The Coachella Valley was a great place to grow up, but finding things to do as a teenager was challenging.
I know firsthand how young people in the valley fish for things to do on the weekend, especially when it comes to activities outside of school sports and extracurriculars. Our area is best known for its many golf courses, spas and tourist attractions, but if you look hard enough, there are also many things for local teenagers and young adults to do.
So, whether you're interested in competing at a local video gaming lounge or kicking up dust in an ATV, here are some fun, year-round activities for teens and young adults to explore in the Coachella Valley:
More:10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, Aug. 12-18
Cool off at Splashtopia
Splashtopia in the heart of Rancho Mirage claims to be the valley’s largest water park (and happens to be one of the only in operation), and it's quite literally one of the coolest local places to be. For the time being, desert visitors and locals alike are allowed to purchase a day pass to experience this waterworld that’s inside of the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa — a privilege previously only awarded to resort guests. Experience this massive water park with activities for the entire family, including a water playground for younger kids, waterslides, a lazy river, and cliff-side hot tub. You can reserve your pass at resortpass.com or by clicking here.
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
Where: The Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, 41-000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: $38 for a child pass, $54 for an adult pass, free for infants
More info: omnihotels.com
Take an archery lesson at Robin Hood Archery
You don't have to be Brady Ellison or Casey Kaufhold — who both won medals at the 2024 Paris Games — to pick up a bow and arrow. You can experience archery yourself at Robin Hood Archery in Indio. It’s an exciting way to spend a day (in the air conditioning or in the sun, depending what time of year you go) while learning an Olympic sport. This is a family-friend activity for beginners to advanced. You will learn how to manage the equipment, etiquette of the sport, safety protocols and have a lot of fun.
When: Session 1 starts at 9 a.m. every Saturday
Where: 45-435 Van Buren St., Suite 7, Indio
Cost: $40 per person
More info:rharchery.com
Solve a complex puzzle at one of the valley's two escape rooms
Get together with some friends, gather clues, and put your brains together at one of the valley's escape rooms. Each game follows a different fantasy scenario, which requires the brainpower of your party to solve a series of puzzles and challenges within a time limit. Escape rooms are a great opportunity to do some team building, and Escape Games at the River even offers a leaderboard for you to beat other parties' times.
- Escape Games at The River, 34-450 Gateway Drive Suite 110, Palm Desert (open 1:30-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:45 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
- Escape Room Palm Springs, 2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive B3, Palm Springs (open 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. at time of publication, but changes seasonally)
Go ice skating at the Berger Foundation Iceplex
Concerts and Coachella Valley Firebirds games aren't the only thing to do at Acrisure Arena. Right next to the arena proper, the Berger Foundation Iceplex is open for the public to enjoy year-round. And the Iceplex offers more than just public skating sessions: learn the basics of ice skating at its CV SK8 Academy, or learn to play hockey like the Firebirds during one of the venue's hockey classes. Whatever your ice-related interest, the Iceplex has something for you.
When: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Thousand Palms
Cost: Membership program is $45, with varying day pass options
More info:bergerfoundationiceplex.com
Get some exercise at Get Air Trampoline Park
Jump to your heart’s content at Get Air, where you can get some exercise and have fun at the same time. This Palm Desert trampoline park has lots of space for teens who want to go in a group. The indoor venue features a variety of aerobic-induced jumping fun such as: “wall-to-wall” trampolines, foam pits, slamball, an open-air jumping space for the entire family and a kiddie court — all inside of a massive, air-conditioned space. Once you've finished exercising, take a break and grab some pizza and snacks at their concessions table.
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: 34-450 Gateway Drive Suite 110, Palm Desert
Cost: $20 for one hour, $25.99 for two hours, $28.99 for three hours, $4 for jump socks
More info:getairsports.com
Dash through the desert on an ATV
Off-roading on an ATV through the Colorado Desert (the Coachella Valley’s section of the Sonoran) is a unique way for young people to have fun while enjoying the valley's beautiful scenery and topography. Both ends of the desert have rental companies that will help you have fun by getting out (safely) on an ATV.
- Off Road Rentals in Palm Springs, 59-511 Highway 111, Palm Springs (open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily)
- Steve's ATV Rentals in Thermal, 2104 Frontage Road, Thermal (8-11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays by reservation only)
Enjoy games on the TV or the arcade at Dave & Buster's
Remember visiting the Chuck E. Cheese on Highway 111 as a kid? Not far off is a similar attraction: Dave and Buster's. Head to Dave and Buster's to get in touch with your inner child at the arcade, chow down on classic sports bar fare and enjoy live sports on large screens with surround sound. So, even if you're not going to game, you can still enjoy it in a different way (or play some games yourself).
When: 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Where: The River at Rancho Mirage, 718-00 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Starting at $15 for 75 rechargeable "power chips"
More info: daveandbusters.com
Embark on an epic quest at the Dragon's Den
The Dragon's Den is a recent addition to the Coachella Valley. Having just opened in February, the business primarily offers wide tables for players to hold sessions for Tabletop RPG games, such as Dungeons and Dragons or Warhammer 40,000. $20 gets you four hours to use a table at your leisure, but the Den offers monthly membership programs which let you play as long as you want. But just playing Tabletop RPGs is just the tip of the iceberg: the Den is a community space for people to come together and enjoy their hobbies. More casual audiences can rent the Den's selection of board games to enjoy, and those with a silver tier membership also get access to a painting room in the back.
