Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Desert Hot Springs with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Desert Hot Springs on the map
📍 Where Desert Hot Springs is
Desert Hot Springs sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Palm Springs Intl (~9 mi / 15 km). It's roughly 100 mi (161 km) from Downtown LA and 94 mi (151 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Desert Hot Springs
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Cabot Yerxa hand-built this 35-room Hopi-inspired pueblo from reclaimed materials, and it's now a nonprofit museum. Kids 6–12 get a lower ticket price and under 5 are free. Tours are booked online, ticket sales close 90 minutes before each tour and the final tour entry is 2:30pm, so book ahead and arrive 5–10 minutes early.
Grounds only $5 per person; 45-min tours $13–$16 adults, $11–$14 ages 6–12 and seniors/military; under 5 free
Wardman Park
The city's amenities chart lists a playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, recreation center, basketball, baseball, pickleball and a dog area at 66190 8th Street. Parks stay open until 10pm, so come at dusk in summer when the desert heat drops.
FreeMission Springs Park
A 12.4-acre park at 14510 Palm Dr with a playground, soccer field, grass area, walking path and restrooms per the city's amenity chart. No picnic shelter is listed, so bring a blanket and shade for lunch.
FreeGuy Tedesco Park
At 12800 W Arroyo Dr, a park with a playground (upgraded in 2018), restrooms, basketball, a skateboard area, a BMX area and a rec center, lit for evenings. Go late afternoon or evening in summer.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Desert Hot Springs
What Desert Hot Springs is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Day of the Dead at Cabot's Pueblo Museum
A one-day cultural celebration at Desert Hot Springs' historic hand-built pueblo museum, with hands-on stations for children including paper flowers, printmaking and sugar skull decorating.
See site for admission
Local restaurants in Desert Hot Springs
Rocky's New York Style Pizzeria
Family-owned pizzeria at 12856 Palm Dr serving New York-style pizza, sandwiches, pastas and cannoli, with dine-in, takeout and delivery. Open Mon–Sat evenings, closed Sundays.
Thai Palms Restaurant
Thai restaurant at 12070 Palm Dr with pad Thai, curries, papaya salad and tom yum, and online ordering on its own site.
Seasonal & outdoors near Desert Hot Springs
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Desert Hot Springs.
More Inland Empire family guides
Desert Hot Springs family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Desert Hot Springs with kids?
Family favorites in and around Desert Hot Springs include Cabot's Pueblo Museum, Wardman Park, Mission Springs Park and Guy Tedesco Park. Our guide lists 4 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Desert Hot Springs?
Yes — free family spots near Desert Hot Springs include Wardman Park, Mission Springs Park and Guy Tedesco Park. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Desert Hot Springs?
Local, family-friendly spots in Desert Hot Springs include Rocky's New York Style Pizzeria and Thai Palms Restaurant — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Desert Hot Springs guide cover?
Our Desert Hot Springs family guide includes 4 things to do and 2 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Desert Hot Springs
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Desert Hot Springs on one map — then book on your favorite site.