Author: lindsay

This immersive open-air exhibit allows guests to walk amongst a habitat of red-necked (or Bennett’s) wallabies, providing intimate access to the adorable macropods as they jump, lounge and dine throughout the shaded grounds. Be sure not to miss Hoppy Hour at the adjacent Kookaburra Cafe, held each Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m., with such delicacies as craft cocktails and cowboy caviar nachos on hand.

   A fun adventure for both children and adults, guests are invited to get up close and personal with a charming herd of giraffes in the African Safari area of the park as they roam the sundrenched landscape alongside ostriches and greater kudus. For an even more specialized experience, patrons can hand-feed botanical treats to the majestic mammals (the tallest living animals on earth!) for just $10.

This shaded enclave of California fan palms in the Wild Americas section of the park was inspired by the many oases that dot the northern end of the Coachella Valley. Dense with foliage and surrounding a tiny pond, the tranquil idyll is leagues cooler than any other area of the zoo (by several degrees!), offering much-needed respite during hot summer days.

It’s “All aboard!” the Bighorn Railroad at this expansive ¾-acre G-scale model train exhibit. With over 3,300 feet of track and imaginative recreations of such spots as the Grand Canyon, Old Mission Santa Barbara and downtown Indio, one can spend hours getting lost in the intricate details. Currently undergoing a massive restoration(courtesy of 65 volunteers!), the display remains worth a visit nonetheless.

Who doesn’t love a petting zoo? This one, tucked away in Village WaTuTu in the park’s African Safari area, boasts a collection of friendly creatures native to West and South Africa, including adorable – and most definitely precocious – Boer and Nigerian dwarf goats, all eager for head pats, as well as the chance to nibble a t-shirt or two!

Three distinctive walking trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty are located in the park’s Wild Americas region, offering visitors a chance to amble off the beaten path. The one-mile “Adventure Loop” leads hikers to a San Andreas Fault exhibit offering gorgeous vistas of the fault line. (Note – all three trails are closed during the summer months.)

Play spot the bighorn on this craggy bluff located on the southern edge of Wild Americas, where massive bighorn sheep seamlessly blend in with the scenery. Pinpoint one and you won’t be able to stop tracking the majestic creatures across the picturesque mountain landscape.

CAESAR CHAVEZ & 6TH STREETS, COACHELLA

Edoardo Tresoldi’s wire mesh creation, which resembles an ethereal Baroque palace, debuted at Coachella in 2018, along with two sister structures, and was relocated to its current home the following year. Standing 54 feet, the airy installation beckons passersby to breeze through its wispy archways.

SHADY LANE & AVENUE 52, COACHELLA

A fixture at the 2015 festival, this 15-foot-tall bear is the work of frequent Coachella contributor Don Kennell. Crafted from recycled materials, including rusted steel and glass, and clutching a large swing, the massive piece now guards the southern edge of Shady Lane Park.

82200 DR. CARREON BLVD., INDIO

Meaning “House of Celebration,” these colorful structures were exhibited at Coachella 2019.  Modeled after baobab trees, which hollow from the center as they grow, the installation originally featured 12 towers, nine of which are now installed at Dr. Carreon Park, providing shade and respite to visitors on hot desert days.

 81253 AVE. 48, INDIO

Another work crafted by Don Kennell (his first to be displayed at Coachella!), this 12 by 20 foot steel and corrugated metal pup was featured at the 2013 festival complete with a large porch swing hanging from its center. Though the swing is long gone, the dog, inspired by Rome’s famous “Lupa Capitolina” sculpture, now stands sentinel at the northwest tip of Hjorth Park.

SMURR ST. & MILES AVE., INDIO

A 2019 festival installation, these three lanky cacti sculptures, initially part of a group of seven, were crafted from steel by Andrew Kovacs. Relocated in 2022, they stand at 14, 17 and 20 feet tall, overlooking downtown Indio and a mountainous mural painted by Zach JF Boyles.

81600 REVOIR PL., INDIO

This towering figure by artist Kumkum Fernando graced the concert grounds in 2023, part of a trio of “Idols” standing 80 feet tall. Today, it is stationed, along with several other Coachella installations, in the yard of a private home owned by the Empire Polo Club. (Note – this one can’t be seen during festival times due to road closures.)

TOWNE ST. & BLISS AVE., INDIO

This metallic cactus sculpture was actually built for 2023’s Power Trip heavy metal festival, not Coachella, but is worth a visit nonetheless. Cheeky and fun, the piece was created by Don Kennell and his wife, Lisa Adler, and calls to fans of both rock ‘n’ roll and Saguaro cacti.

515 N. PALM CANYON DR., PS

This desert staple is tucked into Palm Springs’ idyllic The Corridor shopping complex and boasts a stunning rear courtyard brimming with wandering paths, towering palm trees and multiple shaded enclaves.

750 N. PALM CANYON DR., PS

Located in Palm Springs’ Flannery Exchange building, Café La Jefa features exquisitely stylized side and front patios decorated to the nines with pastel florals, a blush-hued airstream, an expansive deck and hanging chairs to take it all in.

100 W. TAHQUITZ CANYON, PS

Situated on the lower level of The Rowan hotel in downtown Palm Springs, this breakfast spot serves stellar lattes on a sun-dappled patio overlooking a bustling courtyard filled with vivid art installations, tall palms and lively street performances.

37977 BOB HOPE DR., RM

One of my favorite spots to grab coffee and/or lunch, Sunnylands Café is nestled aside the gardens at Sunnylands Center in Rancho Mirage, offering visitors exceptional views of desert foliage, tranquil walking paths and serene fountains.

74868 COUNTRY CLUB DR., PD

This independent coffee house in Palm Desert is fronted by a glass-paned garage door providing dramatic views of the surrounding desert landscape and endless miles of blue sky.

78065 MAIN ST.,  LA QUINTA

Perched in the center of Old Town La Quinta, Yes, Please makes for a gorgeous spot to witness the beauty of the desert, with mountain peaks seemingly so close, you almost feel as if you can reach out and touch them. Arrive early to snap up one of the shop’s baked goods, which sell out by 10 a.m. daily.

78100 MAIN ST., LA QUINTA

The covered patio at Main Street Coffee, also located in Old Town La Quinta, overlooks the plaza’s bucolic central lawn and charming Spanish-style buildings and is one of my favorite places to spend a lazy morning.  

49499 EISENHOWER DR., LQ

Positioned on the staggeringly gorgeous grounds of the La Quinta Resort and featuring a fabulous shaded terrace, this spot offers pristine views of the historic hotel’s tiered waterway, terra cotta rooflines and Saltillo-tiled paths.