Palm Desert is one of the most desirable places to visit in the Palm Springs region, and there are numerous reasons why. For starters, the golf packages in Palm Desert are extremely enticing, and it doesn't hurt that Palm Springs itself is only about ten miles away. Things to do in Palm Desert can easily include the surrounding cities and their many attractions, from restaurants to shopping and more. Regardless of your interests, this Southern California desert city should have little trouble pleasing, and this is part of the reason why it figured among the fastest-growing cities in the 1980s and 90s. Newcomers are still arriving.

The Palm Springs area is a golfer's paradise, and this has a lot to do with the courses that can be found in Palm Desert. Among these courses are the Firecliff Course and the Mountain View Course, both of which are part of the award-winning Desert Willow Golf Resort. These championship courses can appeal to all levels of golfers, and you might be interested to know that the Firecliff Course has been designated as the top overall public access golf course by Desert Golf magazine on more than one occasion. When you're not teeing it up at Desert Willow during your Palm Desert escape, you might venture over to the Classic Club to enjoy its challenging 7,305-yard layout. Arnold Palmer designed the course at the Classic Club, and while the rates are high, they are worth every penny.

Some of the most attractive golf packages in Palm Desert include a round or more at one of these top rated courses. This is good news for golfing enthusiasts. You can also find golf packages in Palm Desert that include some golf and a stay at Marriott's Desert Springs Spa & Resort. This excellent Palm Desert hotel and resort features two 18-hole courses, and both of these courses are championship rated. When you also figure in the spa and all the other great facilities and amenities, it becomes even clearer that this resort is among the best places to stay in all of Southern California.

Palm Springs Map

If you're not interested in the golf packages in Palm Desert, then perhaps the shopping opportunities will pique your interest. This upscale desert city is home to El Paseo Drive, which is often compared to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Posh retail shops mix with attractive landscaping on El Paseo Drive, and if you can't find a store that suits your needs along this avenue, there are more surrounding it. The whole area around El Paseo Drive has developed into a shopping district, and shops aren't the only things that this district has to offer. A fine collection of galleries and a satisfying amount of excellent restaurants also call the area home.

The options for things to do in Palm Desert are quite extensive. Ample tennis facilities cater to tennis enthusiasts, and should you be looking to switch things up a little, a trip to the Living Desert is always worth adding to the itinerary. The Living Desert is both a zoo and a botanical garden, and as you might imagine, plants and animals that hail from desert regions are highlighted. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding on the area trails are among the other options for things to do in Palm Desert, and should you find that you are worn out after a few days, visiting one of the city's excellent spas can also be a fine way to spend some time.

Should you need some help making up a Palm Springs itinerary that suits your wants and needs, a trip to the city's Visitor Center is recommended. Found at 72-567 Highway 111, this eco-friendly center offers all kinds of things that can help you make the most of your Palm Springs area vacation. Maps, brochures, and various visitor guides are among the things that you can help yourself to at the Palm Desert Visitor Center. It's also possible to get advice directly from a staff member. Save for major holidays, the center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.