If your vision of a wintertime vacation to the California desert includes purple mountains, exotic cacti, comfy resorts and dog-friendly things to do, you’ll hit the jackpot with Greater Palm Springs. The region hugging the Interstate 10 corridor cuts through five counties and encompasses not just the celeb-saturated city of Palm Springs, but the neighboring communities of Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Indio, La Quinta and Coachella. Greater Palm Springs is the gateway to California’s vast Desert Region and an ideal place to stage your getaway. Here’s how to get started.
Greater Palm Springs is head over heels in puppy love with our canine pals—especially when it comes to pet-friendly hotels where you can lay your heads (and paws) after a long day of exploring.
We’re partial to several dog-welcoming establishments, including the Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, a four-star property at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, whose jagged silhouette rims the background. Also in the luxury category, La Quinta Resort & Club has taken pet-friendly to a new level with its PAWS La Quinta Experience, geared to make pets feel as pampered as their people from the moment they arrive. Also on our doggie bucket list is the Parker Palm Springs, featuring 13 acres of secluded “Happy Chic” grounds for two- and four-legged guests.
All the usual motel chains are represented in Palm Springs, and the city also abounds in boutique motels and resorts sporting retro architecture and modern amenities. The desert-modern Ace Hotel & Swim Club, a refurbished Westward Ho! property dating to 1959, is one standout. Caliente Tropics, a tiki-themed blast from the past; and Riviera Palm Springs, with an Old Hollywood theme, are among others.
Greater Palm Springs is also home to a pair of exciting newer hotels that have opened their doors:
The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs is located just off of North Palm Canyon Drive, where it anchors the downtown Palm Springs redevelopment project and is as dog-friendly as any Kimpton.
Another pet-friendly option is Hotel Paseo, an Autograph Collection Hotel and the first boutique hotel in Palm Desert’s popular El Paseo shopping and dining district.
When stomachs growl, you won’t have to look far to find great patio dining with your pup. Dogs who love a good yappy hour shouldn’t miss the Pinzimini patio at The Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. Not only can they lap up a cold one (water, that is), they also can dine on their very own bowl from the Patio Pooch menu. Melange, shoreside at The Chateau at Lake La Quinta, offers dog-friendly patio dining with a view—and, yes, a special menu for canine companions.
Ready to burn off that meal? For a fun and educational activity you can enjoy with your dog, head to Moorten Botanical Garden, where the two of you can stroll around a “living museum of desert lore” and admire more than 3,000 desert plants plus dinosaur fossils and petrified trees. The Palm Springs Museum Trail, rising above the Palm Springs Art Museum, tempts seasoned hikers with a 1.5-mile climb to a summit offering sweeping views of the Coachella Valley. Bring plenty of water for you and your pup—the desert sun is no joke, even in the cooler months. For more trail ideas, see our guide to dog-friendly hikes in Greater Palm Springs.
Another moderate-grade trail that intersects with the Museum Trail is the North Lykken Trail. The other option is the South Lykken Trail, providing excellent views into Tahquitz Canyon. And local favorites don’t stop there: the Whitewater Canyon Loop Trail is rated easy but gets you up close with desert landscapes, while the Homestead Trail rewards with sweeping views of the Coachella Valley as you trek to a lighted cross on top of a hill. All trails require leashes, so pack a sturdy 6-foot lead and keep your dog close on narrow sections.
