Nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Palm Desert basks in nearly year‑round sunshine and dramatic landscapes that dance between golden desert light and lush, palm-lined streets—an ideal backdrop for both relaxation and adventure.

Situated between Rancho Mirage and La Quinta, Palm Desert is known as a golf capital of the world with almost 40 golf courses within the city limits. The city has a population of approximately 53,147 and the median household income in Palm Desert is $86,500. The cost of living is lower than the California average, but higher than the National average. The median age is approximately 56.7 and the homeownership rate is 64.4%.

Palm Desert is in the Desert Sands Unified School District and there are 4 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high school. College of the Desert is the local community college and Cal State San Bernardino has a Palm Desert Campus for a 4 year university.

Utilities available in Palm Desert include Southern California Edison for electricity. So Cal Gas, and Coachella Valley Water District.

Palm Desert is the shopping hub of the Coachella Valley. It is home to the The Shops at Palm Desert- the Coachella Valley’s only indoor shopping mall with stores such as Macy’s, JC Penny’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, the El Paseo shopping district, known as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert” with upscale shopping such as Gucci, Tiffany’s, Lululemon, Ralph Lauren, and dining such as Mastro’s Steakhouse, Pacifica, Eddie V’s, and more. There is a Target, Best Buy, Ulta, Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kohl’s, Homegoods, Guitar Center, Nordstrom Rack. Lowe’s, and Home Depot within city limits.

Grocery store options include a Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Clark’s Nutrition, Trader Joe’s, Albertson’s, and Ralph’s.

Things To Do:

There is no shortage of things to do in Palm Desert! From golf and hiking, to a zoo and ice skating, movies, ice hockey, and even surfing!

Palm Desert is considered the golf capital of California with almost 40 golf courses, including municipal, public, and private courses. Some of the best include the Desert Willow Golf Resort, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Classic Club among others.

Palm Desert is home to the Acrisure Arena - a 10,000 seat venue that is home to the Coachella Valley Firebirds and hosts many concerts and events throughout the year. It is also home to the McCallum Theater, a 1,127 seat performing arts center that hosts a variety of events, including broadway shows, concerts, dance, and comedy. The Living Desert is the Valley’s only zoo and Palm Desert will soon be home to the Coachella Valley’s second surf park! Palm Desert has a movie theater as well.

Palm Desert also hosts many annual events such as El Paseo’s Golf Cart Parade, a fun event for people of all ages that has been going for over 60 years! Fashion Week on El Paseo, YUM Food Fest, and the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival.

Some local places to eat you’ll definitely want to try are La Spiga, Gastro Grind Burgers, La Baguette, The Lunch Spot, The Venue, Billy Q’s, Piero’s Pizza Vino, City Wok, and Oceana to name some of my favorites!

Click here for the Local Guide I created to discover ALL of my local favorite places to eat and things to do!