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Located within a two and a half hour drive from LA lies Joshua Tree, a magical place in the Mojave Desert.
If you’ve never been to Joshua Tree before, here’s what to expect: towering boulders, curious rock formations, mesmerizing sunsets, unique plant species and dazzling stargazing experiences that will make you feel like you’re on another planet. Overall, you’ll find a sense of peace like very few places.
Joshua Tree is located in the Morongo Basin. This area is best known as the High Desert due to the 2,000 foot elevation above sea level. It encompasses the cities of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, Landers, Pioneertown, Morongo Valley and Wonder Valley.
A few years ago these were sleepy desert cities. In the last few years, the real estate market has boomed: celebrities, artists and tourists from all over the world have flocked to the High Desert. It’s always been a place where artists have gone to seek spiritual retreat and inspiration, but the growth of this area is simply fascinating to me. I’m amazed that it’s taken so long for people to catch up to its beauty and fascinating landscape. After being there for three days, I can completely understand the allure – especially if you live in a city.
on July 1st. “Have you ever seen a sunset that takes your breath away? I have seen many, but this one was a special one.”
This uptick of out-of-towners has caused an uproar among residents who have seen the drastic inflation in the housing market. Today, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms are filled with Airbnb’s providing a glamping experience. Demi Lovato stayed at the Invisible House in Joshua Tree and Jay Z and Beyonce recently put their minimalist oasis up for sale. When I got back from my trip, I saw on Instagram that three different celebrities had been there at the same time.
Notorious actress Amber Heard currently lives in Yucca Valley and former Disney Channel actress turned activist Alyson Stoner lives there too. While driving down the Twentynine Palms Highway, I could see the stargazing bubble tents that I saw on Airbnb, as well as other modern cabins and Airstreams with outdoor hot tubs.
The three main cities are Yucca ValIey, Joshua Tree and 29 Palms. Out of the three, Joshua Tree is the most artsy and liberal one. Like all the desert cities, Joshua Tree consists one one main avenue dotted with many small businesses, most of which had the LGBTQ flag. It was like LA in the desert.
I went for 2 nights, 3 days total. If you’re reading this, I encourage you to go by yourself! I can’t tell you how big of a difference it makes.
The closest thing that resembles a traditional hotel in this area is the Best Western Hotel. Other than that, 99% of visitors stay at Airbnbs. Everyone wants to get a real desert experience.
Where I stayed:
I stayed at this cozy, hippie RV I found on Airbnb. It was off the beaten path in the north part of Yucca Valley, which is called Homestead Valley. Although it looks pretty isolated, it’s not! My neighbor’s house was super close, and I could hear and see the horses in the distance. In order for me to get there, I had to drive 5 minutes on a dirt road to get in and out, so it was definitely off the grid. There was a hammock outside and a bench to sit and enjoy the view.
The RV was equipped with all the essentials: functioning kitchen, 2 beds, bathtub with hot running water and 2 AC units. The bed was really comfortable! From there, I could see the mountains in the distance. However, at night, I wish I had brought an extra blanket with me because with the AC on, it got extremely cold and with the AC off, it was extremely hot.
When you go to Joshua Tree, do not necessarily expect those red, fiery sunsets you may have seen on Instagram. The beauty of the desert is that every sunset and every sunrise is different. The weather in the desert is extremely unpredictable. On my first night it was overcast and it drizzled a little bit. Below are pictures of my first and second sunset.
On the second day, I finally got to experience a sunset with a clear blue sky and a couple of fluffy clouds. I sat there for what must have been 2 hours, watching the colors shift. To experience a sunset like this in LA, I have to drive for an hour. So, to be able to watch it just a feet away from my bed was absolutely priceless. Except for the occasional car that drove by, there was complete silence.
After the sun went down, a black blanket with tiny white dots began to emerge in the sky and within 10 minutes, the whole sky was covered with stars. It was magical.
In the early morning, I woke up to see the sunrise and spotted two Jackrabbits, which are very common in this part of California and the Sonora desert. They look like this:
6:11 AM
People who come to Joshua Tree come for the experiences. This was my first glamping experience and I can’t wait to do it again! The RV rentals have boomed in Joshua Tree. While I was driving, it was very common to see luxury airstreams in the distance. Also, RVs are cheaper than traditional cabins.
