The epicenter of dates and tamales, Indio is abundant in rich experiences, from savoring straight-from-the-field cuisine to exploring the area's nature and history.
Indio flourished as an agricultural hub and rose to prominence as a railroad town in the late 19th century. Southern Pacific Railroad workers subbed the local station Indio – the Spanish word for Indian, a nod to the Cahuilla people who had long inhabited the land.
By the 1920s, the date groves became a tourism magnet, and Indio was the first incorporated city in the Coachella Valley in 1930. Now, the City of Festivals regularly hosts such celebrations as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, and the Indio International Tamale Festival.
The excitement lasts all year long in the city, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2020, with one-of-a-kind eateries and attractions, including the Coachella Valley History Museum, Shields Date Garden, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, and the forthcoming Indio Food Park.