Bobcat Bookstore and Gift Shop

The Friends Bookstore and Gift Shop

This month's special for the Gif Shop

Be sure to stop in and visit the Bookstore and Gift Shop, a nature-oriented store run by Friends of the Desert Mountains, located in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center on Highway 74.

Shop for books and maps, apparel, posters, trail guides, illustrated note cards, and unique gift items. We offer specialized books and field guides about the natural and cultural history of the Coachella Valley area. With children’s items and an assortment of Monument logo items -- T-shirts, caps, jackets -- you're sure to find great gifts for kids and adults, or something special to commemorate your trip to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

Each month a different item is offered at a discount. And members of the Friends of the Desert Mountains who present their membership card always receive a 10% discount.

Some of our specialized and best-selling items include:

Did you know the Visitor Center is considered one of the top birding sites in the Coachella Valley? It's true. And if you stop by you can pick up your very own Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail Guide for only $1.00. For more information, call (760) 862-9984; or the Friends of the Desert Mountains will send you your guide via US Mail for only $2.00! If you are interested in receiving your Birding Guide via mail, please call (760)568-9918.
For more information about the Birding and Trial Guide, click here.

The NEW Trail Map: You can now order on-line! The most comprehensive trails map in the history of the Coachella Valley. The map lists locations of more than 75 trails throughout the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and offers trail ratings, hiking advice and safety reminders. It is tear resistant and waterproof.

To securely order your Trail Map, on-line, click here.

Poster artwork by Charles Harper, a renowned wildlife artist whose work has appeared in nature magazines and books, and on posters for Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains and the National Park Service. See Poster.

Find out more about this incredible artist who recently passed away. Read More.

Smoky Bear collectible items. Click here.

The Emmy Award-winning, high definition HDTV DVD Voices of the Monument, providing an introduction to the vast beauty, history, and diversity represented in the National Monument. Read More.

The beautifully illustrated and informative children’s book A Monument to Treasure, which follows the journey of a young boy and his grandfather through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. See the Book.

Books and field guides on the flora and fauna of the Colorado Desert. See a Book.

A wide assortment of plush stuffed toys including bighorn sheep and mountain lions, birds from the Audubon Society (with authentic bird calls), and other items suitable for children. Click here to see these adorable toys.

Where Do The Proceeds Go?

Where are we located?

Proceeds from the bookstore support conservation and education projects in the National Monument. Friends membership forms and “Adopt a Desert Acre” donation forms are also available at the bookstore. Go to 'Adopt' page.

To reach the Bobcat Bookstore and Gift Shop, located in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, on Highway 74 travel up Highway 74 from Palm Desert, just four miles south of Highway 111. Watch for the National Monument Visitor Center sign just past Bighorn Golf Club then turn left into the driveway. Want a PDF file you can download and print a map and directions to the Gift Shop? click here

The Visitor Center is a great place to find information about ways to explore and enjoy the National Monument, its trails, scenic overlooks, and other recreational opportunities within its 272,000 acres. Inside the air-conditioned center, browse through the many books and gift items or view the award-winning documentary Voices of the Monument, showing throughout the day. Located at the gateway to the National Monument, the Visitor Center is a starting point for numerous trails as well for the scenic Palms to Pines Highway.

Take a short walk on the Ed Hastey Desert Garden Interpretive Trail through a garden of native desert plants, surrounded by beautiful views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Call for more information or stop by. Admission is free and the center has disabled access.

Season Hours: (October 1 - June 19) 9 am to 4 pm, 7 days a week, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Summer Hours: (June 20 - September 30) 8 am to 3 pm, 7 days a week