Coachella

While the name Coachella has become synonymous with music and arts, the city itself is rich in Mexican heritage, which shines through in the authentic eateries and vibrant murals that bring Coachella’s walkable downtown to life.

An agricultural hub dotted with produce fields and farms that empower Greater Palm Springs restaurants to serve fresh, locally sourced fare, Coachella arose as a farming community more than a century ago. In the 1960s and ’70s, the city became a battleground in the civil rights movement as activists including César Chávez and Dolores Huerta led farmworkers in protests for better wages and working conditions.

Known for its small-town vibe, Coachella is a family-oriented destination where the past and future merge — a city with burgeoning industries, including canna-tourism — where visitors can learn about the desert’s history and immerse in the cultural heartbeat of Greater Palm Springs.

Learn How

5

Ways to Engage the Senses

1 See the Art

From Coachella Walls, which includes dozens of murals in the downtown Pueblo Viejo district, to large-scale installations originally displayed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, inspiration is never far away.

2 Touch the Earth

The Cahuilla word temalpakh means “from the earth.” It’s an apt name for the produce farm operated by the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians. Experience the land up close with a visit to the farm’s marketplace.

3 Taste Tradition

The rich Mexican heritage of Coachella has led to a variety of authentic Mexican restaurants and pop-ups serving delicious, and often generational, recipes you won’t soon forget. Your hardest decision won’t be what to eat, but rather how to try it all.

4 Smell the Pastries

Follow your nose to a sweet, fresh-from-the-oven treat. From conchas to pastel de elote, Mexican breads and pastries rise daily around Coachella at mom-and-pop panaderías helmed by families baking with time-honored techniques.

5 Hear Live Music

Live tunes in Coachella are a year-round thing. Come out for free city events like the Mariachi Festival; Suavecito Sundays; Tacos, Tequila & Chavelas; and other gatherings throughout the year featuring live, local talent.