Where is the Coachella Valley?
The Coachella Valley is located in sunny Southern California, approximately 100 miles inland from the coast and cities such as the vibrant oceanfront city of San Diego and the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles. Surrounded on all four sides by mountain ranges, the Coachella Valley is a stretch of land that encompasses the desert cities of Palm Springs, Indio, Cathedral City, Palm City, and other thriving towns. With its own school district, booming real estate market, and multitude of music and art events, the Coachella Valley is a fast-growing vacation and residential destination in the California desert.
Where should you stay when visiting Coachella Valley?
When visiting the Coachella Valley, there are several great options for accommodations depending on your preferences and budget. Here are a few popular choices:
Palm Springs
Located in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs offers a wide range of hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals. It's known for its mid-century modern architecture, vibrant downtown area, and beautiful mountain views. Palm Springs offers a mix of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and budget-friendly options.
Indian Wells
This upscale desert city is home to many luxury resorts and golf courses. Indian Wells is known for its serene atmosphere, world-class spas, and picturesque landscapes. It's a great option if you're looking for a relaxing and luxurious getaway.
La Quinta
Another upscale city in the Coachella Valley, La Quinta is known for its golf courses, beautiful scenery, and luxury resorts. It offers a quieter and more exclusive experience compared to some of the busier areas. It’s not unusual to find a private pool or two among the vacation rentals available here.
Palm Desert
This city offers a variety of accommodation options, from upscale resorts to budget-friendly hotels. Palm Desert is known for its shopping districts, golf courses, and proximity to outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
Rancho Mirage
Located between Palm Springs and Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage is a resort city with upscale accommodations, golf courses, and fine dining options. It's a popular choice for those seeking a luxurious and relaxing stay.
Indio
If you're attending the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival or the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, staying in Indio can be convenient as it is where the festival grounds are located. There are many vacation rentals available in the area.
When should you visit Coachella Valley?
The temperate winters make the Coachella Valley a popular winter vacation destination, and the year-round warmth helps agriculture thrive. Visitors flock here for the famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival each spring, but the valley and surrounding areas offer plenty of other wonderful attractions to delight travelers.
What are some things to do in the Coachella Valley?
With so much rugged, natural beauty nearby, many visitors choose to spend their vacation in the great outdoors, seeking adventure and watching the sunrises and sunsets over the tops of the mountains that surround the valley. During your stay, you can explore the gorgeous scenery via hikes or horseback rides through the desert and mountains. The Salton Sea to the southeast is a large, saltwater lake ideal for birdwatching.
Within an easy drive, you will discover unspoiled desert beauty in areas such as the famous Joshua Tree National Park to the north, the San Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains to the south, and the diverse Snow-to-Sand National Monument to the west.
If you prefer more urban activities, visit one of the Valley's cities to discover a huge variety of entertainment and dining options. The desert oasis of Palm Springs, in particular, offers more than a hundred golf courses, a casino, the Living Desert Zoo, spas, museums, shopping, and fantastic restaurants. Make sure you ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Chino Canyon to admire the breathtaking views from an altitude of 8,500 feet.
Coachella Valley Music
Of course, one of the area's largest attractions is the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Known by many as simply "Coachella," this annual festival is held each spring in Indio and attracts thousands of visitors and some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. More than just a series of concerts, this festival is one of the largest and most popular in the US and includes art installations and incredible food. If you're in the area for Coachella, make sure to stay an extra weekend and take the opportunity to explore the exciting neighboring cities and spectacular desert nearby!
Book a vacation to Coachella Valley
When you stay in one of our Coachella Valley vacation rentals, you will be within easy reach of all the sun-drenched beauty that Southern California has to offer.
Coachella Valley travel FAQ
What is Coachella Valley known for?
A legendary spot in California cultural history, Coachella Valley is known for its sweeping desert vistas, date farms, mid-century modern architecture, and—of course—the major music festival named after its host city.
Why is Coachella Valley so popular?
Only a few hours outside of the fantastic sprawl of Los Angeles and its surrounding counties, the Coachella Valley is a popular destination for Southern Californians and tourists alike. This historical vacation destination puts visitors close to prestigious golf courses, Joshua Tree National Park, and the world-famous Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival. With an abundance of activities for all ages and interests, it’s no wonder the Coachella Valley has continued to draw travelers for generations.
Does Vacasa offer snowbird or long-term rentals in Coachella Valley?
Yes: Vacasa offers a wide variety of snowbird-friendly vacation rentals across the Coachella Valley. After you search “Coachella Valley” on Vacasa.com, simply filter for long-term vacation rentals by selecting the “snowbird-friendly” category in our search filter—and further refine your search using the other options, like “pet-friendly” or “pool”. Remember to start looking early to have the most options available, too.
Coachella Valley travel inspiration
Where to Stay for Coachella
Travel Guide: Things to Do in Palm Springs, CA
