Holiday Gift Guide
‘Tis the Season... To Save Species!
The holidays are a time for celebrating love, laughter, and family traditions, creating memories, and looking toward a brighter tomorrow.
So, if you’re searching for a gift that embodies all of these and more, we have great news! We’ve curated a collection of incredible gifts and unique experiences that perfectly capture the spirit of the season, whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or another special occasion.
When you choose a gift from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, you’re also giving a second gift — hope for desert wildlife. Proceeds from your purchase help support our mission and 80+ conservation initiatives in 12 countries to protect desert animals and ecosystems around the world.
Membership
Gift a year of adventure with membership! A membership to The Living Desert offers your loved ones a full year of wild adventure, unforgettable memories, and exclusive perks including:
🎉 Unlimited daytime admission for 12 months
🌟 Exclusive access to member-only events and programs
💸 Discounts at 50+ Coachella Valley businesses, plus Zoo cafes, restaurants, and the Appel Gift Shop
🎁 Two FREE guest passes
Plus, when you join now, you’ll be able to enjoy all the exclusive benefits and events during January’s Member Month!
WildLights
Named one of 2024’s Top 5 Zoo Lights in the Nation by USA Today, WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is the perfect holiday experience to share with loved ones.
Treat your friends and family to a dazzling adventure exploring the Zoo after dark, amongst 3 million twinkling lights.
✨ Tickets start at just $15.95 for children under 17 and $19.95 for adults.
🎄 WildLights runs on select nights, now through December 30.
Adopt an Animal or Train
A symbolic adoption of an animal or train is a wonderful gift for the person who has everything. Not only will your recipient receive wonderful benefits, but they will also be supporting desert wildlife around the world! Symbolic adoptions can include a personalized certificate, animal fact sheet, or plush, depending on your chosen adoption level.
Order by December 16 to receive your adoptions by December 25 or pick up at the Zoo by December 22.
Rhino Encounter
A rhino might not fit under the tree, but you can gift the unforgettable experience of meeting one face-to-face with a rhino encounter! During the encounter, guests are invited step into an exclusive animal care area to meet one of the magnificent rhinos in our care, Nia or Jaali, and learn about their biology, care, and personalities while engaging in memorable activities like feeding or brushing.
Private Safari Tour
Experience the Zoo in a whole new way, with a guided Private Safari tour! This luxury journey includes park admission, a personal guide, and a private shuttle. Explore the Zoo as our guide enthralls you with fascinating animal facts and park history during a dynamic two-hour adventure.
The Appel Gift Shop
The Appel Gift Shop at The Living Desert is your one-stop shop for unique, wildlife-inspired treasures. (+ Don’t miss our limited-time retail popup, the Bigfoot Discovery Tour!)
Whether you are looking for cuddly plush, stylish home décor, desert-chic apparel, or stocking stuffers there’s something for everyone! Here’s just a few of our favorite gift ideas:
- A handcrafted wooden ornament featuring rescued mountain lions, Rose and Sage
- A plush and cozy 50in x 60in giraffe blanket
- A caftan with the perfect patterns for a trip to Palm Springs
- The Botanist’s Sticker Anthology, with over a thousand vintage illustrations
- A handcrafted wool ornament featuring a rhino or bighorn sheep
- Handmade desert aloe soap
- A succulent or flowering plant propagated here at The Living Desert!
👉 Visit us on your next Zoo visit or explore select items in our online store!
Local Business Partners
Still need another gift? Support one of our local business partners, where Zoo members enjoy exclusive discounts at over 50 Coachella Valley favorites including:
- The DEN Meditation –
Purchase a DEN monthly unlimited membership for just $11/month. - BMW Performance Driving School –
Give the gift of speed (and receive 10% off most schools with your Zoo membership) - Trina Turk –
Choose a stylish gift at Trina Turk on El Paseo and get 15% off your in-store purchase. - Children’s Museum of the Desert –
Spend the day learning together — with a 10% discount on tickets. - The Body Deli –
Give the gift of pampering, with 10% off your entire purchase. - Indian Wells Golf Resort –
For a hole in one gift, score 12.5% discount on standard golf tee times. - Palm Springs Windmill Tours –
Take the family on a self-driving tour and save 20%.
