Welcome to Joshua Tree, the site of a massive national park and a handful of eclectic towns in the middle of a vast desert.
Named after the native yucca brevifolia, the beautiful desert will astound you with its serene beauty. The park covers the colorado desert dotted with cacti and the Mojave Desert and overlooks the coachella valley.
Known for its funky arts scene, kitschy cafes and eateries, and some of the coolest Airbnbs, Joshua Tree is a must-visit whether you live locally and are looking for the best things to do in Southern California or if you're on a California trip.
You won't get tired of Dr. Seuss or the bright stars that dot the night sky!
Here's my guide to a weekend full of Joshua Tree adventures!
Where to Stay in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is full of amazing accommodations, from those that replicate the desert chic vibes to those that have hot tubs outside for stargazing! Personally, I'm a huge fan of all Airbnb options because of their unique aesthetic!
The Coolest Airbnbs in Joshua Tree
From a UFO-looking spaceship to glamping spots under the stars and some of the most unique design aesthetics, here are the coolest Airbnbs to stay in Joshua Tree, California!
Eat at Kitschy Cafes
Breakfast at Crossroads Café
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Crossroads Café, a friendly and relaxed restaurant just off I-62. The café serves incredible scrambled dishes, hotcakes and borderline specialties such as huevos rancheros.
Vegetarians should check out the “soy-rizo” hashish, a spicy fried sausage made from soybeans.
Joshua Tree Lounge
Want to really embrace those Old West vibes? Joshua Tree Saloon really feels like an old school saloon. Try the classic American-style menu or join in on the karaoke.
Natural Sisters Coffee
From fresh juices and organic coffees to tons of salads and sandwiches, Natural Sisters Cafe offers a wonderful vegetarian menu.
Café da Fronteira
Frontier Cafe has some amazing vegan options (and non-vegan options too!)
Go Antiquing and Thrifting
Joshua Tree is a paradise for vintage and eclectic shoppers. Get your essentials at a collection of quirky boutiques and corner stores such as Starlite Courtyard, Hoof and the Horn, Pioneer Crossing and BKB Ceramics.
You'll also find Trailer Court Shops, a mini-village of shopping carts stocking Mexican blankets, mid-century collectibles, figurative sculptures and folk art. Some of the favorite boutiques include: The Blooming Gypsy, Moon Wind, Promised Land and The End.
You can have fun with the Crochet Museum while you're here!
Climbing
Joshua Tree was made for climbers and has over 4,500 routes for beginners and experts alike. Sign up for a training class or warm-up session at the Joshua Tree Climbing School. It will get your blood pumping before you hit the rocks!
The team is made up of well-qualified guides who sometimes lead private trips and family tours of the park. You can also join a small group for a day tour based on your level of adventure.
What do you think of these trees?
Go hiking + explore nature
The beautiful wilderness in Joshua Tree National Park attracts all climbers, hikers and campers to its rocky slopes. The cactus gardens, ghost town ruins and stargazing make it a must-stop on any trip to the desert.
The park has several easy trails that take you past palm trees and have great views of the Salton Sea.
Some of the main highlights include:
- Skull Rock – aptly named, this stone is shaped like a skull and is quite popular for being off the road
- cap rock — ideal for sunset!
- Hidden Valley – this is great if you are after a short walk inside the park
- Arco Rock – if you've ever been to Arches National Park, this looks like a smaller version of something you might see there!
- Cholla cactus garden – get your fill of cacti here!
Explore the City of Pioneers
Pioneertown it was built in the 1940s as an Old West movie set and provided temporary housing for cast and crew. It has been the location of many TV shows including The Cisco Kid and Judge Roy Bean.
Today you can still roam its dirt roads; it is a bizarre sort of “old Western Disneyland”. While you're there, don't miss the bowling alley, reconstructed prison, bathhouse, bank, lifelike dolls, fake crows and dynamite props.
Enjoy live music
Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace is a longtime landmark. The Palace is a popular live music venue in the area and is home to the Desert Stars Festival, an annual music event held in September.
It's the best place in the desert to check out LA and local bands; among its patrons are the notable Eric Burdon and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.
Naturalives Rejuvenation Day Spa
Need a break from the sun and sand? After a grueling weekend of desert hiking, spend some time at Naturalives, a refreshing, holistic spa offering everything from massage to chakra balancing.
Relax at the fingertips of certified massage therapists or opt for more therapeutic sessions that focus on problem areas or offer reflexology. Spa services also include manicures and pedicures, reiki, yoga, an infrared sauna, facials, body wraps, and waxing.
Visit the Integratron
Whether your first or last stop in the Mojave Desert, be sure to visit the Integratron. The impressive structure was built by ufologist George van Tassel in 1959. The blueprints are influenced by UFO plumbing and it is said that Nikola Tesla's works were provided to van Tassel by aliens from Venus.
Dubbed the “fusion of art, science and magic”, its aim is to explore invisible magnetic fields and electromagnetic frequencies that affect biological cells. Van Tassel claimed that the cells of those inside the structure were rejuvenated.
Nowadays, it is mainly a tourist attraction where visitors can go to be exposed to harmonic sound frequencies.
Have you been to Joshua Tree before? What would you recommend seeing, doing or eating in the desert?
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