Escape to This Sunny Desert City for a Breath of Fresh Air
With endless natural beauty and sumptuous resort amenities, the sunny city of Palm Desert is a delightful desert destination for those in search of some relaxation or recreation. Located between the cities of Palm Springs and Indian Wells, Palm Desert is home to world-class shopping, top-notch restaurants, renowned resorts and an abundance of outdoor activities. Ready to book your escape? Let us be your guide! This 24-hour itinerary is sure to make your desert getaway one for the books. Palm Desert Itinerary
7 a.m.
Morning Tee Time
Start your day with an early swing at the Desert Willow Golf Resort. This award-winning golf resort offers two stunning courses with incredible views of the surrounding Santa Rosa Mountains at every hole. The Mountain View Course offers eight tee selections (including 3 combo tees) along with rolling fairways, flowing water features and natural desert landscaping. If your golf game is strong, take a swing at The Firecliff Course. This course is considered challenging and features natural areas, numerous water features and more than 100 bunkers.
Palm Desert Itinerary
12 p.m.
Grab a Bite
Luscious Lorraine’s never compromises taste even with their dedication to serving healthy fare. After a round of golf, stop by and enjoy fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch options, including wraps, sandwiches, salads and bowls. Luscious Lorraine’s also offers an oasis of beverages like quality teas, coffee, blends, juices and elixir shots. The smoothies are too numerous to list, but we will say that adding a local date shake to your order is a must!
Local Insight: Proprietor and Chef Lorraine Ornelas worked as a private chef for President Gerald Ford and wife Betty for many years when they lived in California.
5/8
1 p.m.
Walk on the Wild Side
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens features 1,400 different animal and plant species, and with its immersive experiences is considered one of the best desert-themed zoos in America. Today, visitors can now experience the all-new four-acre Rhino Savanna exhibit, which recently welcomed two new black rhinos—Jaali and Nia, ages 2 and 3! Their new habitat was designed to replicate their ancestral home, African savannah-style, and is shared with 10 other desert African species located close by: the giraffes are their majestic and quiet neighbors.
Palm Desert Itinerary
2:30 p.m.
Lounge Poolside
The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is an exceptional resort with lavish first-class amenities. Decision-making can be tough, especially when choosing which pool to lounge by. Lucky for you, all six of The JW Marriott’s pools are heated! Choose between the Springs Outdoor Family Pool, Oasis Main Pool, Lap Pool, Oasis Upper Pool and Spa Outdoor Salt-Water Pool, the latter of which is privately located and access is included with a spa treatment.
4:30 p.m.
Shop Vintage
Treasure hunting is fun and relaxing when shopping at The Fine Art of Design on El Paseo. This vintage clothing store is as inviting and organized as the finest designer boutiques, where many of their items were originally featured. With a friendly and expert staff and extraordinary clothes and accessories for both men and women, The Fine Art of Design is one of Palm Desert’s best-kept secrets!
Palm Desert Itinerary
5:30 p.m.
Discover Desert Art
Palm Desert’s Art in Public Places program allows visitors to experience a handful of stunning, larger-than-life sculptures and countless objets d’art throughout the city at no cost! That’s right—you can take a self-guided tour for free! Rent an electric bike from Tri-A-Bike, and zip around town to discover the best public art in Palm Desert! For a detailed map of the various sculptures and pieces, click here!
7:30 p.m.
Dinner and a Show
With dreamy Palm Desert nights, dining al fresco at Casuelas Cafe is the perfect start to an entertaining evening. Enjoy authentically delicious Mexican fare, cocktails and live music! Chapter two of this fine night takes place at Palm Desert’s cultural gem, the McCallum Theater, an intimate venue that celebrates world-class entertainment from concerts and comedy events to Broadway-style shows.
