I’ve loved Palm Springs, California ever since I first stepped off the plane back in 2017. Natalie was the sweetest two-year-old, and Thomas was just six months old. The sun was shining, we were on vacation, and Jeff’s family was there to greet us. His parents have had a place in Palm Springs for over two decades, but the Kladder family legacy in the area stretches back even further.
Peter and Arlene Kladder—Jeff’s grandparents—once had a vacation home there. As their children grew up, they too found their own places nearby. Today, in addition to a few of Peter and Arlene’s old friends and Jeff’s parents, several of Jeff’s uncles and an aunt also have places there.
Desert Lani 3 is the loveliest little condo association, with 20 units nestled around a central courtyard that feels straight out of the 1960s. It’s complete with a sparkling pool, desert landscaping, and the friendliest neighbors - most of which snuck our kids little pieces of candy all week. Located just five minutes from the Palm Springs Airport and within walking distance of downtown, it also offers some of the prettiest mountain views you’ll find. Most days include a round of golf, an afternoon by the pool, and a proper happy hour.
We’re so grateful for the time we spent with Jeff’s parents, Tom and Marilynne. The kids were showered with love from their grandparents, we soaked up every bit of sunshine, ate amazing food, and played plenty of board games—well, Thomas, Jeff, and Grandpa did most of the playing, and went for long morning walks. Here are a few more highlights from our 2025 Spring Break trip:
While we were in town, we took the opportunity to celebrate both of the kids' birthdays. Thomas turned eight less than two weeks ago, and Natalie turns ten next week. Mari baked their favorites—double chocolate for Natalie and lemon for Thomas.
One of our favorite activities this trip was hiking. The kids are finally old enough to really enjoy climbing rocks and soaking in the sights. On our hike to Tahquitz Falls, Natalie jumped at the chance to take a cold plunge into the freezing mountain water—Thomas, on the other hand, needed a little bribing: an extra slice of leftover birthday cake before lunch did the trick.
We also made it back out to Joshua Tree National Park—a place we visited back when both kids were still small enough to be carried in front and back packs. Check out the photo below from our 2017 visit! The park still feels so wild to us, like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, with its quirky trees and randomly stacked rocks. It honestly feels like another planet. The kids had a blast climbing boulders, and I just loved being outside, active, and all together as a family. The views were the icing on the cake.
Golf was also on the agenda for the week. Jeff played three rounds with his dad at Escena Golf Club, which made lugging his clubs out for the trip totally worth it. One of my favorite parts about their golf days? Meeting them for brunch afterward at the course. Nothing says vacation quite like a $15 bottomless mimosa bar!
The whole crew got in on the golf action with a fun afternoon at Boomers for mini golf. Everyone got a hole-in-one—except for Jeff, which the kids found absolutely hilarious.
Another highlight was our visit to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, a family favorite every time we’re in town. But this time, we went at night! They were hosting a special Glow in the Park experience, which we got to enjoy along with the usual animal exhibits. We loved it. The showstopper? An enormous glowing dragon that absolutely stole the scene.
One of my all-time favorite things to do is stroll through downtown Palm Springs with a coffee in hand. Snapping a photo of the kids in front of the Palm Springs I ❤️ You sign never gets old. This time, we added two new stops to our usual route. First, we discovered an incredible French bakery where the kids ordered a chocolate tongue and devoured it in seconds. Then we made our way to the massive Marilyn Monroe statue that now sits just outside the Palm Springs Art Museum.
One of my favorite activities in Palm Springs is taking morning walks through the Movie Colony. Known as TMC, this neighborhood was once home to Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra. One morning, Thomas joined me on my walk, and we strolled past Sinatra's former home. The houses are meticulously maintained, showcasing some of the coolest mid-century modern architecture.
This trip was a perfect blend of familiar favorites and new memories, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the time spent together. Whether we were hiking, golfing, or simply soaking up the sunshine, every moment was a reminder of how lucky we are to share these experiences as a family. Until next time, Palm Springs—thanks for the sunshine and the memories.
