Summary: Desert regions from Coachella Valley through New Mexico and Baja are set to define travel in 2026, with new wellness retreats, surf lagoons, culinary standouts and large-scale resort openings across Arizona and Nevada.

The desert cities surrounding San Diego are preparing to reshape the travel landscape in 2026. Coachella Valley, New Mexico and Baja are all seeing a wave of openings and reopenings that combine luxury, wellness, adventure and a renewed culinary focus, offering travelers fresh reasons to visit.

Coachella Valley: Wellness Meets Unexpected Adventure

Palm Springs and nearby desert enclaves are deepening their wellness and lifestyle offerings. Terra Palm Springs, which opened in 2025 as a 13-room wellness retreat that previously operated as a clothing-optional property, now provides round-the-clock access to a Himalayan salt sauna, cold plunge and a rain room. On-site beverages and light bites are created by Michael Beckman, executive chef of Workshop Kitchen + Bar.

Also new in 2025, Casa Palma Hotel & Bungalows offers a 33-room, design-forward boutique stay on the historic Movie Colony property in Palm Springs, complete with pickleball courts and a bistro that emphasize minimalist, art-focused hospitality.

For a distinctly different desert thrill, DSRT Surf in Palm Desert will introduce a 5.5-acre surf lagoon when it completes construction by mid-2026. The project includes 139 hotel rooms, 57 villas and multiple dining venues, bringing wave riding to the heart of the Coachella Valley.

New Mexico: Art, Culture and Reimagined Lodging

New Mexico is leaning into its creative and natural strengths. In Taos, the Casetta Group reopened a former motor lodge as Hotel Willa, a 51-room property that nods to Willa Cather with adobe-style architecture, an artist residency and a seasonal restaurant led by chef Johnny Ortiz Concha and artist Maida Branch.

Meanwhile in Albuquerque, the classic Downtowner has been transformed into Arrive Albuquerque, a dog-friendly, 137-room hotel that embraces midcentury design and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for Route 66 travelers.

Arizona and Nevada: Grand Resorts and High-Octane Entertainment

Arizona will add new large-scale properties and attractions. Trailborn Grand Canyon in Williams offers 96 rooms and easy access to the national park and Route 66, while the Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas in Paradise Valley—set to open in 2026—promises six pools, more than 400 rooms and three restaurants, including a Baja-inspired concept by James Beard semifinalist Wes Avila.

Las Vegas continues to expand its dining and entertainment lineup. Cote Korean Steakhouse, the only Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in the U.S., has opened at The Venetian with stadium seating and VIP skyboxes. The city is also adding the F1 Arcade, a 21,000-square-foot complex housing 87 racing simulators aimed at motorsport fans.

Desert resort pool with mountain views representing Coachella Valley wellness and Baja beaches
New resorts and culinary venues across Coachella Valley, New Mexico and Baja are reshaping travel offerings for 2026

Baja: A Culinary Renaissance and Coastal Boutique Stays

Baja California is reinforcing its reputation as a food-lover’s destination. Chef Diego Hernández has returned to Valle de Guadalupe with Diego, a seasonal multi-course tasting menu that emphasizes local ingredients and continues the legacy of Corazón de Tierra. In Cabo San Lucas, Kadún opened in late 2025 as a 110-room boutique beachfront hotel with a rooftop pool close to Medano Beach and the marina.

Back in Arizona, the International Dark Sky Discovery Center in Fountain Hills is slated to open in 2026 with a $28 million build including a large telescope, planetarium and exhibits focused on stargazing and dark-sky preservation.

What This Means for Travelers

These developments create a wider range of experiences for visitors—from wellness-focused micro-retreats and art-driven boutique hotels to adventure-first resorts and high-end culinary destinations. Travelers seeking novelty in 2026 will find new resort concepts, more dining variety and activities that blend nature with design.

So what? For travelers and industry professionals, the influx of openings across Coachella Valley, New Mexico and Baja signals stronger demand for curated experiences—meaning more booking options, diversified price points and fresh reasons to plan trips to these regions in 2026.