Palm Desert is the educational, retail, and cultural hub of the Valley. Focus your visit on exploring first-hand the many jewels that comprise the Coachella Valley. Experience Joshua Tree National Park with more than 1,240 square miles of dramatic desert terrain, spend a day in Wine Country, and enjoy theaters, shopping centers, and other resort amenities.
Day One: Arrive at the resort
Arrive at Emerald Desert RV Resort on the approach to Palm Desert, you may see amazing windmills alongside Interstate I-10 and the picturesque Santa Rosa and the San Jacinto Mountains.
After checking into Emerald Desert RV Resort, take some time to unwind, relax, and enjoy the surroundings. Don’t forget to check out the activities schedules so as not to miss anything. Casual dress is the standard in the Desert. The Resort often has dinner events planned but there are numerous restaurant choices throughout the Desert’s eight-member cities, offering something to please every taste bud.
After dinner heads off to Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa to enjoy a few hours of casino gambling.
Day Two: Sightseeing around the area
Start the day with an early morning sunrise at your site or villa patio with a leisurely breakfast in your rig/villa or a desert restaurant.
Then prepare for a half-day tour of the main streets and sights in Palm Springs professionally narrated by Celebrity Tours of Palm Springs (allow 1-2.5 hours). You will see the homes of Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, and many more.
In the afternoon head to the Santa Rosa and Mount San Jacinto National Monument in the mountains above the Desert. This wilderness area is destined to become a National Park. Arrive via the Palm Springs Aerial Tour on the world’s largest rotating tram cars, enjoying 360 degrees of WOW along the way. The two Swiss-built cabins carry you up rugged Chino Canyon from the 2,643 foot Valley Station to the 8,516 foot Mountain Station at the threshold of the Santa Rosa and Mount San Jacinto National Monument.
During the 10-minute ride, you will pass through five different geologic life zones, beginning in the Sonoran and ending in the Artic Fringe. At the top, the flora and fauna have changed and the temperature is some 40 degrees cooler. There are also two restaurants to enjoy lunch, a cocktail lounge, gift shop and a natural history museum. In Long Valley, a short walk from the station is an Adventure Center with cross-country skiing, inner tubing and other snow-related activities, and a permanent California State Park Ranger Station. While on the mountain, enjoy a movie that tells the story of this remarkable engineering feat. (Allow a minimum of 1 hour depending on chosen activities).
Then we will take a walk along the historic palm tree-lined Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. In this village atmosphere, we will find sidewalk cafés, world famous art galleries and restaurants, including one that was a ‘favorite spot’ of Frank Sinatra. Along the Palm Springs Walk of Starts, we will walk among the golden palm stars of Marilyn Monroe, Bob Hope, Chevy Chase (and 257 other recognizable names), embedded in the sidewalks.
If your visit happens to be on a Thursday (except Thanksgiving Day), Palm Canyon Drive is transformed into VillageFest a lively street fair between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Local artisans set up booths to sell their creations, and guests can enjoy live entertainment, dinner and a farmer’s market featuring locally grown produce. Don’t forget to try our wonderful dates, from the Valley’s number one crop.
Day Three: Enjoy a day outside in the sun
Start the day with a walk around the grounds of the resort. Fine tune you’re putting game on our 150 feet of putting surface or try your hand at pickle ball fun for all ages.
Don’t forget breakfast before departing for a big day ahead, step back in time for a hearty breakfast at Ruby’s Diner: an inspired 50’s themed diner located in Palm Desert.
Following breakfast explore The Living Desert, experience the amazing varieties of flora and fauna of the world’s desert regions, all in one location. The collections of wild animals that are native to desert regions are a sight to behold, and the fantastic botanical gardens will forever change the way you think of the Desert. Be sure to stop in and tour the state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital and learn how these animals are cared for. (Allow 2.5-3 hours)
Next head of to experience a shopping adventure at “The Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” beautiful El Paseo in Palm Desert. After lunch, at any of the amazing restaurants, visit a shopper’s paradise, The Gardens on El Paseo– home to Saks Fifth Avenue, Brooks Brothers, Tiffany & Co., and more.
You may also want to travel a little further east into Indo to visit the world famous Shields Date Gardens, a desert tradition since 1924. Be sure to sample a delectable Date Shake and take in a free showing of the longest-running film in desert history: Shield’s 15-minute Romance & Sex Life of the Date.
Upon returning to Emerald Desert RV Resort, you may rest or enjoy some time swimming in one of our two sparkling pools before grabbing an early dinner in preparation for a big evening out!
After dinner it is time to celebrate the music, dance and comedy of the ’30s and ’40s, with a cast old enough to have lived it! The real fun is waiting at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies at the historic Plaza Theatre. This razzle-dazzle song and dance extravaganza is presented in the style of the old Ziegfeld Follies. Each season features a special guest headliner.
Day Four: Shopping and Dining
Spend the day at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets where you will find top designer brands at outlet prices! The Outlets feature internationally-known brand name stores including Saks, Coach, Gucci, Versace, Burberry and many more.
If shopping is not your bag, you might consider staying behind to experience one of our breathtaking golf courses that lure duffers the world over. The Coachella Valley is home to 115 fabulous public and private golf courses, with available tee-times throughout every day of the year. Check with the Front Desk Clerk or Activities Coordinator about arranging a round!
If shopping is still on your radar, spend the early evening in Old Town La Quinta, offering a mosaic of unique shops, restaurants and art galleries in an early California setting. In the heart of Old Town is the Hogs Breath Inn, the Clint Eastwood-inspired restaurant featuring murals of the “Man With No Name’” and dishes named after many of his famous characters.
