By 
The first time I went to Joshua Tree was in the summer of 2016. I was visiting Palm Springs and spent one night there. Right before the sunset, instead of strolling around Downtown Palm Springs, I decided to go to Joshua Tree National Park on a whim. Once I reached the top of the Yucca Grade on Highway 62, a wave of calmness washed over me. The High Desert had a more rural feel than the glitz and glamour of Palm Springs. On that trip, I experienced the beauty and rawness of the desert for the first time.
The second time I went to Joshua Tree was in August 2022, where I spent two nights. This was the beginning of many trips that took place in 2023. Now that I look back, I can’t believe I spent six years without visiting! As of March 2024, I’ve already been to Joshua Tree twice this year. The thought of not going back in months is inconceivable.
Since I started visiting, I also took the time to educate myself on its cons: generational poverty, underfunded schools, and fragile ecosystem, among other things.
What was once a sleepy town for artists, musicians and seniors, is now a hotspot for real estate and people from the city who seek a quieter lifestyle. Social media and the pandemic have further accelerated this change. Additionally, short-term rentals and luxury glamping accommodations have taken over Joshua Tree and its surrounding areas. This has created divided opinions among locals. Some say it’s great for the economy, others say it’s contributing to a housing shortage and ruining this once-affordable town.
For those who don’t know, the Joshua Tree area consists of a few small desert towns, but the three main ones are Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.
As someone who loves the desert, it’s fascinating that it’s taken Joshua Tree this long to blow up.
In 2022, Joshua Tree National Park received 3 million visitors, making it the 8th most visited national park that year. However, it wasn’t always like that. What was life like in Joshua Tree before its popularity? Luckily, I found a few people who shared with me their experiences living there before the advent of social media.
Countless celebrities have also been drawn to the magic of Joshua Tree. Actor Jason Momoa owns a home there. On the Aquaman press tour in Palm Springs, he said: “I love it there. That was my first home outside of my mom’s house.”
In 2022, Jason released his movie The Last Manhunt, a Western movie which he starred in, co-wrote, and produced. Shot in Pioneertown (near Joshua Tree), The Last Manhunt premiered at the first Pioneertown International Film Festival in 2022.
In the same year, Oscar-winning actor and musician Jared Leto launched his short-lived skincare brand Twentynine Palms. The brand was an homage to the rugged beauty of the desert. He said:
“The desert’s really interesting because from afar it’s certainly vast, and it can seem bleak and oppressive. But when you look closely, it’s full of life. I’ve been going there to climb and explore and spend time in that beautiful place for decades now. That’s the reason I live there, so I can be close to nature.”
Whenever people ask me, “Why do you like it?” It’s hard to answer in a few words. Whether it’s enjoying a picture-perfect sunset, or gaining a new perspective on my life, no trip to Joshua Tree is ever the same. Every time I come back to LA, it feels as if I had just returned from a meditation retreat. I feel calm and restored.
Sunset on January 15, 2024. 💕😭 Take me back please.
While I was finding interviewees for this article, I definitely underestimated the number of artists and small business owners that live in the High Desert. There are so many!!
In this post, besides asking people about their lives in Joshua Tree, I ask them about their definition of the desert.
Wherever you’re reading this from, I hope this post inspires you to visit Joshua Tree and see it from a different perspective. If you already live in the area, I hope you learn something new!
The first story is by Marcia Geiger, an artist who’s been living in Joshua Tree since 1989! What a beautiful story. If there’s someone you’re particularly interested in, I included all the links to their social media profiles and contact information. Enjoy! ❣️
Marcia Geiger
Hello Marcia! Could you please introduce yourself?
Marcia Geiger, Artist. Bona Fide Desert Rat.
You’ve been living in Joshua Tree since 1989. Wow! What was Joshua Tree like back then?
The skies were a lot darker! Sad, but true. The local dark sky ordinances help a lot, and the Park is still the best place to enjoy stargazing. But with the increasing development of the Coachella Valley to the south and the incredible growth of the Inland Empire to the west, there is now a constant glow on the horizon now. Not much we can do about that, unfortunately.
Life was definitely a lot slower, sometimes a bit too slow, but you could always count on getting a table anytime at Pappy and Harriets, the food and music were just as great then (better, imo). You might run into local musicians like Eric Burdon (The Animals, War) having morning coffee at the Country Kitchen or Park Rock Cafe in Joshua Tree.
What does the desert mean to you?
The desert is the place in this world that I feel ‘one’ with. I enjoy being close enough to the mountains and ocean so that I can enjoy those things too, but I always feel most at home here. I love being outdoors, and being able to get out into the middle of such stark beauty is a favorite pastime. I am an avid hiker.
Could you tell me more about life in Joshua Tree in the 90s?
Really, not much changed or happened during the ’90s and Naughts. There would be a surge of attention, and we all thought, “Oh! This is it! We’re gonna be on the map!”, then it always fizzled. There were a lot of great thrift shops just in Joshua Tree. There were at least 5 at one time, but they are all gone now, except for one. Now it’s boutique shops. Great for the local economy, but not nearly as charming. I guess ‘charming’ depends on your POV though. 😀 I worked at Alta’s Curiosities in the early 90s. That is when I met Fred Drake and Ted Quinn, who had just moved to town and started the now famous Rancho de La Luna Studio with David Catching.
Here’s Alta Lochridge (owner of Alta’s Curiosities) at Jeremy’s, before it became The Beatnik.
