We’re always on the lookout for family-friendly destinations that offer outdoor fun and something for everyone. Today, California mom Araceli Gozalez is taking to you Palm Springs, where her family discovered a desert oasis that completely stole their hearts. From the dramatic landscapes of Joshua Tree to the colorful downtown food scene, this Southern California gem surprised them in the best way possible. I’m excited to share exactly why Palm Springs should be on your family’s bucket list, and how you can make the most of your time exploring this sunny, beautiful corner of California.
Exploring the Palm Springs area
A Southern California gem! Palm Springs is about 100 miles from Los Angeles in Riverside County. It is nestled in Coachella Valley and surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains on one side and the Colorado Desert on the other. Palm Springs is about 40 miles from Joshua Tree National Park making it an unbelievable base camp for outdoor adventures! The drive from Palm Springs into Joshua Tree is pure magic, scenic desert views the entire way!
You can count on over 300 days of sunshine, making Palm Springs the perfect destination to escape cold, frigid winters! Surrounded by mountains, there are endless opportunities for hiking and exploration.
Palm Springs is also known for the famous festivals such as Coachella and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The downtown area is a food mecca and a vibrant eclectic scene! Palm Springs has been around since the 1920s, originally a popular getaway for celebrities and now it is also famous for tourism and beautiful desert lifestyle!
Where to stay & so much to see
There are so many great places to stay in Palm Springs, ranging from retro-chic boutique hotels to sprawling luxury resorts. We chose the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, about 14 miles southeast of Palm Springs, and it turned out to be the perfect home base for our adventures.
The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort is a beautiful and serene desert oasis sitting on over 400 acres. Driving up, we were greeted by towering rows of palm trees, sparkling ponds, and even a few flamingos lounging by the entrance, definitely not something you see every day! The kids were completely enchanted by the resort’s pools, tennis, pickleball, mini golf course, arcade, and the indoor gondola rides that wind through the waterways. Boats dock inside the hotel, and cruising through the lakes and waterways is a pretty special touch.
Every evening, we’d grab a spot near the lookout point to watch the sunsets paint the desert in shades of orange and pink. It was the perfect way to unwind after busy days exploring. Whether we were swimming, trying out the arcade, or simply soaking in the views, this resort offered something special for each of us.
Getting Around Palm Springs
While Palm Springs has a walkable downtown area, we found that having a car was essential, especially with kids and all the gear that comes with them.
Driving made it easy to hop between Palm Desert, Joshua Tree, and all the smaller surrounding towns. Parking was generally plentiful—most hotels and attractions offered free or low-cost parking, and the lots near popular trailheads and the tramway had ample space when we arrived early in the day.
If you’re flying in, you can pick up a rental car right at Palm Springs International Airport, which is just a short drive from downtown.
Pro tip: Keep a cooler and extra water bottles in the trunk. The heat can sneak up quickly, and we were grateful to have cold drinks and snacks on hand after long hikes and day trips.
For families planning to explore Joshua Tree and Pioneer Town or venture further into the desert, having your own car makes the trip so much smoother and gives you the flexibility to stop whenever you spot something interesting along the way.
One week Palms Spring itinerary
We spent a week exploring this area and made the most of our time in the desert and exploring the Palm Springs area. Here’s the lineup of what we did:
- Joshua Tree
- Palm Springs Aerial Tram
- Living Desert Zoo
- Evening Stroll through Palm Springs Village & Village Fest
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is about 40 miles outside of Palm Springs. The Park spans over 800,000 acres and spreads across the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. This National Park has been high on our list, and Palm Springs was the perfect basecamp. We made a quick stop in the town of Joshua Tree for coffee at JT Coffee, coffee first!
Exploring Joshua Tree
Upon entering the park, we were immediately struck by the dramatic rock formations. A total hit for kids as they can run wild, climb, and explore throughout the park. Our first stop was the famous Skull Rock. In just a few seconds, the kids were off rock climbing, bouldering, and hiking through a beautiful oasis.
The park is a beautiful desert covered in dramatic rock and the gorgeous and iconic Joshua Trees. When visiting, make sure you plan around extreme weather, as it is really hot in the summer and cold/snowy in the winter.
If you are lucky, you will spot big horn sheep, jack rabbits, coyotes, birds and reptiles. Some of the most famous trails are the following.
- Skull Rock – 1 Mile Loop
- Hidden Valley – 1.3 Mile Loop
- Barker Dam Trail – 1.3 Mile Loop
- Ryan Mountain Trail – 3 Miles Round trip
- Lost Horse Mine Trail – 4 Miles Round trip
- Wall Street Mill Trail – 2.4 Miles Round trip
For families, the kid-friendly trails are a must-try. This entire place is rock climbing haven.
Pioneer Town
If you are visiting Joshua Tree National Park, a stop in Pioneer Town is well worth your time! It is a small Old-Western town right outside Joshua Tree. It was built in the 1940’s as a movie set for Western filming. Pioneer Town is a fun, rustic town full of charm. Main Street is filled with old wooden buildings and saloons. A photographer’s dream!
