Palm Springs - Pitstops for Kids

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mt. San Jacinto State Park

May 29, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you have a few days in Palm Springs, a trip to the Aerial Tramway is well-worth your time. This ‘world’s largest rotating tram’ takes visitors from the desert floor to over 8,000 feet in elevation to Mt. San Jacinto State Park in just a few minutes. The tram ride itself is fun for everyone (even those who experience ski resort gondolas and trams often), but the real gem is at the top. Mt. San Jacinto Park offers 54 miles of hiking trails in over 14,000 acres of alpine wilderness. Everyone can enjoy the novelty of soaring from a desert environment to an alpine forest within minutes, and once there, they can spend as much time as desired exploring the mountain scenery.

Hiking trails are well-marked, the three major trails offering something for everyone: the easy 1.5 Desert View Trail can be done in under an hour, or the Round Valley Trail offers a 4.2 mile loop more suitable to families with older kids. There’s also a 12 mile loop up San Jacinto Peak for experts. Once families depart the tram at the Mountain Station, they follow a paved walkway down to Long Valley, where the wilderness awaits. Since we’d done a lot of hiking in previous days of our trip, we opted to let the kids rock scramble and play at will in the valley area. In winter, an Adventure Center in the valley offers sled and snowshoe rentals plus gear.

Tramway tips:

The temperature changes dramatically between the desert floor and the Mountain Station, so families will need to bring extra layers. A good rule of thumb: expect the temperature to drop by 20 degrees.
Buy tramway tickets online to ensure your departure time. If you buy tickets at the Valley Station, expect a slight to moderate wait. During the time of our visit on a weekend during Spring Break, we waited an hour before boarding.
Expect the process of boarding to take awhile, from the time you park and take a tram bus to the entrance of the Valley Station to the time your departure time is called to board.
Due to the time and cash investment, plan to spend the better part of the day at the Mountain Station area.

Dining:

There are ample opportunities to purchase food, both at the Valley Station (where there’s a snack area and bar) and the Mountain Station (where families find a quick service type restaurant with pizza, sandwiches, and the like) as well as a sit-down dining experience. Outside food is also allowed, and picnic tables are located at both stations. Bring water bottles and fill them at drinking fountains.

Distance from the interstate:

The tramway is located six miles from downtown Palm Springs off I-10.

Admission cost:

Adult tramway tickets are $23 and children’s (12 and under) are $16. Discounted tickets can be had after 4 pm. Hours vary by season.

Directions:

From Palm Springs, take Highway 111 to Tram Way.

Downtown dining in Palm Springs with kids

March 14, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Palm Springs may be a more appealing destination to adults than kids—after all, it’s known for golf, spas, wellness retreats, and shopping—but we found the downtown area to be surprisingly kid-friendly. We saw many other parents with kids in tow, and our own kids really enjoyed the city. Whether you spend your Palm Springs day at the tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, or the local water park, plan to spend some of your evenings downtown. Tip: consider booking a stay at a Palm Springs vacation rental for your own kitchen when not dining out. Below are our four favorite Palm Springs with kids dining options in Palm Springs:

Lulu California Bistro:

Take kids to LuLu California Bistro (located at 200 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) for the quintessential California dining experience. This bistro has trendy decor and California cuisine, plus outdoor patio seating so you can watch the comings and goings along bustling Palm Canyon Drive. Don’t let the swanky interior (and fairly steep prices) fool you: the wait staff here welcomes kids. You can get the standard burger or wrap, or get adventurous with fun cocktails for the adults, chopped and wedge salads, and seafood.

Kaiser Grille:

Directly across the street from Lulu, Kaiser Grille (located at 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) offers up what my kids voted as their favorite meal during our Spring Break trip through the California desert. Decidedly upscale like Lulu, Kaiser Grille also offers outdoor seating, and while our service was a bit behind the curve the night of our visit, the food more than made up for it. Adventurous eaters will love the truffle oil mac and cheese and fettucine dishes, and meat-lovers will enjoy the steak sandwich. The ambiance is just as fun as at Lulu, as is the people-watching along the street. Best of all, the kids’ menu is very reasonably priced.

Las Casuelas Terraza:

Ready for something more reasonably priced? Las Casuelas Terraza is also located on the main strip of downtown Palm Springs (222 S. Palm Canyon Dr.), and has just as lovely outdoor seating. However, plates at this standard Mexican restaurant are in the single digits, and yes, there’s definitely a kids’ menu. Margaritas are half the cost of a cocktail or glass of wine at Lulu or Kaiser, and the chips and salsa just keep on coming. This is definitely our pick if you’re looking for Palm Canyon Drive ambiance without the price tag.

