garden (20 minutes) or feed a giraffe along one of the nature trails at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (5 minutes).