Babymoon in Palm Springs - A Pregnancy-Friendly Travel Guide

As a parent to two littles ones, I always highly recommend expecting mamas to take a pregnancy-friendly babymoon vacation before the arrival of baby. Trust me when I tell you that traveling will never be the same once your pregnancy is over and you’ve got kids to care for. Your babymoon is the last hurrah and a chance to relax before the chaos of motherhood begins.

California has several pregnancy-friendly destinations for a babymoon and Palm Springs is definitely at the top of the list. A Palm Springs babymoon is all about relaxing in the desert with beautiful natural scenery mixed with hotels designed with modern decor.

I went on two California babymoons when I was pregnant with my daughter. The first one was to Lake Tahoe when I was in my first trimester and Palm Springs during my third trimester. The first trip was with my husband and the second with some girlfriends. The only real important rule of a babymoon is that it’s stress-free!

In this guide I will outline all the best things for pregnant women to enjoy in Palm Springs. This favorite Southern California hotspot has an excellent selection of hotels, spas, restaurants, shopping, relaxing activities and scenic places.

The Best Time of Year to Go to Palm Springs

Palm Springs is an oasis in the desert and during certain times of year the weather is very mild and pleasant. But on the flip side, there are other times times of year when there’s extreme heat which is not comfortable for a pregnant woman to endure.

So if you come across a steal of deal on a Palm Springs hotel or resort, make sure you check the dates before you book. Palm Spring temperatures can reach as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Very hot!

In a separate blog post I break down the weather in Palm Springs month-by-month, but I will just give you the highlights here. The general consensus of frequent visitors to Palm Springs is that February, March and November are the best times to visit. Keep in mind that these are also the most expensive times to visit.

In February the average high temperatures still remain in the mid-seventies and by March the temperatures rise to the low-eighties. The average Palm Springs temperature in April is 87 degrees and by May it’s almost 100 degrees outside. The summer temperatures remain high for months and doesn’t begin to cool off until November.

Best Palm Springs Hotels for a Babymoon

In Palm Springs it’s not uncommon for the hotel and resort to be a big part of your destination experience. Which is why it’s worth the time to do a little research and find a hotel that hits all the items on your wishlist. This is especially true when you’re pregnant because you may end up staying close to your home base more than usual.

The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs is all about those natural and bohemian vibes if you’re looking for a break from the bright colors found all over Palm Springs. The hotel rooms are simple with muted colors and minimal decor. You can also select a room with a private patio. The hotel has 2 pools and a spa which offers pre-natal massage, facials and body scrubs.

Reminder for pre-natal massages, you must be in your second trimester and past 12 weeks to comply with healthy and safety guidelines.

The Saguaro Palm Springs

I stayed at The Saguaro Palm Springs when I was visiting with some gal pal friends. Their biggest selling points are the fun and whimsical rainbow colors which are bold and bright all over the hotel, the colorful backdrops make for fun postcard-like photos. Secondly they have a large pool and outdoor patio area for hanging out.

I really only recommend The Saguaro if you’re coming with a group of friends. It’s more of a social party hotel than romantic or calming resort.

Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage

If the aches and pains of pregnancy have created muscle knots and tension in your neck and shoulders (this was me during pregnancy), you may want to indulge in a pre-natal massage at the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage. The Palm Springs Ritz has a lengthy spa treatments menu with a variety massages, body and facial skin treatments.

Parker Palm Springs

I spent a weekend at the Parker Palm Springs for a blogger creative conference and I can tell you that the this hotel has a huge property. It feels very much like being Alice in Wonderland with all the walking trails, gardens and surprises hidden around each corner. The Parker has 3 pools on site and a couple restaurants. There’s also pregnancy-friendly onsite amenities such as tennis, croquet, yoga and giant chess.

Les Cactus Palm Springs

If you like fun and quirky boutique hotels, Les Cactus may be perfect for you. The vibes and very feminine and trendy, perfect for those who like to take Instagrammable vacation photos. They have a saltwater pool, massages, bicycles, outdoor fire pits and a hammock garden.

Where to Eat in Palm Springs

When I was pregnant I was all about eating delicious food and on vacation I want to indulge. My restaurant recommendations are Palm Springs foodie hotspots that have a combination of great ambiance and yummy food options.

Ernest Coffee

If you need your morning caffeine fix, swing by Ernest Coffee for some coffee, tea and light breakfast eats. Scroll down to see photos of my scone and coffee from their coffee shop.

Cheeky’s

Cheeky’s is a very popular Palm Springs breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. Popular menu items include the world famous bacon flight, sourdough french toast and custard cheesy scrambled eggs.

King’s Highway Diner at the Ace Hotel

During my most recent visit to Palm Springs I had a light and healthy egg breakfast at the King’s Highway Diner. Their menu highlights eclectic Cal-Mexican foods made from locally sourced ingredients. Scroll down to see a picture of my fried egg open faced sandwich and interiors inside the diner.

Poolside Restaurant at Arrive Hotel

My friends and I had a healthy and delicious lunch on the outside patio next to the pool at the Arrive Hotel. You can scroll down to see our food picks including a bowl of hummus with pita bread, a Juicy Lucy burger and avocado toast.

Chef Tanya’s Gourmet Kitchen

For expecting mamas who are looking for healthy and vegan food options, Chef Tanya’s Gourmet Kitchen has sandwiches, tempeh powerburgers, salads and soups.

Birba

Birba is a very modern and trendy Italian restaurant located on the main strip of N Palm Cayon Drive. They serve homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza and salads.

