Where is Palm Desert, California Located in the United States? - Palm Desert is a city located in the Riverside County in California, United States. Palm Desert lies between 33.7222 Degrees North latitudes and -116.3745 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Palm Desert, Riverside, California
About Map: The map shows the location of Palm Desert in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.
Palm Desert Map, California, USA
About Palm Desert Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.
About Palm Desert, Riverside County, California
Palm Desert is located in Riverside County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States within the Coachella Valley region of the Inland Empire. The city was incorporated in 1973 and was named for its desert landscape and the palm trees that characterize the region, and it developed from a small desert resort area into a residential, commercial, and tourism center.
Population
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Palm Desert is 51,163 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 1,900 people per square mile.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Palm Desert covers a total area of approximately 27.0 square miles (about 69.9 square kilometers), including about 26.8 square miles (69.4 square kilometers) of land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers) of water.
Location and Surroundings
Palm Desert is situated east of Palm Springs and west of Indio, positioned within the desert landscape of the Coachella Valley surrounded by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. The city features residential neighborhoods, golf courses, and shopping districts set within a desert environment. Interstate 10 runs north of the city, providing a major transportation route connecting Palm Desert to other communities throughout Southern California.
Top Attractions
Palm Desert offers parks, cultural venues, and outdoor recreation that support tourism and community activities. Popular destinations include the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, El Paseo shopping district, and the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts. The city is also home to College of the Desert, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.
Transportation
Palm Desert is served by nearby Interstate 10 and State Route 111, offering convenient highway access throughout the Coachella Valley and Southern California. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is Palm Springs International Airport, located approximately 12 miles to the northwest.
Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.
Sources:
Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Palm Desert City Website.
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Palm Desert, California Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Palm Desert |
| County | Riverside County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | Western United States (Pacific Region) |
| Latitude | 33.7222° N |
| Longitude | 116.3745° W |
| Elevation | 224 ft (68 m) |
| Land Area | 27.02 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.00 sq mi |
| Total Area | 27.02 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 51,163 |
| Population Density | Approximately 1,894 people per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 92211, 92260, 92261 |
| Area Code | 442, 760 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7) |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-55184 |
| Congressional District | California's 41st Congressional District |
Transportation and Connectivity in Palm Desert, California
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Palm Springs International Airport |
| IATA Code | PSP |
| Port | No commercial port |
| Major Highways | Interstate 10, California State Route 111, California State Route 74 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No direct passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station at Palm Springs (via Amtrak Thruway) or Fullerton |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | SunLine Transit Agency |
- Interstate 10 (I-10) – Major east–west interstate connecting Palm Desert with Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the Coachella Valley.
- California State Route 111 – Main commercial corridor through the Coachella Valley, linking Palm Desert with Palm Springs, Indio, and La Quinta.
- California State Route 74 – Scenic highway connecting Palm Desert with the San Jacinto Mountains, Hemet, and the Inland Empire.
Top Places to Visit in Palm Desert, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Living Desert Zoo and Gardens | Zoo |
| El Paseo Shopping District | Shopping District |
| McCallum Theatre | Performing Arts Venue |
| Civic Center Park | Park |
| Palm Desert Aquatic Center | Recreation Center |
| Bump and Grind Trail | Hiking Trail |
| Desert Holocaust Memorial | Memorial |
| College of the Desert Street Fair | Market |
| The Gardens on El Paseo | Shopping Center |
| Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument | National Monument |
Driving Distances from Palm Desert, California to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Mirage | California | 5 | 10 minutes |
| Indian Wells | California | 3 | 10 minutes |
| La Quinta | California | 8 | 15 minutes |
| Indio | California | 12 | 20 minutes |
| Palm Springs | California | 15 | 25 minutes |
| Cathedral City | California | 10 | 20 minutes |
| Desert Hot Springs | California | 24 | 35 minutes |
| Banning | California | 33 | 40 minutes |
| Beaumont | California | 40 | 45 minutes |
| Riverside | California | 77 | 1 hour 20 minutes |
Colleges and Universities in Palm Desert, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Desert | Public | Community College | Transfer and workforce education |
| California State University, San Bernardino – Palm Desert Campus | Public | University | Undergraduate and graduate degree programs |
| University of California, Riverside – Palm Desert Center | Public | University | Graduate studies and research |
| California Indian Nations College | Private | College | Native American higher education |
| Desert Sands Unified School District | Public | K–12 District | Primary and secondary education |
Waterbodies in Palm Desert, California
Whitewater River, Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel, Deep Canyon Wash, Lake Cahuilla, Salton Sea, Palm Desert Aquatic Center Lagoon, Colorado River Aqueduct, Tahquitz Creek, Andreas Creek, Mission Creek
Stadiums in Palm Desert
College of the Desert Football Stadium, Palm Desert High School Stadium, Palm Desert Civic Center Sports Complex, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Shadow Ridge Golf Club, Desert Falls Country Club, Palm Valley Country Club
Palm Desert, California — Key Historical Facts
- Palm Desert began developing during the 1940s and 1950s as a planned desert resort community in the rapidly growing Coachella Valley.
- The city officially incorporated in 1973 and has since evolved into one of Riverside County's leading residential, retail, and cultural destinations.
- College of the Desert, established in 1958, helped make Palm Desert an important educational center for the Coachella Valley.
- The opening of El Paseo transformed the city into a premier shopping and dining destination, earning it the nickname "Rodeo Drive of the Desert."
- Today, Palm Desert is internationally recognized for its golf courses, luxury resorts, performing arts venues, and year-round outdoor recreation.
References
- City of Palm Desert
- Riverside County Government
- U.S. Census Bureau
- College of the Desert
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
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