The following post is by a special guest blogger: Sharlene Earnshaw, Trekaroo’s Blog Editor.

Winter’s chill has taken hold of much of the country. As we shovel snow and bundle our children to brave the outdoors, we can’t help but let visions of palm trees and swimming pools creep into our minds. Instead of daydreaming about a warm weekend in the desert, take action! Grab the kids and head to Palm Desert in California’s Coachella Valley. With over 350 days a year of sunshine and winter highs in the ’70s, it’s the ideal spot to take a break from the freezing weather for a few days.

Desert Adventures. Photo by Sharlene Earnshaw.

Hop in a red jeep and explore the desert: One of the greatest experiences my family has had was on a Desert Adventures eco-tour. Incredibly knowledgeable guides take families on tours of the Colorado Desert, opening their eyes to the beauty, history, and culture of this remarkable place. My family took a two-hour tour, which included a visit to a palm oasis, reconstructed Native American village, a gold mine, the slot canyons where Star Wars was filmed, and inside the San Andreas Fault. The guide made sure to include information and activities that would excite my four year olds, all while giving the adults an experience that none of us will ever forget.

Get to know those desert dwellers: The Living Desert celebrates the deserts of North America and Africa, as well as the animals who call these arid places home. Besides having wonderful animal displays and encounters, The Living Desert also has a state of the art veterinary facility which is open to the public, a children’s playground, camel rides, a replica of an African village, and hiking trails to explore. During the winter months, hundreds of butterflies and hummingbirds who call the desert southwest home occupy a greenhouse enclosure which families can stroll through. The extensive model train exhibit is always popular with little ones.

Take the kids to a museum where the focus is on them: The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert is a great place to take kids who love to learn, explore, and have fun. The building is filled with hands on exhibits designed to appeal to children of all ages. Kids can paint a VW bug, climb over and under through the ropes course, enjoy an archaeological dig, or role play in an imaginary city. There is even a section of the museum dedicated to the tiniest of tykes with blocks, gears, and story books.

Explore the trails of a National Monument: Established only 10 years ago, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is a great place to hike. Be sure to stop by the visitor center in Palm Desert before heading out to explore. Trails through Indian Canyon takes visitors to the largest palm oasis in the world, while trails through the forest near the top of Mt San Jacinto (accessed via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway) can give hikers spectacular views of the Coachella Valley below. Be aware that there is typically a 40 degree difference in temperature between the portion of the monument near the valley floor and the wilderness surrounding the top of the tramway.  Snow covers the ground much of the winter so dress appropriately.

Where to stay: Homewood Suites Palm Desert: This hotel offers the large suite style accommodations and free breakfast that Homewood Suites guests have become accustomed to, but it also offers some extras that families may find particularly appealing. There is a fenced in outdoor pool and spa as well as a putting green in the central courtyard. This means that mom and dad can practice their putting while the kids splash in the pool or perhaps your future PGA pros can sharpen their skills while you relax in the spa. I see endless possibilities. The other nice thing about this hotel is that there is a large shaded playground across the street. My family found it to be a great place to get the wiggles out before the sun set and we settled in for the night.

For more activities for kids in Palm Desert.

Sharlene Earnshaw is a lifelong California girl who loves nothing more than to hike, travel, write, and then travel some more. Her 3-year old boy/girl twins and loving husband provide all the inspiration she needs to plan one new adventure after another. She is a self proclaimed National Parks nerd and has made it her goal to see every single National Park with her children. She is a dedicated road tripper and spent last summer on a 24 day road trip across the Western US and Canada. Her favorite travel memory is being greeted by cheers at the top of Inspiration Point in Grand Teton after being told that her toddlers wouldn’t be able to do it. She graduated from University of California at Davis with a degree in Communications.