On our way out of Pioneer Town, we made a stop at a local tavern, The Tiny Pony! The restaurant offers a fun twist on many classic dishes. They use fresh ingredients, and everything we tried was a hit! Try a Wild Boar Sloppy Joe, loaded Yuca Fries, Duck Confit Nachos, and wash it down with a bubbly homemade cherry limeade seltzer! It was such a hit!
Zoo – The Living Desert
One of the best family attractions in the Palm Springs area i(n my opinion) is, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, located in Palm Desert near Palm Springs. The zoo spans over 1,200 acres, with approximately 80 acres dedicated to the zoo and garden areas.
You immediately feel as if you have traveled to a desert in the great Sahara! You are immersed in the desert ecosystem, and it is beautiful, especially right at sunset. The Zoo is home to over 500 animals, all of which are native to desert areas. You will see rhinos, kangaroos, cheetahs, ostriches, coyotes, bobcats, and our favorite, the giraffes. The giraffe exhibit is pretty special as the giraffes roam in an area very close to what you see in an African desert, a great open desert space. Arrive before 3 PM and you can feed the giraffes.
We explored beautiful botanical gardens all different themes and so beautifully cared for. Throughout the zoo, visitors can also access beautiful hiking trails that wind through peaceful woodlands in the Colorado Desert.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tram
The world’s largest rotating tramcar! It is a must when visiting this area. At an elevation of 8,500 feet, the tram takes you to the top, where you can experience the most beautiful view of the Coachella Valley and a drastic climate change. In the winter, you can explore snowy trails, go snowshoeing, and so many other winter activities. Throughout all seasons, you can enjoy a drastic change in weather, with much cooler temperatures, while still exploring the beautiful trails of Mount San Jacinto State Park, where the tram makes a stop. The park is a wilderness area with over 50 miles of views, trails, and also one of the tallest mountains in Southern California, sitting at 10,834 ft of elevation.
Village Fest
Visiting downtown Palm Springs is a must! We made sure to visit on a Thursday evening to ensure we caught the Village Fest, which is held every Thursday evening. Vendors set up along Palm Canyon Drive, and it is a vibrant scene. Local food vendors and artisans cover the street from end to end. We started at one end and worked our way through the market, sampling a variety of delicious foods. We had churros dipped in cajeta, corn on the cob, tacos, dumplings, and so much more!
Downtown – The Food Scene
You will find an eclectic and diverse food scene in downtown Palm Springs. We spent several evenings enjoying a variety of eclectic places, and here are some of our favorites!
Taq-Quila for dinner, Wilma & Frieda for breakfast and Cheeky’s for brunch! There is a great selection of Mexican and Latin favors. Everything from casual to fine dining.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Palm Springs?
Palm Springs is famous for its year-round sunshine, but the season you choose can make a big difference in your experience, especially when traveling with kids.
Spring (March–May) is one of the most popular times to visit. Temperatures are warm but comfortable (usually in the 70s–80s), wildflowers bloom across the desert, and the weather is perfect for hiking and exploring. Just keep in mind this is also peak festival season (hello, Coachella!), so accommodations book up early and prices can be higher.
Fall (October–November) is another sweet spot. The crowds thin out, and the daytime temperatures are pleasant without the extreme summer heat.
Winter (December–February) brings cooler days (mid-60s) and chilly nights, along with the opportunity to play in the snow at the top of the Aerial Tramway while still basking in the warm desert sun below. It’s a unique combination that our kids absolutely loved.
Summer (June–September) can be intensely hot, with daytime highs soaring above 100°F. If you plan to visit in the summer, consider scheduling your outdoor adventures for early morning or late evening, and allocate plenty of time for relaxation and downtime during the hottest part of the day.
Add Palm Springs to your bucket list
Palm Springs offers a perfect blend of desert and a vibrant, colorful culture. A gem in the desert! Famous for its iconic mid-century modern architecture, beautiful desert landscapes, and luxury resorts. Explore the picturesque downtown area, filled with wonderful food, shops, art galleries, and an AMAZING food scene with the best flavors from around the world.
A wonderful place for outdoor enthusiasts, where you can hike the nearby San Jacinto Mountains or make your way up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for breathtaking views. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers an opportunity for you to immerse yourself and explore desert wildlife and plant life! AND plenty of spas and resorts for leisure and relaxation.
Palm Springs is a perfect getaway to seek relaxation, unwind, and enjoy nature and a vibrant scene!
Is Palm Springs on your bucket list?
About the author
Araceli is a wife and mom to three wild and adventurous little ones. She believes that nature and free play are truly the foundation of a beautiful childhood. Araceli and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond to the great outdoors. Araceli is a working mom with an extensive career in Project Management. She’s creative and crafty and loves collecting houseplants. As a family, they love exploring wild places, and she loves documenting their adventures.
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Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
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