If you’re thinking of staying in an RV, do it! I admit, the first night I was a little bit apprehensive. If you grew up in a city watching Hollywood movies like I did, you hear a noise and you may automatically think you’re going to get murdered. I watched a video from this Youtuber, who also did a solo trip to Joshua Tree from Seattle. When the night came, she said she was too creeped out to watch the stars outside because it was pitch black. Like I said, I had neighbors nearby so I wasn’t completely isolated, which made me feel a lot safer. Before you book an Airbnb, make sure you read the reviews! Especially if you’re traveling by yourself.
Joshua Tree National Park
• You have to pay a $30 entrance fee that is valid for 7 days. Remember to fill up your gas tank before you enter the park because there are no gas stations inside, and the last thing you want is to get stranded in the middle of the desert heat. And speaking of stranded, make sure your car maintenance is up to date because there is no cell reception in the park. Getting a tow truck would be a big pain.
• Select and download the playlist you want before entering the park! If you want to immerse yourself in a desert wonderland, then check out my Spotify playlist here.
• Joshua National Tree Park is full of enthralling, easy hikes and sights, but I decided to stick to the main attractions. If you’re reading this and you’re planning a trip to JTNP, do not hike by yourself if you’re unfamiliar with the trails.
• Always bring a gallon of water with you. Not a 20 oz water bottle, but rather a FULL GALLON.
• Most dirt roads I came across were fenced off, but for safety reasons, always stick to paved roads.
After I went to the Skull Rock, I went to the other side of the road to take pictures. The rock formations are so beautiful that you just want to keep wandering and venturing inside. I resisted the urge to keep walking, but know that it’s incredibly easy to get lost in the desert.
Rather than sticking to maps, I went to one attraction, then I drove to the park entrance for cell reception and mapped the other sight I wanted to see. Although the park does a good job giving you directions with signs, I wanted to be extra sure of where I was heading. Compared to other sizes of National Parks in the US, Joshua Tree is only about an hour and a half drive across the entire park. With this being said, most attractions were less than a 30 minute drive from each other.
When I went to Keys View, there was a ranger talking about the Joshua Tree yucca plants in the park. He said that the yuccas can only be found in this part of California and that they only grow a small bit every year. Some of the yuccas are 100 years old!
These are the main attractions I visited, but if you’re into bouldering and hikes, I provided a few guided tours below. If you go by yourself or in a group during the summer, remember to do these activities very early in the morning before peak heat hours. Because I went by myself and it was my first time visiting, I stuck to the main sights, all of which were conveniently located and didn’t require walking too far from my car.
Skull Rock
This is probably the most photographed spot in the park!
I was so tired from the drive from LA and I still had all my stuff with me, so this was the only sight I went to on my first day.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Just the drive alone was spectacular. The cactuses are so beautiful, but dangerous! If you go there, make sure to stay on the trail. The spines are not poisonous, but I read online that they hurt a lot and can cling onto your clothes – especially when it’s windy. Despite the warning signs, there were people walking off the trail. It’s because of this that there’s a first aid box on the fence, located at the entrance if someone gets seriously hurt.
It’s a magical place, especially during the sunrise and the sunset.
Keys View
This area has the highest altitude in the park. From there, you’re able to see the entire Coachella Valley – from Palm Springs all the way to the Salton Sea. The day I went it was very hazy, so I wasn’t able to get a full clear view, but it’s definitely a must-stop if you go to Joshua Tree.
Other sights:
Joshua Tree (Town)
Like I said in the beginning of this post, the town of Joshua Tree consists of one main street (Twentynine Palms Highway) that is dotted with businesses. Most of these places are within walking distance from each other. The fact that it was an overcast day when I got there, allowed me to walk to all these places without suffocating in the scorching heat. Remember to bring a hat or an umbrella, and wear lots of sunscreen!
Take a picture by the 20ft Cowboy Big Josh at the station gift shop.
Visit the World Famous Crochet Museum
One of the most photographed places in Joshua Tree is this small museum located in the back of a store. Take a look at the different crochet pieces and the funky art outside of the museum.
Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum
A time machine! The owner, Jeff Hafler has spent over 30 years collecting more than 3,000 vintage beauty artifacts. He was super nice and encouraged me to look at all the rooms and take photos. Some people call Jeff “America’s Hairstorian” and yes, it’s not just a museum, locals come to this place to get their hair done. This is a classic Americana roadside attraction that you can’t miss.
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum
This outdoor museum is located in a residential area of Joshua Tree, about an 8 minute drive from 29 Palms Highway. It will require you to drive down an unpaved road.
African-American artist Noah Purifoy spent most of his life between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. He was also the co-founder of the Watts Towers art center in LA, where he used debris from the riots. Known for his junk sculptures, Noah became a leader of the assemblage art movement. He passed away in 2004 in Joshua Tree, where his legacy continues to attract thousands of tourists every year. The Noah Purifoy Museum is open to the public everyday and is free of charge, but donations are accepted on the website. Some of the exhibits were very odd, like the tower made out of toilets. This place really highlights the artsy atmosphere of Joshua Tree, which is outdoor, funky and eclectic.
Pioneertown
I went there on my first day to have dinner at Pappy + Harriets, a landmark in Pioneertown. There were moments on my drive when I felt as if I was on Mars with the rocky landscape. This small town near Yucca Valley was built in the 1950s for Gary Cooper’s film, Along Came Jones. Pappy + Harriets is located right at the entrance of Pioneertown. It was drizzling when I got there, and from what I could see, there was not much going on. It’s cute for a few photo ops, but other than that, there isn’t a whole lot to do.
Yucca Valley
You have to take a picture with the gorgeous, towering saguaro cactuses on Main Street!
Landers
I did not go there because The Integratron, which is the most popular sight, was closed from July until the end of August. According to Wikipedia, from the 1940s to the 1970s, Landers was a very popular destination for UFO enthusiasts. The Integration was constructed and designed by NASA Ufologist George Van Tassel, and financed through donations. Here, he held UFO conventions. Although it was never confirmed, Tassel claimed that The Integratron offered experiences such as rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel.
The Integratron was purchased in the year 2000 by sisters Nancy and Joanne Karl, who wanted to explore the unique building’s sonic qualities through sound baths. Today, you can book a reservation to have a one-of-a-kind sound bath experience. Many people are outraged that the history of the building has been overtaken by “hipster” sound baths.
Giant Rock
Giant Rock was one of the most popular spots for UFO enthusiasts in the 20th century. It is 7 stories tall, making it the largest standing boulder in the world. In February of 2000, something extraordinary happened: The Giant Rock fractured in two. The cause still remains a mystery: was it the weather or aliens?
Sadly, the Giant Rock hasn’t been properly maintained. In the pictures, you can see graffiti and litter. If you want to make the trip, it is a 3-mile drive from The Integratron on an unpaved road.
Note: It is very common to find white supremacists and confederate flags in Landers. There are also meth labs, illegal pot farms and overall, run-down shacks. As a person of color myself, I wouldn’t feel comfortable driving to Giant Rock on my own.
Other resources:
If you want to have a unique experience inside the park, please refer to these tour companies.
You can stargaze from anywhere in the High Desert, but If you want to do it inside the park without camping or staying overnight, you can do it with Sky Watcher, which provides a 2-hour stargazing experience inside the park. Binoculars and food are provided by your guide.
You can also book a stargazing tour with JoshuaTreeExcursions.com with an astronomer. Food is also provided and you’ll get a close-up look at the stars through a telescope. It’s more expensive than the first option, but it might be worth it.
For more information on customized, guided hikes, climbs and more, visit the Joshua Tree Excursions website or Instagram.
You can also go horseback riding inside the park with Knobb Hill Ranch, a private ranch company.
Go on a Hummer off-road tour from Palm Desert, which is located on the other side of the park.
Depending on what type of meditative practice you want, you can book a spiritual retreat through Airbnb experiences.
Raven’s Books
On my way back from Joshua Tree on my second day, I happened to spot Raven’s Books. I made a u-turn and parked in the lot. When I went inside, it was books galore! A smorgasbord of every genre you can think of: sci-fi, horror, metaphysics… it was there. The owner, Patty, who couldn’t have been more helpful, said the bookshop had been there for 30 years. On the Yelp business bio, I found that she had purchased the bookshop in 2013 and that she loved the desert community. Patty lives in San Diego part-time, so you’ll only be able to go to Raven’s Books from Thursdays to Sundays.