Note: Here are a few pictures of Alta Lochridge at her shop. I’d like to thank Ted Quinn for providing these amazing photos to Marcia!! If only I had a time machine to travel back to Joshua Tree in the early 90s…
Marcia: Don’s All American was short-lived. Prior to that, it was a nightclub called the Bull & Spear that also served breakfast at the bar for locals. When The B&S closed we started going to the Country Kitchen for breakfast. I see the B&S property is back up for sale.
How did you spend your free time back then?
As an artist in those earlier times, getting by was a struggle, so I had to work at other jobs to pay the bills. I guess you could say my free time was taken up making art. But for fun? Going out to see local bands, hanging out with friends (often one and the same), and exploring farther reaches of the Desert, like Kelso, Ludlow and Essex. I think what everyone does for fun.
Kelso Dunes in San Bernardino
To be honest, I didn’t go to the Monument* much back then, something I sort of regret now. Although I have made up for it lately and go at least once a week. It may sound odd, but it is truly ever-changing. I can go to the same place many times, and it’s always something different, or I see something I have never noticed before.
Note from Marcia: *You can tell how long someone has lived out here, whether they still refer to JTNP as “The Monument”. It was given National Park status in 1994.
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
My ideal day in Joshua Tree would be spending a week in the park, then coming home and painting about it. :), but there are plenty of art galleries, a variety of restaurants to eat at, and interesting places to visit, like the Noah Purifoy Museum in JT, the Integratron and Morongo Basin Historical Society in Landers, etc.
This brings me to my next question! What are your favorite places, businesses and restaurants that people should check out?
That’s a tough one, there are so many! Sam’s Indian Food and Pizza is a longtime favorite, as is Crossroads Cafe. Their eggs and polenta breakfast is to die for.
Hey There! is a wonderful art gallery and retail space. Grateful Desert Apothecary, next to the laundromat, is a homeopathic apothecary and also sells some local art.
The Joshua Tree Saloon has live music on weekends, including local musicians. The Beatnik Lounge has open mic nights on Wednesdays, sometimes music, sometimes spoken word, sometimes both! Very Bohemian!
For a real arts adventure, head out to the Glass Outhouse, east of 29 Palms on Hwy 62 out by the municipal airport.
The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery Photos by @imchrisd(left) and @m.t_la (right)
For an all ’round experience, I recommend the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, which was founded in the ’50s as the home of Mental Physics. Many of the historic buildings were designed by Lloyd Wright to fit in with the location landscape. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Their classes and events are too numerous to list here, but the Calendar on their website is a great resource.
Food For Thought Cafe offers vegetarian and vegan meals (check the website for hours) Elemental Treasures Bookstore and Gift Shop offers all kinds of locally crafted items and local art.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the Open Studio Art Tour, where hundreds of local artists either open their studios to the public, or offer a ‘shared studio’ experience in small groups. This year’s tour is Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. The event is free to the public, and includes a printed artists’ directory, an interactive directory app, and map to navigate your way around.
The website should be updated soon, as the 2024 tour gets organized:
Last, but by no means least, a group of over 85 local artists have banded together to create the Hi Desert Artists Center in Yucca Valley. We have acquired the Rte 62 Vintage Market building in Old Town Yucca Valley, and hope to have renovations finished in time for a Legacy show in April. Here’s the new site.
I am on the gallery committee, and very excited about this new venture!
We have big plans for the space and hope to have music, classes and workshops in addition to art exhibits.
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to Joshua Tree?
That I would come for a 6-week stay in 1989, and never leave! Like most young people, I had dreams of traveling, building a career, etc., but somewhere along the line, I just realized that I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, and suddenly 10, 15, 20 years had gone by. These days, I think people need to understand that there is a housing shortage. There have never been a lot of well paying jobs, unless you can work remotely or have your own gig. Public services, like transportation, law enforcement and emergency services are pretty sparse. The sheriff’s response time can be anywhere from 45 minutes, to never. All of the volunteer fire stations were closed years ago. There are reasons as to why it is cheaper to live out here than say, LA. There Will Never Be A Trader Joe’s here. So stop asking.
What is something you think everyone should do in Joshua Tree, especially if it’s their first time.
Visit the Park, of course. Without that reference, you may wonder what could possibly draw people here, and compel so many of us to stay. 🙂
You said you’re an avid hiker. Any recommendations for an inexperienced solo hiker like me? I want something easy, without feeling like I’m away from civilization.
For an easy hike that’s not usually crowded, in fact it isn’t even in the park, but it’s part of the Mojave Desert Land Trust holdings, I recommend the Nancy Karl trail. It abuts a nice residential area and is a great place to feel like you’re in the wilderness, but also close to civilization.
Put Nancy Karl Trail or 61008 Skyline Dr, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 into google maps or your gps. and you’re good to go.
Note: I went to the Nancy Karl Trail. It was so beautiful and calm! But I would say this is a MODERATE hike. You can’t appreciate it in the picture, but the trail is slightly slanted and will elevate your heart rate really quickly. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sturdy footwear, sunscreen and water! I loved listening to the sounds of the desert wilderness as I was walking. It was still winter time, so the temperature was really nice. If you go during the summer, remember to hike either early in the evening or late in the afternoon.
Marcia: In the park, you can’t go wrong with Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, or Split Rock, but you may encounter crowds and difficulties finding parking depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Thank you so much Marcia! Where can people find you?
I am a lazy artist when it comes to marketing. Anyone interested in my work can find me at geigarts.com, it redirects to my work at the Asher Grey online gallery (because I’m lazy). I can be contacted through there or my email here.
