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If you’re looking for a fun family getaway that’s not too close but not too far away, Palm Springs is worth a look. My family just took a road trip to Palm Springs and loved the extreme change of scenery and playing hours in the pool.
Our family’s favorites in Palm Springs
We’ve been to Palm Springs for Spring Break the past few years and it’s fabulous. Going in the Fall is terrific, too. There are tons of stunning mid-century modern vacation rentals with pools available, as well as many boutique hotels. We chose to rent a home (Via Jacques is the name!) so we did not have to eat out for every meal. This enabled us to eat cheaply and casually (in our bathing suits half the time!)
We spent most of our days playing in the pool and relaxing in the air-conditioned house, but there is plenty to do in Palm Springs.
We did wake up super early one day to take a short hike to the Simonetta Kennett Viewpoint and watch the sunrise.
More kid-friendly tourism around Palm Springs
Joshua Tree: otherworldly, lots of rocks to climb, watch out for cactus, an incredible National Park! We love Joshua Tree’s alien desertscape and Lorax-like trees. It’s only an hour’s drive from Palm Springs, so it’s certainly worth the drive if the heat is not too much for you. More about Joshua Tree >
Cabazon Dinosaurs: outdoors and went on a weekday evening after dinner to beat crowds and heat. Website >
Indian Canyons: outdoor natural palm oasis, nature’s playground! Website >
More Palm Springs Activities >>
Rental vacation houses in Palm Springs
Palm Springs may be the town that you’ve heard of, but there are other adjacent destinations with the exact same vibe along Hwy 111. These are our affiliate links to the towns to search on VRBO for rental houses. Look for important amenities like decent wifi and a swimming pool in the backyard!
{510} Family Favorite Hotel Resorts in the Palm Springs Area
- Omni Rancho Las Palmas (Rancho Mirage)
- Marriott Shadow Ridge (Condo complex with full kitchen and bedrooms in the units) or Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas (similar)
- Please don’t make me cook — just show me something pretty that’s walkable to downtown Palm Springs: The Saguaro; The Ace; or kid-free? Stay here: Korakia
My Tips to Pack for a Road Trip
Our goal for the 8-hour road trip was to limit pit stops. We were able to only stop twice for gas and a quick potty break on the side of the road. To do this, here’s what we packed:
- Plenty of snacks, meals, and water so we wouldn’t need to stop (though we tried to limit water to cut down on pit-stops!)
- A portable potty for the kids
- Hand sanitizer and masks
- Entertainment devices with headphones
- Road Bingo and Audio Books to quell the boredom (Try audible now two free audiobooks)
Overall we had a terrific memorable week-long vacation in Palm Springs.
