Palm Springs and Palm Desert, California
The Coachella Valley has long been synonymous with sun-drenched vacations, but this stretch of Southern California holds a surprise. It’s also one of the Southwest’s most engaging destinations for families.
With easy airport access, warm weather nearly every day of the year, and an impressive lineup of kid-friendly attractions, Palm Springs and Palm Desert deliver the kind of trip that keeps the whole family entertained.
Elevated Adventures
Start your activities aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, one of the world’s most dramatic cable car journeys. The rotating tramcars climb more than 8,500 feet in just 10 minutes, whisking visitors from the desert floor into the pine forests of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Once at the top, kids of all ages can tackle the trails that run past granite outcroppings and to panoramic overlooks with views that stretch for miles.
Once you’ve returned to the valley, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert offers far more than a traditional zoo. Families can spot desert bighorn sheep, watch cheetahs sprint at full speed, and meet wallabies up close, all surrounded by native desert landscapes. The facility recently expanded to include a splash pad perfectly sized for little ones, too.
Aviation lovers should also make time for the Palm Springs Air Museum, where massive World War II aircraft and vintage warbirds fill the hangars. Many are still airworthy and occasionally roar to life on the runway.
Sun, Surf, and Sweet Treats
When temperatures climb, the Palm Springs Surf Club is the place to cool off. Families can test their balance on the FlowRider surf simulator, drift along the lazy river, or turn younger kids loose in splash zones built just for them.
Afterward, you can wander downtown Palm Springs for an ice cream cone and a stroll along Palm Canyon Drive, where restaurant patios buzz late into the evening beneath desert sunsets and glowing palms. If you’re visiting on a Thursday night, the weekly VillageFest brings downtown to life with street performers, local artists, music, and plenty of sweet snacks to keep kids happily occupied.
In Palm Desert, The Street Fair, at College of the Desert, typically held on Saturdays and Sundays from October through May, makes for another lively stop to browse local crafts, vintage finds, and souvenirs.