Thanks for taking the time to ask me these questions. I hope they are helpful and give you more reasons to come back out here to visit! Maybe see things from a different perspective, which is always fun.
Dave Catching
Musician
Co-founder of Rancho de La Luna
In 1993, Fred Drake (1958-2002) and Dave Catching founded Rancho de La Luna, a home recording studio in the heart of Joshua Tree. With its eclectic atmosphere, impressive acoustics, homely treatment and unparalleled desert views, Rancho de la Luna has been a beacon of inspiration for musicians since the early 90s. A few of them are The Artic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, and Iggy Pop.
Dave is considered the godfather of Desert Rock, a subgenre of hard rock that started in the early 90s in the Palm Springs area. It combines elements of psychedelia, blues, rock, grunge and alternative. If you’re interested in knowing more about it, listen to The Desert Sessions, which were recorded in the late 90s at Rancho de la Luna.
Besides co-founding the studio with Fred Drake in 1993, Dave is the founder of the stoner rock band earthlings? (1993-present). Additionally, Dave was one of the original members of the band Queens of the Stone Age (1996-2000), and the touring guitarist for the band Eagles Of Death Metal (2003-2017).
Hello Dave! Why did you move to Joshua Tree?
After visiting here many times and falling in love with the area, my friend Fred Drake moved here full-time and asked me if I’d like to partner in a recording studio with him in his home.
You’ve been a Joshua Tree resident since 1993! What was Joshua Tree like back then?
Incredible, and it still is!! There were fewer people then, more peaceful, less traffic, beautiful, calm, and affordable to anyone. Unfortunately, it’s gotten very expensive to live here now.
There were two very cool places in the 90s. Alta’s Curiosities, an intriguing treasure filled records/old electronics/antique jewelry/art and magnificent mystery marvels store owned and run by our friend Alta. She briefly appears in the earthlings? video “Saving Up for My Spaceship”. She wove wonderful tales and was a great friend.
Dave: Here’s a photo of a postcard with a painting of Alta Lochridge at her store.
Also, Dons All American BBQ. They served delicious food, very inexpensive.
The main room was large with an exquisite coffee machine and an amazing house band called Velvet Hammer. They opened for Queens of the Stone Age, my band at the time, at our record release party at The Troubadour in LA in 1998.
The bar area was separate with a beautiful black light mural of the Joshua Tree Monument, as it was named at the time. It was otherworldly.
When we first started the studio in 1993, we would mostly stay there, playing music, entertaining, laughing and having fun. We would go into the park frequently with our friends for solo outings and nighttime runs with our friend Taylor, who was a park ranger then.
Fred Drake. Photo courtesy of Chrissie JT Wilson.
We’d drive around the desert a lot exploring, going to The Palms in Wonder Valley to drink and dance, or the Smith’s Ranch Drive-In to see 2 movies for $5 a carload.
There weren’t many people out here then and it was a very interesting time to say the least.
What does the desert mean to you?
Everything.
Why do you think so many musicians are drawn to the studio?
The location, for one. When we opened the studio, we were the only studio here. Fred was the ultimate host and I could cook decently. We had a lot of interesting instruments and treated everyone like family. We also yielded great results with what little gear we had, and everyone seemed to be inspired with the space and vibe of the studio.
Note: In 2014, Foo Fighters filmed a mini-documentary called Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways. On Season 1 Episode 5, Dave Grohl shared with the viewers the magic of Rancho de la Luna. Here’s an excerpt of his interview with DesertSun.com:
“I discovered the desert — Rancho de la Luna — in the late-’90s, I guess it was 1997. As soon as I walked in the door at Rancho de la Luna I was, I kind of just felt free, you know? It’s like, wow — talk about a creative space place. And it’s that environment that inspires you, or if you’re blocked in any way, it just releases all of that and you feel completely free creatively. So I just fell in love with it, and I never knew much about the desert. I’d never spent time under the stars surrounded by nothing but vast expanses around me.
It’s an incredible place, and it really does affect you when you’re out there. It’s fucking awesome. People don’t know about Rancho de la Luna so that’s why I wanted to tell them. You get out there and you’re under the stars drinking red wine next to a bonfire and there’s a joint going around. You just feel free.”
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
Relaxing at home with my dog Chunk, recording with friends or going into the park, and then La Copine for lunch.
What are your favorite businesses, places or musicians that you think people should check out if they go to Joshua Tree?
Restaurants: La Copine, Sam’s Indian Food and Pizza, Royal Siam Cuisine Thai, Yucca Kabob, The Dez, Roadrunner Grab + Go, C&S Coffee Shop.
Businesses: The Hoodoo, Desierto Alto, Black Luck Vintage, Time Echo Vintage, Hoof & The Horn, Joshua Tree Bottle Shop, Grateful Desert Apothecary, Coyote Corner.
Bars/saloons: Red Dog Saloon, Pappy and Harriet’s, The Copper Room, Joshua Tree Saloon, The Tiny Pony Tavern, Out There Bar.
Places: Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, Joshua Tree Inn, Rim Rock Ranch, Pioneertown, Fireside Sound recording studio, Smith’s Ranch Drive-in Theater, Art Queen / World Famous Crotchet Museum, Sky Village Swap Meet.
Musicians/people: Claire Wadsworth (La Copine’s co-owner), Jesika Von Rabbit (musician), Los Poncho Tones (band), Victoria Williams (musician), Mojave Lords (Dave’s band), earthlings? (Dave’s band), The Hawk Messengers (band).