Sherman’s Deli and Bakery:

For breakfast or a deli dinner, Sherman’s is a local favorite (and always busy) just off the main strip on 401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The deli is kosher, but yes, you can still get bacon in your breakfast omelette. Sit outdoors in the morning or evening, or come just for dessert.

Where do you like to eat in Palm Springs? Leave your recommendations in the comments!

The above post was written in partnership with VacationRoost.

Palm Springs with kids: Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs

March 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to head to Palm Springs with kids? The Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs is a great pick for a reasonably priced, stylish hotel pick right near the downtown Palm Springs action. What the Renaissance lacks in extra amenities offered elsewhere in the Palm Springs area, such as a kids’ club, tennis courts, or on-site golf, it makes up for in location. Only two blocks from downtown Palm Springs, the Renaissance is in easy walking distance of dining and shopping, plus only a few miles from kid-friendly attractions such as the tramway and Wet ’n Wild.

We loved using the Renaissance’s ‘Navigator’ (onsite concierge desk and newsletter) to find local-favorite kid-friendly dining in Palm Springs, but their spacious lobby, lounge, and outdoor patio seating was just as inviting. Our kids loved sitting by the outdoor fire pits in the evenings after a swim.

Pools:

The Renaissance’s large outdoor pool is heated and open until 10 pm; our kids enjoyed nighttime swims. There’s also a large hot tub and kiddie pool, plus plenty of poolside seating and lounge chairs. An exercise facility is also on-site.

Room amenities:

Our standard room with pool view and balcony offered all the amenities you’d expect: coffee service, mini fridge, hair dryer, and the like, and beds were very comfortable. Wifi is an extra charge in room, though free in the lobby. I was actually able to connect to lobby wifi from my room, so that may be worth a try. The lobby is a very pleasing area in which to sit and get some work done if needed, however.

Dining onsite:

The Renaissance offers Rocks, a spacious lounge, and Date, a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Poolside service is also on offer all day long, as is room service. Rooms feature mini fridges, making it easy to eat light meals in rooms, too.

Rates:

Standard room rates can be found as low as $150, and self parking is $12 per day (as low as I’ve found in the area). Suites are also available.

Directions:

The Renaissance Hotel is located at 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, off I-10.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at Renaissance Hotel as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. Without compensated stays, hotel reviews would not be possible on Pit Stops for Kids.

Wet ’n Wild Palm Springs with kids

May 14, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

In our experience Wet ’n Wild operations are largely the same wherever you go, but certainly, Palm Springs is an ideal location for one. Open in spring and summer, Wet ’n Wild Palm Springs includes all you could ask for in an outdoor water park and a sure-fire activity when in Palm Springs with kids: plenty of slides and tube rides, daredevil slides with sharp drops, small slides for the younger set, a large water clubhouse/play area, and most importantly for my kids: a lazy river and wave pool.

Note: Coming soon, Wet ’n Wild is adding a Wave Runner surf simulator. We saw construction ongoing during our visit, and wished very much it was already in operation!

Given Palm Springs hot, dry climate, it came as no surprise to me that this Wet ’n Wild location offered more than the usual cabanas with shade and misters (available for an extra rental charge) and ample shaded seating and lounger areas (free of charge). Still, I’d arrive early in the day to snag a good spot. We found the park to be generally clean, and the staff to be friendly and attentive to water safety.

Distance from the interstate:

An easy drive from I-10.

Admission and hours of operation:

General admission at the time of our visit was $36.99 for adults and $26.99 for kids 3-11. Hours vary significantly by season and day, so be sure to check the website for update information. Parking is $14 per day.

Dining:

Plenty of snack and quick-dining options abound in the park, including my kids’ favorite: Dippin’ Dots. Outside food is allowed at designated picnic areas just outside the main gate (get your hand stamped before exiting). We brought water bottles and small snacks into the park (our bags were checked and these items permitted).

Tip: Bring your own towels and sunglasses, or you’ll pay dearly for these items in the park.

Directions:

From Palm Drive, take Gene Autry Trail. Continue south for approximately 5 miles. Wet ‘n’ Wild is on left just past Mesquite Ave.
As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Wet ’n Wild as guests of the park, for the purpose of review. Without compensated admission, many pit stop reviews would not be possible.