Our California Trip - Part 4 - Palm Springs

After our wonderfully busy 3 days at Disneyland and California Adventure Park we knew we wanted to slow things down a little and have a couple of days of relaxation. So we headed out to the desert to stay in Palm Springs for a couple of nights. 

When I was researching hotels in Palm Springs I found that most hotels in town weren't really family friendly for a family of 5 due to room size and layout so we decided to stay out of town (20 mins) in a villa at the Marriott Resort Desert Springs. This was a great choice for us as we could all spread out a little, catch up on some washing and make a few meals at home. Plus there was everything we needed in the resort, pool , kids play area, restaurants, supermarket etc

Day 11 - Palm Springs

We checked out of our Disney hotel and drove  the 2 hours to Palm Springs.

There was the most beautiful scenery on the drive,  you could really see the landscape change. Mountains on one side and the desert on the other. Along the way we stopped a couple of times to jump out and take photos at Cabazon Dinosaurs and with the wind turbines.

We passed the Desert Hill Outlet stores but as we weren't in a shopping mood we kept driving.

We arrived in Palm Springs and took a drive through town to get our bearings. I knew that "that pink door" was only a couple of streets back from the centre of town so we just had to make a stop for some photos there. It is just as beautiful in real life and quite surreal to see one of my favourite Pinterest pics in front of me!

As our villa was out of town we decided to hang out in Palm Springs a bit before driving to our hotel. All the hotels in Palm Springs allow you to chill out by their pool and eat at their restaurants. 

We checked out The Ace Hotel + The Saguaro for a bite to eat and a swim.

We then headed to our villa to check in.

Day 12 - Palm Springs

We had a sleep in and then decided to relax by the pool for a couple of hours. Our boys are like fish and always happy when they are swimming. Our feet were happy for a rest too after all the walking they did in Disneyland! By lunch time we had decided to try a couple of the frozen drinks the bar had. Simon had some kind of Corona/Margarita combo and I had a mango daiquiri. Bliss!

Later on that afternoon we drove back in to Palm Springs for a browse around the shops and of course had to stop for lunch at In n Out.

Palm Springs was a lovely change of pace for us. Everyone seems to come to town to hang by the pool and relax. Maybe some squeeze in a game of golf in that desert heat. I couldn't get enough of those palm trees against the mountains. Stunning!

Day 13 - Joshua Tree
(on our way to Las Vegas)

We checked out of our hotel and drove towards the Joshua Tree National Park about 1 hr away.
The park is huge and has lots of entrances. You can choose to camp there or just drive through one of the loop roads to see a bit of the amazing landscapes, beautiful rocks and stunning Joshua Trees.

We drove the loop road between Joshua Tree Town and Twenty Nine Palms Town in the Mojave Desert section of the Joshua Tree National Park. We entered at The West Entrance Station of the park. We then drove for 1 hour through the national park stopping for photos and taking in the beautiful scenery. There are some amazingly huge boulders that you can rock climb on if you have the equipment. We decided to just take photos in front of them ;)

We then drove the 4 hours to Las Vegas.
I'll share more details of the Vegas leg of the trip tomorrow.

Some places on my Palm Springs sight seeing list......

Wind Turbines

Palm Springs sign

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Moorten Botanical Garden

Ace Hotel

That pink door -
(1100 E Sierra Way)

Parker Hotel

Saguaro Hotel

Joshua Tree

Outlet Stores

Palm Spring Restaurants

Norma's - Parker Hotel

Cheeky's - fab brunch

Birba - Italian

Ice Cream Shoppe - 1551 N Palm Canyon Dr

Kings Highway diner - Ace Hotel

Fresh Agave - Mexian Bar + Grill


You can catch up on the other sections of our California trip here.....

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

A weekend in the Blue Mountains.

On the weekend we drove up to the Blue Mountains to catch up with some family and check out a few of the local sites. To go from the beach to the mountains in a couple of hours is amazing. 

I love that we have all of these beautiful spots so close to Sydney. 

We arrived at Leura around lunchtime and popped into Leura Garage for a quick bite. The floral wall was stunning and the food was pretty good too ;)

We then drove to Echo Point and had a look at the Three Sisters. 

The view is breath taking. All that green!

Of course I had to take a photo of the 3 brothers and the 3 sisters!

 The streets of Leura are lovely and green with lots of interesting shops to browse and cute restaurants to pop into.

