How to Surf, Play, Work Out, and Relax in the Coachella Valley Without Owning a Club Membership

The Coachella Valley is no longer just a golf-and-pool destination. A wave pool opening in Palm Desert, dozens of public-access courts, resort day passes available online, and gyms spanning from Palm Springs to Indio mean that active desert living is open to nearly everyone, whether you live here full-time, seasonally, or are simply considering a move. Jim Hardy, Property Advisor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (DRE #02045778), put together this guide to help buyers and current residents understand what is actually available, at what cost, and what ties directly to property values in the Valley.

DSRT Surf: A Public Surf Lagoon Opening in Palm Desert

The story that is reshaping the Valley's recreational identity is DSRT Surf. DSRT Surf is a 17.8-acre Wavegarden Cove development next to Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, with a confirmed early-summer 2026 public opening. DSRT Surf is open to the public and no membership is required. Individual sessions start from $60 per hour. Surfers can pay an hourly fee or sign up for packages or passes, with surf sessions running one hour at a time.

Its 5.5-acre lagoon uses a 52-module Cove system rated for up to 1,000 waves per hour and 70 surfers at a time, with simultaneous rights and lefts, barrel and performance sections on the outside, and beginner rollers on the inside. A beach pass also gets you access to the grounds so you can hang out, watch the action, and take in the scene without surfing. In addition to the wave pool, DSRT Surf will offer pickleball courts, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, yoga classes, a restaurant, and a skate bowl.

DSRT Surf joins Palm Springs Surf Club, which has been running since 2024, with other projects including the Thermal Beach Club and Coral Mountain Desert Club in the eastern Coachella Valley in various stages of development. Buyers evaluating properties near the Desert Willow corridor should note that this amenity cluster is directly adjacent to active real estate.

Public Golf: Desert Willow and Palm Desert Golf Club

Desert Willow Golf Resort is home to two of Southern California's public golf courses, Firecliff and Mountain View, in the heart of Palm Desert. Green fees range from $73 to $217, seven days a week. Palm Desert residents can access a local loyalty card: the 2025-2026 Palm Desert Resident Platinum Club Card costs $329 per cardholder and provides 25 to 30 percent off standard available rates, plus the ability to secure tee times up to 60 days in advance.

For those who prefer a semi-private option, Palm Desert Golf Club's Roadrunner Package, priced at $120 for the 2026 calendar year, includes a minimum 25 percent off green fees, cart and trail fees, and a 20 percent merchandise discount in the golf shop. Seasonal residents often find these annual packages deliver value comparable to private club initiation fees.

Tennis and Pickleball: Public Courts and Private Club Access

Tennis in a Pickle is the largest private pickleball and tennis club in the greater Palm Springs area and the Coachella Valley, situated in the Palm Desert Resort and Country Club. The facility features 28 dedicated pickleball courts organized by skill level, from 2.5 through 4.5-plus, plus 6 dedicated tennis courts including one center court with stadium seating.

For free public court time, Demuth Park and Ruth Hardy Park in the Palm Springs area offer tennis without a reservation or fee. Private club members at communities such as PGA West in La Quinta gain much broader access: PGA West is centered around nine championship 18-hole courses, ten tennis courts, sixteen pickleball courts, multiple dining venues, and a year-round social calendar. The entry-level Champions (Social) tier carries an initiation fee starting around $10,000 and monthly dues beginning around $287, which includes sport amenities without requiring a golf membership.

Gyms: Day Passes and Flexible Memberships Valley-Wide

Visitors and new residents who are not yet ready for a club commitment have several straightforward options. WorkOUT Gym in Palm Springs offers day passes, week passes, and month-to-month memberships. World Gym in Palm Desert features over 35 small group training classes each week and offers short-term passes covering one day, one week, or one month. Steel Gym, centrally located in Palm Springs, offers group fitness classes including yoga, Zumba, boot camp, and spinning; all classes are free for members and guests.

Resort Day Passes: Pool, Spa, and More Without an Overnight Stay

A hotel day pass lets you enjoy a hotel's amenities, including the pool, gym, spa, or lounges, without booking a room. Platforms such as ResortPass aggregate these options across the Palm Springs area so you can compare properties side by side. Pricing varies considerably: some properties offer day passes from $55 for adults, including a complimentary cocktail, while others are priced from $67 and grant access to heated saltwater pools with towel service and poolside food and drink. Most bookings through these platforms can be canceled or rescheduled up to 24 hours before check-in for a full refund.

Seasonal Timing and Local Discounts Worth Knowing

Pricing for nearly every amenity in this guide moves with the desert season. Golf green fees at public courses are typically lower from May through September, when temperatures rise and demand from visitors falls. Club memberships negotiated during summer often carry lower initiation fees, though the terms of each club vary and nothing is certain in that regard. Residents living within Palm Desert city limits should verify eligibility for the Desert Willow resident discount program, which offers a 30 to 60 percent discount off regular rates depending on the season. That kind of locality-specific savings is one small but real financial dimension of choosing where in the Valley to purchase a home.

If you want to understand which neighborhoods sit closest to these amenities, or how recreational access factors into property values in Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, or Indian Wells, reach out to Jim Hardy at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, DRE #02045778, for a conversation grounded in the specific area you are considering. You can also learn more at Jim Hardy's advisor profile.

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Frequently asked questions

Is DSRT Surf open to the public, or is a membership required?

DSRT Surf at 105 Wave Drive in Palm Desert requires no membership. Individual one-hour surf sessions start from $60, and a beach pass is also available for spectators who want access to the grounds without surfing. The facility opened in summer 2026 and is designed to accommodate all skill levels, from first-time riders to experienced surfers.

What is an affordable way to play golf publicly in the Coachella Valley?

Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert is city-owned and publicly accessible, with green fees ranging from $73 to $217 depending on the day and season. Palm Desert residents can purchase a Platinum Club Card for $329 per year to access discounts of 25 to 30 percent off standard rates. Palm Desert Golf Club also offers a Roadrunner Package for $120 annually that includes a minimum 25 percent discount on green fees throughout the year.

How does Jim Hardy factor recreational amenities into a Coachella Valley home search?

Jim Hardy, Property Advisor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (DRE #02045778), looks at proximity to public and semi-private facilities as one practical dimension of a home's lifestyle value, separate from price per square foot. Properties within Palm Desert city limits, for example, qualify for resident golf discounts at Desert Willow that non-residents cannot access. Communities adjacent to the DSRT Surf corridor, PGA West in La Quinta, or Indian Wells tennis venues each carry a distinct set of recreational trade-offs worth weighing before you make an offer.