10 TOP Things to Do in California Desert February 2026

This unique estate now acts more or less as the Western White House in the US. It's a little tricky to reserve a tour of it due to its popularity, but the gardens are freely open to the public most of the year.

Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park, just another cool thing about the Palm Springs area.

See more pictures and ideas about this area in our blog post:
http://rvluckyorwhat.com/2015/05/08/where-would-you-live-if-you-could-work-from-anywhere

#skull
#trail
#hiking
#joshuatree
#nationalpark
#rock
#California
#travel
#Ustravel

Love this Californian desert! Great park for hiking and camping, trails here are a blast and unique from so many of the other national parks I've been too! Pack plenty of water!!!

Beautiful park with strange rocks formations and piles of them. Great place to hike among the Joshua trees and rocks. #hiking #landscape #outdoors

Places to Visit in California Desert

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in California Desert, California while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best California Desert attractions from NZ$25, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group California Desert tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 32 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular California Desert. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Most fun & popular experiences in California Desert

Tours & day trips

See all 112 activities

Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour

Free cancellation available

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 52 activities

Drag Brunch at the Hyatt Palm Springs

Free cancellation available

Private & custom tours

See all 44 activities

Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Free cancellation available

Attractions

See all 10 activities

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Free cancellation available

Classes & workshops

See all 8 activities

Desert Healing Experience

Recommended things to do in California Desert

Number of things to do	32
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Palm Springs Architecture Tour – Self-Guided Drive: NZ$25
Top 5 things to do	Palm Springs Architecture Tour – Self-Guided Drive Drag Brunch at the Hyatt Palm Springs Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour Explore Palm Springs Celebrity Homes in Style Southern California Self-Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tours Bundle
Half-day tours	Drag Brunch at the Hyatt Palm Springs Explore Palm Springs Celebrity Homes in Style Restorative Soundbath in Palm Springs Palm Springs Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour Mountain Sunrise Hike and Meditation in Palm Springs
With kids	Drag Brunch at the Hyatt Palm Springs Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour Explore Palm Springs Celebrity Homes in Style Restorative Soundbath in Palm Springs Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ

What to do in California Desert

Discover the most popular places to visit in California Desert

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Climb aboard the world's largest rotating tramcar up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon to see Palm Springs from above.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Catch an event at Indian Wells Tennis Garden and enjoy other activities in Indian Wells such as golfing.Attend a sporting event or discover the desert landscapes in this family-friendly area.

About time landscape architects designed some structure for the desert... Note: in German we call these Schwiegermutterstühle - mother in law's chairs.

Palm Springs Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Palm Springs Convention Center during your trip to Palm Springs. Discover the area's spas or seek out its golf courses.

Agua Caliente Casino

Why not roll the dice with a visit to Agua Caliente Casino during your visit to Rancho Mirage? Discover the lively festivals and spas in this family-friendly area.

Palm Tree Date Farm Harvest in California. Palm Tree Date Farm and Clear skies fill the image in Coachella, California. Two airplanes flying past in the distant background.

Coachella Music Festival

Coachella Music Festival is just one of the places to see in Indio, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the area's casinos or seek out its golf courses.

Aerial view of Mechanics Bank Arena, a theater and convention center, in Bakersfield, California, USA. The arena hosts events and conventions.

Dignity Health Arena

Catch an event at Dignity Health Arena during your trip to Bakersfield. Discover the top-notch restaurants and entertainment choices in this family-friendly area.

golf courseat sunset in palm springs, california

PGA West Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in La Quinta at PGA West Golf Course. Experience the acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

Palm Canyon

Palm Canyon is just one of the places to see in Palm Springs, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the lively festivals in this family-friendly area or seek out the hiking trails.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Between meeting animals from across the world and exploring nature trails through the Sonoran Desert, expect an exotic experience in southern California.

Explore areas of California Desert

Palm Springs Art Museum which includes interior views and art

Downtown Palm Springs

Join the many Angelenos that flock to Downtown Palm Springs to quench their vacation thirst in the Sonoran Desert.

Little gem on Air BnB, great area for cycling and vineyards

Valle De Los Caballos

While visiting Valle De Los Caballos, you might make a stop by sights like Avensole Winery and Ponte Winery.

Snapped this shot as I was leaving my hotel in PS. The sky with the building, palm trees, and flowers all caught my eye and blended well together. No filter!

Baristo

While visiting Baristo, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza Theatre and Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center.

Midtown

If you're spending some time in Midtown, Agua Caliente Casino and The Spa at Se-che are top sights worth seeing.

Sunrise Park

If you're spending some time in Sunrise Park, Palm Springs Mall Shopping Center and Palm Springs Swim Center are top sights worth seeing.

Aerial tramway scenic landscape view at sunset in California.

Tahquitz River Estates

Though Tahquitz River Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium and Tahquitz Canyon.

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.