Palm Springs, California might not immediately come to mind as a classic family destination, but our recent trip there with our 9- and 13-year-old was one of our best family vacations. Below is a clear, family-friendly guide to what we loved, where we stayed, what we ate, and a few things we’ll try next time. We also brought our nine-pound chihuahua, so many of these suggestions are dog-friendly.
Why Vacation With Kids In Palm Springs?
We picked Palm Springs for several reasons. Our East Coast-born kids had never been to California, and we wanted to avoid the crowds and pace of big cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Palm Springs offered a unique desert landscape, memorable mid-century style, easy airport access, and warm spring temperatures during our March break. It was also convenient to meet up with family who live in California.
We briefly considered similar spots like Sedona or Flagstaff, but Palm Springs was easier and more affordable to reach from our small Florida airport.
When To Visit Palm Springs
The best time to visit is winter through early spring (November–April), when daytime highs are typically in the 70s and 80s. Summers can be extreme, often topping 100°F and sometimes reaching 120°F; pools can even feel uncomfortably warm. Visiting during the cooler season means more comfortable days for exploring, though it’s also the busiest and most expensive time. We visited in mid-March over spring break and found pleasant weather and manageable crowds. A few timing and booking tips appear later in this post.
How We Got To Palm Springs
We flew into Palm Springs Airport (PSP). It’s small, convenient, and located within the city limits—our Airbnb was under 10 minutes away. The airport has a relaxed, partly outdoor layout that makes it low-stress to navigate. Some travelers opt to fly to Los Angeles (LAX) or Las Vegas (LAS) for cheaper or direct flights, and then drive to Palm Springs—about 2–3 hours from LA and roughly 4 hours from Vegas. If you plan to rent a car, flying into one of those larger airports can also make a road-trip stop part of the fun.
Where We Stayed In Palm Springs
When traveling with kids and a dog, we prefer an Airbnb or VRBO for the space, a private pool, and a kitchen. For this trip we rented an Airbnb just north of downtown that proved to be a highlight. We splurged for a short stay (it was Sherry’s birthday) and used credit card points to offset flights. The nightly price can vary widely with dates, so look for midweek openings between booked weekends to find discounts.
The house offered striking glass walls, mountain views, and a pool and spa that kept everyone happy. Even though we have a pool at home, the kids spent so much time swimming that we canceled some sightseeing plans in favor of relaxing together. The view of snow-capped mountains made the downtime especially memorable.
Below are a few other rental options we considered; availability and prices change with dates, so check multiple listings when planning.
- Mid-Century Alexander Home
- Casa de Mesquite
- 3 Palms Retreat
- Private Mountain View Oasis
- Desert Home Oasis
What We Did With Kids In Palm Springs
Our trip wasn’t packed with non-stop sightseeing—much of it was blissfully low-key by the pool and visiting with family—but the outings we did take were memorable. Here are the highlights and a few tips for each.
Cool off in a pool
The pool at our rental was the unexpected favorite. Features like a basketball hoop and a raised spa with a mountain view made it hard to leave. In warm desert afternoons, a good pool can become the centerpiece of a family vacation—choose accommodation with a pool if relaxation is a priority.
Hang out in Downtown Palm Springs
Downtown along South Palm Canyon Drive offers shopping, dining, and kitschy tourist stores. We ate most dinners there and enjoyed the walkable atmosphere. Parking downtown was easy and free, which made evening outings stress-free.
Check out the Cabazon Dinosaurs
About 20 minutes away, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are a kitschy roadside attraction perfect for photos. Admission lets you explore an indoor exhibit and climb inside the larger dinosaur structures. If you only want photos, you can see the big dinosaurs from the parking lot for free, but buying admission adds a fun interactive element for kids.
Visit Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is roughly an hour from Palm Springs and feels otherworldly. Because pets are restricted on most trails, we did a driving tour with several pull-off stops for short walks and climbing—this took about four hours round-trip including a lunch stop. Entering through the North Entrance at Twentynine Palms helped us avoid long lines at the West Entrance. Bring plenty of water and snacks; the desert can heat up quickly. Our favorite stop was the Live Oak Picnic Area, which was uncrowded and great for kids to explore.
On the way out we stopped at The Rock Shop and picked up a few crystals as souvenirs—kids enjoyed this surprise stop.
Explore the funky neighborhoods
Palm Springs is full of distinctive mid-century neighborhoods. We enjoyed evening drives through local streets, especially the Sahara Mobile Home Park behind the Ace Hotel. For a deeper experience, consider a walking or biking tour of the historic neighborhoods when you have more time.
Eat something yummy
Dining options are abundant. Our favorite dinner was at Birba, which felt special yet family-friendly—reservations are recommended. We also enjoyed tacos at El Patron and a memorable poke burger from Haus of Poke that we ate by the pool. If you plan to return, try Cheeky’s for breakfast, which comes highly recommended by locals.
What We Want To Do Next Time
There are plenty of activities we didn’t fit into this trip but want to try on our next visit:
Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tram
The rotating tram up Mt. San Jacinto promises dramatic views and a cooler mountain escape.
Hike Tahquitz Canyon Trail
A family-friendly trail from downtown that leads to a scenic waterfall—recommended by friends and on our list.
Peruse the Palm Springs Art Museum
The museum is downtown and offers indoor galleries and outdoor sculptures the kids would enjoy.
Visit the Living Desert Zoo
About 30 minutes from downtown, the zoo and gardens focus on regional wildlife and habitats—great for families.
Tour a Wind Farm
The massive wind turbines outside town are fascinating; guided or app-based driving tours let you explore them up close.
Off Road in a Red Jeep Tour
An off-road tour would be a fun, adventurous way to explore desert terrain if you return with more time.
Enjoy Thursday night VillageFest
VillageFest runs October–May on Thursday nights in downtown with vendors, food, and live music—perfect for an evening stroll.
Have breakfast at Cheeky’s
Locals recommend Cheeky’s for brunch; it’s adjacent to Birba and comes highly endorsed for a future visit.
Things To Do With Kids In Palm Springs: A Summary
Quick list of the top sights, eats, and activities we enjoyed or plan to try:
- Stroll Downtown Palm Springs and enjoy shops and dining
- Visit the Cabazon Dinosaurs for photos and exhibits
- Drive through and explore Joshua Tree National Park
- Shop at The Rock Shop near Joshua Tree
- Tour mid-century neighborhoods like the Sahara Mobile Home Park
- Eat at family-friendly spots such as Birba, El Patron, Haus of Poke, and Cheeky’s
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tram
- Hike Tahquitz Canyon Trail
- Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum and outdoor sculptures
- See wildlife at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
- Take a wind farm driving tour
- Try an off-road Red Jeep tour
- Attend VillageFest on Thursday nights (October–May)
- Relax and beat the heat in your hotel or Airbnb pool
Other Family Trips We’ve Taken
If you enjoyed this overview of Palm Springs with kids, we’ve shared reports on other family trips as well, covering destinations like Charleston, New Orleans, St. Petersburg, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and more—great for planning future family adventures.
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