We had a browse in all of the shops in the main street of Leura and finished up in the lolly shop

Lots of lollies from our childhoods here!

It was a hot day in the mountains so we decided to head to The Fairmont Resort where we were staying for a swim to cool off. The resort is reminiscent of a country lodge and is really set up for families. They had an indoor and outdoor pool, 2 games rooms, tennis courts, a mini outdoor maze, train rides and movie nights.

Every Saturday afternoon they have a train ride that does a couple of laps of the carpark. 

The boys were happy with that although it would have been nice if they did a tour of the grounds as they are gorgeous and so big.

We decided for dinner in the buffet restaurant as it was quick with the kids. The food was really fresh and lovely and lots of local produce was used. The pumpkin soup was delish!

The dessert buffet was the perfect finishing touch.

After an after dinner run around in the games room we got the kids settled for bed. 

We were all in the same family room which had 2 double beds for us to share. They were so comfortable we all slept in until 9am the next morning. Thank you black out curtains!

After a leisurely breakfast (another fab buffet spread) we headed off for a bit more sight seeing and drove to Medlow Bath to the Hydro Majestic which has recently undergone a huge refurbishment.

We were having lunch in the Boiler House Cafe but as we were a little early it gave us a chance to have a look inside the main restaurant and Pavilion and a wander around the grounds. It was all stunning!

The fresh white really pops against the blue sky and green of the trees.

(Boiler House Cafe)

They also do an amazing High Tea in the most beautiful room overlooking the Megalong Valley. 

I will definitely be coming back to do this!

(Wintergarden - High Tea)

We had a great weekend in the Blue Mountains but of course there is so much more to see and do.

You tend to forget these amazing places so close to home. 

We will be back to do more soon!

Have you been up to the Blue Mountains recently?

Where do you stay? What are your favourite places to visit?

Road Trip?

What would be your ultimate Road Trip? It's got me thinking....

The  School Holidays are coming up and I will be taking the kids and driving 7 hours to visit some family. My essentials with the boys are food (I try to get a mix of healthy and "fun" snacks!) and entertainment (ipod, dvd player, games etc)plus pillows, blankets etc to encourage that fabulous thing called sleep :)

The reality of my Road Trips is depicted in this picture below!

Think National Lampoons Vacation!

Think "are we there yet?", Wiggles songs, endless games of Ispy, squabbles between the boys, need I go on?!

But my Ultimate Road Trip would look something like this!

A girls Road Trip, heading to a gorgeous Beach Destination :)

Anywhere with sun, sand and surf would be fine with me!

Swoon, the perfect holiday cottage?!

My Road Trip Essentials include :

1. Fabulous company - a great friend up for some fun interspersed with relaxation.

2. Yummy snacks - Favourites from my childhood are Chico babies, Minties (remember the competition to unravel the wrapper into the longest piece?) water, fruit (boring but makes me feel virtuous!) I always intend to pack healthy sandwiches, dried fruit etc but you will mostly find me doing a Maccas stop or chips from the Service Station ;)

3. A comfy wardrobe.

 Think denim shorts, Havaianas, sunglasses a MUST! 

4. The Playlist - My taste tends to run to the Golden Oldies when driving thanks to my parents. I still remember every song to John Williamsons "True Blue" album (thanks dad!) 

Growing up the tapes played were Kenny Rogers, Dr Hook, Credence Clearwater Revival, Jimmy Barnes and I love to have one or two Power Ballads to belt out. Think "Total Eclipse of the Heart" or anything by Pat Benatar :) 

My eldest son and I share a love of Top 40 Music, so when we travel together we are singing along to Katy Perry, Rihanna, Adele, Bruno Mars etc. It's an eclectic mix!

But on my ultimate Road Trip to a beach holiday I would have to have The Beach Boys playing. I especially love Little Deuce Coupe.

So Summer, So Fun!

I've had some fabulous Road Trips in my life so far. 

Family holidays to the Gold Coast, Girls trips away to the South Coast (there is a coastal theme happening here!)and the most adventurous was Simon and I driving around Europe together before we had the boys. I can't wait to create more Road Trip memories for the boys and for us as a family.

 So tell me all about your Road Trips so far. 

What would be your ultimate trip? Who would you take?

What is your favourite driving song? Favourite snack?

I'd love to know :)

Simone xx

PS- This post was written as part of the Win a Ford Territory and Kidspot Challenge.