This post is sponsored by Palm Springs but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Last weekend we were feeling adventurous so we hopped in the car and drove out to visit beautiful the beautiful desert oasis, Palm Springs. For us it is only 90 miles away, which is closer than L.A. and there was no traffic. Hooray for that! We had so much fun on our one day getaway that I just had to share with you our day trip to Palm Springs with kids.
First Stop on the Right
As you pull in to Palm Springs, the very first building you will see is the tourist center. I highly recommend you stop in! The folks here have maps and all the info you need to make the most of your trip. They will probably suggest you take the aerial tram up the mountain. The views are breathtaking and, if you go during the winter, there is often snow up there! Since we’ve already been up the tram for a spring break jaunt a few years back, we headed for downtown Palm Springs. But I can’t stress enough how awesome the tram experience is, and if you’re new to Palm Springs you absolutely must add this to your to-do list!
Checking Out Downtown Palm Springs
Once you’re downtown, it’s a good idea to drive down the main strip and get an idea of what you want to see and do. Or better yet, park in one of the free parking lots, get out, and walk! That’s what we did, because we wanted to get the full downtown experience.
Downtown Palm Springs boasts a wide range of unique shops, breweries, and restaurants. There are over 100 dining options including sweet shoppes, ice cream, and gelato. The hard part isn’t finding a nice place to eat, it’s getting everyone to agree one of the many delicious restaurants!
Great restaurants AND a local brewery!
We stopped for lunch at Blue Coyote Grill, which serves traditional Mexican dishes, but they also have mac ‘n cheese on their kids menu. That’s a win-win for us! The staff were very friendly and treated the twins as if they were little princesses. We dined on the patio because Palm Springs weather is pretty mild mid-day in the winter.
Other Must-See Points of Interest
The backdrop of Palm Springs is the majestic San Bernadino mountains. A stunning contrast of desert palms against the tall, dark mountains gives Palm Springs a tropical feel to it. We all pulled over at one point just to look at the breathtaking scenery. My photos don’t do it justice, so you’ll have to go see for yourself!
As you drive around Palm Springs, also pay special attention to the architecture. This building designs are unlike most busy cities. Even the KFC has a distinct structure, almost resembling a scene from the Jetsons! The homes in some neighborhoods are also pretty interesting if you have the chance to drive through.
Gotta love that front door decor!
Be sure and stop by the Moorten Botanical Gardens. The cacti and other flora are incredible. The kids had so many questions about the plants in the “cactarium” We met some doves and a large African tortoise named Tank!
Inside the world’s only “Cactarium”
If you come from March through October you can also take advantage of the Wet ‘n’ Wild Palm Springs waterpark. The many slippery rides and attractions will provide fun for the whole family.
With all the unique family experiences Palm Springs has to offer, it just makes sense to head out there on a day trip with the kids! No matter the time of year, you are sure to find great dining experiences and opportunities to make family memories.
