It was Easter Sunday 2022. Tyler and I drove out to Indio to look at a house, which is a strange thing to do on a holiday but here we were. The place was yellow. The furniture was grandma-brown. The carpet was the kind that has lived through several decades and multiple pets. And standing in that living room, I could see exactly what it could be.
We excused ourselves from Easter dinner at his aunt's house, snuck into the living room, and wrote an offer on our phones. That house became The Cozy Cactus. What followed was several months of Facebook Marketplace trips, a Honda Element packed beyond what physics should allow, and a crash course in what it actually means to host someone well.
The Honda Element that started it all. Still running in 2026, still fitting everything, sand and all.
Easter 2022: The Day Everything Changed
One step led to another, and before I knew it, my now husband, Tyler, who is also a real estate agent (lucky me!) were driving out to Indio, CA on Easter day in 2022 to take a look at what would eventually become The Cozy Cactus. After talking to the seller, taking countless videos, and seeing the potential that this home had, we drove back to his aunt's house, excused ourselves to the living room, where we wrote our offer.
The blank canvas: yellow walls, grandma furniture, traditional brown. You know exactly the kind of house I'm talking about.
Imagine some wallpaper, white walls, and no icky carpet
Doesn't this look like your grandma's living room?
The Facebook Marketplace Phase
Before I knew it, AGAIN, I was researching sofa beds (I still haven't found a comfortable one…), stalking facebook marketplace for the best deals all around town, going to Marshall's, Ross, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, etc to see if I could find any non-generic wall art (everyone knows the cow print). My days turned into bopping all around LA picking up a $10 sound machine (I now know better that time is money), squishing a West Elm dining table in my Honda Element (there has been nothing this car cannot fit), and slowly piecing together a discombobulated Airbnb that I prayed to the Lord almighty was a good decision. A Tesla definitely would've been easier.
You're going to see a theme throughout my life - how much I love this car.
You have no idea how hard it was to get this Foosball in and out of my car... imagine all the metal sticks sliding in and out!
What I Learned from Bad Airbnbs
As a frequent traveler myself, I have been to my share of Airbnbs, both decent and horrible at the same time. Why are the knives always SO dull and the kitchen so bare? Why are the beds so springy and outdated? When was the last time the floors were cleaned?
I slowly learned that not only do you get what you pay for (back when I was a poor college student, I booked Airbnbs with shared bathrooms… ew), but there is also an intentionality that some hosts approach hospitality with, and it can be as simple as adding a $30 knife sharpener for guests.
The Gap Nobody Was Filling
I realized infant care was being treated as an afterthought. Something you tacked on if a guest requested it, not something you built into the foundation. That felt completely backwards. My friends with kids traveled with all. the. things. Between a pack n play, Joey's random binkie, Ellie's special baby shampoo, and the prized sound machine, it always seemed so exhausting to travel. As I was furnishing my rental, I tried to imagine myself as a tired mom scrolling through Airbnb, looking for a place where she could maybe have some rest. After all, traveling with kids is a trip, not a vacation, I hear!
So when I bought the property that became The Cozy Cactus, I started there. How do families with young kids rest? Not "what makes a cute listing photo," but what makes a mom not want to leave by day two because it's too much work to stay?
If you're curious about the local area surrounding the property, I put together a guide to 10 Indio gems only locals know about: the restaurants, date farms, and hidden spots worth your time while you're visiting the Coachella Valley. And if you're planning around the heat, the desert vacation prep guide covers what to pack and how to structure your days.
All. The. Things. Why families needed a different kind of vacation rental
Photo: Third Wall Photography | Styling: The Olive Jar
Frequently Asked Questions
How did The Cozy Cactus get its name?
Honestly, I needed something that felt like the desert without being generic. "Cozy" came from the specific feeling I wanted guests to have walking in: settled, comfortable, ready to stop moving. "Cactus" because it's Indio and there's no pretending otherwise. Together it stuck.
Is The Cozy Cactus good for families with babies?
It was built for exactly that. Pack-n-play with a real crib mattress, Stokke high chair, baby monitor, sound machine, outlet covers, and a fully labeled kitchen are all on-site. The goal was to remove the gear-hauling part of traveling with an infant so parents could actually rest.
What is the neighborhood like around The Cozy Cactus?
Indian Palms Country Club is a gated residential community with palm-lined streets, three community pools, pickleball courts, and a golf course. It's quiet, no through traffic, and about 2.5 miles from the Coachella festival grounds. The back gate opens directly to the community pool path.
How close is The Cozy Cactus to Coachella and Stagecoach?
About 2.5 miles from Empire Polo Club, which means the walk takes 25-45 minutes depending on where you're starting. It's one of the only neighborhoods in the valley where walking to the festival is actually practical, without shuttles or surge pricing.
What is the most scenic way to drive to The Cozy Cactus from Los Angeles?
Take I-10 East to the Date Palm Drive exit, then cut south through Palm Springs on Highway 111 before heading east to Indio. The extra 15 minutes through Palm Springs drops you into the valley floor with the San Jacinto Mountains framing everything to the west. If you want efficiency, I-10 straight through works. If you want to actually feel like you've arrived somewhere, Highway 111 through the valley is the right call.
What is the best time of year to stay at The Cozy Cactus?
October through April is the comfortable window. March and November hit the sweet spot: warm enough to use the pool, cool enough to eat outside in the evening. Festival season in April books fastest. Summer is 110 degrees and pool-only by design, which works if that is what you want but is a different kind of trip.
How many nights should I plan for a Cozy Cactus stay?
Plan 3 nights minimum: one day for Joshua Tree, one pool day, one Old Town Indio and Shields Date Garden day. Two nights feels rushed once you factor in driving time and getting groceries. Four lets you add a Palm Springs day trip without sacrificing anything.
What should I know before arriving at The Cozy Cactus?
The nearest full grocery store is Stater Bros. on Monroe, about a 5-minute drive. Stock up before you get to the house because Indian Palms has nothing walkable for groceries. During festival weekends, Monroe Street sees heavy traffic from 2pm onward, so time your arrival before noon or after 8pm. Self-check-in via smart lock, codes come 24 hours before arrival.
If you're planning a trip to the Coachella Valley with kids, The Cozy Cactus is built around exactly that: families who need gear, space, and a host who thought about the pack-n-play before you asked. For an honest guest perspective on the property, read the Cozy Cactus review.