About Palm Desert, California

Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California in the Coachella Valley and has a population of 52,231 at the 2016 census. It has consistently been one of the faster growing cities in the state. The area was first known as the Old MacDonald Ranch, but the name changed to Palm Village in the 1920s when date palms were planted.

A major center of growth in the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a popular retreat for “snowbirds” from colder climates (the Eastern and Northern United States, and Canada), who swell its population by an estimated 31,000 each winter.

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. The City is home to some impressive attractions such as McCallum Theatre, a state-of-the-art performance venue that has hosted some of the world’s top entertainers, as well as touring Broadway acts, The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens which is ranked one of the top zoos in the country, and Palm Desert Civic Park, a favorite among dog owners.