Looking for desert beauty, music festivals, and outdoor escapes? Head to Coachella Valley! From iconic festivals and scenic hikes to luxury resorts and artistic enclaves, this Southern California oasis offers year-round sun and vibrant experiences. Whether you're relaxing by the pool or exploring rugged trails, Coachella Valley blends glamor with nature.
Coachella Valley Highlights:
- Attend the Coachella Music & Arts Festival: Experience one of the world's most iconic music festivals held every April in Indio.
- Hike through Indian Canyons: Discover palm-lined trails, waterfalls, and ancient rock formations in Palm Springs.
- Relax at a luxury Palm Desert resort: Lounge by the pool, enjoy desert views, and indulge in spa treatments.
- Explore public art in Palm Springs: Stroll through colorful murals, sculptures, and the mid-century modern design district.
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Ascend to cooler heights for panoramic views and mountain hikes.
Best Time to Visit Coachella Valley, CA
The best time to visit Coachella Valley is from November through April. Cooler desert temperatures make it ideal for outdoor adventures, golfing, and festival-going. Summer is extremely hot, but great for spa deals and poolside relaxation.
How to Get to Coachella Valley, CA
- If you are traveling by car: Located off I-10, Coachella Valley is about 2 hours from Los Angeles and San Diego.
- By Plane: Fly into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), just minutes from most valley destinations.
- By Train/Bus: Amtrak Thruway buses and FlixBus serve Indio, Palm Springs, and nearby cities.
Where to Stay in Coachella Valley, CA
- Parker Palm Springs – If you want posh design, spa luxury, and lush grounds in a secluded setting.
- La Quinta Resort & Club – Spanish-style casitas, golf courses, and a serene desert atmosphere.
- Ace Hotel & Swim Club – Trendy, affordable, and social—perfect for creative travelers near downtown Palm Springs.
Best Things to Do in Coachella Valley, CA
1. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Discover Native American history and culture through exhibits and interactive displays at this unique museum.
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is a history and culture museum situated in Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. The focus as the museum is on the area’s Cahuilla people. The new museum is set to open to the public in 2020 in the downtown district of Palm Springs at the corner of South Indian Canyon Drive and East Tahquitz Canyon Way. The museum is designed to be a place to celebrate the modern times, culture, and history of the Agua Caliente Band of the Cahuilla people. The design for the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum was inspired by Agua Caliente traditions.
Address: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Palm Springs, CA 92262, Phone: 760-778-1079
2. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Explore desert wildlife and botanical gardens, offering an exciting and educational experience for all ages.
The mission of the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is desert conservation by means of preservation, appreciation, and education. The Living Desert Zoo is home to several desert animals that have adapted to the desert’s harsh conditions. The gardens of the Living Desert highlight the diversity in the forms that plant life has adopted to survive in the harsh desert environment. More than 1,400 different plant species can be found in the several gardens that showcase the plant collection of the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. The facility aims to preserve, in its natural state, part of the Colorado Desert.
Address: 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Phone: 760-346-5694
3. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum
Visit this historic adobe home and museum to learn about Native American culture and desert history.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is a wonder of design and engineering. Built in the year 1941, the home was always meant to be used as a museum, along with being the residence of Cabot and Portia Yerxa. The building is inspired by the Hopi, handmade and constructed from found and reclaimed materials from the local area. The four-story Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, which opened in 1949, is full of Native American artifacts and art, works made by Cabot himself, and souvenirs from Cabot’s world travels. A large portion of the Pueblo is made out of sun-dried and adobe-style bricks made by Cabot.
Address: 67616 E Desert View Ave, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240, Phone: 760-329-7610
4. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Enjoy world-class music, art, and culture at this exciting, annual festival in the heart of the desert.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in the United States. In addition to the many artists that perform at the festival every year, Coachella also offers world class art exhibits and a variety of delicious food. There is more amazing food than anyone could eat in a weekend, with more than one hundred vendors offering everything from hand-crafted burgers and wood-fried pizzas to freshly made pad thai and authentic street tacos. Several site-specific, large-scale, original art installations are on display by both up-and-coming and established artists at the festival.
Address: Empire Polo Club, Indio, CA
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
5. Joshua Tree National Park
Explore stunning desert landscapes, hike scenic trails, and admire unique rock formations in this iconic national park.
