Palm Desert

Situated in the heart of Greater Palm Springs, Palm Desert has metamorphosed from a sandy cove at the foot of the Santa Rosas into a sprawling shopping, entertainment, and recreation mecca, as well as a variety of choices of living. Catch a touring Broadway show or top entertainer at the McCallum Theatre; feed a giraffe at the wonderfully wild Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, ranked one of the top zoos in the country; kick it into high gear on the Bump and Grind Trail (the 1,000-foot elevation gain pays off in breathtaking panoramic views); or play a round on an award-winning golf course.

El Paseo Shopping District, a tree-lined boulevard boasting public art pieces, upscale stores, and boutiques, is where you’ll find many favorite valley restaurants, serving everything from Californian and vegan fare to French, Japanese, and other international cuisines.