The Locals Guide to Palm Springs with Kids
We absolutely love traveling with our kids and have explored some pretty incredible places around the world, but nowhere has captured our hearts quite like Palm Springs, California. From the amazing weather to the breathtaking vistas, you can’t help but let out a giant sigh of relief when you arrive in the desert.
We had been visiting Palm Springs for years and each time we did, it would get increasingly harder to leave. So, about four years ago, we decided to take the leap and buy a vacation house and it was hands-down the best decision we could have made for our family.
It feels like every year a new business or must-see destination pops up and with the help of Insta-worthy events like Modernism Week, Create and Cultivate and of course, Coachella, the desert just keeps getting better. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places to feel like a local when you visit so read on...
The Parker
If you haven’t stood in front of the giant breezeway at the Parker have you actually visited Palm Springs? We think not. Our favorite way to start the day is with breakfast at Norma's, located inside the Parker Hotel on the South end of town. Once you enter the giant double orange doors, you’ll be immersed in a Jonathan Adler designed world that is perfect for the kids to explore. The lobby has a knight, a giant glass foot and fireside hanging chairs that provides the perfect lounging opportunities to get acclimated to the slower pace of desert life. My kids love the Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes with chocolate sauce and I’m partial to the Crunchy French Toast (don’t judge) and the ambiance will bring on vacation vibes in no time flat. If you go early enough you can sometimes get around security so you can wander the grounds. Keep your eyes peeled for cotton tail rabbits and hummingbirds whizzing by. Really. This place is simply magical.
Moorten Botanical Garden
While you are on the South End of town, pop into Moorten Botanical Garden. You can wander the cactus gardens and see over 3,000 cactus and desert plants before popping into the greenhouse, or “World’s First Cactarium” as it’s been christened. The photo opps are tops.
Hike
Next up, explore the desert. Our favorite thing to do when we are in town is hike along the incredible San Jacinto mountains. If you want a relatively easy and fast hike, our go-to trail is in Tahquitz Canyon. The trail is a 2-mile loop that has a 60-foot waterfall at the half-way point, perfect for stopping to wade in the ice cold mountain water and have a picnic. If you want a longer trail to explore, head into the Indian Canyons which is a natural oasis of palm trees and mountain vistas that will clear your mind and restore your soul. Be sure to check for park updates before going however as recent flooding has closed some of the trails.
If you want to truly be transported to another planet, head to Joshua Tree National Park. Here, you’ll find the famous Joshua Tree, Cholla Cactus, boulders for climbing, trails for hiking and you may even come across some Big Horn Sheep. We like to start on the North entrance of the Park in 29 Palms, cue up U2’s Joshua Tree and drive across to the South entrance to make our way home with stops along the road for photos of the Joshua Trees, climbing at Skull Rock and then sunset pics at the Cholla Garden. It’s the perfect afternoon in my books. If you decide to leave the kids at home, I highly recommend you do a soundbath at the Integratron. It’s as California as it comes and it’ll leave you rested and rejuvenated. Promise. Just remember to make a reservation as it books up pretty far in advance.
Instagram. Because, Palm Springs.
I’m convinced that the light in Palm Springs is part of what makes it so magical. It’s golden, warm and the skies are blue and cloudless. Because of this, the colors look more vibrant and skin tones look instantly sunkissed. I love finding new spots for mini photoshoots with my littles and a few faves are:
Windmills at the North end of town
The rainbow hotel aka The Saguaro
That Pink Door (1100 East Sierra Way)
“Party House” also on East Sierra Way
The Ace Hotel. The signs/walls in/around the ACE are great and they change often. Be sure to visit the giant straw elephant head inside the Kings Highway diner.
Pink Elephant Car Wash in Palm Desert
Shopping & Ice Cream
A perfect one-two punch is shopping and ice cream on the North End of town. Stop into The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five to find several shops to pick up new and vintage treasures. Our faves are the gift shop brought to you by the same founder as Palm Springs Style magazine for anything from cool cards to textiles and toys, everything is colorful and fun, you’ll want it all. Swing all the way to the back for the mecca of Morrocco, Soukie Modern. Run by a husband and wife team, the littles will love playing hide and seek amongst the towers of rugs while you brose the incredible selection of home goods and caftans.
Next up, ice cream. Head to Ice Cream and Shoppe for an incredible scoop (don’t miss the Birthday Cake!) run by the friendliest and savviest Brooklyn transplant. Be sure to take some pics with the amazing signage. It’s electric.
Adult Time
Now that your littles have had the time of their lives, it’s time for some grown-ups to explore. Celebrity Sitters has the most incredible babysitters who come to your home or hotel with a roller bag filled to the brim with age-appropriate crafts, activities and toys. Once you’re free to roam, grab an uber and hit the town. A few favorites are Bootlegger Tiki hidden in the back of Ernest coffee shop, Seymours hidden inside Mr. Lyons or Counter Rerformation (you guessed it!) hidden at the Parker.
Other faves not to be missed: Coffee at Ernest Coffee, lunch at Wexlers at the Arrive Hotel and dinner at Birba under the stars for amazing pizzas. I also love Hedge which is my favorite for vintage furniture/knickknacks and The Frippery for great affordable vintage clothes and accessories.
Warning: We visit year round but be warned, it can reach 120 degrees in the summer months so plan accordingly if intense heat is not your thing.
Photos by Stevi Sesin, Bella Creative and Makenna Devey.