Two distinctly different desert ecosystems meet in Joshua Tree National Park, the Colorado and the Mojave. The park protects almost 800,000 acres of the southern region of California. Visitors can explore an amazing variety of plants and landforms due to the park grounds spanning across two different desert environments. There are four visitors centers throughout the park where visitors can get information, talk to a ranger, view interpretive exhibits, and more. There are many sites to see in the Joshua Tree National Park, including Black Rock Canyon, Cottonwood Spring, Covington Flats, Skull Rock, Keys View, and Indian Cove.
Address: Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Phone: 760-367-5500
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
6. Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
Embark on an exciting off-road adventure and discover the beauty of the desert on a guided jeep tour.
Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events has provided visitors to the Coachella Valley with some of the highest regarded outdoor adventures in the area of Greater Palm Springs. The eco-tour and outdoor adventure company is the largest, original, and one of the most respected in the Southern California desert, offering a wide variety of options for activities and tours. The events, activities, and tours offered by Desert Adventures include something for everyone, whether visitors are seeking amazing scenery, panoramic vistas, amazing desert events, fauna and flora, geology, nature, culture and history, team building, rugged adventure, and more.
Address: Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events, 74-794 Lennon Pl, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Phone: 760-324-5337
7. Desert X
Discover large-scale art installations throughout the desert landscape at this unique outdoor art exhibition.
Desert X is a site-specific art installation that was originally created for a biennial art exhibition in the spring season of 2017. Artists from all over the world were invited to come to the Coachella Valley and create artwork in response to the valley’s unique conditions. The idea was for the desert of Southern California to be a canvas on which contemporary artists, just like many musicians, architects, and writers before them, could project their visions and create experiences and objects from the extraordinary social and natural history around them that’s reflective of the unparalleled surroundings of the barren landscape.
Address: Desert X, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Where to Eat in Coachella Valley, CA
- Workshop Kitchen + Bar – Sleek industrial-chic spot offering locally sourced new American dishes in Palm Springs.
- Shields Date Garden – Iconic Indio stop for date shakes, brunch, and a walk through romantic date groves.
- Farm – Charming French-inspired garden bistro in downtown Palm Springs, known for brunch and floral ambiance.
If you are interested in local events:
- Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (April) – World-famous festival featuring music, art installations, and fashion.
- Stagecoach Festival (April) – The country music counterpart to Coachella with major headliners and BBQ vibes.
- Palm Springs International Film Festival (January) – Celebrating global cinema with screenings, awards, and red carpets.
- Modernism Week (February) – Tours, talks, and exhibits highlighting the valley’s architectural heritage.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Coachella Valley, California:
- Joshua Tree National Park (30 min) – Explore surreal rock formations, desert trails, and starry skies.
- Salton Sea (30 min) – Visit this eerie inland lake with birdwatching, abandoned sites, and haunting beauty.
- Cabot’s Pueblo Museum (20–25 min) – Quirky, hand-built Hopi-inspired home and museum in Desert Hot Springs.
- Whitewater Preserve (25–30 min) – Hike along a year-round stream in a lush canyon north of Palm Springs.
- Indio Date Festival Grounds (10–15 min) – Fairground hosting food fests, concerts, and county fair events year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is the Coachella Valley known for?
- The Coachella Valley is best known for hosting one of the country’s largest music festivals, attracting visitors from all over the world.
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Is there more to the Coachella Valley than music?
- Yes, the area offers much more than just music. Indio, where the festival is held, is just a small part of the Coachella Valley.
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Where is the Coachella Valley located?
- The Coachella Valley is an expansive desert stretch in California, offering scenic views and close proximity to major cities.
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What activities can visitors enjoy in the Coachella Valley?
- The area offers a variety of attractions, including museums, outdoor activities, state parks, national parks, a brewery, a distillery, guided tours, and much more.
Unique Attractions
At a Glance:
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Warm temperatures and peak festival season.
La Quinta Resort & Club – A luxurious desert retreat with pools and golf courses.
Attend the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival – Experience one of the world’s biggest music festivals.
Summer (June-August) – Extremely hot, best for poolside relaxation.
The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage – A high-end resort with breathtaking desert views.
Visit a Resort Spa – Enjoy refreshing treatments at one of the valley’s luxury spas.
Fall (September-November) – Warm and pleasant, great for outdoor adventures.
Palm Springs Hyatt – A modern and centrally located stay.
Explore Joshua Tree National Park – Hike among iconic rock formations and desert landscapes.
Winter (December-February) – Mild and sunny, perfect for exploring.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel – A stylish stay with rooftop pool views.
Hike the Indian Canyons – Experience beautiful palm oases and stunning desert scenery.
Map:
Plan Your Trip