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to the High Desert?
I knew exactly what I needed to know.
*End of interview with Dave*
Rancho de la Luna is an iconic studio that has attracted many music fans from all over the world, but please keep in mind that this is a private property. Unless you book a session or you know Dave personally, walk-ins are not allowed!
I also recommend listening to these two (ONE and TWO) Spotify playlists with songs that were recorded at the studio.
Rancho de la Luna: website and Instagram
Sasha Yegorova
Photographer
Hello Sasha! How did you end up in Joshua Tree?
I am from Ukraine. I moved to the U.S about 11 years ago. I lived in rural Pennsylvania as an exchange student and then spent my high school years in Chicago and San Francisco, before starting college in LA and meeting my husband. We decided to move from our beloved (and tiny) Echo Park studio into a house in the desert about 4 years ago. My husband and I would frequently visit the High Desert for special occasions, and it always felt like a breath of fresh air being here. Coming back to the city and all the smoke that comes with it… It became harder not to feel affected by it. At one point, it became obvious that we needed to make a move. And it turned out to be a good one.
You moved there fairly recently. My next question was about life in Joshua Tree before it became popular.
My husband lived here in 2008. He says it feels pretty similar to how it always felt. But then again, we just kind of do our own thing — as many people out here were before, are now, and will probably continue to.
What does the desert mean to you?
The desert means I get to grow in peace. It means I can hide between the Juniperus and do my thing. Alone, but not alone really. Surrounded by the most perfect landscapes and mountains. Feeling like I can fear less because nature gives you this uplifting, serene perspective on things, time, and stillness.
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
Maybe a Panini from The DEZ and a walk in the park.
What are your favorite businesses or places that you think people should check out if they go to Joshua Tree?
I love the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, Joshua Tree Health Foods store, Grateful Desert Apothecary, Joshua Tree Coffee Company, and Time Echo Vintage.
Roadrunner Grab+Go has amazing sourdough bread from Wild Bread Bakery.
Mojave Desert Skin Shield is a stellar skincare company, but you can also get a Fascial Healing Session, sound therapy, and tao tea meditations with the owner, Patricia Vernhes — a very special experience for sure.
I also love The Pointed Pearl Skincare. Megan, the owner, is one the sweetest people I’ve ever met and she’s also very talented at what she does. Luna Sourdough Bakery is top-notch too. Mojave Flea Trading Post and Nitty Gritty are both fun stores to explore.
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to the High Desert?
There is no coming back 😉
You’re a photographer, what has been your most memorable shoot?
I did a maternity shoot for a friend who was expecting her third baby (the baby is alive and happy now!) and it was the most gentle energy. I think a Mother’s love can be like this oceanic force that you just want to wash over you. It’s very inspiring to see a woman carrying a child inside of her. I find it touching, revealing, and simply beautiful.
Dawn Davis
Owner of the gift shop Soul Connection in Joshua Tree
Hello Dawn! When and why did you decide to move to Joshua Tree?
In April 2016, two friends and I made the trip to visit Joshua Tree – it was my first visit. As soon as we hit the top of the Yucca grade on Highway 62, I had a physical, visceral response. I could feel myself sitting up straighter in the passenger seat and all weekend I was ‘tuned in’ to everything: the feeling in the park, in town, in shops and eating establishments. I went home and did a ton of research and three months later, I was living here.
What was Joshua Tree like back then?
Arriving at the end of summer 2016, I felt I’d already gotten here too late. Things began to really change then, and the change was further accelerated by the pandemic. Some episodes of the Desert Lady Diaries podcast contain interviews with women who grew up here, as far back as the 1950’s. It was a smaller, quieter place.
What does the desert mean to you?
It means silence, introspection, sparse beauty.
What do you love the most about living in Joshua Tree?
The quietness, the night sky, the mountainous desert landscapes, the sunrises and sunsets. The long lonely desert roads and the occasional brush with a Great-Horned owl, roadrunner, coyote or tortoise – it’s magic.
Why did you decide to open Soul Connection? Where does the name come from?
As a kid, I loved setting up yard sales and working at concession stands at my brother’s sporting events, essentially playing shopkeeper. Soul Connection is a way to serve and connect with people one-on-one and share my love and enthusiasm for my community and this amazing place we call home. Many folks come here for the first time and identify ‘a feeling’ – a ‘soul connection’, as it were. I hope they’ll find something to take home that evokes that ‘feeling’ every time the use it or it enters their gaze.
Any businesses, artists and musicians’ people should check out if they go to Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree National Park is really a jewel in the crown of our county. If you’re not much of a hiker or climber, the Joshua Tree Visitor Centers have plenty of information and the Desert Institute offers many kinds of classes to learn about and experience various aspects of desert life. The Old Schoolhouse Museum in Twentynine Palms offers a look into ‘homesteader life’, the folks who built this area. We also have several non-profits whose missions are to look after the desert, like the Morongo Basin Conservation Association and Mojave Desert Land Trust.
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
A lot of folks move here for the park, to hike, to climb. I’ve always been more of an ‘indoor kid’ and a solitary one at that. I’m either at home reading on the couch enjoying the delicious silence [I really can’t get enough of it], or maybe I stop by the fabulous Roadrunner Grab+Go in town for some lunch or snack, and drive into the park, find a place to park and have a picnic, set up a chair and read. Sometimes, on a whim, I’ll throw my tent, sleeping bag, and camp stove in my car and go into the park to camp overnight.
