The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert turned a simple family outing into one of those easy, happy days everyone talked about on the drive home. Last month our family took a trip to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and it was a hit from start to finish. We went as two families, eight of us total with four kids, and the zoo handled our whole crew without a hitch.

If you are planning a desert vacation with children, this is one attraction I would put at the top of your list. Here is exactly what our day looked like and what I would tell any family before they go.

What Makes The Living Desert Zoo Great for Families

The first thing I noticed was how clean and spacious it is. Wide, open walkways, plenty of room between exhibits, and nowhere near the crowds you would expect.

With four kids of different ages, that space mattered. Nobody felt rushed, nobody got lost in a crowd, and the kids could move at their own pace.

It is also genuinely accessible. The sidewalks are wide, the ramps are everywhere, and getting around in a wheelchair or with a stroller is easy. If you are traveling with a grandparent, a stroller, or anyone with mobility needs, this is a zoo you can actually enjoy together instead of working around.

Feeding the Giraffes (Our Favorite Moment)

The highlight, hands down, was feeding the giraffes. Watching the kids hold up a leaf and have a giraffe lean down to take it was the moment everyone pulled out their phones. It is the kind of up-close experience kids remember long after the trip.

One important tip: giraffe feeding ends at 3 p.m. We went in the morning and stayed until 3, which gave us plenty of time, but if feeding the giraffes is on your kids’ list, do not leave it for the end of the day. Get there earlier.

Double-check the current feeding times and hours on the official The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens website before you go.

The Kangaroo Walkabout, the Splash Pad, and More

The kangaroo and wallaby walkabout was another big hit. You walk right into their habitat, with no barrier between you and them, and the kids loved getting that close. For the younger ones, the splash pad water playground was the perfect way to cool off and burn off energy in the middle of the day. If you are bringing little kids, pack a towel and let them play.

Inside the walkabout, the kangaroos and wallabies roam right alongside you.

Lunch at the New Bighorn Cafe

We ate at the new Bighorn Cafe, and the food was genuinely good, not your usual overpriced zoo snacks. The best part is the view: you can dine outside and watch the bighorn sheep climb the hills right next to you. The kids thought the rams on the rocks were as exciting as the lunch itself.

Dining on the Bighorn Cafe patio, with the bighorn sheep habitat right behind us.

There is something for every kind of eater. The menu has build-your-own bowls and burritos, stone-fired pizza by the slice, burgers, and big salads, plus kids’ meals like grilled cheese, corn dogs, and uncrustables. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are clearly marked, which made it easy with a mixed group.

You can also scan the QR code on the menu to order ahead and skip the line.

The Gift Shop on the Way Out

The Suzan & Bill Appel Gift Shop near the exit was a fun last stop. It is full of plush animals, desert-themed apparel for kids and adults, mugs, and little potted cacti and succulents that make a fun souvenir. It is an easy way to end the visit with something for the kids to take home.

When to Go and What to Bring

We visited in March, and the weather was perfect, warm but not the brutal summer heat. If you are coming in the warmer months, go early in the day and take advantage of the shade and the splash pad.

A few quick tips from our visit:

• Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of easy walking.
• Get there in the morning to beat the heat and catch giraffe feeding before 3 p.m.
• Bring a towel so younger kids can enjoy the splash pad.
• Plan to eat at the Bighorn Cafe; the food and bighorn views are worth it.

Where We Stayed: Our Home Base in Indio

The Living Desert Zoo is about a 20-minute drive from where we stayed in Indio, which made it an easy, low-stress day trip. That is the kind of thing that makes a family desert vacation work, a comfortable home base close to the attractions, with room for everyone to spread out.

Our vacation rental at Indian Palms Golf Resort in Indio is built for exactly this kind of trip. It is a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with a detached casita that sleeps up to 12, so two families can stay together comfortably.

There is a private pool for the kids to splash in after a day at the zoo, it is pet friendly, fully wheelchair accessible, and inside a safe, gated resort.

Planning a family trip to the Coachella Valley? Stay in a spacious, accessible home minutes from The Living Desert Zoo. Book directly at indioaccess.com. We would love to host your family.