When: Noon-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: 72-221 Highway 111 #101a, Palm Desert
Cost: $20 pay to play for non-members, $10 for students and veterans with ID, $40 a month for bronze membership, $60 a month for silver membership, $100 a month for gold membership
More info:thedragonsdenrpg.com
Race your friends (in a controlled environment) at Boomers
Boomers is a classic in the Coachella Valley for those looking to have some fun, but it's still as fun as ever! With fun activities such as go-karting, batting cages, a rock wall and mini golf at your fingertips, the amusem*nt center has something for anyone. Boomers also has several ways to beat the heat: simply make a splash on the center's bumper boats or enjoy the indoor arcade. And of course, Boomers also has a café to replenish your energy, or cap off a long day.
When: Noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Noon-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Where: 67-700 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: 2-hour unlimited package for $26.99 (though there is currently a promotion for $24.99), 4-hour unlimited package for $29.99 (though there is currently a promotion for $27.99), all-day unlimited package for $39.99 (though there is currently a promotion for $36.99), individual attraction tickets from $14.99
More info: boomerspalmsprings.com
Experience a movie via ScreenX at Mary Pickford
ScreenX at Mary Pickford Theatre is D'Place is best experienced during those movies that are too big to settle for smaller screens. Unlike other movie theater auditoriums, Mary Pickford's current claim to fame is a pair of additional movie screens which span across the entire theater. You'll notice the difference as soon as you step into the auditorium, where certain scenes of your favorite movie will play out in a panoramic view of "300% more picture" and an immersive sound system. According to its website, ScreenX also offers showings of sold-out concert halls. So even if your favorite show is sold out, you can experience it like having a front-row seat.
When: Noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Where: 36-850 Pickfair St., Cathedral City
Cost: ScreenX is a $6.95 upcharge, and regular ticket prices vary by day and time
More info:dplaceentertainment.com
Here's some other movie theaters that are also great spots to meet up with your friends:
- Regal Palm Springs, 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
- Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
- Regal Rancho Mirage, 72-777 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage
- Cinemark Century at the River and XD, 71-800 Highway 111 Suite A-137, Rancho Mirage
- Cinemark Century La Quinta and XD, 46-800 Washington St., La Quinta
Get your game on at Palm Springs Gaming Lounge
This family-friendly gaming lounge is the perfect venue for teens who want to hang out and play games until their fingers fall off. Who wants to be at home and communicating over a voice chat, when you can meet up and play video games in person? This lounge has games, games, and more games! The business, which opened in 2024, has lots to offer us gaming enthusiasts: Nintendo Switch consoles, PCs, Playstation 5, Xbox stations and more in an indoor, air-conditioned space. You can even bring your own device to enjoy, whether with friends or alone. This is a great meet-up spot for teens and young adults.
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: 4651 Ramon Road, Palm Springs
Cost: 1-hour pass: $8; 3-hour pass: $21; 6-hour pass: $36; all-day pass: $50
More info:brand.page
Go for a strike at Palm Springs Lanes
Valley youth have their choice of three bowling alleys that are conveniently located throughout our area and beyond in Cabazon, Palm Springs and Indio, but we recommend checking out cosmic bowling at Palm Springs Lanes, where you and your friends can not only bowl in the dark, but you can get some snacks and hit the pool tables.
When: 2-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: 68-051 Ramon Road, Cathedral City
Cost: $30 for 60 minutes of regular bowling, $60 for 90 minutes of cosmic bowling. Specials: $70 for 2 hours plus shoe rentals for up to six players, $90 for two hours of bowling, shoe rentals, a large pizza and two pitchers of soda for up to six players (specials are not available during cosmic bowling)
More info:pslanes.com
Other bowling alleys to check out with your friends in our area:
- Canyon Lanes at Morongo (inside Morongo Casino Resort & Spa), 49-750 Seminole Drive, Cabazon (open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday)
- Fantasy Lanes (inside Fantasy Springs Resort Casino), 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio (open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday)
Skate through halfpipes at La Quinta X Park
If pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk endorses a skate park, that's how you know it's the real deal. That's one of the La Quinta X Park's claims to fame. The park offers a variety of different ramps and structures for skaters of all skill levels, so there's no need to be intimidated by skill level. Once you're done skating, you can catch your breath at the park's pro shop.
When: Noon-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: 46-170 Dune Palms Road, La Quinta
Cost: $5 day pass for non-residents, $2 day pass for residents, $50 yearly membership for non-residents, $25 yearly membership for residents
More info: actionparkalliance.com
Other skate parks to check out with friends in our area:
- Palm Springs Skate Park, 405 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs (open 2-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
- Civic Center Skate Park, 43906-43942 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert (open 2-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the school year, but has different summer hours)
- Desert Hot Springs Skate Park, First Street, Desert Hot Springs (open dawn-dusk daily)
Alex Grauel is The Desert Sun's summer 2024 intern. He's a rising senior journalism student at Arizona State University, and a native of Rancho Mirage. You can email Alex at agrauel@palmspri.gannett.com.