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to the High Desert?
Not really. I did a lot of research, listened to the news on the local radio station website, read the local paper online. I manifested a house-sitting situation in July 2016 prior to my move and that helped me see if I could handle the desert summer. The wind was a bit of a surprise, and it can wear on someone who gets highly stimulated by such things [me]. ‘Civilization’ as I like to call it, is just a 40-minute drive down to Palm Springs, where I can enjoy fine dining and a walkable atmosphere.
Jesika Von Rabbit
Musician
Hello Jesika! For people who aren’t familiar with your music, could you please tell me a little bit about your music journey?
Funny that you referred to it as a “Journey”, my first solo album is titled Journey Mitchell. But to quote Hunter S Thompson: “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
You moved to Joshua Tree in 2003. Why?
I was looking to escape the loneliness of Los Angeles, so I moved to a town with a population of 7,000. It helped. The less constant stimuli helped me feel saner, but that was before smartphones; eeek!
What does the desert mean to you?
The desert means living a more quality life with a chance to feel more connected to the community. It also keeps me more in tune with my spiritual side. It’s vast and exotic, which gives the sense that I am always traveling.
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
Working out, writing music, staring at the landscape, a little lonerism, talking too much to my cats, and maybe the night out to hang with some of the colorful locals.
What are your favorite businesses or other local artists that you think we should check out?
Aydra J Swan is quite amazing; singer, aerial artist, and curator of elevated events.
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to Joshua Tree?
I don’t think so, besides I like the element of surprise.
Let’s say someone is driving through Joshua Tree and they’re listening to your music for the first time, what song of yours should they play?
My song “Dirty Horse” which I released with my former band Gram Rabbit.
All of your records encapsulate a true desert experience. Is there any song you liked writing/recording the most?
I enjoy writing all of them, but I’m excited to release some new music this year. Look out for my wacky pop-anthem “I’m a Dog at a Human Party” out this Spring, and some more introspective tracks to follow.
Jesika Von Rabbit: Website and Instagram
Megan Hutch
Owner of The Pointed Pearl Skincare
Musician
Hello Megan! Could you please introduce yourself?
I’m Megan Hutch, owner and lead Esthetician at The Pointed Pearl Skincare here in Yucca Valley. I’m a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and songwriter, and bring this artisanal background to my business.
When and why did you move to Joshua Tree?
I moved to Joshua Tree in 2013 after spending most of my early adult life trying on different cities across the country, to see which one felt best wearing. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, I started coming out west on Greyhound buses after I decided to leave high school early as a teenager, with my guitar and backpack stuffed with Anais Nin, Kerouac and Emerson books, my personal notebooks and sketchbook. This was before cell phones were a thing, and I loved writing postcards back home about my travels.
I remember drawing portraits of all the strangers waiting in the stations with me during layovers, and busking for dollar bills. I have always been an adventurer. Eventually, my travels led me to a job in Northern California camped out in the middle of the pines. I spent 3 seasons working at a pot farm in the woods, and fell in love with the company of the trees and the plants, alongside my own solitude.
Being so isolated from civilization was just the medicine I needed to do what I most enjoyed: write, reflect and play guitar. One of my favorite songs I’ve written is called “Whiskeytown” (found on the Desert Rain album here). It’s a short song about my time spent out in those pines.
After that last trim season, I knew I couldn’t spend any more time in the city. I had met a couple who told me that if I wanted to see more stars, that I should try checking out Joshua Tree next. As a musician and a general loner, they encouraged me to go meet my people in the desert. So on a wing and a prayer, I went! I can’t really believe I haven’t had the desire to wander on since, 10 years later.
What do you love the most about living in Joshua Tree?
I love being able to look up every month and see the stars and the milky way. The sunrises here are always a perfectly painted watercolor masterpiece, and depending on the time of day, the mountains change into looking like different Oceanscapes. Blues and grays blanket those mountains, and the shadows on them mesmerize me as I drive home.
I fall asleep to silence. I can walk 10 minutes down the road and be immersed in the boulders. There are still so many secret spots that haven’t been infiltrated with tourists. The desert is so vast. The smell of creosote after the rain, and the incredible colors that arrive in the spring after the winter downpours.
A big snow in the desert is possibly the most awe inspiring feeling I’ve received from nature. I remember a few years back waking up early after a snow storm, standing in my backyard to see 2 coyotes trotting along with cottontails in their mouths, crossing through the desert like champions. It was incredible to witness.
Could you tell me more about your business, The Pointed Pearl?
The Pointed Pearl offers a curated line of local and sustainably sourced botanical and food grade skincare products, facial massage, bodywork, full body waxing, brow services and permanent makeup. Our aim is to identify and refine the inherent beauty that lies within us all. I had always struggled with problem skin, and now have the pleasure of guiding my clients with a holistic approach to improve their current skin conditions and overall wellness. I adore my clientele, and feel like through them, I have gleaned so much insight to how much community means to me. We really feel like we’re all friends there. It’s the best feeling when someone tells you they just don’t want to leave yet and go back to reality!
Photos: The Pointed Pearl
The spa is a super soft and sacred space that has become so much more than simply a business. It is where I can express myself fully as an artist, a skincare professional, and a valued member of the community, and where my clients feel at home, loved and genuinely cared for.
