Things to do in Palm Desert in March

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Overview

March is a great time to visit Palm Desert. The weather is usually mildly cool with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 46—72°F (8—22°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Palm Desert during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, attend the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival, and more!

Palm Desert has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your March trip to Palm Desert. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to March. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Palm Desert in March. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout March, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Don't take our word for it
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Best events and things to do in Palm Desert in March

Top experiences in March
Visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
March is a great time to visit the Living Desert, as the weather is typically mild and comfortable for exploring the outdoor exhibits. The zoo is home to a wide variety of desert animals, including bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and meerkats, and the botanical gardens feature a diverse collection of desert plants from around the world.
Take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park
March is a great time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, as the weather is typically mild and the park is less crowded than in the peak season. The park is known for its otherworldly rock formations, unique plant life, and stunning night skies, and there are several hiking trails and scenic drives to explore.
Attend the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival
This annual event takes place in March and features a wide variety of culinary delights, including tastings from local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, and wine tastings. It's a great opportunity to sample the best of the local food and wine scene while enjoying live music and entertainment.
Take a hot air balloon ride over the Coachella Valley
March is a great time to take a hot air balloon ride in Palm Desert, as the weather is typically clear and calm. From high above, you'll have a breathtaking view of the Coachella Valley and the surrounding mountains, and you'll have the chance to see the desert landscape in a whole new way.
Go on a desert jeep tour
March is a great time to explore the desert landscape on a guided jeep tour. You'll have the chance to see the unique flora and fauna of the desert, as well as stunning rock formations and canyons. Many tours also include stops at historical sites and Native American petroglyphs.
Explore the wildflower blooms in the desert
March is the peak season for wildflower blooms in the desert, and Palm Desert is no exception. The vibrant colors of the desert wildflowers are a sight to behold, and there are several hiking trails and nature reserves where you can experience the beauty of the blooms up close.
Play a round of golf at one of Palm Desert's world-class courses
March is a great time to hit the links in Palm Desert, as the weather is typically warm and sunny. The area is home to several championship golf courses designed by top architects, and many of them offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscape.
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Holidays in Palm Desert in March
March
  • Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras (March 4)
  • St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Other notable holidays
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Weather in Palm Desert in March

Temperatures on an average day in Palm Desert in March

The average temperature in Palm Desert in March for a typical day ranges from a high of 72°F (22°C) to a low of 46°F (8°C). Some would describe it as mildly cool with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Palm Desert, August, has days with highs of 101°F (38°C) and lows of 72°F (22°C). The coldest month, December has days with highs of 62°F (17°C) and lows of 41°F (5°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Palm Desert in March based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in March
72°F
highs
46°F
lows

General weather summary

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze
Feels like
6%
Chance of rain
0.023 in
Amount
11.6 mph
Wind speed
41%
Humidity
11.9 hrs
Daylight length
6:30 AM
Sunrise
6:25 PM
Sunset
60%
Cloud cover
Sweater
What to wear
What to wear in March
With an average high of 72°F (22°C) and a low of 46°F (8°C), it generally feels mildly cool with a gentle breeze. With that in mind, most people would dress in something moderately warm like a sweater
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Best attractions for Palm Desert in March

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Palm Desert has to offer for travelers in March, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Palm Desert that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Palm Desert for March.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
1. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
4.7
(9628)
Zoo
Outdoor Activities
Over 1,000 acres of desert ecosystem featuring a bighorn sheep enclosure & small animal exhibits.
El Paseo Shopping District
2. El Paseo Shopping District
4.5
(414)
Shopping mall
Shopping
The Street Fair, at College of the Desert
3. The Street Fair, at College of the Desert
4.3
(247)
Shopping mall
Shopping
Bump and Grind Trail
4. Bump and Grind Trail
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
McCallum Theatre
5. McCallum Theatre
4.7
(1008)
Performing arts theater
Concerts & Shows
Ornate locale surrounded by palm trees has a multi-level performance space for music acts & theater.
Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
6. Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
4.6
(245)
Art museum
Museums
Contemporary art pieces including a handful of rotating special collections plus a sculpture garden.
Palm Desert Visitor Center
7. Palm Desert Visitor Center
4.3
(6)
Visitor center
City government office
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
8. Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
4.7
(257)
Visitor center
Palm Desert Aquatic Center
9. Palm Desert Aquatic Center
4.6
(624)
Public swimming pool
Water & Amusement Parks
Popular aquatic center features 3 pools, slides & spray areas, plus fitness classes & concessions.
Palm Desert Cross
10. Palm Desert Cross
4.8
(234)
Nature preserve
Outdoor Activities
Illuminated cross mounted on top of a hill, popular for moderate desert hikes with scenic views.
San Andreas Fault
11. San Andreas Fault
4.3
(1883)
Fault
Nature & Parks
Desert Holocaust Memorial
12. Desert Holocaust Memorial
4.8
(391)
Memorial park
Sights & Landmarks
Bronze sculpture garden & interpretive information commemorating Holocaust victims.
CODA Gallery
13. CODA Gallery
4.6
(36)
Art gallery
Museums
Long-running showroom featuring inventive paintings, sculpture & photography by modern artists.
Coachella Valley Vista Point
14. Coachella Valley Vista Point
4.7
(1464)
Scenic spot
Sights & Landmarks
Observation point off of Highway 74 offering scenic views of the surrounding desert landscape.
The Shops at Palm Desert
15. The Shops at Palm Desert
4.3
(6381)
Shopping mall
Shopping
Heather James Fine Art
16. Heather James Fine Art
4.7
(23)
Art gallery
Museums
Modern space featuring global, genre- & time-spanning paintings, photography & design.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Palm Desert?

Get inspired for your trip to Palm Desert with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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