27 places
- Joshua Tree National ParkKid-friendlyFamily favoriteBoulder scrambling, Hidden Valley, Cholla Cactus Garden; Junior Ranger program for kids.
- Palm Springs Aerial TramwayKid-friendlyFamily favoriteWorld's largest rotating tram car up to Mt. San Jacinto; trails and snow play at the top, often 30–40° cooler.
- The Living Desert Zoo & GardensKid-friendlyFamily favoriteDesert zoo and botanical garden with giraffe feeding, rhinos, carousel and a kids' play area.
- 29 Palms Farmers MarketSaturday market with eclectic food and local vendors.
- 29 Palms InnBungalows and cabins around the Oasis of Mara near the park.
- Big League Dreams Sports ParkKid-friendlyMini replicas of famous ballparks; youth leagues, tournaments and batting cages.
- Big Morongo Canyon PreserveKid-friendlyShaded boardwalk through a desert marsh; famous for birdwatching.
- Boomers! Cathedral CityKid-friendlyGo-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, batting cages and arcade.
- Cabot's Pueblo MuseumHand-built Hopi-style pueblo with guided tours and a hilltop viewpoint.
- Coachella Valley History MuseumKid-friendlyHistoric adobe campus with date-farming history and the Date Museum.
- Coachella Valley Preserve (Thousand Palms Oasis)Kid-friendlyFan-palm oasis with boardwalk trails and a rustic visitor center.
- Coachella Valley Wild Bird CenterKid-friendlyWildlife rehab center with educational visits and bird encounters.
- El Paseo Shopping DistrictMile-long shopping street with 300+ shops, galleries and restaurants.
- First Tee – Coachella ValleyKid-friendlyYouth golf and life-skills programs for beginners.
- Indian Canyons (Andreas & Palm Canyon)Kid-friendlyPalm oases on Agua Caliente land; Andreas Canyon is an easy ~1.2-mile family loop with a creek.
- Indio Open Air MarketCombined farmers market, swap meet and flea market on weeknights/weekends.
- Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional ParkKid-friendlyLake with fishing, camping, a seasonal splash pad and trailheads.
- Moorten Botanical GardenKid-friendlySmall family-run cactus garden with a 'cactarium'; quick, easy outing with kids.
- Old Town La QuintaWalkable boutiques, restaurants and a Sunday certified farmers market (seasonal).
- Painted Canyon & Ladder Canyon TrailColorful slot canyon with ladders; best for older kids in cool months.
- Palm Desert Aquatic CenterKid-friendlyPublic pool with recreation swim, slides and swim lessons.
- Palm Desert Civic Center ParkKid-friendlyLarge park with playgrounds, skate park, aquatic center nearby and community events.
- Palm Springs Certified Farmers MarketSaturday-morning farmers market (Oct–June).
- Palm Springs Dog ParkFenced off-leash dog park behind City Hall.
- Palm Springs Swim CenterKid-friendly50-meter public pool at Sunrise Park with swim lessons and open swim.
- Pioneertown Mane StreetKid-friendly1940s Western movie set town with shops; weekend gunfight shows.
- Pioneertown MotelWestern-themed motel on the old movie-set town.