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
If I could go on my own adventure as I were visiting my town for a long weekend, I would spend the morning getting acupuncture at Two Sages, feeling blissed out before walking right over to the Farmer’s Market for flowers, persimmons and jujubees. Stop in the Grateful Desert Apothecary and sit at the bar smelling all the essential oils and making an aromatherapy spray that you can put in your purse and indulge in throughout the day. Find that perfect piece of denim at Ricochet Vintage Wears, and then make a big lunch and eat it outside in the sun looking at the landscape. Feeling like a drive, I’d go down to Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley and visit with all the succulents and cacti, along with the chickens and cats that roam the nursery.
Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley. Photos by Heidi K (left) and Cole Lang (right)
A nap at the Community Center Park, where you can lay in the grass and watch the kids play on the swings. Feeling refreshed and ready for the evening, time for pizza and cocktails up at Giant Rock Meeting Room with friends before driving out to The Palms in Wonder Valley. The pickup truck packed with blankets and pillows, ready to camp right outside, falling asleep under the stars after a night of entertainment from desert locals like Sister John Angela.
Patrick E.
What was Joshua Tree like when you moved in 2013?
When I moved here 10 years ago, you could just pop into Crossroads Cafe and find a seat at the bar for a coffee and an omelet, pop into the health food store and run into all of your various acquaintances and look at the community board right outside for local happenings.
These days, it’s hard to feel like even trying to go out to eat anywhere. The wait times are unheard of, and no one knows you by name anymore. I sometimes feel like there’s no room for locals, like we’ve been pushed to the side. The small town vibes and slow pace is getting replaced by a rush of people and cars, no more room for conversation and no time to digest the moment without feeling hurried away to make room for the party of 8 that needs to sit down.
It makes me sad, but I try not to get too frustrated with it. Everything changes with time, and I’m still hopeful that one day we’ll have that again in some new way. I have met so many amazing people who have moved here in the past couple years, who I’m truly grateful are in my life. I just miss having a place to sit for a while in public, unrushed and enjoy the feeling of communing with my town.
Is there anything you wish you knew before you moved to Joshua Tree?
Before I moved here, I didn’t understand what it was like to not be constantly distracted. Sure, there’s lots to do and see here, it’s certainly not a dead zone. But the desert isn’t for everyone. After the initial honeymoon period of how free you feel, one becomes left with what they came with- themselves.
The space and silence can be daunting after a while, it certainly was for me for quite some time. If I wasn’t a musician, going to open mics at the Saloon, I don’t really know how I would have made friends initially. There is so much room to explore your inner world here, and without all the distractions of city life, you are forced to get to know yourself. It’s exactly what I wanted when I moved here, but I didn’t fully understand at the time how difficult that was going to be for me. I’ve talked with a lot of people about this, and it resonates between so many who have done the same. For me, I am so very glad I stuck it out through those first few challenging years. This is my home, and I am home in my own self here. As many times as I have been fed up with the tourism and thought about leaving to start a new life, I am fulfilled and happy with the one I have created for myself here. I have flourished in the desert, and as of now, I don’t know anywhere else I would want to be.
Megan Hutch: Website
The Pointed Pearl skincare: Website and Instagram
Erkki Engso
Fashion designer
Sales assistant at Time Echo Vintage in Joshua Tree
Hello Erkki! Could you introduce yourself? Why did you move to Joshua Tree?
My name is Erkki Engso. I’m originally from Estonia and lived in Manhattan, NYC, for about 20 years before moving to Joshua Tree last year. I’m a fashion designer and do custom leather work. In April 2023, I visited a friend who moved here and fell in love with this place. I flew back to NY, got rid of my stuff, packed one suitcase and bought a one-way ticket back here.
How do you like to spend your free time?
My motorcycle takes me around. I have been working on it for 40 years. It’s my therapy. I love open spaces, and if I want to see further, I climb the mountain. I’m a sailor, windsurfer and boat designer. I call this place Sandy Ocean.
Where does your love of making leather goods come from?
I grew up on an island off the coast of Estonia called Hiiumaa. My grandpa was a cobbler and a blacksmith. Grandma and mother were tailors. I grew up with a sewing machine and started making leather goods when I was 10 years old. Soon after, I started making my own clothes with my older sister, who handled the sewing machine very well. I graduated in fashion at the Estonian Academy of Arts. The second year of my studies, I ended up working for one of the biggest Eastern European fashion companies called Baltika. I was the Chief Designer for a Classic Menswear brand named Baltman. After I quit, I started designing motorboats.
I had a leather business in NY and worked in Bloomingdale’s for a year. Before the pandemic, I hit about 35 wholesale accounts throughout the US and Canada.
I lived on MacDougal St. and Upper West on 79th Street. For most of my time in NY, I collaborated with three stores on Mulberry Street. Love Manhattan! Some of my clients include Halle Berry and Robin Wright.
Photo @engsonyc
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
Experiencing the sunrise and sunset, meeting as many people as possible, and hearing their stories. I love to explore. I’m a curious person. I love to dive into the unknown. I fell in love with NYC in 1997, and many years later, after my many travels, I felt the same love when I visited Joshua Tree for the first time.
What does the desert mean to you?
It means taking long walks on open fields, hiking on the mountains, making friends with roadrunners, snakes and coyotes. I see the world differently now.
What do you like about living in Joshua Tree?
Life is colorful, and it better be! 🙂 Joshua Tree opened up a new door for me. Here, I feel isolated in some way though. I’m not that interested in getting involved in the art scene, I prefer being in nature and hearing people’s stories. That’s what I like. In terms of food, New York has everything you can imagine. But I lost so much weight here! I haven’t been out that much since I moved here… but the best place to have great ribs and T-bones is Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown.
