California's Largest City In The Coachella Valley Is An Underrated Desert Gem Year-Round

California draws visitors from all over with its array of celebrated offerings like the European charm of "Little Sweden,"  famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, or the historic architecture and amazing food in Sacramento. Travelers can immerse themselves in the Gold Rush echoes and the vibrant energy found across the Golden State. One event that pulls crowds from every corner of the world is the Coachella Valley Music Festival, an annual spectacle offering chances to catch celebrity sightings and experience performances by some of the world's biggest artists. This massive gathering takes place on the outskirts of Indio, a modest desert community in Southern California that often flies under the radar. 

This small city is often eclipsed by the flashy allure of nearby Palm Springs. Yet, its evolution is unfolding as a dynamic spot worth exploring in its own right. Once a quiet outpost, it is now a buzzing and lively spot thanks to artistic expression, distinctive restaurants, and a welcoming mix of festivals and events — not just Coachella. Indio sits in Riverside County, about 125 miles east of LA. Palm Springs, just 25 miles away, has its own international airport with connections to cities across the U.S. and Canada. Summer temps in this desert city can blister with intense heat but winter brings lovely conditions, making it an ideal time to explore Indio. Coachella crowds flood the city in April, and it's probably best to avoid Indio during a festival unless you're attending. With just about 350 days of sun, it's hard to imagine a terrible time in this up-and-coming destination. 

Indio stands out as a center for lively pursuits, extending beyond its reputation as the "City of Festivals," but those are worthy of your exploration too. The events draw in more than 1.4 million attendees yearly, blending music, art, cuisine, and local harvesting. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for music-lovers. Held over two weekends, it pulls in around 125,000 people per day with star-studded line-up and immersive art installations. Hot on its heels is the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, held just after Coachella at the end of April. Think bluegrass, folk, and honky-tonk vibes alongside barbecue and line dancing. Taylor Swift performed here in 2008 when she was still a rising country star.

Other festival highlights include the Southwest Arts Festival in January which showcases an assortment of fine art, jewelry and crafts from traditional to modern styles. The Riverside Country Fair and National Date Festival spans the last two weeks of February into March and welcomes thousands for rodeos, carnival rides, concerts, monster trucks, petting zoos, and exhibits honoring the regions date farming. Food focused gatherings like the Indio International Tamale Festival in early December offers free entry for delicious tamales, live music and traditional Mexican dancing, and the BBQ festival provides the perfect chance to find the right sauce.  For ongoing entertainment, the Center Stage Amphitheater in downtown provides an open-air stage for concerts and movie screenings with food trucks and local vendors.

Speaking of food, the city's culinary landscape is ever-growing and visitors will find a thriving bar and restaurant scene. Downtown bursts with energy and new spots seem to be popping up all the time. If you like craft beer, start is the Indio Taphouse in the city center. The atmosphere here is relaxed and it's a great place to grab a beer flight or a cocktail with some shareable small plates. For a more sophisticated night out, head through the silver door in the Taphouse to Italica, its sister restaurant. While they might be siblings, they don't share much in common. This dimly lit, adults-only Italian restaurant enforces a polished dress code and is open only for dinner.

Another go-to is Gabino's Creperie, a downtown staple that gained national attention when featured on the popular TV show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" with Guy Fieri. Here, the crepes go beyond the basics, offering hearty varieties of savory dishes from pizza rolls to ranch-infused chicken. For some Mexican fare, head to Victoria's Cafe, and make sure to grab a seat on the patio if it's a nice day. Jackalope Ranch offers a bar and grill experience with smoked dishes, premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and inventive cocktails. 

The Shields Date Garden is almost a century old 17-acre oasis of botanical garden that visitors can wander, learn about date harvesting and production, sample date varieties, and enjoy an iconic date shake. Their daily screening of a quirky film on date cultivation adds some humor to the experience. When the weather is nice, hit one of this desert city's well-rated, scenic golf clubs. And on the weekends, you can always find locals enjoying the Saturday Farmers Market or Food Truck Fridays — a weekly event with rotating vendors.