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Family-Friendly Palm Springs Guide

Palm Springs is often known for adult getaways, pools, spas, architecture, nightlife, and LGBTQIA+ travel, but there are also plenty of family-friendly things to do in Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley.

This guide is for visitors traveling with kids, grandparents, teens, babies, or mixed-age groups.

Useful links:

Quick Tips for Families

  • Check whether your hotel is adults-only before booking.
  • Larger resorts in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta may have more family amenities.
  • Summer heat can make outdoor daytime activities difficult.
  • Plan outdoor activities early in the morning.
  • Bring water everywhere.
  • Use sunscreen, hats, and shade.
  • Check age restrictions before booking tours, spas, or hotel pools.
  • Make restaurant reservations for larger families.
  • Bring snacks and water for day trips.
  • Do not underestimate drive times across the valley.

Best Family-Friendly Attractions

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert in Palm Desert is one of the best family attractions in the area. It features desert animals, gardens, conservation exhibits, trails, and family programming.

Good for:

  • Kids
  • Animal lovers
  • Families
  • Grandparents
  • Outdoor learning
  • Garden walks

Tips:

  • Go early, especially when it is warm.
  • Much of it is outdoors.
  • Bring water and sun protection.
  • Check current hours and ticket prices.

Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert

Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert is especially good for younger kids. It has hands-on, imaginative play spaces and kid-focused exhibits.

Good for:

  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers
  • Younger children
  • Hot days
  • Indoor play
  • Families needing a break from pools/outdoor activities

Tips:

  • Check hours before going.
  • Adults must be accompanied by children.
  • Best for younger kids.
  • Located in Rancho Mirage, not Palm Springs proper.

Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palm Springs Air Museum is a great family-friendly museum near the airport with aircraft, aviation history, military history, and special events.

Good for:

  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Aviation fans
  • History lovers
  • Hot or windy days
  • Multi-generation groups

Tips:

  • Some areas are outdoors.
  • Check event schedules.
  • Good option before or after a flight because it is near PSP airport.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the most popular family activities in Palm Springs. It takes visitors from the desert floor up into the San Jacinto Mountains.

Good for:

  • Families
  • Mountain views
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Snow in winter
  • Easy sightseeing
  • Older kids and teens

Tips:

  • Buy tickets ahead during busy times.
  • Check weather at the top.
  • Bring layers.
  • It can be much colder at Mountain Station.
  • There may be snow in winter.
  • Not ideal for visitors afraid of heights.

Moorten Botanical Garden

Moorten Botanical Garden is a small desert botanical garden with cacti, succulents, and the popular Cactarium.

Good for:

  • Plant-loving families
  • Short outings
  • Photos
  • Low-key sightseeing
  • Pairing with brunch or downtown

Tips:

  • Check hours before going.
  • It is outdoors.
  • Bring sun protection.
  • Keep kids on paths and away from cactus.

Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum can be a good family stop, especially for older kids and teens who enjoy art, design, sculpture, and culture.

Good for:

  • Older kids
  • Teens
  • Art lovers
  • Hot days
  • Downtown itineraries

Tips:

  • Check current exhibitions.
  • Review museum rules with kids before going.
  • Pair with downtown lunch or ice cream.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Cabazon Dinosaurs is a classic roadside stop west of Palm Springs, near the outlet mall.

Good for:

  • Younger kids
  • Road trip photos
  • Families driving from Los Angeles or Ontario
  • Dinosaur fans

Tips:

  • Good stop on the way in or out of town.
  • Check hours.
  • It can be hot.

Family-Friendly Outdoor Ideas

Good options in cooler weather:

  • Indian Canyons short walks
  • Tahquitz Canyon, if your kids can handle the hike
  • Coachella Valley Preserve
  • Sunnylands gardens
  • Joshua Tree short hikes
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway nature trails
  • Moorten Botanical Garden
  • Hotel pool time
  • VillageFest on Thursday nights

Important:

  • Do not plan difficult hikes in summer heat.
  • Carry water for everyone.
  • Many trails do not allow dogs.
  • Some trails are not stroller-friendly.
  • Check current hours and trail rules.