Rooster and the Pig

If those pregnancy cravings are making you hungry for Asian fusion cuisine, try the Rooster and the Pig. My order would be the Vietnamese crispy rolls and then followed by the sweet potato noodles.

Workshop Kitchen + Bar

If you’re looking to indulge in some eclectic fine dinning, Workshop has very innovative cuisine. They claim to be the true foodie destination in the desert with unexpected foods on their menu. They only serve dinner and the decor inside the restaurant is ultra modern.

Norma’s in the Parker Palm Springs

If you’re not able to be a guest at the Parker Palm Springs but would still like to get a peek inside, make reservations for the restaurant Norma’s. Their menu has some very decadent brunch options including waffles with a crackly brulee top, chocolate decadence french toast or a lobster frittata with caviar.

Rainbow painted walls at The Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel.

Where to Go Shopping in Palm Springs

Babymoon vacations often involve a lot of leisurely walking. Browsing boutique shops is the perfect vacation activity for a pregnant woman.

Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs is really the only walkable area of the city. Many of the restaurants and hotels are very spread out and require driving, but downtown in the exception. Most of downtown has mom and pop stores, you don’t see a lot of big chain brands. The few exceptions are Sephora, Free People, Johnny Was and Kiehl’s.

Antique Shopping on Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Springs has plenty of cute little vintage, thrift, home decor and fashion shops on the main drag of Palm Canyon Drive. Because Mid-Century Design is so popular in Palm Springs, you’ll see a lot of stores selling vintage relics from numerous decades that fall within the 1930’s - 1960’s.

Westfield Palm Desert

If you need to escape the heat and go shopping somewhere indoors with air conditioner, the large indoor mall nearest to Palm Springs is the Westfield Palm Desert. It’s about a 30 minute drive south from the Palm Springs Downtown area. You’ll find all the mall staple brands such as H&M, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret and more.

You can also shop for baby clothes at the Westfield with these kid’s stores: The Children’s Place, Macy’s and JCPenney.

Pregnancy-Friendly Activities in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

One of the most popular attractions in Palm Springs is the Aerial Tramway. This aerial tramway is the largest in the world and takes you up an elevation of 8,516 feet. You start at the bottom of the Coachella Valley and head all the way up to the top of San Jacinto Peak. The tram has large glass windows so you can catch some incredible views. Once you’re up there you can enjoy a meal at one of the two restaurants and visit the observation deck.

Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium

Plant lovers will enjoy a trip to the Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium. This plant nursery has all kinds of rare succulents and cacti, many of them are huge or just plain funny looking. This is a popular place to take portrait photos, especially inside the greenhouse. And of course you can shop for plant babies to bring home.

Palm Springs Art Museum

Fans of modern art will enjoy a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum. It’s a very nice way to spend an afternoon indoors, especially when it’s hot outside. The exhibits are always rotating with new showcases coming every month. There’s also a restaurant onsite with fresh and healthy eats.

Palm Springs Door Tour

When I was visiting Palm Springs while 7 months pregnant, I enjoyed a Palm Springs Door Tour with my friends. We rode around in an air conditioned bus and stopped at colorful doors to take fun photos. This is a popular activity for Instagrammers to do, and it gives you a really good opportunity to see some amazing modern architecture.

Leisurely Hikes in the Canyons

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy an easy level hiking excursion through the canyons in the greater Palm Springs area. Pregnant women should obviously be careful about overexertion and overheating, but there are several easier hikes that some women would enjoy.

One thing I’d like to mention, the popular trail heading up to Tahquitz Canyon is considered a very difficult hike and should probably be avoided by pregnant women. Please always be careful and stick to safer trails.

Joshua Tree National Park

If you’re staying in Palm Springs for a few days, I recommend taking a day trip Joshua Tree National Park. It’s just an hour drive outside of Palm Springs so you can easily head out in the morning and return to your hotel by the evening.

Joshua Tree is unlike any other place I’ve ever visited. It’s a popular destination for those seeking spiritual enlightenment and you can immediately feel those vibes when you enter the park. The natural landscape is all desert with funny looking Dr. Seuss Joshua Trees. For ideas on where to go inside the park, see my hidden gems inside Joshua Tree travel guide.

The sunset hour in Joshua Tree is especially magical with vibrant pink hues in the sky. These lighting conditions make for beautiful photos. If you’re contemplating a maternity photo session, I recommend using Viator to find a local photographer.

Coffee and scone breakfast from Ernest Coffee on Palm Canyon Drive.

What to Wear for a Babymoon in Palm Springs

As you can see from the photos in this blog post, I had fun with my maternity wardrobe despite the fact that my bump was enormous at 7 months pregnant. I have written several blog posts all about what to wear during pregnancy and I’m breaking them down here:

Baby Bump Friendly Boho Dresses - In my blog post I show you 25 styles of flowy and free bohemian style dresses that are so comfortable and very on-theme for Palm Springs.
Non-Maternity Dresses to Wear During and After Pregnancy - Shopping for maternity clothes can be a drag because they’re expensive and often not very cute. Finding dresses you love that you can wear during pregnancy and afterwards is such money saver and great wardrobe investment.
How to Dress During Pregnancy without Maternity Clothes - If you are absolutely adamant that you don’t want to wear maternity clothes during your pregnancy, I have an entire guide to hacking your wardrobe to accommodate a growing belly. Most of the recommended clothing items you already have in your closet.
Accessorize with Stacking Bracelets - If you want to pack light and avoid heavy luggage, may I suggest packing some simple basics and just adding sparkly stacking bracelets for a modern boho touch. No matter how big you get during pregnancy, your jewelry will still fit!