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Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway with kids
Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway is a 8h 26m drive from Dublin, CA (452 miles) and rates 3.3 out of 5 for families with young kids. Desert warmth in midwinter, a cable car up to alpine air, and a zoo where you feed giraffes. Good for 2–4 days. Budget roughly $1,800–3,800 against a fixed yardstick of 2 nights, family of four. Best months: December (Warm Escape!) / April.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway & Desert Oasis Palms
Drive from Dublin, CA
8h 26m
Recommended stay
2–4 days
Best for ages
4-13
Distance
452 mi
Cost, 2 nights, family of four
$1,800–3,800
Kid score
3.3/5
Grown-up score
4.0/5
Best window
December (Warm Escape!) / April
Route: I-5 S → I-210 E → I-10 E
Written 2026-07 · drive time routed · prices checked 2026-08.
Written 2026-07 · drive time routed · prices checked 2026-08.
What to do with kids in Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway $33 adult, $18 kid
Rotate up 8,500ft into cool alpine pine forest with snow play in winter! - Living Desert Zoo & Gardens $44.95 adult, $34.95 kid
Feed giraffes, rhinos, desert animal habitats & discovery playground. - Joshua Tree National Park $30 per car
Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden & bouldering climbing for kids.
Prices link to the operator, last checked 2026-08. They change - check before you go.
Where to eat
- Elmer's Restaurant — Famous pancakes & family breakfast
- Chef Tanya's Kitchen — Organic plant-based deli
- Shanghai Red's Oyster Bar — Desert seafood staple
How it scores
Weighted for families with kids aged roughly 3-8.
Things kids enjoy4
Logistics & naps4
Food4
Drive ease0.9
Value3
The same destination, scored for a trip without the kids.
Dining4
Romance4
Scenery4
Walkable4
Nightlife4
Weather by season
| Month | High / Low |
|---|---|
| Apr | 88/57°F |
| Aug | 108/78°F |
| Dec | 70/44°F |
Common questions
- How long is the drive from Dublin, CA?
About 8h 26m - roughly 452 miles. - What does it cost for a family of four?
Around $1,800–3,800 for 2 nights, family of four, including lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend. - When is the best time to go?
December (Warm Escape!) / April.
This trip appears in
What we checked, and when
| Fact | Where it comes from | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Drive time | routed from Dublin, CA | |
| Attractions still open | operator sites and park agencies | not yet |
| Attraction prices | operator sites, linked above | |
| Opening hours | we do not publish opening hours | - |
| Restaurants | from the guide | not yet |
| Watch-out notes | we found nothing to flag | - |
| Trip cost | our own estimate | not yet |
True on the dates above. Prices and opening hours change without notice - check with the operator before you drive.
Other trips near here
Solvang
A Danish-built village of windmills and bakeries, with an ostrich farm outside town.
Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Parks
The largest living things on Earth, reached on flat paved trails a small child can manage.
Pismo Beach
A wide flat beach you can drive onto, a dinosaur-themed playground and a monarch grove.
Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.