Pack Your Bags and Head to This Sun-Drenched Desert City for Getaway This Winter
The chilly days of winter are here, and if you’re missing that warm SoCal sunshine, we’ve got the vacation for you! This month, treat yourself to a sun-soaked getaway with plenty of poolside cocktails and endless outdoor adventures. Naturally, the winter months have us craving a warm-weather escape, and we know exactly where to set our GPS. To Do Palm Desert
Just a few hours inland sits the dreamy City of Palm Desert—a laid-back destination for all things leisure. Whether it’s strolling down the store-lined street of El Paseo, dining under the desert sky or wandering through the scenic The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, there is no shortage of entertainment in this charming desert city. Here are five reasons to pack your suitcase, throw on your shades and make your way to Palm Desert this winter.
1 | Walk on the Wild Side
Plan a day trip to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to see the exciting Australian Adventures Exhibit and all-new Rhino Savanna Habitat! In these immersive habitats, you’ll find two black rhinos and a variety of Australian species like free-flying budgies, cockatiels, emu, tawny-frogmouths, singing kookaburras, yellow-footed wallabies, reptiles and more. Other notable things to do at The Living Desert include giraffe feeding, taking a ride on the Endangered Species Carousel and embarking on a private safari tour. Buy and reserve your tickets online today, or purchase an annual membership which grants you unlimited free admission, access to fun events and awesome benefits like a 10% discount at on-site food outlets and purchases at the gift shop!
Local Insight: When you purchase a The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens membership, the proceeds help support the zoo’s mission, conservation and education programs.
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2 | Gorgeous Nature Trails
Palm Desert is home to a variety of scenery-laced trails, which are perfect for hiking, biking or riding around on horseback. No matter if you’re an avid cycler or just looking for an easy, family-friendly ride, there are plenty of scenic routes to experience. Click here to view a Palm Desert road biking map. If biking isn’t your thing, you can take a look at the area’s best equestrian-friendly and walkable trails here. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens also offers three nature preserve hiking trails to explore: The Discovery Loop (a brief, quarter-mile interlude), The Adventure Loop (a mile-long trail through desert wash habitat) and The Wilderness Loop (a five-mile hike up or down a boulder-strewn canyon and along a rocky ridgeline with stunning and far-reaching vistas).
To Do Palm Desert
3 | Open-Air Eats
Few destinations enjoy the four-season privilege of al fresco wining and dining, but Palm Desert boasts a slew of culinary destinations that line the city’s famed El Paseo. The San Jacinto Mountain backdrop frames this high-end shopping and dining district, where outdoor tables covered in white tablecloths are set for gourmet cuisine and gracious service. Enjoy a shi shi sit-down dinner at one of El Paseo’s upscale restaurants, like Eddie V’s Prime Seafood or Sullivan’s Steakhouse!
4 | ‘Tis the Season to Shop
Tucked at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains lies Palm Desert’s luxury shopping district, The Shops on El Paseo! With more than 25 restaurants, shops, art galleries and services, this shi shi destination is every fashionista’s and foodie’s dream. Whether you’re looking to revamp your winter wardrobe with some stylish apparel or you’re on the hunt for home decor, one-of-a-kind art or the perfect gift, The Shops on El Paseo is the ultimate destination for some retail therapy. Take a stroll through the palm tree-lined corridor, and you’ll discover a collection of upscale eateries like Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and Kitchen 86, plus a handful of name-brand designer boutiques like Ralph Lauren, Oliver Peoples, Grayse, Athleta (coming soon) and more. Kickstart your day with a decadent brunch at Daily Grill—we’re talkin’ mimosas and blackberry brioche French toast—then hit the shops for some new finds! This season, we’re loving Soma’s collection of buttery soft loungewear and Brighton Collectibles’ timeless jewelry designs.
To Do Palm Desert
5 | The Sweetest of Deals
As one of the most Instagrammable hotels in Greater Palm Springs, Hotel Paseo is no slouch when it comes to first-class amenities. This midcentury modern retreat is just steps away from El Paseo, so you can conveniently do your shopping and still spend the rest of your day by the pool. Don’t miss out on Hotel Paseo’s Advanced Purchase offer—which gets you 20% off when you book and prepay for your stay at least 7 days in advance.
