My 12 year old daughter and I are planning to attend a few days in Palm Springs for the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament.

We will have a day to do some sightseeing around Palm Springs, not tennis. We are staying in Palm Springs.

I haven't rented a car yet, but the flights and hotel are booked. I didn't rent a car because I was planning on taking rides to the tournament from our hotel. Plus they have jacked up the car prices for the week of Indian Wells to $300 a day for a standard.

Anyways, we may just take a lift to Joshua Tree. But I am open to recommendations. Thank you for your help.

There's an aerial tram with a restaurant at the top with sweet views. There's some good restaurants - one we really liked was called Grotto. Also did a lot of hanging by the pool when not at the tennis tournament. It's an awesome event. Enjoy !

Yes the tram to the top of the mountain is definitely something you should do. And there's some nice hiking trails up there too if you want. It's amazing that it's such a different climate than the desert below.

Joshua Tree isn't far and is worth seeing.

I will definitely plan on the tram. That sounds perfect. I have since had a talk with my daughter about Joshua Tree, and she likes adventurous hikes like Bee Hive Trail in Acadia. She said Joshua Tree sounded boring lol.

I will definitely look into Grotto. We are staying at the Thompson. I read you can order poolside there too. We may just hang out by the pool one afternoon.

The tram is awesome. I've been twice. Once in July and once in September. In July it was 128 at the bottom and 78 when we got to the top. When are you going? I've heard in April there is still snow at the top at times. If that early take layers.

If you talk her into Joshua Tree, go to Hidden Valley. I promise you she will like it.

My only recommendation is to check out a Coachella Valley Firebirds ice hockey game.

Great new arena with a great new fan base.

https://cvfirebirds.com/schedule/2025-26-schedule/

Was just out there in January.

Agree that the top suggestion is probably taking the tram and hiking around up there.

Going down to the Indian Canyons is also a great option. Victor Loop covers some desert views as well as a palm canyon.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/victor-loop

If you go out to Joshua Tree, your kid will enjoy the climbing around Arch Rock. It's not really on the map below, but there's space to climb and explore between Arch Rock and White Tank Campground.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/heart-rock-and-arch-rock-via-arch-rock-trail

Joshua Tree is well worth it, but taking a Lyft is crazy. Check into Turo to see if you can get a decent price on a car for the day.