I like the Dirt Bag from Crossroads Cafe. It reminds me of the Shepherd’s pies from London.
Business-wise, check out our store Time Echo Vintage. The best in the area! I walked into her store when she was about to open, and it was love at first sight. She knows what she’s doing! I’m picky. 🙂
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to Joshua Tree?
I didn’t know much about Joshua Tree before moving here. There is nothing I wished to know about this place. I love to explore. Not knowing is the best way. I love to swim straight into the ocean. I’m not a bathtub type of guy. 🙂
It seems that you love the ocean. From the hustle and bustle of NYC to the slow pace of the desert, have you had a hard time adjusting to the desert life? You only visited once before moving. Aren’t you afraid of getting bored?
I love the ocean and I miss it. But I feel the water twice a day in my morning and evening showers. When it rains, I’m on my bike getting soaked, like I did today. Desert pleasures.
I do miss many things that I had on the East Coast: swimming, boating, music, galleries, museums, businesses, food, etc. Am I getting bored in the desert? Hmm.. I’m never bored. There’s so much to discover!
For two months, I had a hard time getting my head around what was happening. I asked my new friend if I could stay at his empty house for a month. No electricity. No hot shower. I’d turn off my phone and walk around the house with a lantern. When I grilled outside, I made friends with a local coyote. About a month later, I walked down from the mountain to the Joshua Tree Village, to the social life with fresh feelings. I got it. I thought, “Is this me?” Probably not, but this is where I am now, and I’m enjoying it!
Erkki’s IG @engsonyc
Devon Salasin
Head astronomy guide at Stargazing J Tree ⭐ 🔭
Hello Devon! When and why did you move to Joshua Tree?
I recently moved to the area in November 2023 to open a second stargazing location under the world-renowned dark skies of Joshua Tree. We have been operating stargazing tours near Zion National Park for almost 3 years.
What can you tell me about Stargazing Joshua Tree?
Stargazing Joshua Tree works to connect humans with the universe around them. It’s a highly educational astronomy experience and we provide guests the opportunity to escape the world we’ve created down here on Earth. Throughout the 2-hour program, we tour the cosmos and the constellation with multiple telescopes and a skilled astronomer, drawing out various images in the sky that have been seen for thousands of years.
Photos StarGazingJTree.com
What do you love the most about living in Joshua Tree?
The people. Joshua Tree is home to many humans working on finding themselves and pursuing their passions unapologetically. This is something I find to be missing in other places in the world and country that I have lived in.
What does the desert mean to you?
Like space, the desert allows an escape from the world we’ve created. Being alone with thought and mind is what makes the Hi-Desert so inspirational.
Any businesses, artists or musicians that people should check out if they go to Joshua Tree?
You can usually catch me in the morning with a latte at Mas o Menos. I also frequent the Giant Rock Meeting Room for a pizza and salad, or Kitchen in the Desert for a special occasion and unbelievably delicious tapas. The Joshua Tree Music Festival is a beautiful event, bringing together local artists and visionaries for a weekend of mind, body and soul exploration.
Kitchen in the Desert (left) and Mas o Menos (right)
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
A latte in the morning followed by a hike in the park. Stargazing just after sunset and local karaoke into the evening.
Is there anything you wish you knew before moving to the High Desert?
I was not prepared for the wind! Just recently, we experienced over 50mph gusts, something I’ve never experienced in the past.
What is the best time of the year for stargazing?
All times of the year are great for stargazing! Due to our orbit around the sun, different seasons show off different stars in the sky. Planets and zodiac constellations are beautiful in the winter because they are higher in the sky, offering more clarity. The summer is wonderful for Milky Way viewing. Some of the magic of our night sky is that it’s continually changing nature, always bringing something new and exciting into view.
Stargazing Joshua Tree: Website and Instagram
Sabrina Bennett and Tobi Guillian
Owners of Cedar & Sage Studio
Photo by @cedarandsagewellnessstudio
Hello Sabrina and Tobi! Could you please introduce yourselves? What’s the backstory of Cedar & Sage?
Hello! We are Sabrina Bennett and Tobi Guillian, creators and owners of
Cedar & Sage Wellness Studio in Yucca Valley, CA. We also happen to be sisters-in-law!
This studio was birthed in the summer of 2016 from a dream to create a space for
holding health and wellness classes for our beloved community of Yucca Valley. We opened our studio doors in November of 2017, and we continue to live out our dream every day since we opened.
Tobi and I were both raised in a small town in our local nearby mountains, so living
here in Yucca Valley felt very familiar.
Photos by @pioneertowngazette
We have lived here in the High Desert for over 20 years. We have raised our families here and love living, thriving and contributing to the community.
Most people aren’t aware that Joshua Tree is a neighboring town just past Yucca Valley.
Joshua Tree has always held spiritual intrigue as many who have visited can attest. Yucca
Valley is a larger town and also holds a very deep connected energy to nature and the land.
Many people who live here year-round live in Yucca Valley, whereas Joshua Tree has mostly
part-time residents.
Health, wellness and spirituality have always been a high priority in our lives. We saw a
great need for this type of offering in the town we love and live in. Yucca Valley did not have any offerings of this kind at the time.
I (Sabrina) am RYTT 500 yoga certified and have been teaching yoga in the High Desert
since 2012. I continue to have an immense passion towards teaching from an authentic place, while honoring the 8 Limbed Path. To me, yoga is a lifestyle, a way of living and being, so much more than physical poses. My dream was to be able to share the gift of understanding yoga to the community in a sacred space where everyone was welcome.
