Palm Desert

1. Bump and Grind Trail

The Palm Desert Bump and Grind Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Coachella Valley. Locals may also refer to the trail as the Patton Trail, Desert Drive Trail, Dog Poop Trail, and Desert Mirage Trail. The trail starts out narrow at the trailhead and widens as you go along. It is popular among those looking to get a workout and has an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet as it climbs to an overlook that offers nice views of Palm Desert. A number of endangered wildlife species inhabit the area and it may be possible to view them during your hike, especially bighorn sheep.

2. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is a historical house museum consisting of a large, Hopi-style pueblo home. The house is a stunning example of the Pueblo revival style and was built by Cabot Yerxa, an explorer and activist who constructed the home out of things he found in the desert. Every part of the house is manmade using sun-dried bricks and reclaimed wood from nearby cabins.

The construction began in 1941 and Yerxa worked on the home until he died in 1965. All in all, the house is four stories tall and has 35 rooms. He and his wife opened the house to the public for touring during his life, and today it stands as a museum with artifacts, artwork, and items from the architect’s own personal life.

67616 Desert View Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240, Phone: 760-329-7610

3. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

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 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.

479000 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Phone: 760-346-5694

4. Palm Desert Aquatic Center

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.

73751 Magnesia Falls Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260, Phone: 760-565-7467

5. Palm Springs Art Museum

Palm Springs Art Museum is a regional museum focused on art and natural science. It is also used as a performing arts venue. The museum was founded as a museum about the desert, but has since transformed into a real forerunner in the area of the arts. The collection is especially strong in the areas of west coast art, Native American art, international modern and contemporary painting and sculpture, classic Western American art, and contemporary and studio art glass. The museum offers docent guided tours for free with museum admission. They also offer special in-depth tours for certain events and exhibitions.

101 N. Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, Phone: 760-322-4800

6. Palms to Pines Scenic Byway

The Palms to Pines Scenic Byway is a scenic drive that follows Highways 74 and 243 from just south of Palm Desert on one end to Banning Pass on the other. The byway was designated as a scenic byway because of the great amount and variety of scenery that you can encounter on the drive. It travels from scenic forests through the California desert and up into snow-peaked mountains. This degree of contrast in environments is rare in such a short distance. There are few services along the road and it is quite windy, but the scenery is certainly worth it. (website link)

7. San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas Fault is one of the most famous fault lines in the world. It crosses approximately 1,200 km through the state of California, marking the boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. Many tourists who come to the state want to see the famous fault. Visiting the fault can be somewhat underwhelming as it is not the massive crack in the Earth that many people envision. In fact, due to the long time period since the last earthquake, it can be quite hard to make out. Many sections of the fault reside in public land and it’s possible to access much of it. If you’d like to visit with a geologist or naturalist, check with local nature centers and parks as many offer day trips.

8. Smiler’s Point

To the untrained eye, Smiler’s Point appears to be nothing more than a simple curve in California’s State Route 74. The curve has become a pilgrimage site of sorts for film fans who have given it the name Smiler’s Point. In the 1963 hit film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, a reckless driver named Smiler Grogan plummets to his death over the cliff from this point in the highway. It is considered an incredibly influential film by film fans and has a major fan base among film enthusiasts even today. There are no walking paths where you can see the point on foot; instead, it is typically enjoyed by cruising by at a slow speed.

Highway 74, South of Palm Desert

9. Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve

The Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve is a nature preserve in the Coachella Valley. Popular activities here include hiking, picnicking, viewing wildlife, and more on over 20,000 acres of desert wilderness and hiking trails. There is a rustic visitors center called the Palm House, which offers basic services. Docent guides lead free guided hikes several times a week. The hikes depart from the visitors center, are typically short (around 2 miles), and usually have a specific focus. Some possible hikes include the Desert Bird Walk, the Explore the Ecology of a Fault Line Oasis Hike, the Tour of Two Oases, and more.

29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Road, Thousand Palms, CA 92276, Phone: 760-343-2733