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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, California

Description

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is located in the Sonoran Desert of the Coachella Valley and Santa Rosa Mountains foothills near Palm Springs, California. The non-profit is home to about 500 animals from over 150 desert-dwelling species from various parts of the planet divided into 3 sections: Africa, North America and Australia. There is also 950m of train model tracks.

Access & Transport

The zoo is on Portola Ave, off CA-111 in Palm Desert, 5km southwest of Indian Wells and 25km southeast of Palm Springs

Instructions & Recommendations

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Meta review

A majority of good but not exceptional online reviews. Visitors enjoy the range of animals and some of the spacious enclosure although they clearly had little by way of vegetation (desert climate). The model railway is also a highlight, but there are recurring negative comments about pricing being excessive considering the size of the zoo.

Environmental & Social

Combination and conservation efforts / projects and education, which unfortunately also means keeping animals in captivity. More info here: https://www.livingdesert.org/conservation/

Conclusion

The zoo makes for a good family half-day excursion but considering its remote location we think it is only worth the journey when road-tripping through the Joshua Tree NP and Palm Springs area. There are some commandable conservation efforts, but we feel more could be done in terms of enclosures (too exposed to the sun) and that pricing is on the high side. Best to go in the morning to avoid the afternoon temperatures.

Key positive

Family friendly option

Focus on desert species / habitat

Key negative

Expensive

Hot in the afternoons

Suitability

Suitable for all ages and accessible to visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Last admission 1h before closing. Closed on 25 Dec.

av. transport time:0h 45m

est. visit time:1h 45m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Jun, 01

Season 1

MONDAY07:00 - 13:30

TUESDAY07:00 - 13:30

WEDNESDAY07:00 - 13:30

THURSDAY07:00 - 13:30

FRIDAY07:00 - 13:30

SATURDAY07:00 - 13:30

SUNDAY07:00 - 13:30

Start of Season 2:Oct, 01

Season 2

MONDAY08:00 - 17:00

TUESDAY08:00 - 17:00

WEDNESDAY08:00 - 17:00

THURSDAY08:00 - 17:00

FRIDAY08:00 - 17:00

SATURDAY08:00 - 17:00

SUNDAY08:00 - 17:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
62 - 99
US$35
Adult
13 - 61
US$35
Child
3 - 12
US$25
Infant
0 - 2
US$0

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