Introduction
What to do
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, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant (73505 El Paseo, Suite F-2608) and Eddie V's - Palm Desert (73040 El Paseo) are great picks.

When to visit Palm Desert

Palm Desert in July
Estimated hotel price
$194
1 night at 3-star hotel
Palm Desert in July
Estimated hotel price
$194
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 Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Palm Desert departs from San Francisco and takes around 1h 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 Midway and Ace, 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 Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Palm Desert departs from San Francisco and takes around 1h 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 Midway and Ace, 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

KLM
Good (1,440 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,718 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,680 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,052 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,176 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,849 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,087 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,164 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,715 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,522 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,469 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (894 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,624 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,654 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,370 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,130 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,174 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,349 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,431 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,721 reviews)
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Find flights to Palm Desert

Where to stay in Palm Desert

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include The Inn at Deep Canyon and Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort.

Where to stay in popular areas of Palm Desert

Most booked hotels in Palm Desert

See all
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I, A Marriott Vacation Club Resort
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 400 reviews)
$203+
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The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 303 reviews)
$182+
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Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1698 reviews)
$194+
View
Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 2657 reviews)
$175+
View
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1039 reviews)
$300+
View
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, 778 reviews)
$382+
View

Renting a car in Palm Desert

Renting a car in Palm Desert costs $43 per day, on average, or $86 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 Budget branch at 74-881 Hovley Lane East, which is 2 miles from the city center.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 47% cheaper than airport locations in Palm Desert.

Expect to pay $3.14 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 $37.70 and $50.27. Compact (Kia Soul or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Palm Desert, while also 61% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Palm Desert costs $43 per day, on average, or $86 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 Budget branch at 74-881 Hovley Lane East, which is 2 miles from the city center.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 47% cheaper than airport locations in Palm Desert.

Expect to pay $3.14 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 $37.70 and $50.27. Compact (Kia Soul or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Palm Desert, while also 61% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Palm Desert

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$25/day

Intermediate

Standard

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$27/day

Standard
Find car rentals in Palm Desert