With over 300 days of sunshine, over 100 renowned golf courses, and mild winters, Palm Springs, California is a year-round vacation destination. But what about children? Is Palm Springs for families? totally! One of our favorite family vacation destinations. These fun things to do in Palm Springs with kids will help you plan your family vacation.
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Be sure to bring your swimsuit! In a city with more than 40,000 swimming pools, it's easy to find a place to enjoy some water fun. The resort's pool complex, aquatic adventure park and private pools sparkle under the abundant desert sunlight.
Exploring the Living Desert
Living Desert Botanical Garden and Zoo, which specializes in desert conservation, has models of North American and African deserts. Here, visitors can learn about the desert's animals and plants and explore the Sonoran Desert along a series of scenic trails. Visitors of all ages rate The Living Desert as one of the most fun things to do in Palm Springs with (or without) kids. Fantastic!
Feeding a herd of giraffes is one of the highlights of a visit to The Living Desert. Be sure to check feeding times upon arrival.
The Living Desert's model railroad is developed on three-quarters of an acre, and trains run on more than 3,300 feet of track. Children (and many adults) love watching locomotives speed through historical scenes, including Mount Rushmore, mining towns, and the Grand Canyon.
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follow the trail
Palm-lined canyons, winding paths through Seussical landscapes, and scenic trails above the Palm Desert are just a few of the many hiking options around Palm Springs.
Take plenty of water with you when hiking around Palm Springs. I read that you need at least 1 liter of water per hour for hiking. When half of the water is gone, turn around and go back.
Joshua Tree National Park
Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems come together in Joshua Tree National Park, creating a surreal landscape. At this unique destination, you can hike past twisted Joshua trees, desert plants, and giant boulders.
Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour from Palm Springs, offers a variety of trails, from stroller and wheelchair friendly to expert trails.
palm canyon
Older children can enjoy a hike into Palm Canyon, part of the Agua Caliente Band of the Cahuilla Indian Reservation. Check the website for operating hours and admission fees. You can park at the trading post and hike among hundreds of native palm trees in this desert oasis. The Palm Canyon Trail is over 15 miles long, but you'll come across a palm oasis in the first mile of the hike.
living desert
You can explore the hiking trails within The Living Desert's nature reserve before or after seeing the animals and trains at The Living Desert. Family-friendly and accessible, the Discovery Loop is a great option for younger children. More adventurous hikers might want to tackle the 3-5 hour Wilderness Loop.
Bump and Grind
Located on Painters Path behind Target in Palm Desert, Bump and Grind (also known as Mirage Trail) was our first family hike in Palm Springs. Over the years the boys have progressed from summiting the Mike Schuler Trail at the start of the Bump and Grind to completing a full 5km loop.
enter art
The accessible and family-friendly Palm Springs Art Museum is a great place for kids to get their first museum experience. Learn more about why we love visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum here.
hit the gas
If you have older children, consider visiting the nearby BMW Performance Driving School in Thermal, California. This is your chance to accelerate your driving experience with a high-performance BMW M vehicle. You can't imagine more fun behind the wheel. Drivers must be 15 years of age or older and have a valid youth school driver's license. You must be 18 years of age or older to attend all other BMW schools (valid driver's license required).
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How to Get There – Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids
Palm Springs International Airport, California
Travel in style at this convenient international airport in sunny Palm Springs, California. Before collecting your luggage, stroll through the palm tree-filled outdoor area and board your rental car. There's no need to pack or wait in line to catch the rental car shuttle bus in Palm Springs. Rental cars are parked a few steps from baggage claim.
Driving to Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is about a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles and 1 hour and 45 minutes from Anaheim. We often visit Palm Springs before and after our trips to Disneyland and Orange County. If you're coming from San Diego, it's a 2-3 hour drive depending on your route.
Travel Tips – Things to Do with Kids in Palm Springs
- Palm Springs offers a variety of accommodations, from boutique hotels to five-star resorts. Visit the Greater Palm Springs destinations website to find the perfect place to stay. In August 2023, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa received Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation.
- If you want to learn more about the region's architecture and design, be sure to visit the city during Modernism Week (February 15-24, 2024).
- The following Google Maps includes kid-friendly dining and shopping spots in Palm Springs for families.