Destination: Joshua Tree, CA
Need some time away from work and big city life but it’s Friday afternoon and you haven’t planned a thing? A spontaneous weekend trip to Joshua Tree, CA may be the perfect getaway and we’ve got a quintessential, fun and adventure filled itinerary for you. So, leave the office and pack your bags…ROAD TRIP!
Joshua Tree has long been a destination AND inspiration for those seeking solitude, silence and wide open spaces. Just thirty minutes from Palm Springs, CA, Joshua Tree National Park and it’s quirky trees lure 2.8 million visitors here per year! So, what else is there to do in the high desert? A lot!
Discover the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities; six vibrant communities, each with their own unique flavor, points of interest and attractions. These towns Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, Joshua Tree, 29 Palms and Landers all border our national park and this weekend itinerary, includes something to do in each community. So, stay, play, eat, repeat. Are you ready?
Most visitors arrive off the 10 Freeway, heading up 29 Palms Hwy (62 Hwy). Once you crest the hill into Yucca Valley, you’ll want to stop by the California Welcome Center, where volunteer staff are super knowledgeable, share information, including resources and free maps to the park and area in general.
Their gift shop is full of interesting things and a great place to pick up a souvenir or last minute gift for your favorite local. There’s an interesting array of beautiful jewelry, unique local art and even some desert goodies! Have YOU ever had Prickly Pear jelly?
If you forgot your chapstick, breath mints, sun hat or sun block or need a cool t-shirt, power bracelet or book on the best hiking trails in the park, the California Welcome Center has you covered. You can even shop online before, during or after your trip.
Next up, where are you going to stay? A host of travel apps can help you with this, but the big question is do you stay at a local hotel, an Airbnb or camp?! Let’s review pros and cons of each.
Staying in one of our local motels has its perks. A room is a room and you can bank on quality, cleanliness and comfort at one of our national chain motels. Or, stay at a one off, like the charming and historic 29 Palms Inn or infamous, Harmony Motel. I mean, C’mon U2 Stayed there!
All of the areas motels have restaurants, grocery stores, retail and other provisions nearby, including free wifi, a continental breakfast and swimming pool.
Staying at a local Airbnb can be a unique and exciting experience, but you may not get exactly what you bargained for. Some places seem great online, but that funky/cool RV you quickly booked on your way here in August (or February) with no amenities, may not make for the best stay, as temperatures soar in the summer and tumble in winter.
Camping in the park at one of the 300 camp sites can be fun, but campsites are first come, first served and fill up quickly, especially in the high season; September to May. Depending on group size and children, your want of solitude or silence, could quickly come undone. No matter what though, your stay in one of the Joshua Tree Communities will be a memorable experience.
Need some dinner now? Depending on where you land, check out these fine dining establishments or just head over to the Joshua Tree Saloon for some cheer, great food including fried pickles!
SATURDAY
Plan on hitting the Joshua Tree Farmers Marketfor provisions before going into the park. This certified organic farmers market is open from 8 am to 1pm and just two minutes from the park entrance in downtown Joshua Tree. If you’re lucky you’ll see Sampatti the Bread Lady selling her bread and pastries outside the Beatnik Lounge.
After spending the day in the park, continue east on Park Blvd toward 29 Palms and the East Exit where you will find yourself in the Oasis of Mara and the 29 Palms town limits.
If you’re hungry don’t miss the Mojave Moon Cafe and Desert Bar. Had a late picnic in the park? Grab a cocktail at The Virginian before heading over to Sky’s the Limit, for an incredible stargazing experience at our observatory and nature center. We are a designated Dark Sky Park after all!
Feeling lucky? Want live music, food and drink all at the same time? Tortoise Rock Casino is your place!
If you’re hangry and rolling out of the park at 2 AM, you can always count on good ole Castaneda’s for a tasty burrito; you don’t even need to get out of your car! Who doesn’t love a 24 hour drive thru? There is one in Yucca Valley, too, just sayin’.
SUNDAY
Sunday morning is a great time for a sound bath! It’s actually a sound healing that uses crystal bowls and gongs to lull you into a deep state of relaxation and calm. They’ve become super popular and one of the coolest places to get one is at the Integratron in Landers. You could see if there is availability but they are usually sold out weeks in advance. Maybe next time!
But, there is still hope! Check availability on our site for other sound baths at Instant Karma or Rainbow Stew to name a few.
Rainbow Stew hosts Carrie Laughing Heart’s incredible HOUR long sound bath on the last Sunday of each month from 2-3pm. The cost is only $10.00. Plus, you don’t want to miss that amazing little shop in Old Town, Yucca Valley.
Not feeling it? You could always walk the grounds of Desert Christ Park, a beautiful, larger than life sculpture garden overlooking all of Yucca Valley.
A short distance from both places, you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner at C&S Coffee Shop for the best waffles in town or stop by Frontier Cafe for a cup of the best organic coffee, the one and only Joshua Tree Coffee Company.
If you need one more adventure before heading home, make your way up to Giant Rock and the Landers Brew Pub. Both are not to miss!
Giant Rock is is a large freestanding boulder, seven stories high, purported to be the largest free standing rock in the world! The areas Native Americans considered the rock to be sacred and it was also an airport and home to George Van Tassel’s UFO conventions from 1947 to 1975.
Landers Brew is well, Landers Brew. No words necessary 🙂
Need a nice lunch before leaving town to soak up that beer before hitting the road? La Copine is your spot! This gem of a French restaurant has gotten so many write ups… Don’t miss it! Literally! It’s on your way down the mesa, south on Old Woman Springs Rd./ Hwy 247. Or, take a left at Pipes Canyon Rd. and soak up some western vibes at Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown. Founded by a group of Hollywood investors in 1947, this living 1870s movie set feels like you’ve traveled back in time.
As you wrap up your weekend and make your way down the mountain, back toward the 10 Freeway, stop and stretch your legs one last time in Morongo Valley, before hitting that weekend traffic.
Make a stop at Cactus Mart, where you can dig your own cactus, visit a Koi pond and walk the grounds with free range chickens, a couple of cats and a desert tortoise named, Lunar. It’s a magical place, well worth the stop and a great way to hold on to a few more of those desert vibes before hitting the matrix again. Until next time!