Thinking about hitting up Palm Springs with the kids? It’s an adventure worth taking, but I have a few heads-ups to make your trip as smooth as possible. As a mom of two little humans, I've got some insights that might just save your sanity when planning a family vacation to this sunny spot.
First off, Palm Springs is gorgeous, with its chill vibe, midcentury modern architecture and scenic beauty (think mountains + palm trees, yes please), but here’s the kicker: Getting around, especially with little ones, can be a bit of a hassle. Even though we stayed only a 5-minute walk from downtown, it was often too far to go without the stroller (even for the bigger kids) and busy roads surrounded us. We found a 5-minute walk would turn into a 20-minute walk, with the jumping in and out of the stroller, exploring, stopping to smell the flowers etc. And for the bigger destinations- gear up for some drive time. No matter where you are staying- Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City- you will end up driving upwards of 30-60 minutes between destinations. We learned quickly that car naps were inevitable (read: short naps were inevitable) and just had to embrace a change in routine.
We stayed with the grandparents in a gated condo, just a hop and a skip from downtown. This place was our little oasis, complete with three swimming pools and hot tubs (important note: only one pool was heated over winter so make sure you confirm yours will be heated if travelling before March/April!). And let me tell you, those pools were the MVPs of our trip. The girls were in water heaven, splashing around every single day. The improvement in swimming and confidence was wild, after 10 days we had a formerly-very-hesitant 4-year-old jumping in, swimming, diving and splashing around like a natural-born waterbaby! The swimming pool is like having a magic key to instant child happiness.
Getting Around and Keeping Those Kids Happy
Palm Springs might have you driving more than you’d expect. Those cool attractions? They’re spread out. But fear not! A little car prep goes a long way. Snacks? Check. Activities? Double-check. I packed our car with coloring packs, stickers (resusable puffy ones for the windows), dreamdoh jars and, of course, snacks galore from Target and Trader Joe’s.
Must-Do Activities (That Are Worth the Drive)
Zoo Adventures: The zoo is a must for anyone travelling with kids, it was a highlight of our trip for everyone. Feeding giraffes? Yes, please! Watching your kids’ eyes light up as they feed these gentle giants is priceless.
Joshua Tree Light Hiking: We found a couple of kid-friendly hikes that were perfect for little legs. Friendly Hills Hike is a gem just outside the national park (no fee, and it's stroller-friendly), and also a much shorter drive from Palm Springs. If you're up for something more adventurous, the girls enjoyed the Discovery Trail (made for kids by kids) — there was more to see and climb, just remember it's a longer drive, and there’s a park fee ($30 USD for a day pass).
Evening Farmers Market: Popping over to Palm Canyon Drive for the Thursday evening farmers market was an adults-only highlight. It has a great vibe, with local food and artisan crafts, and is easily walkable from anywhere around downtown. We had grandpa watch the kids, as it was a bit of a late night, so we enjoyed a few hours of uninterrupted eating and drinking (the tamales were chef’s kiss). If you’re considering taking your kids along, just know it was quite busy and crowded, but we did see little ones enjoying themselves and dancing to the live music!
Local Playground Runs: We hit up Demuth Park and Ruth Hardy Park for some playtime, since they were both in our neighborhood. Demuth was beautiful, facing a mountainscape and surrounded by palm trees. We drove by quite a few other playgrounds through our travels so I’m sure no matter where you stay you won’t need to travel far to find one.
Food Stops for the Fam
Townie Bagels: A breakfast hit. Just a tip—arrive early to beat the rush.
Koffi: A must for coffee-loving parents and smoothie-loving kids. Their honey vanilla cappuccino, need I say more? The Palm Canyon location has a courtyard that the girls loved to run around in, while we enjoyed a hot coffee. We visited this location nearly every morning and everyone was happy. Ruth Hardy park is just a quick 10-minute walk away if there is still some pen- up energy to burn ;).
I will say, we primarily cooked at the condo and fed the girls there. Just like at home, we enjoy getting coffee and breakfast at cafes and the occasional dinner in some low-key, outdoor dining spots when the kids are in tow. But having a Trader Joe's 10 minutes away made meals even easier. Highly recommend hitting up Costco and Trader Joe's when you arrive if you'll be cooking. A few favourites were TJ's Orange Chicken, Cauliflower Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, Green Onion Cakes and Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons. But really, you cannot go wrong in that freezer section!
So, there you have it—a little peek into our Palm Springs trip. It’s not your typical walk-everywhere, see-everything-easily kind of place, especially with young ones in tow. But with some planning, a car full of snacks and activities, and a heated pool at your stay, you’re set for a memorable adventure.
Palm Springs, with all its quirks and charms, turned out to be a fantastic spot for some quality family time. Whether you’re feeding giraffes, exploring nature, admiring the architecture or just kicking back by the pool, there’s a bit of magic around every corner. So pack up, drive safe, and dive into the fun. Enjoy your trip!
Stay tuned for another post about what we packed and the heavy-hitters that kept the girls entertained on the plane and in the condo!
