Visiting Palm Springs for a babymoon and looking for things to do in Palm Springs, California? Read our epic Palm Springs babymoon travel guide for essential attractions and must-visit stops for expecting couples. You will also find this guide useful if you have 2 Days in Palm Springs on babymoon or just one day to babymoon in Palm Springs.
You can also check our post on 30 Awesome Things to do in Palm Springs
Sunny Palm Springs is a great babymoon destination. It is warm in winter, has a nice small town feel, and is charming. It has a great location in the mountains: we keep seeing snow-covered mountain peaks and blue skies during our getaway. In Palm Springs you will find everything from upscale shopping, lounging by the pool, gourmet meals, and cultural attractions. Palm Springs is perfect for all babymoon budgets and you will have a great time babymooning in the Californian desert.
I had read a lot about the amazing spa resorts and luxury hotels in Palm Springs and so we decided to visit Palm Springs for our babymoon. But Palm Springs is super hot even in May and I did not feel like making the trip in all that heat so we instead babymooned in New Orleans. We finally visited Palm Springs when our baby girl was 6 months old as a part of our Southern California Road trip and also visited Joshua Tree National Park as a day trip from Palm Springs. As a result, we had just a couple of days in Palm Springs and as it turns out, this was enough to check out the highlights and main tourist attractions of Palm Springs.
During the trip, I just kept thinking about how awesome it would be to babymoon in Palm Springs and have since then recommended Palm Springs as a babymoon destination to many pregnant friends. Turns out, they had a blast following our recommendations and hence, we have decided to write a detailed Palm Springs babymoon guide to spend a relaxing weekend in the city.
Also Read: 10 Days in California Itinerary
When to visit Palm Springs for babymoon?
Palm Springs is located in the Californian desert in Coachella Valley and gets quite hot in the summer. We do not recommend making the trip out to Palm Springs for a babymoon during these extreme months. If you do go, keep indoors and relax, drink lots of water and fluid, and prop your feet up to keep the water retention and swelling away.
The best time to visit Palm Springs for a babymoon is from September – October to March – April. The weather is just perfect and pleasant during this time and you can enjoy all the outdoor activities as well. Palm Springs is also zia free, making it an amazing budget babymoon destination.
Where to stay during Palm Springs babymoon?
The first step is deciding whether you want to stay in downtown Palm Springs or on a property further away from the city but promising more luxury. If you are staying downtown, you don’t need to rent a car as everything is accessible by walking. You can easily get a cab or Lyft ride from the airport. If you want to stay away from the crowds on a luxe property or if you plan to be adventurous and visit Joshua Tree or other outdoor attractions, then we suggest renting a car at the airport. Many resorts in Palm Springs even have special babymoon packages. Here are some of our favorite resorts and hotels in Palm Springs.
Parker Palm Springs is one of the most glamorous hotels in Palm Springs. This luxe property has a great pool area and is close to all the attractions. It even has an onsite spa where you can relax with a pregnancy massage. Palm Mountain Resort & Spa is another great option, especially if you opt for their babymoon package which includes couples massage, keepsake robes, and welcome sparkling cider. Another great option downtown is the Holiday Home. This adults only hotel has charming rooms and a great pool area.
Two Bunch Palms, located 20 mins north in Desert Hot Springs, is another great luxe property. It is located on the site of natural thermal hot springs. The property has beautiful decor and emphasizes sustainability. Korakia Pensione is a very romantic Mediterraean style spa resort. They have great romance or babymoon packages.
Romantic Babymoon in Palm Springs: 10 Essential Stops
While planning for your Palm Springs babymoon, we recommend keeping it light. Do not plan for full day explorations – instead add indoor attractions and relaxing massages. Spend some time shopping for your baby and pamper yourself. Do nothing but nap and eat and let the babymoon wash your stress away. Listen to music and dine al fresco outdoors and catch up on quality time with your partner before the baby arrives! Here are our recommendations for essential stops while babymooning in Palm Springs.
Stop #1: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you up from the desert floor to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains. You will be climbing a lot of altitude but the aerial tramway is safe for pregnant women as long as you take the normal precautions. The trams are 360 degree rotating trams so if you get motion sick easily, then we recommend skipping this activity during your Palm Springs babymoon. The views from the top are stunning and one of the highlights of Palm Springs. Many hikes also begin from the top; some are easy and can be done while pregnant. The weather at the top of the mountains is very cool compared to the city so bring a warm jacket and enjoy the views.
Stop #2: Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum is a must stop for art and culture lovers. The museum has three floors worth of artwork and great variety including traditional, modern, as well as Native American art. You will also find amazing glass art and sculptures. Entry to the museum is free on Thursday evenings, check the museum website for exact timings. This is also a great babymoon activity as visiting museums will be the furthest thing from your mind once baby arrives. Another reason we love visiting the art museum is that it is a welcome respite from the desert heat and #1 indoors thing to do in Palm Springs.
Stop #3: Downtown Walk of Stars
You will be surprised to know that Palm Springs has its own Walk of Stars. It is located Downtown and has many well known stars and public figures who have lived in the Palm Springs area including Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny Bono, Truman Capote, Sidney Sheldon plus few American Presidents including Ronald Reagan. We enjoyed walking around to spot names that we knew. You will find stars on both sides of the street on Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz Canyon Way, and Museum Drive.
