City of Palm Desert

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The best shopping and dining
experiences can be found in
the city of Palm Desert.

While the city of Palm Springs might garner more national media attention, the city of Palm Desert surpasses it's more popular neighbor by offering more shopping and dining choices. In fact, outside of Beverly Hills, there is probably no other place in Southern California (with the possible exception of
La Jolla) which features as many upscale stores and eateries. If you are looking for high quality merchandise, you will find it in the downtown Palm Desert shopping district on El Paseo Drive. This area has often been compared to Beverly Hills' own Rodeo Drive. With stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Brooks Brothers, it is easy to see why. There are also art galleries and dozens of boutique shops. The dining scene is equally upscale with restaurants like Tommy Bahamas and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It is not a place for those on a tight budget.

View of El Paseo Drive as you enter from the west side.

Looking out over El Paseo Drive which features some of the
most expensive real estate in the Palm Springs area.

Of all the interesting places to shop in the city of Palm Desert, none is more inviting than "The Gardens on El Paseo". Located about midpoint on El Paseo Drive, The Gardens features a group of stores (including an Apple Store) and several restaurants which are surrounded by beautiful tropical desert landscaping. Just walking the grounds of the outdoor complex brings opportunities for some interesting and unique desert photos. There is a lot of shade here due to dozens of towering palm trees.

Towering palm trees and lush tropical desert landscaping
make "The Gardens on El Paseo" a favorite place to visit.

Looking down on a forest of palm trees at "The Gardens" shopping center.

A statue of a boy fishing with his dog sits in front
of the Saks Fifth Avenue store at "The Gardens".

Date palm trees mix with California fan palms at "The Gardens" shopping center.

If you are wanting more "down to earth" shopping choices, the city of Palm Desert also has a large indoor shopping mall (called the "Westfield Shoppingtown Mall") which is close to El Paseo Drive. It is anchored by more traditional department stores such as Sears and J.C. Penney plus a Barnes & Noble bookstore. The McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts is also nearby. It is a 1,100 seat indoor venue where popular musicians and artists perform. And the spectacular four star JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is also located here. All in all, while the city of Palm Desert might stand in the shadow of it's more well-known neighbor to the west, it doesn't take a back seat at all when it comes to entertainment and dining options.

desert botanical gardens

A small stream runs through the center of the shopping center.

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This is a view of the main entrance to "The Gardens on El Paseo".

desert botanical garden

Stores mix with garden surroundings at this Palm Desert oasis.

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The best shopping and dining experiences can be found in the city of Palm Desert.

The best shopping and dining
experiences can be found in
the city of Palm Desert.