California Desert Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

This unique estate now acts more or less as the Western White House in the US. It's a little tricky to reserve a tour of it due to its popularity, but the gardens are freely open to the public most of the year.
This unique estate now acts more or less as the Western White House in the US. It's a little tricky to reserve a tour of it due to its popularity, but the gardens are freely open to the public most of the year.
Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park, just another cool thing about the Palm Springs area. See more pictures and ideas about this area in our blog post: http://rvluckyorwhat.com/2015/05/08/where-would-you-live-if-you-could-work-from-anywhere #skull #trail #hiking #joshuatree #nationalpark #rock #California #travel #Ustravel
Love this Californian desert! Great park for hiking and camping, trails here are a blast and unique from so many of the other national parks I've been too! Pack plenty of water!!!
Rafting the Kern River. Even though this year has been dry in California, there's still enough water for some fun. #weekendgetaway

Where to stay in California Desert

Palm Springs Art Museum which includes interior views and art

Downtown Palm Springs

4.5/5(38 area reviews)

Downtown Palm Springs is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Plaza Theatre and Agua Caliente Casino, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Palm Springs.

Downtown Palm Springs
Little gem on Air BnB, great area for cycling and vineyards

Valle De Los Caballos

While visiting Valle De Los Caballos, you might make a stop by sights like Avensole Winery and Ponte Winery.

Valle De Los Caballos
Snapped this shot as I was leaving my hotel in PS. The sky with the building, palm trees, and flowers all caught my eye and blended well together. No filter!

Baristo

3/5(1 area review)

While visiting Baristo, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza Theatre and Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center.

Baristo
View from my hotel in Palm Springs Cali

Midtown

If you're spending some time in Midtown, Agua Caliente Casino and The Spa at Se-che are top sights worth seeing.

Midtown
Palm Springs California Sign along North Palm Canyon Drive welcomes visitors to this historic city

Uptown Design District

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Uptown Design District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Las Palmas and San Jacinto Mountains while in the area.

Uptown Design District
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Sunrise Park

If you're spending some time in Sunrise Park, Palm Springs Mall Shopping Center and Palm Springs Swim Center are top sights worth seeing.

Sunrise Park
Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

Palm Mountain Resort and Spa

3 out of 5
155 S Belardo Road Palm Springs CA
Stay at this hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy a fitness centre, on-site spa services and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,586 reviews)
location and amenities

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

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Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
The Dunes Hotel

The Dunes Hotel

2.5 out of 5
390 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA
The price is 4.175.713 ₫ per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
4.175.713 ₫
4.781.192 ₫ total
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,268 reviews)
Amazing staff

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

The Dunes Hotel
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa

Miracle Springs Resort & Spa

3 out of 5
10625 Palm Dr Desert Hot Springs CA
The price is 2.209.298 ₫ per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
2.209.298 ₫
2.815.726 ₫ total
16 Feb - 17 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Desert Hot Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,689 reviews)
Staff was so helpful. Poolside rooms were big, clean and convenient. The on site restaurant was great for breakfast.

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

Miracle Springs Resort & Spa
See all 16,024 properties in California Desert
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages

3.5 out of 5
9003 Shadow Ridge Road Palm Desert CA
Stay at this golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,750 reviews)
Very clean rooms, beautiful pool. We loved it here.

Reviewed on 31 Jan 2026

Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

4 out of 5
75 Willow Ridge Palm Desert CA
Stay at this golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,289 reviews)
Very courteous staff. The room was nice and clean but there was evidence that there was flooding of the room. There was still a water line and water damage noticeable in the bathroom

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
7 Springs Inn & Suites

7 Springs Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
950 N Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,939 reviews)
Went in just expecting an ok place since it was a last minute booking and was pleasantly surprised at how nice this place was! I wished I had booked the entire weekend. I will definitely return.

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

7 Springs Inn & Suites
See all properties in California Desert
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway showing tranquil scenes, views and landscape views

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a popular place to visit in Palm Springs and nearby activities include golfing. Discover the mountain views and desert landscapes in this relaxing area.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Catch an event at Indian Wells Tennis Garden and enjoy other activities in Indian Wells such as golfing.Attend a sporting event or discover the desert landscapes in this family-friendly area.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden
About time landscape architects designed some structure for the desert... Note: in German we call these Schwiegermutterstühle - mother in law's chairs.

Palm Springs Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Palm Springs Convention Center during your trip to Palm Springs. Discover the area's spas or seek out its golf courses.

Palm Springs Convention Center
Agua Caliente Palm Springs

Agua Caliente Casino

Why not roll the dice with a visit to Agua Caliente Casino during your visit to Rancho Mirage? Discover the lively festivals and spas in this family-friendly area.

Agua Caliente Casino
Palm Tree Date Farm Harvest in California. Palm Tree Date Farm and Clear skies fill the image in Coachella, California. Two airplanes flying past in the distant background.

Coachella Music Festival

Coachella Music Festival is just one of the places to see in Indio, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the area's casinos or seek out its golf courses.

Coachella Music Festival
Aerial view of Mechanics Bank Arena, a theater and convention center, in Bakersfield, California, USA. The arena hosts events and conventions.

Dignity Health Arena

Catch an event at Dignity Health Arena during your trip to Bakersfield. Discover the top-notch restaurants and entertainment choices in this family-friendly area.

Dignity Health Arena

Cities near California Desert

Adobe

Inyokern

Ontario showing night scenes and street scenes

Ontario

Just before sunset over the Sierra's. The green of spring is quickly turning golden.

Ridgecrest

BE95CG Parker Dam creates Lake Havasu on the Colorado River, between Arizona and California, USA

Parker