Palm Desert

Palm Desert is a charter city in the Coachella Valley of California, located roughly 14 miles east of Palm Springs at an elevation of 220 feet (67 meters). The settlement covers about 27 square miles and features residential neighborhoods, golf courses, and low commercial buildings.

The area was known as Old MacDonald Ranch until the 1920s, when date cultivation began and the settlement was renamed Palm Village. The community received its official city charter in 1973 under the name Palm Desert.

The name comes from the date palms planted in the 1920s that still grow on farms near the edge of town. Visitors walk along El Paseo to see sculptures and art galleries, while the McCallum Theatre hosts concerts and stage performances throughout the year.

The Living Desert Zoo sits on the outskirts and displays more than 500 animals in habitats that recreate desert environments from North America and Africa. A visit typically takes several hours, so arriving in the morning when temperatures are cooler makes walking the grounds easier.

Summer temperatures regularly climb to 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius), while winters bring milder readings between 70 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 28 degrees Celsius). Many residents live here only from November through April and leave during the hottest months.

Location: Riverside County

Inception: 1973

Elevation above the sea: 67 m

Shares border with: Sky Valley, Indian Wells

Website: https://palmdesert.gov

GPS coordinates: 33.72556,-116.36944

Latest update: December 12, 2025 13:18