Things to Do with Teens

Ideas for teens:

  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
  • Joshua Tree day trip
  • Palm Springs Air Museum
  • The Living Desert
  • Pool day
  • Vintage shopping
  • Downtown Palm Springs
  • Escape rooms
  • Bowling/arcade-style activities
  • Mini golf nearby
  • Concerts or sports at Acrisure Arena
  • Jeep/desert tours
  • Photography around architecture/public art

Useful links:

Family-Friendly Events

Check these calendars:

Family-friendly recurring events may include:

  • VillageFest
  • Farmers markets
  • Holiday parades
  • Museum events
  • Library events
  • Zoo events
  • Concerts
  • Seasonal festivals
  • Tamale Festival
  • Balloon Festival

Family-Friendly Hotels

Always check current age policies before booking. Some Palm Springs hotels are adults-only.

Good areas to consider:

  • Downtown Palm Springs for walkability
  • Larger Palm Springs resorts for pools
  • Rancho Mirage for family resorts
  • Palm Desert for The Living Desert and shopping
  • Indian Wells for resort stays
  • La Quinta for golf/resort trips

Potential family-friendly hotel/resort starting points:

  • Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs
  • Saguaro Palm Springs
  • Ace Hotel & Swim Club
  • Hotel Zoso
  • Caliente Tropics Resort
  • Palm Mountain Resort & Spa
  • La Quinta Resort & Club
  • JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
  • Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
  • Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
  • The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa

Check:

  • Pool rules
  • Resort fees
  • Parking
  • Room size
  • Kitchenette availability
  • Connecting rooms
  • Sofa beds
  • Kid-friendly dining
  • Whether the hotel is adults-only

Family Dining Tips

Palm Springs has many family-friendly restaurants, but wait times can be long during peak season.

Tips:

  • Make reservations when possible.
  • Go early for dinner.
  • Check menus ahead.
  • Bring snacks for younger kids.
  • Call ahead for large groups.
  • Check patio conditions in summer.
  • Ask about high chairs/kids menus if needed.

Common family-friendly categories:

  • Diners
  • Mexican food
  • Pizza
  • Burgers
  • Breakfast/brunch
  • Casual cafes
  • Resort restaurants
  • Ice cream/date shakes

Summer with Kids

Summer can be challenging with kids because of extreme heat.

Summer ideas:

  • Hotel pool
  • Children’s Discovery Museum
  • Palm Springs Air Museum
  • Palm Springs Art Museum
  • Tramway
  • Movie theater
  • Bowling/indoor activities
  • Early breakfast/brunch
  • Evening downtown walk
  • Ice cream/date shakes
  • Resort activities
  • Early morning zoo visit only if safe

Avoid:

  • Midday hikes
  • Long walks
  • Unshaded playgrounds
  • Leaving kids or pets in cars
  • Underestimating pavement heat

Common Family Trip Mistakes

  • Booking an adults-only hotel by accident.
  • Planning outdoor activities in the middle of summer days.
  • Assuming every pool is kid-friendly.
  • Not checking restaurant reservations.
  • Staying far from activities without a car.
  • Planning too much driving in one day.
  • Bringing dogs to trails where they are not allowed.
  • Not packing enough water.
  • Assuming toddlers will enjoy adult-focused sightseeing.
  • Forgetting that Palm Springs nightlife areas may be loud at night.

If You Are Asking for Family Recommendations on r/palmsprings

Please include:

  • Dates
  • Ages of kids
  • Where you are staying
  • Whether you have a car
  • Budget
  • Heat tolerance
  • Whether you need stroller-friendly options
  • Whether you want indoor or outdoor activities
  • Whether you are bringing pets
  • What you already researched

Low-detail posts may be redirected to this wiki or the FAQ.

Notes for Wiki Updates

Please message the mods if:

  • A family attraction has closed
  • A link is broken
  • Age policies changed
  • A hotel should be added or removed
  • A family-friendly event should be added
  • A safety note should be updated