Photo Friday: Palm Springs with Kids

Photo Friday this week features a guest post from Anne Taylor Hartzell, a mom of two young children and the founder of HipTravelMama.com, a new travel blog that offers hip tips for maximizing value, style and fun on luxury family travel. Welcome to the family travel blog world, Anne!

Palm Springs is the perfect long weekend getaway for the winter weary. Steeped in old Hollywood charm (think Frank Sinatra), this desert oasis located 111 miles east of Los Angeles promises vistas of majestic mountains and miles of incredible bright blue sky year round. Palm Springs also offers families lots of hip house rentals and activities to get outdoors during the winter and soak up the sun.

Here are our top five favorite sun-loving tips for Palm Springs with kids:

Rent a Hip, Mid-Century Modern House with a Pool

Unless you already live in Southern California, or a warm southern climate, chances are you don’t have a shiny pool out back that glistens in the sunshine. It’s always been a dream of mine to live in a climate where my kids can don their suits and go for a swim anytime during the year. On our vacations to sunny destinations, the pool is the main attraction and having a private property with pool onsite provides ample time for mom and dad to relax in the sun while the kids play or little ones take a nap … Tip: Make a stop off at the toy store Mr. G’s for Kids on N. Palm Canyon Drive to grab a few kid-friendly pool toys and floaties.

Houses here are straight out of an old Hollywood movie. With little effort, you can find a house that meets your budget and may also hold a little history. Search around for the type of property and location you want on Homeaway.com or VRBO.com and then contact a property management company to help you find the exact property for your family. We often get a larger property and share with another family to increase the fun factor and reduce our overall trip costs. Tip: If you don’t want to filter out properties on your own, check out a service like Beau Monde Villas, specializing in Palm Springs luxury rental properties.

Plan a Morning at the Living Desert Wildlife Park

A short drive to Palm Desert’s 1,200 acre Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park will provide endless entertainment and education on the creatures of the desert. There is something for everyone in the family here, from a play park with unique desert-themed equipment, to a butterfly house and elaborate model train exhibit. This park will keep the interest of younger children and adults alike. Tip: Head over in the morning when the park opens at 9am (8am in summer) to explore before it gets too hot.

Take in the view on the Palm Springs Aerial Tram

The vistas atop the Palm Springs Aerial Tram can be breathtaking and a welcome change to the mid-day heat of the desert. Ride the tram to cool off and grab lunch at the Peaks Restaurant, or for lighter fare you can grab a quick bite with a great view at the Pines Café. Hip Tip: As temperatures can vary more than 30 degrees from the valley below, check the TramWeather station to know if you should bring a sweater.

Spend an Evening out at Villagefest

Every Thursday evening, Villagefest comes alive as they block the streets in Downtown Palm Springs to display a diverse array of artists, entertainers and shops, providing a great evening activity out for families to peruse the great shops, restaurants, and entertainment along Palm Canyon Drive. Tip: Stop by Palm Springs Fudge and Chocolates for lots of decadent sweet treats for the whole family.

Leave Time to Play at the Airport

Yes, you heard me right. One of the coolest things about Palm Springs ends at the airport – a sandy outdoor playground for kids inside of security, so you can wait for your flight and soak up the sun at the same time. A great way to run off energy before the flight home!

No family trip is complete without some fun for the parents. Hip mom fashionistas will find bliss in the endless mid-century modern furniture stores, shopping in the El Paseo Shopping District, or finding bargains on luxury goods and brands at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Finally, take in a spa treatment at the Viceroy Hotel and Spa to pamper yourself for a family trip well done.

For more Photo Friday fun, head over to Delicious Baby.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended Palm Springs family hotels