Family Fun at The Living Desert

No longer the playground for the retired generation, Palm Springs has been working to cultivate a younger, hipper image.  This includes reaching out to families with the activities and attractions in the area that will appeal to all sizes and shapes of families.

The Living Desert is just that kind of attraction.

Founded in 1970, The Living Desert is a combination zoo and botanical garden based entirely on the desert eco-system.  It covers about 1,200 acres of land, and is a pioneer in environmental education and native wildlife rehabilitation.  It also has active captive breeding and plant propagation programs.  The organization sustains itself through admissions and an aggressive membership and volunteer program.

I’d recommend visiting in the morning, shortly after opening.  The weather is not yet hot and uncomfortable, and the animals are a lot more active.  If you’re lucky, you may even get to see some of them having breakfast.  Be sure to catch the giraffes being hand fed.  It’s amazing to get an up close look at these amazing gangly creatures.

I also love the meerkats (also called mongoose).  They live communally and are quite playful and mischievous.  I’d suggest watching them for an extended bit of time, rather than hurrying by, so you get a sense of their remarkable personalities.  And they are just so darned cute!

As you walk along the various pathways, you’ll see other wildlife as well as lots of plants and flowers native to the desert.  There’s more to the desert eco-system than just cactus, and I’m always surprised as what blooms here.

There’s a children’s play park and picnic area, so the little ones have room to blow off steam, and adults have a place to rest up, too.  Another child friendly attraction is the Petting Kraal – a petting zoo where both kids and adults can get up close and personal with African goats, Ankole cattle, Sicilian dwarf donkeys, Jacob’s sheep and Nubian goats – species that live in the African deserts.

The Living Desert is located at 47-900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, just a few minutes from Palm Springs and Indio.   Season hours are Daily 9 am – 5 pm (August 30th – June 15th).  Summer hours are Daily 9 am – 1:30 pm (June 16th – August 31st).

Admission: $12.50 for adults, $11 for seniors (62+) and military, $7.50 for children ages 3-12, and children under 3 are free.  Discounted admission is available during summer hours.

A couple of hours should allow you to see everything The Living Desert has to offer, and if you’re a real animal fan, allow yourself 3-4 hours. Bring your camera, wear comfortable walking shoes, and drink plenty of water. Remember, it’s a desert out there.

Photo credit: SXC