Joshua Tree Travel Guide
Joshua Tree is one of my favorite places to visit. If you’re in LA, it’s a quick weekend trip and such a gem. I’m sharing some must-visit places around Joshua Tree here. I love that you can stop by Joshua Tree for a day, or a quick weekend trip. If you stop by Palm Springs while you’re at it be sure to check out my Palm Springs travel guide here.
Where to Stay in Joshua Tree
I feel like there are a few places where AirBnb just makes the most sense, and Joshua Tree is definitely one of them. There are also a few small motels around the area too. And Palm Springs is always an option if you’re just looking to do a quick drive to Joshua Tree. I’m breaking down some of my top picks to stay at below.
+ The Joshua Tree House: A super cute and Insta-famous house in Joshua Tree. This one gets booked far out.
+ The Desert Lodge: A gorgeous, spacious AirBnb. This one is perfect for big groups.
+ 29Palms Inn: A cute motel with lots of pastel pink.
+ Camping in Joshua Tree: I did this a few years ago, and it was SO cool. Highly recommend going in the cooler months, like October because it can be super hot.
+ Desert Wild: A dreamy AirBnB that I’m dreaming of staying at.
+ Dome in the Desert: A cool dome-shaped AirBnb to stay at.
Where to Shop
Vintage shopping is a muuuust. On the way into Joshua Tree, there’s a bunch of thrift shops options in Yucca Valley. Here are my faves…
+ Sky Village Swap Meet: Wander around, dig for records, a cool thrifting spot.
+ The End: My fave vintage shop, has a cool mural outside too! The vintage collection is stellar.
+ Black Luck Vintage Store: Another great vintage shop to check out!
+ Ricochet Vintage Wares: And yet another cool vintage shop nearby.
+ World Famous Crochet Museum: While this isn’t exactly a shop, there’s a cool art scene here and a shop too. Definitely check this place out for some quirky cool sights!
See Monument House
This house is on the drive into the park if you’re entering through the East entrance. The colors, the architecture, it just gets me in my feelings. I’d been wanting to see it for a while, so we made a stop on our way into the park. The architecture against the rocks and blue sky are so cool.
The Joshua Tree Park
If you’re headed to Joshua Tree, you should definitely visit the park. It’s $25 per car to enter the park, and there are two entrances you can go into. I tend to think that the East entrance is best because you can stop by all of the other places on this list on the way. It’s a magical place full of Joshua Trees, and I think everyone should experience it.
Visit Pioneertown
If you haven’t been to Pioneertown do yourself a favor and make a visit. It’s the type of place that’s quaint, and cute. It’s a little Old West set that looks like a tiny town: frontier stables, saloons, and jails. It super quirky and fun. Some Hollywood people made it back in the day, and used it as a film set in the 1940s. Now the buildings are used as little shops. Be sure to check the concert schedule at Pappy and Harriet’s, some of the best acts stop by there, and during Coachella weekends some of the headliners perform there too. And if no one is performing definitely stop by for a drink.
Where to Eat + Drink
Joshua Tree isn’t exactly a foodie scene, but here are a few places to grab a coffee or food.
+ La Copine for breakfast
+ Joshua Tree Coffee Co is a cute spot to grab a great coffee!
A few places to see…
+ Stop by Cactus Mart: On the drive out, there’s a cute little cactus shop off the side of the highway called Cactus Mart. It’s a fun spot to grab a cactus, or browse around.
+ The Integatron: I’ve always wanted to go here, but never made it. Take a sound bath and find some zen in the desert here.
+ Smith Ranch Drive-In: If you’re looking for something to do in the evening, they have an old school drive in at 29Palms!
Make a Trip to Salvation Mountain
I’ll preface this by saying that Salvation Mountain is near, but not THAT near Joshua Tree. Either way, it’s a must visit someday when you have a chance. The guy that made it was inspired to spread love, and made it his mission in life to paint this colorful mountain. It’s an inspirational, positive place that everyone should experience. See more photos of it here!
Hope you have the best time in Joshua Tree! Let me know your favorite things to do there in the comments. xoxo Erika
