The year-round sun and warmth of Southern California make it an ideal destination any time of year, especially in the summer. Now that the kids are out of school and ready for a summer of fun, make plans to take a break in beautiful Palm Springs. There are plenty of family-friendly things to do that welcome all ages for summer in Palm Springs.
Escape Room Palm Springs
The escape room craze of the last several years has made its way to Palm Springs. The largest escape room games in Southern California are located right in Palm Springs! You have your choice of six rooms with varying degrees of difficulty and a number of players to solve. Solve the clues and break out of the room within 60 minutes to win. There are themes like Bank Heist, Vampire’s Lair, Merlin’s Magic School, and others. Ask about age requirements or other accommodations before booking.
Palm Springs Walk of Stars
A Southern California must-see on many travelers’ to-do lists is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you can seek out the stars of your favorite movie and TV personalities. But you can save the two-hour trip and admire the stars in Palm Springs. The walk spans Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz Canyon Way, and Museum Drive in downtown Palm Springs. See the stars of well-known celebrities like Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Shirley Temple, and Elizabeth Taylor. Even presidents like Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford have been honored. Kids will love looking for a favorite celebrity or TV show that’s been honored. The first stars were installed in 1992, and the most recent star was installed at the beginning of 2022. This is definitely one of the most exciting things to do during summer in Palm Springs!
Moorten Botanical Gardens and Cactarium
Named for its founders, Patricia and Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten, the Palm Springs garden has over 3,000 examples of desert cacti and other desert plants, all grouped by geographic regions including Arizona, California, Colorado, the Mojave and Sonora deserts, and Texas. See species from other parts of the globe like South Africa and South America, too. Patricia and Slim have also designed and installed landscapes for Frank Sinatra, and have consulted with Disney on their design for the western-themed Frontierland and the park that eventually became Disneyland.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs is home to the world’s largest rotating tram car. The 80-passenger cars make their way along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station to the Mountain Station – giving you a breathtaking elevation change of nearly 6,000 feet in just ten minutes. At the top, there are more beautiful views, as well as a restaurant and cafe, gift shop, nature exhibits, educational documentary theaters, and over 50 miles of hiking trails in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness area for the whole family to enjoy.
Hiking
The mountains and trails surrounding Palm Springs make for a refreshing hike full of picturesque views. Lace-up your hiking boots, grab your camera and sun protection, and head out. There are trails for beginners and kids as well as more challenging paths for seasoned adventurers. Suggested hikes include Indian Canyons, Palm Springs Museum Trail, and the Palm Canyon Trail, but make sure the difficulty level is something everyone can handle before setting out.
Joshua Tree National Park
Two distinct ecosystems came together to form one breathtaking location. The Mojave and Colorado deserts meet and host a variety of plants and animals in the landscape sculpted by strong winds and torrents of rain. Families love to explore the 790,000-acre park, which was originally declared a national monument in 1936 and became a national park in 1994. Head there on your own and wander as you will, or take the self-driving audio tour on the National Park app and make sure to hit must-see locations like Quail Mountain, the highest mountain in the park and the highest point in the Little San Bernadino Mountains, the Desert Queen Mine in the Colorado Desert – a long-lived but now abandoned gold mine, and many other trails and loops where you can get lost for hours at a time.
Road Trip Fun for Summer in Palm Springs
From a cozy two-bedroom for a small family to a spacious four-bedroom home for a family reunion, Luxsy Palm Springs has a vacation rental that’s perfect for you. Step into your rental and feel your stress melt away, knowing all your needs will be met. All units come with kitchens fully equipped kitchens with everything you’ll need to make a home-cooked meal when you’re not out enjoying the many Palm Springs area activities. Come together in open living spaces for a family movie night, or find a place to relax on your own. Choose a premium unit for flat-screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, a wet bar, and more.
Call us today to start planning your fun-filled summer in Palm Springs!