The Greater Palm Springs area is a desert oasis a few short hours from Los Angeles, and it is our family's favorite "local getaway." Warmer weather means no need for jackets and bulky winter wear; simply pack some shorts and swimsuits, hop in the car, and go!

From Palm Springs hotels with kid-friendly pools to those that have kids' clubs to those with family suites, each and every one of these hotels has something that makes it a standout for families. I have personally stayed at every one of these resorts with my 4 kids, so rest assured, these are all tried and true recommendations!

For a roundup of the best kids activities for a Palm Springs family vacation, plus family-friendly dining options in Palm Springs, work your way through our list of the best activities for families in Greater Palm Springs.

It's not too soon to start thinking about next year! School calendars for the largest school districts in Los Angeles County for the 2025-2026 school year are below, and you'll want to bookmark the page now for reference—especially when planning family vacations and booking summer camps. Follow the links for each district below for details on school holidays and semester breaks and to stay up-to-date on any last-minute changes from your local district.

If you ask my six-year-old his favorite memory of the past year, he will immediately tell you that it was our stay at the Legoland Hotel. I'm not always one to spring for an on-site property at a theme park. Usually, an off-site Homewood Suites will do just fine for our large family, but when we were given the opportunity to check out the Legoland Hotel earlier this year, we jumped for it.

Staying at Legoland elevated our theme park experience tenfold. There are two wonderful, engaging, and bricktastic hotels on the property at Legoland: the Legoland Castle Hotel and Legoland California Resort. Walking to the theme park in the morning is an obvious perk, but staying on-site provided so much more than just convenient access. From LEGO "pools" in the lobby to a nightly dance party to the elevator disco, a Legoland stay is unique in every way. 

Want to hear more about all the fun in the parks? Check out our article on the ultimate Legoland visit with your family. Also, check out our review on Legoland's newest area, Dino Valley, or read more about fun things to do with your family in San Diego.  

Gorgeous Crystal Cove, roughly halfway between Laguna Beach and Newport, makes a great family day trip: From free guided nature tours, easy animal evidence scavenger hunts, and tours of the historic district to tidepool walks, science hikes, grunion runs, and movies on the beach, both parents and kids will find plenty to do.

If you’re lucky, you can extend the fun with an overnight stay in one of Crystal Cove’s 38 lovingly restored vintage beach cottages. But even a day trip here feels like a mini vacation. Read on for tips about how to book the ultra-popular cottages—plus suggestions for other places to stay and where to eat.

Crystal Cove is one of the best things to do in Orange County with kids and one of the 100 must-do things with kids on our Ultimate California Bucket List. If you crave more coastal views, check out our Beach Guide to Los Angeles and Orange County. 

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11, 2025. Mom deserves something special, and what is more special than a fantastic, memory-making experience? This list is full of fun outings that the whole family will enjoy, but they're especially focused on the woman of the hour. 

Start with brunch, of course, whether at a spectacular spot serving one of the best Mother's Day brunches in Los Angeles or one of these easy Mother's Day recipes that kids can make. Then, bellies full and happy, move on to one—or more—of these Mother's Day ideas in Los Angeles that will delight and surprise the mothers in your life. 

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Mommy Poppins!