Palm Springs With Kids: The Ultimate Guide to a Family Trip

This blog post features links and information which have been obtained on a press trip. However, as always, all opinions shared in this post are my own.

When you think of Palm Springs, you think of an adult vacation. It has history, architecture, golf, and an incredible climate. However, did you know Palm Springs is also an excellent place for a family vacation?

Greater Palm Springs offers plenty for kids to do, making it a great place to visit as a family. But, like all family vacations, you’ll want to spend more time planning your trip. 

Most couples can experience Palm Springs in as little as three days. However, for families with kids, I’d suggest five to seven nights where possible. This allows you to see and do a lot at a casual pace, and most importantly, it leaves plenty of time to check out the pool!

Where To Stay in Palm Springs With Kids

Since having kids, the focus I put on where we stay when travelling has drastically increased. Thankfully, there’s plenty of great options to choose from in Greater Palm Springs:

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Palm Mountain Resort And Spa

Situated in Downtown Palm Springs, Palm Mountain Resort and Spa features clean, modern and spacious rooms.

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Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa

I chose the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells for my stay because of its large rooms and incredible facilities.

Things To Do With Kids in Palm Springs

There’s a surprising amount of things to do in Palm Springs for kids. Some of my favourite attractions include:

1. The Living Desert

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a fantastic family attraction. Situated out in Palm Desert, The Living Desert is home to more than 500 animals, including:

  • Giraffes
  • Rhinos
  • Leopards
  • Cheetah

The Living Desert has several interactive experiences to keep kids (and adults) engaged throughout the day. My personal favourites include the giraffe feeding and rhino encounter.

2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is situated a 20-minute drive from Downtown Palm Springs. This tramway is home to the largest rotating tram car, which travels 2.5 miles to Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

The journey to Mountain Station takes around 10 minutes and is at an elevation of 8,516 feet. From here, you can see breathtaking views from the observation decks, while other attractions include:

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 2 Documentary theatres
  • Natural History Museum
  • 50 miles of hiking trails

3. Joshua Tree National Park

Just north of Palm Springs, you’ll find Joshua Tree National Park. If you have a hire car then you can drive out here yourself. Alternatively, there are guided tour pick-ups from across the Greater Palm Springs area.

Joshua Tree National Park gets its name from the Joshua trees found throughout the park. Seeing these trees is one of the best things to do here, with other experiences including:

  • Hiking
  • Rock Climbing
  • Cholla Cactus Garden
  • Skull Rock

4. Palm Springs Air Museum

Let me preface by saying I am in no way an aviation enthusiast. I like to travel, but I’m actually scared of flying

So when the possibility of going to the Palm Springs Air Museum came up, I wasn’t all that bothered. However, I am happy I went, as this museum is fantastic!

The Palm Springs Air Museum has more than 40 aircraft, making it one of the world’s largest collections. Unlike similar museums, the hangars have no ropes to prevent visitors from interacting with the exhibits.

5. Red Jeep Tours

Established in 1988, Red Jeep Tours offers a range of outdoor adventures. I personally went out on the three-hour San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour. Here, you have the chance to learn about the following:

  • Plants
  • Animals 
  • Geology
  • California desert history

Since each tour group is small, the experience and education can be customised. However, one thing is sure: kids of all ages love going out off-roading in the jeep. 

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Thanks for stopping by! Do you have experience with this trip or want to share some of your own tips? We’d love to hear about it! Comment below and let’s chat!

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