From lazy pool days to desert adventures, make Avalon your family’s desert retreat.
Pool Days, Palm Trees & Easy Afternoons
Let’s start with the obvious. Our family-friendly pool is open all day, lined with loungers, shaded by palms, and just steps from Chi Chi, our all-day restaurant. It’s a place to splash, nap, read, or order a round of smoothies after a morning out. For those who like a little structure, our team can help coordinate private swim lessons or family-friendly wellness offerings (think mini-yoga or gentle stretching before dinner).
Where to Stay with Kids in Palm Springs
Set at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, Avalon Palm Springs is a boutique hotel that feels peaceful but is still close to everything. Families love our spacious bungalows, lush courtyards, and walkable location near downtown shops, restaurants, and attractions.
At Avalon, there’s room to stretch out, relax, and reconnect. Our family-friendly amenities include:
- Private bungalows and suites with kitchens and sofa beds
- Three outdoor pools, including one ideal for kids
- Daily popsicles and complimentary ice cream at 5 PM
- Lawn games, cruiser bikes, and board games
- A kids menu at Chi Chi, our on-site restaurant
- Babysitting services available upon request
Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids
From desert wildlife to sky-high views, Palm Springs offers a variety of experiences for families of all ages:
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: This rotating tramcar takes you 8,516 feet up Mount San Jacinto in just 10 minutes, offering breathtaking 360-degree views during the ascent. At the top, families can explore over 50 miles of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, visit the Mountain Station’s observation decks, and enjoy the Natural History Museum. During winter months (December through March), kids can often play in snow while parents sip hot cocoa at Pines Cafe. The temperature difference between the desert floor and mountain top can be 30-40 degrees, so bring layers.
- Living Desert Zoo & Gardens: This 1,800-acre zoo and botanical garden in Palm Desert combines wildlife conservation with desert education. Kids can hand-feed giraffes at the African Safari area, watch playful otters at the African WaTuTu station, and meet desert bighorn sheep up close. The Children’s Discovery Garden features interactive exhibits where little ones can crawl through prairie dog tunnels and explore a model desert ecosystem. Don’t miss the Wildlife Wonders Show, where trained birds demonstrate natural behaviors just feet from the audience. Plan 3-4 hours for the full experience, and visit early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active.
- Palm Springs Art Museum: Beyond traditional art exhibits, the museum offers family-friendly programming including weekend art-making workshops where kids can create their own masterpieces inspired by current exhibitions. The museum’s sculpture garden provides an outdoor space for children to explore while learning about different artistic mediums. Special family tours are available by appointment, featuring interactive storytelling and hands-on activities designed for ages 5-12.
- VillageFest (Thursdays): Every Thursday evening from 6-10 PM (7-10 PM in summer), downtown Palm Canyon Drive transforms into a vibrant street festival. Kids love the fresh-squeezed lemonade stands, kettle corn vendors, and local musicians performing everything from folk to mariachi. Many vendors offer child-friendly crafts and games, while food trucks serve everything from gourmet grilled cheese to authentic tacos. The festival stretches for several blocks, making it easy to stroll at a leisurely pace with strollers or tired little legs.
- Moorten Botanical Garden: This family-owned desert garden has been delighting visitors since 1938 with its collection of rare cacti and desert plants from around the world. The compact 1-acre size makes it perfect for young children’s attention spans, typically taking 30-45 minutes to explore fully. Kids are fascinated by the “desert dinosaurs” (ancient cycads) and the greenhouse filled with exotic succulents. The self-guided tour includes fun facts about desert survival that older children find engaging, while toddlers enjoy spotting colorful flowers and unique plant shapes.
- Indian Canyons Family Hiking: These pristine desert canyons offer easy to moderate hiking trails perfect for families. Palm Canyon Trail features a mostly flat, paved path suitable for strollers, leading to a natural oasis with native California fan palms and seasonal waterfalls. Andreas Canyon provides a shorter, more adventurous hike with rock formations perfect for climbing and exploring. Both canyons offer shade, running water, and wildlife spotting opportunities including desert bighorn sheep, roadrunners, and over 100 bird species.
- Desert Jeep Tours: Several local companies offer family-friendly desert adventures in open-air vehicles, typically lasting 2-3 hours. These tours take families through the San Andreas Fault, past ancient Native American petroglyphs, and into hidden desert oases. Many tours include stops where kids can search for desert treasures like interesting rocks or learn about desert plant survival. Most companies provide car seats for younger children and welcome families with children as young as 4 years old.
- Stargazing Adventures: The desert’s clear skies and minimal light pollution create perfect conditions for family stargazing. Several local astronomers offer evening programs where families can view planets, constellations, and deep-space objects through professional telescopes. These 90-minute experiences typically begin with sunset viewing and progress through the evening sky, with guides sharing age-appropriate stories about constellations and space exploration.
Stay Central, Feel Removed
One of the best parts of staying at Avalon? Everything you need is close—yet it feels a world away. Tucked into the heart of the Uptown Design District neighborhood, we’re just blocks from downtown’s dining and shops but set back enough for peaceful mornings and star-filled nights.
Wander the neighborhood by bike, take in mountain views from your patio, or spend a quiet evening dining alfresco at Chi Chi. Our team is here to help you make the most of it, whatever pace you’re traveling at.
Family Time, Avalon Style
Whether it’s a weekend escape or part of a longer California road trip, Avalon Palm Springs makes it easy to enjoy the desert with kids. Spacious suites and bungalows. A sun-soaked pool. Fresh, flexible dining. And a setting that’s as low-key as it is design-forward.
