Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Palm Desert with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Palm Desert on the map
📍 Where Palm Desert is
Palm Desert sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Palm Springs Intl (~13 mi / 20 km). It's roughly 110 mi (177 km) from Downtown LA and 83 mi (133 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 Palm Desert
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
A 1,200-acre desert zoo and botanical garden where you can walk giraffes right up to a feeding platform and ride the endangered-species carousel. In cooler months come at opening (8am) so the animals are active and you beat the heat, and don't skip the model-train garden near the entrance. Summer hours end early, so plan a morning visit June–September.
Adults $39.95, kids 3–17 $29.95, under 3 free (buy online)
Palm Desert Civic Center Park
A 70-acre green heart of the city with a playground, skate park, dog park, amphitheater, rose garden and a lagoon with a waterfall to circle on the walking paths. Shaded picnic pavilions and public art are scattered throughout, so pack a lunch and let the kids roam. It's also home to free First Weekend and holiday events, so check the city calendar.
Free
Freedom Park
A sprawling 44-acre park in north Palm Desert with a modern playground, ball fields, a skate park, basketball, pickleball and wide multi-use fields. There's plenty of room and picnic pavilions for a big family gathering or birthday. Bring shade and water, as the open turf gets hot in the afternoon.
Free
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains Visitor Center
About four miles up Highway 74 from the 111 junction, this small free visitor center has kid-friendly exhibits on desert wildlife and geology, and staff who'll point you to easy trails. The gentle 2-mile Randall Henderson Loop starts right out back and is a great first desert hike for families. Go early and carry water — the trails are fully exposed.
Free
The Gardens on El Paseo
The open-air anchor of the El Paseo shopping district, with fountains, courtyards and shaded seating that make it an easy free wander even if you're not shopping. Kids like the fountains and the seasonal decor, and there are casual dining spots for a break. Come in the evening in summer when it cools and the courtyards light up.
Free to strollFestivals & annual events in Palm Desert
What Palm Desert is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
GameAcon Coachella Valley
A two-day gaming, cosplay and creators event at The Shops at Palm Desert. Tip: costumes are welcome, and it suits tweens and teens who like gaming.
See listing
Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade
Decorated golf carts parade the length of El Paseo, a Palm Desert tradition since the mid-1960s and now in its 62nd year, with a themed entry contest.
See site for admission
Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert
A Halloween morning at the zoo with trick-or-treat stations, festive activities, animal encounters and pop-up surprises. It is included with admission. Tip: the event window is 9am to 1pm, so go early before the desert warms up.
Included with zoo admission or membership
Boo Bash Craft & Vendor Market
A Halloween-weekend craft and vendor market at The Shops at Palm Desert, held during the mall's family-friendly Halloween weekend. Tip: combine it with trick-or-treating on Saturday.
Free to browse
Martha's Village & Kitchen Thanksgiving Day 5K (20th annual)
A charity 5K on El Paseo at San Pablo, benefiting Martha's Village & Kitchen. Tip: it is a walk-friendly fun run, so bring the family before the holiday meal.
Registration fee - see listing
Palm Desert Greek Festival
A desert Greek-heritage festival with food, dancing, and cultural booths.
~$5
The Living Desert Spring ZooCamp
A three-day spring camp for kindergarten through 6th grade at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens with age-specific weekly themes like Critter Crafters, Super Species and Eco-Heroes. Registration opens February 1, 2027 through UltraCamp. Tip: Sessions fill quickly during spring break, so register the morning registration opens.
$250 non-member; $225 member; $25 EBT
Yum Food Fest & Night Market
A food festival and night market in the southeast parking lot of The Shops at Palm Desert, billed as family fun with live entertainment. Tip: it is in the parking lot next to American Car Wash, at ground level near Macy's.
Local restaurants in Palm Desert
Cups Cafe
Breakfast and lunch cafe with American, Mexican and seafood dishes, open daily, at 77912 Country Club Dr, Unit 3, Palm Desert. The menu has a kids section called "The Young Ones" (pancakes, eggs, grilled cheese, quesadillas, nuggets).
JC's Cafe
Patio cafe at 73200 El Paseo #1A, Palm Desert, serving breakfast and lunch daily 8am-3pm, including salads, sandwiches and all-day brunch items.
Seasonal & outdoors near Palm Desert
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Palm Desert.
More Inland Empire family guides
Palm Desert family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Palm Desert with kids?
Family favorites in and around Palm Desert include The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert Civic Center Park, Freedom Park and Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains Visitor Center, and more. Our guide lists 5 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Palm Desert?
Yes — free family spots near Palm Desert include Palm Desert Civic Center Park, Freedom Park, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains Visitor Center and The Gardens on El Paseo. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Palm Desert?
Local, family-friendly spots in Palm Desert include Cups Cafe and JC's Cafe — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Palm Desert guide cover?
Our Palm Desert family guide includes 5 things to do and 2 local eats — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Palm Desert
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Palm Desert on one map — then book on your favorite site.