Moorten Botanical Garden

A Palm Springs landmark, the Moorten Botanical Garden is home to thousands of cacti and other desert plants from around the world. This pawpular attraction welcomes leashed and well-behaved doggos, so bring your furry pal with you when you visit this unique location! Although it's no bigger than an acre, you and Fido will find plenty of interesting things to see in this small private garden.

After walking through the gates, you will find the sales counter to your left. The admission is $5 for adults and $2 for kids 15 and under, while children below the age of 5 and four-legged guests get to enter for free. Don't forget to take the map—though the trails are only about a quarter of a mile long and you won't get lost, the guide tells you which plants can be seen in which sections. The garden's 3,000 specimens are categorized into different geographical regions, including California, Baja California, Arizona, South Africa, and the Mojave Desert.

As you and your pooch make your way along the trails, you will come across bombax, agaves, South African aloe plants, and boojum trees, just to name a few. You'll also see crystals, rocks, fossils, and gold-mining relics enhancing the garden's desert theme. Inside the world's first “cactarium,” cacti and succulents abound.

Just 1.5 miles from downtown, the Moorten Botanical Garden has been entertaining visitors since 1938. It is open daily 10 AM to 4 PM, except for Wednesdays, with shorter operating hours during the summer. If you're planning to stop by between June 21st and September 21st, note that the garden is only open from 9 AM to 1 PM. Be sure to bring water, doggie waste bags, and extra cash, in case you see a plant or two that you'd like to take home from the nursery. For a pleasant “desert hike” in Palm Springs with Fido, head to the Moorten Botanical Garden!