Canines Venture to Coachella Valley, California
- Luie Boone
- Sep 11
- 9 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fourth blog series, Hounds Honored.
Luie Boone packed his I Love Hotdogs bandana, paw balm, and his favorite chew toy—a stuffed rabbit named Walter, who is utterly convinced he’s a jackrabbit. Luie was certain he was heading to Fetch-ella—the ultimate doggo desert music festival. He even practiced his howlmony for the opening act. But turns out, his hoomans meant Coachella Valley, California. No doggo stages, no pup-arazzi, just sun, sand, and a suspicious lack of squirrels. Still, he's planning on living his best vacation life. Want to know why?
Well, Coachella Valley, California, is a desert (and, hopefully, dessert) oasis! It offers more than just stunning landscapes and world-famous festivals; it’s also a fantastic destination for dog lovers. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, the valley has a range of pet-friendly activities and accommodations that make it a perfect place for vacationing with your four-legged friend. From hiking trails and outdoor dining spots to luxury resorts and off-leash parks, there’s something for every dog and owner to enjoy.
The city of Palm Springs is in the heart of Coachella Valley. It is especially known for its laid-back atmosphere, which translates into an abundance of pet-friendly options. Many restaurants have outdoor patios, where dogs are not only allowed but also treated like VIPs by offering special doggy menus! Although typically a spot for tourists, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is welcoming to pups, as long as they're in a carrier. Sorry, Luie Boone, your tooshie is way too big to fit in a carrier. This tramway offers breathtaking views of the valley as you ascend the mountain. If your dog loves to explore nature, the Indian Canyons offers beautiful dog-friendly hiking trails, where pets are welcome on-leash. And if your dog needs some space to run, the Palm Springs Dog Park is a great spot for them to socialize and play off-leash.
The peaceful desert city of La Quinta is known as the "Gem of the Desert." There, you’ll find an array of dog-friendly activities. One local gem to check out is the La Quinta Cove to Lake Trail, which is a scenic 2.5-mile hike. It is perfect for a leisurely stroll with your dog, offers beautiful views, and a chance to explore the desert landscape. If you're seeking a more relaxing stay, the La Quinta Resort & Club welcomes pets and even offers pet amenities, such as dog beds and bowls. Many of the city’s restaurants also have outdoor seating areas where dogs are welcome, including The Grill on Main. At this restaurant, you and your dog can enjoy a delicious meal together on the patio.
Cathedral City—located between Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage—is another great place for dog lovers. The Cathedral City Community Dog Park is a fantastic spot, where dogs can run off-leash in a safe, fenced-in environment. It gives them the opportunity to socialize and burn off some energy. Another local gem to check out is the Date Palm Shopping Center, which is a local outdoor shopping hub. It is pet-friendly, with many stores allowing dogs to join their owners for a visit. You can also find a variety of pet-friendly hotels in the area, such as The Hotel California. This hotel offers a peaceful retreat for both you and your dog after a day of exploring.
Be sure to visit the city of Rancho Mirage! With its luxury resorts and tranquil vibe, it offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure for you and your dog. The Rancho Mirage Dog Park is an excellent spot for off-leash fun, with plenty of room for your dog to play and meet new friends. If you're staying at a resort, many of the properties, like the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, offer pet-friendly accommodations and special perks for pets, such as walking services and dog beds. For a more active experience, you can take your dog for a stroll around the scenic Bighorn Golf Club or explore nearby hiking trails, some of which allow dogs on-leash. As a friendly reminder, always be sure to check local pet laws and ordinances. To allow our furry friends the chance to enjoy all these amazing amenities, we have to follow the rules!
Desert Hot Springs is a quieter town within Coachella Valley. Although it is often overlooked, it still offers plenty of dog-friendly activities! One great spot is the Desert Hot Springs Dog Park, where you can let your dog play and socialize with other pooches. There are also nearby resorts that cater to pets, with some even offering dog-sitting services! And, if you're in the mood for a more laid-back experience, many of the mineral spring resorts here allow pets. That means you enjoy the therapeutic waters, while your dog relaxes right by your side.
The city of Coachella is a place you'll also want to check out. It's known for its famous music festival... and, no, not for Fetch-ella. Sorry again, Luie Boone, that's just not a thing. Maybe Luie Boone should try to get a pack together to plan a visit to this dog-approved festival. Anyhow, there are a lot of exciting local gems in the city of Coachella. Coachella Park is one. This park offers open spaces, where dogs can explore on-leash. There is also the Coachella Valley Preserve, which provides a unique opportunity to explore the desert landscape with your dog in tow. While the area might be best known for its annual festival, it also provides a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere for those looking to enjoy the desert with their pets.
Another excellent stop for dog owners is the city of Cabazon. This city is located on the western edge of the valley, right near the San Gorgonio Pass. The San Gorgonio Pass is a deep, windy mountain gap in Southern California, which connects coastal cities to desert regions and powers thousands of homes with its massive wind farms! How cool! There are outlet shopping malls and the iconic Cabazon Dinosaurs to check out too. Who doesn't love dinosaurs? Luie Boone loves them!
Be sure to stop by the Cabazon Outlets, which allows leashed dogs, so you can shop with your pup! Luie Boone reckons that if your pup comes along for the shopping trip, they should be able to pick out a brand-new toy (and, maybe a few treats)! For a more adventurous outing, nearby hiking trails in the San Bernardino Mountains welcome dogs on-leash. These mountains provide scenic views and cooler temperatures compared to the valley floor. Cabazon also features pet-friendly lodging options for travelers who want to make a stopover, before they continue their journey through the Coachella Valley.