Food
Whoever said there is no good food in the High Desert clearly doesn’t know where to eat! Yes, there are not as many food options as you would find in a more populated area, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good restaurants. Below is a compiled list of the places I went, plus the places I want to try next time.
La Copine Kitchen (Flamingo Heights)
My Airbnb was a mere 6 minutes away from this place! Unfortunately, the owners, Nikki and Claire, were on their summer break in Europe, so it was closed until the end of August. It is a 15-minute drive from Yucca Valley. I was surprised that such a famous restaurant was in this secluded location called Flamingo Heights. It overlooks the open desert with the Joshua Trees, an unbeatable location that will for sure add to the experience. La Copine has been featured in the NY Times, Vogue, and LA Eater.
Actress Olivia Wilde is also a fan of this place! I can’t wait to try their delicious food!
UPDATE (MAY 2023) READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE!
Because of the restaurant’s popularity and the small team, you have to call to make a reservation!
Yucca Kabob (Yucca Valley)
Yucca kabob is a family-owned restaurant. The reviews weren’t lying when they said: “Everything is super fresh”. This was a late lunch/dinner for me. After I sat down, a family of European tourists came in, but it was nice because it wasn’t busy.
One of the sons, who couldn’t have been more than 18 years old, took my order. Although I wasn’t particularly blown away by the pita bread or the rice, the salad, the chicken and the hummus were incredible! But what probably stands out to me the most was the salad and the hummus.
Frontier Cafe (Yucca Valley)
This place was highly recommended! Frontier Cafe is LGBTQ-owned and they offer bagels, salads and a wide range of vegan items made with locally sourced ingredients! Also, when I was looking at pictures on Frontier’s Instagram, I came across a photo of Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly in the summer of 2021, where they took a picture with a fan.
I got the sausage, egg and cheddar muffin, which was very tasty and warm. Honestly, I didn’t expect to like it so much. It was the perfect place to grab a quick bite before heading out to the National Park. If you’re looking for a diner-style American breakfast, this isn’t the place.
Natural Sisters Cafe (Joshua Tree)
Because the check-in at my Airbnb wasn’t until 3pm, I decided to drive to Joshua Tree and into the National Park. But before I did that, I needed to repIenish from the drive from LA. All the sandwiches look amazing in the photos! If you don’t know what to order, the employee said that the Bean Burger was their most popular menu item. I inquired about the pastries, and she said that most of them are made in-house. I wanted something light so I ordered their most popular sandwich, the avocado sandwich, which was amazing!
JT Crossroads Cafe (Joshua Tree)
When I saw a photo on Yelp of their eggs, my mouth watered. They do eggs like no other place! I ordered scrambled eggs and a sausage patty with potatoes and a side of bread. The sausage patty and the potatoes were ok, but the rest was absolutely delicious, even the bread, which I ate with ham. The service was very accommodating and they made me feel as if I was at their home! Make sure to come hungry!
Joshua Tree Coffee Company
Although there aren’t that many options for artisanal coffee shops, Joshua Tree Coffee Company is the one-stop shop in Joshua Tree for all things coffee. Their bags of coffee were also available for sale in other restaurants and shops around the area.
I came here on my third day for an iced coffee before heading over to Crossroads Cafe for breakfast. I DMed them on Instagram asking about the mission of the coffee shop and this is what they said:
“Our passion for producing some of the best coffee in the world is rooted in our commitment to raising awareness of the damage caused by conventional, non-organic coffee. Over 91% of worldwide coffee is heavily treated with pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that are often harmful to people and the environment. Which led to our founding to be a solution to this problem while also capturing the wonderful essence of the desert and community around us.”
What do you like about living in Joshua Tree?
The natural beauty and culture of our one-of-a-kind surroundings.
What places do you recommend?
If you’ve never been before we’d highly suggest exploring for yourself. Not sure which hike to take, don’t worry they’re all lovely in their own ways. Where to eat? Try around any of the local restaurants and you won’t be disappointed.
