As one of the nine cities in the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is considered to be the ancestral homeland of Cahuilla, a division of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. As Europeans arrived and slowly settled the area, it was first referred to as Old MacDonald Ranch. In the 1920s, date palms were planted throughout the area, and the name was changed to Palm Village. According to local historians, prior to the 1950s, residents in the area were predominantly Cahuilla Indian farmers of the San Cayetano tribe, which is now extinct.
In 1943, the first residential development was built, largely to house military families connected with a local Army maintenance camp that was established. That site later became an upscale shopping district similar to Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, which was called "El Paseo." In 1948, the Palm Desert Corporation began to develop the area, and it was given its present name in 1951. Today, Palm Desert boasts a booming population of just under 50,000 residents. As a popular retreat for "snowbirds," however, the winter population swells by approximately 31,000. A number of these transitory snowbirds have become full-time residents, largely because of both affordable and high-valued home options. Thanks to the prevalence of these traveling snowbirds, however, Palm Desert and the surrounding area is a mecca for RVers. This means services, storage options, entertainment, recreational opportunities, and RV parks are plentiful. RV parks also range from basic to those offering high-end resort amenities such as golf courses, luxurious clubhouses, and multiple pools.
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival: Generally referred to as simply "Coachella," this event takes place each spring and features some of the biggest musical acts from around the globe.
Stagecoach Country Music Festival: Held each spring the week after Coachella, this event features three days of western fun, including performances by some of the biggest names in country music.
Palm Springs International Film Festival: Held each January, this event features 10 days of screenings followed by an awards show.
Explore the intense, rugged beauty of a wide-open desert landscape in nearby Joshua Tree National Park. Spanning over 1,200 miles of rugged desert wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park is named for the twisted, alien-looking plants that thrive there. Popular activities at Joshua Tree include hiking, mountain biking, and backcountry camping, not to mention climbing, bird-watching, and stargazing opportunities.
If you prefer ocean views and water sports, you can head over to Channel Islands National Park, where you will find a treasure trove of undeveloped wonders, including unique flora and fauna and even a peek into the indigenous history of the islands. This one-of-a-kind cluster of islands offers a wealth of outdoor adventures, from hiking and backcountry camping to kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, and even scuba diving in or on the interstitial waters.
Those who love extreme adventure, you can head off into one of the most unforgiving climates on Earth in nearby Death Valley National Park. With summertime temperatures that regularly climb higher than 120 degrees, it should be no surprise that the world's highest recorded temperature of 134 degrees was registered in the park's Furnace Creek in July of 1913.
At the nearby Salton Sea Recreation Area, you can birdwatch or enjoy other wildlife at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge or try water activities such as boating, kayaking, or beachgoing. As the name implies, however, be ready for the water's high saline content.
If you prefer the beauty of majestic mountains, you can head over to Mount San Jacinto State Park, where you can camp, hike, rock climb, or participate in a number of other activities in this 14,000-acre park.
For those that prefer freshwater lakes to salty seas or oceans, you can head to Lake Perris State Recreation Area, which offers 8,000 acres of broad valley with clean, white beaches and enticing blue waters. It is also home to more than 100 different species, including roadrunners, bald eagles, loggerhead shrikes, and more.
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains near Angelus Oaks, the Sand to Snow National Monument is one of the must-see monuments in California. The monument begins on the floor of the Sonoran desert and extends up to over 10,000 feet in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. If you are planning to make a trip to Mount San Jacinto State Park, be sure to stop in at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. The spectacular beauty of the drive alone is worth the trip.
If you just want to stay in the area, you can check out our top picks for RV parks and campgrounds near Palm Springs, which include Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort in Palm Desert and the Emerald Desert RV Resort, which is also in Palm Desert.
If you are planning on enjoying the festivities at either Stagecoach or Coachella, you might enjoy a stay at the Shadow Hills RV Resort in Indio. They offer full RV hookups, a heated pool, Jacuzzi, walking trails, fitness center, WiFi, cable, and pet stations, all inside a secure gated community. They also offer seasonal tent camping, cottage rentals, and the Desert Oasis Glamping Grounds with vintage trailers and teepees, situated around tranquil koi and duck ponds.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Palm Desert, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Palm Desert?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Palm Desert from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Palm Desert?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
