What to do in Coachella Valley when you're not listening to music
Coachella Valley may be best known as the home of one of the biggest music festivals in the United States, but the area doesn’t only exist for that one purpose. In fact, the festival is in Indio, which is just one small part of the larger area. Coachella Valley is actually a large stretch of desert that offers everything from scenic views to a close proximity to larger cities. So if you’re headed to Coachella for music but are thinking of sticking around for the sites, you should go for it!
As for what you can do in Coachella Valley…where should we start? The valley encompasses popular cities and areas like Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, and more (it’s also very close to Los Angeles). Plus, there’s tons of resorts, spas, and activities to partake in.
So without further ado, here are 10 activities we’d recommend if you’re visiting Coachella Valley.
1Go on a hike
One of the best things you can do in Coachella Valley is to hang outside. It’s a truly gorgeous area with so much to see. There are so many hiking trails to choose from, like the Coachella Valley Preserve (which offers cool animal sightings), the Andreas Canyon, and the Bump and Grind Trail. Coachella Valley is also close to the famous Pacific Crest Trail, so if you’re more experienced, you could hop in there for some beautiful views.
2Shop in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is probably the most popular area of Coachella Valley and is known for its gorgeous weather, fantastic views, and old Hollywood glamour vibes. You can go to a spa, of course, but a lot of people love the shopping, which includes a mix of both high-end and thrift stores. On Thursdays, there’s an outdoor market called Villagefest, with hundreds of little booths. There’s also outlet shopping for you bargain hunters.
3Go to the zoo
If you love animals, you’ll love The Living Desert near the Santa Rosa Mountains; it’s a huge nature preserve with a zoo and botanical garden. The zoo includes exotic animals like giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs.
4Go to Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is another popular area of the Coachella Valley that’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful national parks in America. There’s a ton of hiking, and you can also do some overnight camping if you really want to enjoy the great outdoors. The Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum is an awesome spot featuring art and sculptures.
5Relax in a spa or by the pool
No matter where you are, Coachella Valley gets hot, especially in the summertime. Take some time to relax by a pool or get a full spa experience. There are tons of spas in the area to choose from, like the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa. A lot of the hotels in the area have pools, and you can always pay to hang out by them.
6Visit an art museum
Like we said, Coachella Valley is very into the arts. There are so many museums to check out while you’re there, like the Architecture + Design Center and the Palm Springs Art Museum (which has a huge Picasso collection).
7Check out the amazing views
Choose a hike that brings you up high so that you can get some truly stunning views while you’re in Coachella Valley. If you’re not into that idea, you can also check out The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which gives you some breathtaking views on the largest rotating tramcar in the world.
8Check out the architecture
Palm Springs is known for its art scene, but also for its architecture. If you’re into that, there’s several tours dedicated to it, like the Palm Springs Modern tour.
9Get in some Hollywood culture
Because of it’s proximity to L.A., Coachella Valley has been a destination spot for movie stars for decades. There’s even something called the Palm Springs Walk of The Stars.
10Eat all the dates
Random fact: Coachella Valley produces a ton of dates. Because they’re so fresh and popular, you’ll definitely want to eat some. You can hit up a date farm to really get the full experience. And if you’re not into dates, fear not: The entire area offers a ton of delicious restaurants and food markets.
Whatever you do in Coachella Valley, you’re bound to have an amazing time. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a trip to book…