Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Palm Desert travel guide

Palm Desert Tourism | Palm Desert Guide

You're Going to Love Palm Desert

With a population of 48,445, Palm Desert is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Palm Desert deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Palm Desert

If you’re looking for affordable options, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar - Palm Desert (73595 El Paseo #2200) and Kaiser Grille - PALM DESERT (74040 Highway 111) are great picks.

When to visit Palm Desert

Palm Desert in July
Estimated hotel price
$174
1 night at 3-star hotel
Palm Desert in July
Estimated hotel price
$174
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Palm Desert

Plane

When flying to Palm Desert, you’ll arrive at Palm Springs (PSP), which is located 10 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Palm Desert include American Airlines, Air Canada and Alaska Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Palm Desert departs from Seattle and takes around 2h 38m.

Car

Another option to get to Palm Desert is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 113 miles from Palm Desert. You’ll find branches of Priceless and Turo, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

Palm Desert’s bus station is located 1.3 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Palm Desert, you’ll arrive at Palm Springs (PSP), which is located 10 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Palm Desert include American Airlines, Air Canada and Alaska Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Palm Desert departs from Seattle and takes around 2h 38m.

Car

Another option to get to Palm Desert is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 113 miles from Palm Desert. You’ll find branches of Priceless and Turo, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

Palm Desert’s bus station is located 1.3 miles from the city center.

Airports near Palm Desert

SANSan Diego
ONTOntario
SNASanta Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Airlines serving Palm Desert

Lufthansa
Good (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,836 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,935 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,244 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,069 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,967 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,851 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,203 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (967 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Palm Desert

Where to stay in Palm Desert

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert and Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort.

Where to stay in popular areas of Palm Desert

Most booked hotels in Palm Desert

See all
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 262 reviews)
$153+
View
Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 708 reviews)
$90+
View
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 738 reviews)
$277+
View
Marriott's Shadow Ridge II- The Enclaves, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 428 reviews)
$153+
View
Marriott's Shadow Ridge I-The Villages, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 771 reviews)
$153+
View
Hyatt Reg Indian Wells Resort & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 598 reviews)
$371+
View

Renting a car in Palm Desert

Renting a car in Palm Desert costs $59 per day, on average, or $118 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Avis, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Palm Desert is the Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch at 73088 Highway 111, which is 1 mile from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 6% more expensive than at Palm Springs.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Palm Desert (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Palm Desert is Compact (Hyundai Kona or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Supplier choice rental cars (Class Special Car or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Palm Desert costs $59 per day, on average, or $118 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Avis, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Palm Desert is the Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch at 73088 Highway 111, which is 1 mile from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 6% more expensive than at Palm Springs.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Palm Desert (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Palm Desert is Compact (Hyundai Kona or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Supplier choice rental cars (Class Special Car or similar) are, on average, 64% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Palm Desert

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$35/day

Economy

Standard

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$38/day

Standard
Find car rentals in Palm Desert

Palm Desert Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Palm Desert city guide for the best Palm Desert travel tips. To help you organize your Palm Desert trip ideas, this Palm Desert visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.