I (Tobi) am 400 RYTT yoga certified. In 2014, I was drawn into sound healing while I was on my own healing journey.
My background is Christian Ministry, giving me a love for people and the desire to serve humanity. I also have a passion in creating businesses that bring health and wellness. I co-own The Yucca Tree Eatery, an organic eatery that opened in 2021, with my husband Randy.
Yucca Tree Eatery. Photos by @palmspringshello
The work we do is a calling and our vocation. We love serving our community, as well as
the many people that come seeking to find a deeper connection to themselves, nature and
source in this mystical vast desert we live in.
Hot Yoga+Sound Bath is our original signature class. We have been teaching this class
consistently for about 10 years. It is still one of our most attended classes at Cedar & Sage.
We believe in many modalities for health and healing: Gentle & Restorative yoga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Barre Sculpt, Mat Pilates and Breathwork, Meditation and Soundbath. There is something for everyone, at any level, or walk of life.
Our studio feels more like a family and tribe, where all are welcome, seen and heard. There is a word in Sanskrit-Sangha, which means to come together in a community to practice spiritual devotion and bring joy and inspiration to one another. This is the essence of Cedar & Sage Wellness Studio.
Are there any particular classes you recommend for a first-timer?
For anyone visiting Cedar & Sage for the first time, we would first find out what their level
of yoga practice is, and what they are truly seeking through their own journey of health and wellness. There’s really no “one size fits all” for an individual’s journey towards health.
That being said, we would of course, recommend joining our signature Hot Yoga + Soundbath class to have the full experience, we love to offer together at Cedar & Sage.
What does the desert mean to you?
The desert to us is a place of vast expansiveness. A place to seek within and find
yourself. It can be unforgiving in many ways and can crack us wide open if we allow for growth.
At first glance, it can seem dry, colorless and dead, yet once you take a closer look, it is full of life, color, vitality, courage and strength. We love it all.
What does your ideal day in Joshua Tree look like?
An ideal day in Joshua Tree for us would start with an amazing class at Cedar & Sage to
get into mind and body to set the tone for the day. Then perhaps a hike in the National Park or its surrounding areas. Stopping by The Yucca Tree Eatery (this is the cafe owned by Tobi and her husband Randy) for a healthy organic breakfast or lunch, juice or smoothie. There are many small businesses that we have loved to support over the years and new ones that keep popping up.
This brings me to my next question! What are your favorite businesses and local artists/musicians that people should check out if they go to Joshua Tree?
Some of our favorite shops are Hoof & Horn, Desierto Alto Bodega, Brewja Elixir,
Grateful Desert Apothecary, Coyote Corner, Sue’s Health Foods, ArtFX & Furnishings, Rainbow Stew, Nomads, Cactus Mart and The End.
As for favorite restaurants that we love, The Yucca Tree Eatery, Spaghetti
Western, The Copper Room, Red Dog Saloon, Tiny Pony, Aki Sushi, Las Palmas, La Copine, Joshua Tree Coffee Co, Mas o Menos, and of course the famous P+H’s (Pappy + Harriets). Just to name a few!
Our instructors at Cedar & Sage are highly creative people who love sharing their gifts
with the community, not only with their teachings at the studio, but through their art.
From film makers to actors, singers/songwriters to therapists and writers, you’ll get a colorful array of wisdom no matter what class you attend.
- Heike Binder – Singer/songwriter-Son of the Velvet Rat.
- Sunny Atema – Artist and singer/songwriter of Wildlife Freeway.
- Rebecca Sisson– Brand strategist.
- Katherin Hervey – Independent filmmaker/activist.
- Lisa Mecham– Writer/editor.
- Brock Tuller – LMFT focuses on both individual, family and EMDR therapy.
- Ashley Nunn – Writer, facilitates equine assisted therapy and leads retreats.
- Shannon Dixon – Actor and athlete.
- Elizabeth Trieu -Actress, acting coach, photographer & floral designer.
- Chakra Khan – Herbalist, healer, psychic.
- Nicole Tarro – Dancer/choreographer & homeschooling mamma of 2.
- Alice Khalsa – Transformational women’s coach.
- Corey Clark – Mandala artist, glass blower.
- Angela Gui – Accountant.
- Yuna Snyder – Investor/vacation rental/retreat host.
- Forest Alethea – Quantum healer, akashic reader, mentor, sound healer & retreat facilitator.
Every teacher here has a passion and gift to share with the community and is dedicated to their work and service towards humanity.
You said you’ve been living in the High Desert for over 20 years. Wow! What was Joshua Tree like before it became a popular destination?
Joshua Tree has always been a beautiful place. In our opinion, gentrification has
improved the High Desert in many ways. It has drawn in artists, created new businesses and
brought success to the old ones. The short-term rental market has impacted the community, in both positive and negative ways as you can imagine. Over the years, we have met some of the most incredible people who were born and raised in the High Desert, as well as those who have newly relocated here. We fully admire their love of family and service in the community. We love this desert and it has become a part of our souls and who we are. We embrace the inevitable changes and welcome all who want to make this magical place their home.
The desert calls you here for a reason. It has an unimaginable draw and unexplainable lessons to be taught to each individual who is open enough to receive them.
Cedar and Sage: Website and Instagram
*End*
Sunset on January 13, 2024. Taken by yours truly.
Thank you for reading!! 💗 💗 💗