No matter where you go in Coachella Valley, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the desert with your dog. From early morning hikes to afternoon patio dining and everything in between, the valley’s welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal vacation spot for pet owners.
Please remember to bring water for both you and your dog, especially during the summer months when temperatures can soar! Also, always respect local leash laws and pet policies, so that everyone can a fun and safe experience!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Coachella Valley, California. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Bon Vivant Palms
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 4 beds and 4.5 bathrooms.
Photos courtesy of Oranj Palm Vacation Homes
It features the following amenities:
Beautifully landscaped
Private yard
Magnificent mountain views
Kidney-shaped saline pool
Integrated waterfall spa
Poolside chaise loungers
Dining al fresco in the outdoor lounge space
Gas-plumbed barbecue
Easy stroll to the world-famous Palm Canyon Drive
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
If we go on vacation to Coachella Valley, California, we'd stay at a house in Palm Springs called Bon Vivant Palms! This place sounds like pure paradise. From the way that my hoomans are describing it, I can already imagine myself living my best desert life. The house is in something called the Movie Colony East Neighborhood, which is where famous people used to escape for some quiet time. Kirk Douglas, an actor and filmmaker, even lived across the street. That must mean lots of fancy dogs once walked those same sidewalks! The house itself has four bedrooms, with so many cozy spots for naps. The backyard sounds amazing, too. It has a heated pool, waterfall spa, shady umbrellas, and a BBQ grill! And guess what? We'd be just a short walk from Palm Canyon Drive and Ruth Hardy Park. That means new smells, long walks, and maybe even a squirrel sighting or two. Best of all, the house is dog-friendly! I haven’t set my paws on the desert ground yet, but I just know this vacation is going to be the ultimate treat.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Coachella Valley, California!
Mission Creek Preserve
This is a nature preserve, which is home to a variety of old buildings on a dusty pathway that you can walk along with your pup. On the way, you'll pass historic structures and stunning desert plant communities—all with the backdrop of Southern California’s tallest peak in the background!
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs!? Luie Boone loves dinosaurs! However, he probably would not have been best buddies with them back in the day. At Cabazon Dinosaurs, he intends to take a walk on the Dinosaur Trail with his hoomans. This trail showcases more than fifty life-sized, prehistoric dinosaurs! If your hoomans are anything like Luie Boone's hoomans, you should expect to spend a couple of hours snapping a photo or two or more. The Cabazon Dinosaurs welcome guests during operating hours, which is from 9 AM until 6 PM on Monday trhough Sunday.
Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve
The Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve is a park and trail system in La Quinta, California. Your dog is welcome to join you on the trails and walking paths, but they are not allowed on the picnic tables! Luie Boone definitely, one hundred percent has not ever plopped his tooshie on top of a picnic table. Nah-uh... it's not like they're photo evidence of it or anything.
The Cross Loop Trail
The Cross Loop Trail in the Palm Desert has become a local landmark! Hikers and their best furry friends can make the 2.7-mile trek through the lower reaches of the Santa Rosa Mountains. There are Instagram-worthy pic snapping opportunities, especially with the giant, lit-up cross, as seen pictured behind that little pooch! Luie Boone cannot wait for his photo opportunity. He reckons that he'll steal the show!
Moorten Botanical Garden
The Moorten Botanical Garden is a historical, pooch friendly, botanical garden, which opened in 1938. It features several rare cacti, crystals, colorful rocks, ancient fossils, as well as pioneering and gold mining relics. Plants are also available for purchase from the nursery!
Butler-Abrams Trail
This is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Rancho Mirage. It’s an easy and paved route, which offers a nice palm tree filled park at the trailhead with plenty of parking! Luie Boone's hooman sister, Rachel, loves the sound of that. Parking can be nightmare sometimes. At the trailhead, there is also a dog waste station and trashcans.
Forever Marilyn
The Forever Marilyn sculpture is located by the Palm Springs Art Museum. This dog-friendly, roadside attraction was built by American artist Seward Johnson. It stands 26 feet tall and weighs 24,000 pounds. Be sure to snap a picture together and honor the legacy of the incredible Marilyn Monroe!
Bongo Johnny's Patio Bar and Grill
Luie Boone recommends that you visit Bongo Johnny's Patio Bar and Grill! This spot has a special menu, which Luie Boone intends to order everything off of. His hoomans might try to stop him, but they'll be too busy deciding whether to order breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Coachella Valley, California
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
I've heard that Coachella Valley has a warm desert sun, incredible smells, and so many places to explore! However, there is something that I'm going to see everywhere: Oleander. They are big, bushy oleander plants, which have bright pink, white, and red flowers. They are planted all over the valley—like in yards, along streets, and near sidewalks. They look beautiful, but don't be fooled! Every part of the plant is poisonous to dogs! That means just a tiny nibble could make us really sick, upset our tummies, or even affect our hearts. That's no good. When I go on vacation to Coachella Valley, I’ll be on my best behavior. I’ll sniff around, enjoy the sunshine, play with Walter, and take plenty of breaks in the shade—but I’ll stay far, far, far away from those tempting, pesky, poisonous flowers.
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