Find AA Meetings in Palm Desert, California

Palm Desert, California AA Meetings

Palm Desert’s directory lists more than 40 in-person AA groups meeting at over a dozen locations around the city, plus roughly 6 groups that meet online. You can se the search and filters above to sort by day, format or accessibility before picking where to go.

Discussion meetings dominate the local schedule here, alongside a smaller number of Big Book, speaker, meditation, and literature-focused meetings. Most Palm Desert meetings are open to anyone, which makes this a comfortable city to sit in on a meeting for the first time without committing to anything.

Here’s a snapshot of meeting types in our Palm Desert directory, counting both in-person and online groups (as of July 2026):

• Women’s: 7
• Men’s: 4
• Young people’s: 1
• Spanish-speaking: 1

Counts change as schedules update, so treat this as a snapshot and the search above as the current source.

You are not alone in rethinking your drinking, as an estimated 16.2 percent of Palm Desert adults report binge drinking, according to CDC PLACES, 2025.  It’s a reminder that questioning your relationship with alcohol is common, not a personal failing.

Your First AA Meeting in Palm Desert

Open meetings welcome anyone curious about AA, while closed meetings are reserved for people who consider themselves alcoholics. At either one, you can expect people sharing their own experiences with drinking, a reading from AA literature and a chance to talk afterward if you want to. Nobody will ask you to speak or introduce yourself as an alcoholic, and there’s no cost to attend because AA groups are self-supporting through voluntary contributions.

Palm Desert doesn’t have meetings tagged specifically for beginners, so with the majority of local meetings being in an open discussion format, that’s a natural place to start.

If you want more background before you go, read about what to expect at your first AA meeting or look into the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions that shape how AA groups run.

Palm Desert’s AA Central Office and 24-Hour Helpline

The Central Intergroup Office of the Desert, based in nearby Cathedral City, serves Palm Desert and the rest of the Coachella Valley. It’s a volunteer-run office that keeps the valley’s meeting schedule up to date and fields calls from people looking for a meeting or a bit of support. Calls placed outside office hours are covered by a rotating volunteer service, so someone in recovery is generally reachable at any hour.

Sober.com is an independent AA meeting directory and is not affiliated with the Central Intergroup Office of the Desert or with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The office’s address, hours and phone number are listed under Resources below.

Staying on Track Between Meetings

Many people pair meetings with the free Sober App. It tracks your sober days, what you have saved by not drinking, and milestones worth marking, giving you something to lean on between meetings. Download the Sober App to get started.

If You Need More Help Than a Meeting

AA is peer support, not medical treatment, and it works alongside professional care rather than replacing it. If you or someone you know drinks heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be medically risky, and a professional assessment is worth getting first.

Sober.com’s guide to the alcohol withdrawal timeline walks through what that process can look like.

For county-level support, Riverside University Health System’s Behavioral Health CARES Line offers 24/7 screening and referral for substance use treatment to Riverside County residents, including Palm Desert, listed under Resources. The national FindTreatment.gov locator and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are also there if you need them, day or night.

AA in Palm Desert: Common Questions

How much do AA meetings in Palm Desert cost?

Nothing. AA groups are self-supporting through voluntary contributions from their own members, and visitors are never charged to attend.

Do I have to call myself an alcoholic to attend?

No. AA’s only stated requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking, and open meetings welcome anyone curious, regardless of how they identify.

What’s the difference between open and closed meetings in Palm Desert?

Open meetings are for anyone, including people who are simply curious about AA. Closed meetings are for people who identify as alcoholics. Most Palm Desert meetings are open, so first-time visitors have plenty of options.

Are there online AA meetings I can join from Palm Desert?

Yes. Palm Desert residents can also join AA groups that meet entirely online, which is useful if local schedules don’t line up with yours.

Do I need to register or sign up in advance?

No. You can just show up. Arriving a few minutes early is a good idea, especially for a first visit, so you have time to find a seat before things start.

Resources

• Central Intergroup Office of the Desert. Office: 35-325 Date Palm Drive, Suite 107, Cathedral City, CA 92234; (760) 324-4880; TTY (760) 324-4851; calls outside business hours are answered by a volunteer service. Accessed July 23, 2026. https://aainthedesert.org/volunteers/
• Riverside University Health System, Behavioral Health. CARES Line: (800) 499-3008, available 24/7 for substance use and mental health screening and referral. Accessed July 23, 2026. https://rivco.gov/news/riverside-county-launch-care-act-mental-health-program-oct-2
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PLACES: Local Data for Better Health (2025 release, 2023 BRFSS). Accessed July 23, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/places/
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. FindTreatment.gov treatment locator. Accessed July 23, 2026. https://findtreatment.gov/
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 (24/7).