Exploring Palm Desert
Palm Desert is a city in the Coachella Valley, with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and El Paseo among its distinct visitor areas. It makes a useful base for planning around those two places, while Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and Indio are separate cities with their own attractions and meeting points.
Choose between a morning at the zoo, time browsing shops and galleries, or a separately booked excursion into the wider desert. They do not share a single ticket or itinerary. Check the address and starting point for each activity and allow time for travel between them.
For a nearby garden and historic estate, see Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage. The transport guide explains airport and local travel, while the season guide helps you plan outdoor time.
Our pick: regional Jeep excursion
From the wider Palm Desert area, visit the San Andreas Fault on a guided Jeep excursion from Indio.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
A desert excursion from the valley
A separate guided San Andreas Fault Jeep outing meets at Metate Ranch in Indio; plan your own journey to the meeting point.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert is at 47900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert. Buy admission in advance: the operator says prices can vary with the date. Its published rates are $44.95 for adults aged 18 and over, $34.95 for ages three to 17, free under three, and $37.95 for active or former military visitors with identification. Check the price for your actual date as you book.
From 1 October through 31 May, published hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. From 1 June through 30 September, hours are 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with last admission at 12:30 p.m. The zoo is closed on 25 December. A summer visit therefore needs a morning plan rather than an assumption that the gates stay open through the afternoon.
Parking is free. Guests under 18 need an adult companion. Pets are excluded, while service dogs are subject to area restrictions. You may bring your own food, but glass and alcohol are not allowed. The zoo is generally cashless; independently operated retail outlets are an exception. Check any additional experience separately instead of assuming animal feeding is part of admission.
El Paseo shopping and galleries
El Paseo is a publicly accessible shopping district with shops, restaurants and galleries. You can explore the district without buying an admission ticket, then decide where to stop. Individual businesses set their own hours, and some may shorten hours or close during summer, so check the places you particularly want to visit.
The district information lists free street parking and public parking behind the shops. A complimentary courtesy cart normally operates from mid October through May. Its published schedule is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Check service for your date rather than using that schedule as the opening time for every shop.
El Paseo and the zoo are separate stops. A food or shopping walk in Palm Springs should also be planned as a different activity, not as an El Paseo visit. Compare the regional options on the things to do page and choose the city and meeting point that fit your day.
Wildlife and conservation around Palm Desert
The Living Desert presents animals in managed zoo habitats, including desert wildlife, giraffes, rhinoceroses and Australian wallabies. What you see can vary during a visit. A zoo encounter is different from visiting a protected natural landscape, where habitat protection and site-specific access rules shape the experience.
The Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public. Do not plan it as a substitute walking trail. The neighboring preserve is a different area with its own access arrangements; check current conditions before travelling. Elsewhere, the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs have their own admission and visitor rules.
The guided San Andreas Fault Jeep excursion is a separate regional outing from Metate Ranch in Indio. Its included features are a naturalist guide, an open-air Jeep, water, snacks and land-use fees. It is not admission to the zoo or an El Paseo visit. Check the meeting details and make your own arrangements to reach the ranch.
Palm Desert questions
Should I buy zoo tickets ahead?
Yes. Advance purchase is required, and admission prices can vary by visit date.
Is El Paseo free to enter?
The district is publicly accessible. Shops, restaurants and individual purchases have their own prices and hours.
Does the Jeep excursion include the zoo?
It is a separate guided outing from Metate Ranch in Indio. Plan zoo admission separately.