Stop #4: Date Shake at Great Shakes
Coachella Valley grows over 90% of the world’s dates and drinking a date shake while in Palm Springs is a ritual. While the date shake at Hadley’s in Cabazon is the original, if you are in downtown then try the amazing Great Shakes. The date shake mostly has date paste, vanilla ice cream, and milk but every brand’s date shake somehow tastes different. The Great Shake store is located next to the Agua Caliente museum and is an easy walk from most downtown hotels.
Stop #5: Ruddy’s General Store Museum
One unique museum to check out in Palm Springs is Ruddy’s General Store Museum. This museum is almost free – $1 donation minimum per person gets you entry into a general store of the 20th century. The store / museum is stacked with items from pre WWII and depression era. You will see intact boxes of flour, pasta, hardware, cosmetics, board games including Monopoly, liquor, cleaning products, baby items, etc. All the items in the store were lovingly collected by Mr. Ruddy and it is amazing to go through them.
Stop #6: Palm Springs Architecture or Doors Tour
Checking out the mid-century modern architecture is a popular Palm Springs activity. The Tramway Gas Station, where the Palm Springs Visitor Center is located, is itself a great example of the modernist architecture. Inside the center, you will get a map to do a DIY modern architecture tour. Another popular activity while in Palm Springs is to check out the beautiful doors on a DIY tour. The most famous is obviously #thatpinkdoor – the epic pink door with pineapples on both sides. You can also opt for a guided architecture tour.
Stop #7: Moorten Botanical Garden
Moorten Botanical Gardens in Palm Springs are big and beautiful and contain a great collection of cacti and succulents. At this private botanical garden, you can see giant cacti of stunning varieties for a low admission price of $5. The plants are well labeled and you can buy one as a souvenir along with outdoor decor and planters. We loved the big cactarium and the desert tortoises. We also saw a lot of hummingbirds. We recommend spending an hour or two at Moorten Gardens to explore everything. This is also a great place to take your own maternity photos.
Stop #8: Uptown Design District
Palm Springs Uptown Design District is a two mile stretch located along North Palm Canyon Drive. Here you will find beautiful mid century modern architecture, boutique stores, and art galleries. Uptown Design District is a great place to search for unique finds and shop where the Hollywood celebrities shop. You can also find vintage collectibles and home furnishings in this area. Uptown is truly a shopper’s paradise and perfect way to relax on your babymoon in Palm Springs.
Stop #9: Spa treatment at Two Bunch Palms
Many of the Palm Springs spa resorts also have day spa packages including Two Bunch Palms and the Parker. We recommend pampering yourself with the perfect spa treatments designed for pregnant women and feeling relaxed on your babymoon. You can go for the romantic couples massage including the Roman Bath treatment for two at Two Bunch Palms.
Stop #10: Patio dinner on Palm Canyon Drive
Dining al fresco on the Palm Canyon Drive is one of the most romantic things to do in Palm Springs on your babymoon. Patio dining in Palm Springs has a lot of advantages: you get to dine in the cool desert air amidst stunning views and experience amazing sunsets to accompany delicious dishes. Some of the great restaurants to try on Palm Canyon Drive include Cooley’s and Trio Restaurant.
Babymoon in Palm Springs: Outdoor Attractions
There are many adventurous things to do near Palm Springs including a few easy hikes that are great for pregnant women. Walking is one of the best ways to get some exercise during pregnancy and is greta both for the baby and mom. Here are the best outdoor things to do in Palm Springs on your babymoon:
Joshua Tree National Park
Even if you aren’t feeling adventurous, we recommend taking a drive through the Joshua Tree National Park to see the big beautiful yucca trees in their natural habitat. Do this drive early in the morning or at sunrise and you can beat the heat. You need not even get out of the car or hike in the national park, the scenic drive has excellent scenery and is a great way to see the highlights of Joshua Tree including the iconic yucca plants, giant rock formations, Cholla Cactus, spring wildflowers, Ocotillos, etc.
Also Read: 24 Best things to do in Joshua tree with kids
Tahquitz Canyons
Tahquitz Canyon in Coachella Valley has been continually occupied by Cahuilla Indians since thousands of years. There are many things to do in Tahquitz Canyon including a waterfall hike, petroglyphs, wildlife sightings, and more. The best way to explore Tahquitz Canyon is via the Tahquitz Canyon Hike. This is an easy 2 mile hike that can be done in under 3 hours at a leisurely pace. The path goes through the desert landscape, a nice cold waterfall, rocks and a variety of cacti. Pregnant women can do this hike – remember to carry water and sip it at regular intervals.
Indian Canyons
Similar to Tahquitz Canyon, Indian Canyons are also located on Native American land and have been worshipped by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for many years. There are many hiking trails in Indian Canyons of different difficulty levels and the easy ones are perfect for those on babymoon. If you are visiting from June to September then hike early in the morning and carry plenty of water as that is healthiest for you and the baby. On the trail you will have incredible views of the palm oases and surrounding desert.
Coachella Valley Preserve
Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis is a nature reserve around the large palm oasis and is perfect for a picnic in the desert. The reserve has many hiking trails and picnic tables along the trails. This preserve is free to visit and is one of the best ways to experience the geological activity of the San Andreas fault. The fault has pushed the groundwater close to the surface, forming an oasis where the native California fan palm trees thrive. The easiest trail is the McCullum pond trail. It’s 2 miles round trip but quite easy and perfect for pregnant women.
Did you like our guide to Palm Springs babymoon? Did you go the Palm Springs on your babymoon? Let us know what you loved most in comments!