Our First Family Trip to Palm Springs, California
Our first family trip with Baby B took us to sunny California, a welcomed escape from the rainy Vancouver winter. This post comes a little bit late as we visited the Californian desert city in early February and its now almost April. What can I say, finding the time to publish blog posts is a little more challenging with an infant!
There were a number of reasons why we chose California as the destination for our first trip with Baby B, but the main reason was because we had family renting a condo in Palm Springs for the winter. This meant that not only did we have a place to stay, we also had family to help out with Baby B.
It’s also only a short 3 hour flight, which is the perfect test for Baby B before we take him on a long-haul flight to Europe this summer.
It was our 3rd visit to California but first time visiting Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. We didn’t have much planned for this trip, aside from relaxing by the pool in the hot desert sun.
This California trip was very much about vacation downtime.
Entrance to the gated community where we stayed (I wonder why the city is called Palm Springs?!)
Because he was born at the start of winter, this was his first time lying on grass outdoors.
He loved it! He rolled around on the blankets for hours, gazing at the swaying trees.
Well deserved quiet time by the pool
Baby B’s first time in a pool. He’s not quite sure what’s going on?
First swim in the pool
Chillin’ out by the pool
Hiding from the sun on the World’s Largest Rotating Aerial Tramway
First family vacation portrait at the Coachella Valley lookout point
Baby B playing Jedi mind tricks with a bottle of beer (my favourite photo from the trip)
Coachella Valley lookout point from the Palm Springs Tramway
Lying on the grass looking up at the Palm trees
Massive wind farm in North Palm Springs
Street artist in downtown Palm Springs
Popular California bistro on the main strip
Thursday night market on the main strip
California cruising…
Mountain views from the apartment
Desert road
The road to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
We were surprised at how big and rugged the desert mountains are (over 10,000 feet high!)
Butterfly close-up
Morning views
Sampling some California beer (this one’s from nearby San Diego)
Another tasty beer by the pool.
Would you stay in the Cougar lot?
Afternoon hike in Mount San Jacinto State Park
The desert plains of Joshua Tree National Park – here are more photos
The peculiar Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park
More posts from our trip to Palm Springs, California
- The Extraordinary Landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, California
- Traveling with Baby – Not as Scary as it Sounds
- The World’s Largest Rotating Aerial Tramcar
- Photo of the Week: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Have you visited Palm Springs?
Do you have some travel tips or advice to share with our readers?
Share your experience in the comments section below!
Great pics…I agree, the one of B with the beer is awesome…
Haha, yes. It was perfect timing.
Glad to see the little one likes good beer!
I know! In our family one must love good beer 😉
I love these photos! I’ve been to southern California a few times but never been to Palm Springs. Baby B is growing up so fast and is a cute kid. Glad he got to experience a beautiful part of California!
I can’t believe how fast he’s growing. 5 months today! Even though he won’t remember it, we will always be able to show him the pictures 🙂
Love the pics! esp the ones of Baby B lying in the grass, looking up at his world, and also the one looking up at the palm trees. These photos bring back very happy memories of traveling with my son when he was a baby, floating him around in warm spring water. It’s actually one of the easiest times to travel, when they’re that small!
Yes, we have heard that a couple times. He’ll just have to learn to love to travel 🙂
I love your photo trip hope you enjoy the place looks amazing..Thanks for sharing this to us..
Glad you enjoyed it
I like the photo of the butterfly…Looks really real and very perfect shot!
Thank you. It was perfect timing.
Went to Palm Springs a long time ago for a convention while I worked for a Corporation. Very different type of travel.
Yeah, traveling for work is much different. But it can still be fun!
Looks like a great time was had by all! Everyone has always told us that they’re easiest to travel with at that age, but we disagree. Unless you’re one of the very lucky ones (and please don’t tell us if you are!) whose baby is actually sleeping through the night at that age, we both think it gets easier! A full night’s sleep is an amazing thing. 🙂 So, congrats on taking the plunge into family travel and welcome to the club. 🙂
What a fun place for a family trip! I’m sure he liked staring at those beautiful palm trees 🙂
Great photos, I love Palm Springs and now see how it is the perfect destination for a new baby (lots of pool time and opportunity for scenic road trips!)
Awww Baby is so cute! Looks like you had a pretty solid trip there. I’ve been probably 20 times in my life but have yet to see half the stuff you did (aerial tram, Mount San Jacinto, the night market). I always go for two things: pool and relaxation. Sure you can do that a million other places in the world but for some reason it feels best there – like it’s what you are supposed to be doing (and golf, if you golf). Probably why there are so many retirement communities. Great photos, glad you guys enjoyed your trip!
This desert city is just a two hour drive from Los Angeles, making it the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city..
We’re getting a stretch of cold weather here in Kamloops, and that pool looks like heaven right about now… Love the pics!