There are still a few days left to catch Glow in the Park at The Living Desert, one of my favorite annual Coachella Valley events, during which the beloved zoo is transformed into a magical lantern-lit wonderland come nightfall. The park is certainly worth a daytime visit, though, too! Open year-round and boasting over 1,800 acres of landscaped grounds chock full of activities, attractions and animal habitats, there is always something new and exciting to discover! A few of my favorite sights are highlighted below.
XO, Lindsay
AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURES
This immersive open-air exhibit allows guests to walk amongst a habitat of red-necked (or Bennett’s) wallabies, providing intimate access to the adorable macropods as they jump, lounge and dine throughout the shaded grounds. Be sure not to miss Hoppy Hour at the adjacent Kookaburra Cafe, held each Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m., with such delicacies as craft cocktails and cowboy caviar nachos on hand.
GIRAFFE FEEDING
A fun adventure for both children and adults, guests are invited to get up close and personal with a charming herd of giraffes in the African Safari area of the park as they roam the sundrenched landscape alongside ostriches and greater kudus. For an even more specialized experience, patrons can hand-feed botanical treats to the majestic mammals (the tallest living animals on earth!) for just $10.
OASIS GARDEN
This shaded enclave of California fan palms in the Wild Americas section of the park was inspired by the many oases that dot the northern end of the Coachella Valley. Dense with foliage and surrounding a tiny pond, the tranquil idyll is leagues cooler than any other area of the zoo (by several degrees!), offering much-needed respite during hot summer days.
BIGHORN RAILROAD
It’s “All aboard!” the Bighorn Railroad at this expansive ¾-acre G-scale model train exhibit. With over 3,300 feet of track and imaginative recreations of such spots as the Grand Canyon, Old Mission Santa Barbara and downtown Indio, one can spend hours getting lost in the intricate details. Currently undergoing a massive restoration(courtesy of 65 volunteers!), the display remains worth a visit nonetheless.
PETTING KRAAL
Who doesn’t love a petting zoo? This one, tucked away in Village WaTuTu in the park’s African Safari area, boasts a collection of friendly creatures native to West and South Africa, including adorable – and most definitely precocious – Boer and Nigerian dwarf goats, all eager for head pats, as well as the chance to nibble a t-shirt or two!
NATURE TRAILS
Three distinctive walking trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty are located in the park’s Wild Americas region, offering visitors a chance to amble off the beaten path. The one-mile “Adventure Loop” leads hikers to a San Andreas Fault exhibit offering gorgeous vistas of the fault line. (Note – all three trails are closed during the summer months.)
BIGHORN MOUNTAIN
Play spot the bighorn on this craggy bluff located on the southern edge of Wild Americas, where massive bighorn sheep seamlessly blend in with the scenery. Pinpoint one and you won’t be able to stop tracking the majestic creatures across the picturesque mountain landscape.