Kasa Carniceria y Taqueria (Yucca Valley)
Hidden gem! This was my last food stop in the High Desert! Most blogs will tell you to go to Algoberto’s, but after reading the raving reviews from people claiming this was the best burrito they’ve had in their lives, I had to try it myself. Kasa is a grocery store, which, besides selling Hispanic goods, also sells meat. In the back, they have a counter where you can order tacos and burritos. I ordered a chicken burrito with extra rice, and even though it was only 11:30 am, a line quickly formed behind me as I was placing my order. Because I was so fulI from the breakfast at JT Crossroads Kitchen, I ended up eating the burrito 4 hours later in my car in Palm Springs with the AC on full blast. The chicken in the burrito was incredibly tender and everything tasted really fresh, which I didn’t think would be possible after 4 hours. Sadly, I wasn’t feeling my best so I didn’t eat the whole thing.
After Joshua Tree, I decided to stop by the Salton Sea on my way back home because I had never been there before. By the time I got to Palm Springs for a quick stop, I was lightheaded and couldn’t wait to get back to LA. Even if you have AC, driving in 111°F is no joke, but if you go to Joshua Tree and you’re in the mood for casual Mexican food, you can’t miss Kasa!
I forgot to take a picture of my burrito.
Pappy and Harriet’s (Pioneertown)
This saloon in Pioneertown which also serves as a music venue, has been a landmark for many years. Inside, there is a stage and the walls are decorated with license plates from all the US states.
I ordered the burger with fries. The meat was really good. The fries were also outstandingly good, but the condiments were underwhelming.
For desserts, they had cheesecake and chocolate cake. The waiter told me that they get the desserts every day from a local bakery. Sadly, the cheesecake was way too sweet for my taste and I didn’t finish it. It was so overloaded with caramel and syrups, that I had to maneuver around them to eat the actual cheesecake part.
When I was about to place my order, the waiter told me that the ribs and the mac and cheese were delicious. I had the option to choose a side of mac and cheese, but I wanted something lighter, so I had the fries, which, again, were reaaally good. Next to me there was a French family. One of the fathers ordered the ribs, which seemed to be their most popular menu item and once he took the first bite, he uttered “wooow” like 7 times. Also when I left, everyone seemed to be eating the mac and cheese, which looked amazing.
Other places I didn’t go:
The Jelly Donut in Yucca Valley is the best place in the High Desert for freshly made donuts.
Giant Rock Meeting Room in Flamingo Heights. They offer fresh pastries and specialty coffee in the mornings and pizzas in the afternoon! On certain days of the week, they host open mic nights, karaoke nights and live music!
The Tiny Pony in Yucca Valley for cheeseburgers!
I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of mom-and-pop bakeries. These are the most popular:
Luna Bakery in Yucca Valley.
Campbell Hill Bakery in Twentynine Palms.
Boo’s Organic Oven in Joshua Tree.
Vintage Clothing Shops
Do not expect to come to Joshua Tree to find easy bargains as you would in Los Angeles or any other big city. Vintage shops in the desert are expensive. Most of them are boho-style boutiques where you’ll find beautiful cowboy boots, stunning handmade jackets, accessories and jewelry from local artists. Here are some of the most popular vintage shops:
Moon Wind Trading Company in Flamingo Heights.
Moss + Ginger in Joshua Tree.
Ricochet Vintage Wears in Joshua Tree.
Hoof & The Horn in Joshua Tree.
Promised Land in Joshua Tree.
Every time I think of this trip, a sense of calm comes over me. For many people, the beach is their happy place, for me, it’s the desert. The energy vortices of this place are quite unique. It was also a time for reflection, where I got to really slow down from the everyday hustle and bustle – and I could tell the difference. When I drove into Los Angeles, I felt as if I had just come back from a different world. I was slightly annoyed by the traffic and the chaos of rush hour. I kept thinking: “I wish I could go back to my Airbnb to enjoy my quiet and peaceful solitude in nature.” Now I get why desert gentrification is a thing. In an ideal world, I could definitely see myself having a second residence in Joshua Tree.
Have you been to Joshua Tree before?
Craig
September 7, 2022Morongo Valley is at 2500+ft. Yucca is 4,000ft elevation.
Giant rock split from people lighting fires underneath it. Not a mystery.