The Joshua Tree Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore
Driving out to Joshua Tree is probably the closest I'll ever get to boarding a spaceship and visiting another planet. When bathed in the orange glow of sunrise, its dramatic terrain, massive boulders and lofty rock formations look straight out of another world. When night falls and stars illuminate the sky, those who look up are often treated to a view of the Milky Way. Drive far enough, and you'll come across a 20-foot-tall man standing watch over a gas-station-turned-gift-shop.
Joshua Tree National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park, making it a quintessential spot for stargazing. And because it's a national park, its namesake trees, trails and every rock in between are protected to ensure each visit remains special for the three million people who travel there each year. The area is also rumored to be a vortex hotspot, drawing travelers seeking physical, mental, emotional or spiritual benefits from its amplified energy fields.
Despite its catalogue of otherworldly qualities, what brings me back down to earth are the creative locals and business owners who have made the high desert their home — an area which also includes the communities of Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms and Pioneertown. I had the pleasure of meeting some of these locals during my very first solo trip there, which kickstarted my love affair with not only the region, but with solo travel. I've since returned to the high desert a half dozen times, planning trips infused with their insider tips and my own finds.
Here are some of my favorite spots to eat, drink, stay and explore that you can add to your own Joshua Tree itinerary.
What to do
Go hiking in Joshua Tree National Park
Starting with the obvious: go hiking. Lace up your boots and set out to explore the national park, which offers around 300 miles of trails and thousands of rock-climbing routes ready to be conquered. If you're a camping aficionado, you can also pitch a tent at one of the designated campgrounds. Reservations are recommended during the busy season, October through May.
Catch a show at Pappy & Harriet's
One of my favorite things is planning trips around concerts, which makes catching a show at Pappy & Harriet's an iconic experience worth making the drive for. The legendary music spot is located in the heart of Pioneertown, an immersive film set built in the 1940s that feels like an 1880s frontier town frozen in time. If you fancy a honky-tonk dressed up in western decor, Pappy's is the perfect spot to belly up to the bar, enjoy open-fire barbecue and catch a concert. Among the shows I've seen: an ethereal acoustic set by Adrienne Lenker and a buzzing Sacred Souls performance on the outdoor stage — both highlights of their respective trips, made better by ice-cold beer and good company.
Browse the local shops
While there are plenty of trendy shops in the area, here's a short list of storefronts I try to pop into every trip: Joshua Tree Bottle Shop for natural wines and fun bevvies; The Station to peruse t-shirts before taking a photo with Big Josh, the beloved twenty-foot tall statue hovering over the shop; and Joshua Tree Trading Post for prints, books, clothing and other locally-made wares. There are also plenty of vintage shops in the area worth a browse.
Grab provisions at the farmers market
My perfect Saturday morning in Joshua Tree includes grabbing coffee at one of the shops listed below, then hopping over to the Joshua Tree Farmers Market. Held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market offers fresh produce, treats and more. I love grabbing fresh hummus and veggie dippers to stash in my Airbnb fridge and enjoy throughout the trip.
Get your arts & culture fix
Before the summer heat reaches its peak, I recommend exploring The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum of Assemblage. Wander through an array of large sculptures spanning ten acres of desert, each piece crafted entirely from salvaged materials by artist Noah Purifoy — a world leader in the genre of assemblage art.
You can also visit the World Famous Crochet Museum, where curator Shari Elf has collected hundreds of crocheted creations that pour out of the colorful space. The museum is nestled within Art Queen, a creative complex showcasing local art, exhibitions and more.
Where to Eat & Drink
Más o Menos: With its bright blue door and laid-back desert curb appeal, this local spot transitions from a morning coffee shop to a lively bar by night. Keep tabs on their Instagram as they often host food pop-ups, DJs and live performances.
Joshua Tree Coffee Company: This is my favorite spot to grab an iced latte before heading out on a day of high desert exploration. They also sell their iconic baby pink bags of freshly roasted beans to bring home as a souvenir.
La Copine: I always try to make a reservation for this buzzy restaurant in Flamingo Heights, spotlighting colorful, evolving options like whipped ricotta and figs and halibut à la bouillabaisse. The owners recently dropped their debut cookbook, “La Copine: New California Cooking from an Oasis in the Desert.” I've already bookmarked the recipe to recreate their famous fried chicken.
The Copper Room: If you’re looking for a great cocktail in a space that feels like it’s been pulled from another era, this is where I’d go. It’s set right near the Yucca Valley Airport, but without any of the usual stuffy airport bar energy — more like a retro lounge with runway views. The cocktails are consistently great and the team working is always friendly. I stopped by one Halloween and even the bartenders were dressed up, making for a memorable night fueled by gimlets and martinis.
The Red Dog Saloon: When in Pioneertown, this saloon is the perfect spot for pre-show drinks and Tex-Mex bites, with a very California cowboy vibe that makes you feel like an extra on a Western film set. Plus, give me a few tacos and a Tommy’s Margarita and I’m a very happy camper.
Kitchen in the Desert: Drive out toward Twentynine Palms and you'll find Kitchen in the Desert, a breezy restaurant fitted with fire pits, cozy seating areas and a great outdoor eating space that draws locals, weekend warriors and bachelorette groups alike. The menu offers world flavors with a Caribbean twist: brunch dishes like shakshuka and tortilla de patata, dinner options like jerk chicken.
Out There Bar: A fun — and very appropriately named — dive bar in the desert. What once was an A&W Root Beer stand in the 1960s is now an ideal spot to grab a cold drink while escaping the heat.
Luna Bakery: For baked goods, head to Luna Bakery in Yucca Valley. They are superstars at all things sourdough, using their starter to craft everything from country and semolina loaves to sour cherry danishes and butterscotch turnovers. I like grabbing a croissant as a last farewell on my drive back to San Diego.
Where to stay
Airbnbs Worth Booking
It seems Joshua Tree attracts not only design connoisseurs, but generally just really cool people who enjoy renovating older builds and constructing new properties complete with pools, cold plunges and more. Here are some Airbnbs I've bookmarked for my next trip:
Beavertail Loft: Ideal for a solo trip or couples getaway. I've stayed here and loved every thoughtful detail — from the jacuzzi and record collection to the loft, perfect for hiding away with a good book.
Stargazer Cabin: Set 20 minutes from downtown Joshua Tree, the hot tub and cold plunge sealed the deal for me on this dreamy cabin.
Desert Pink House: This pink property fits six and seems like the ideal spot for a desert trip with the girls.
Hotels
Hotel Wren: A boutique 12-room hotel in Twentynine Palms that would be the perfect base for a trip to the national park. I love the thoughtful design throughout — from the fireplace-flanked lobby with a community library to the saltwater pool and hot tub.
Reset Hotel: This newly opened design-forward property set on 180 acres looks like the ideal place to rest and restore . I'm already dreaming about starting my day with yoga alongside their terraced pool, then scoping out the stars through one of their Celestron telescopes at night.
