Joshua Tree has been the hottest getaway since people flooded New York and Beverly Hills in the 1980’s.

Joshua Tree, part of the Mojave desert is one of the few deserts where you can rent a hacienda, turn up the loudspeakers, and dance until sunrise without a phone call from a concerning neighbor. You won’t see any buildups of Sheratons or Hiltons lining the National Park. Moreover, you’ll see mom and pop vegetarian and vegan restaurants selling homemade crunch bars. Here’s our guide to enjoying the desert.

Be One With Nature

Set your alarm to 7AM, make a cup of Joshua Tree specialty tea as the sun rises, and make your way over to the National Park. Stone Adventures is our pick for a professional rock climbing crew. Owner Aron Stockhausen is the best of the best with over 20 years climbing experience over five continents. Be weary to book in the summer months, due to high temperatures. If you decide to, bring at least a liter of water, don’t dry out! PS. Unless you are built with the stamina of a 8 year old, the half day is enough. It’s tiring!

Name: Stone Adventures

Joshua Tree Vibes

For places to stay, Airbnb is the best call. You’ll find unique homes- from airstreams, homestays, cottages, haciendas, to luxury new construction pool homes.

Name: Airbnb

Night Out in the Desert

The place to go out in Joshua Tree is the one and only, iconic Pappy & Harriet’s. Its a bustling honky tonk barbecue restaurant and music venue. During  Coachella and Stagecoach, many artists come to P&H to play sets. Keep an eye out because you can get discounted tickets to see big name performances such as Lorde to Vampire Weekend.

Name: Pappy & Harriet’s

Address: 53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268

Get Off The Grid

See the desert from the lens of a stallion. We booked a one hour tour from Crazy Horse Ranch located conveniently in the Morongo Valley on the way home from Joshua Tree to LA. The stallions were perfectly manicured and thick! I cringe when I see undernourished horses, so these are beauties to look at. We trotted in the desert and appreciated the fluctuating terrain. It was a nice taste of the wild wild west.

Name: Crazy Horse Ranch 

Address: 50440 Cheyenne Trail, Morongo Valley, CA 92256

More To See in California?