While Palm Springs has a 1960s desert glamour and Rancho Mirage has sprawling golf resorts, Twentynine Palms, just past Joshua Tree, has its own high desert character, with bohemian boutiques and beautiful places to stay. Here's our weekend getaway guide to Twentynine Palms and the surrounding desert.
Where to Stay:
The desert has an extreme independent streak, and you can find everything from yurts and eco-tents to gorgeously decorated vacation homes. Look around Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Wonder Valley, and compare current listings and prices for your dates.
We stayed at the beautiful Private Hot Springs Ocotillo House out in Wonder Valley, a newly developing area we had previously never been to before. Our spot had 3 bedrooms, a full kitchen, a massive stone hot tub and lots of open space.
A few more spots to check out:
The Joshua Tree House of Whitmore: A SUPER cool, modern compound with concrete interiors in a wide open field.
On a budget?
Twentynine Palms and the surrounding Joshua Tree area have motel options worth comparing with vacation rentals, especially if you're traveling as a couple. Rates vary by season and dates.
Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Joshua Tree National Park (Yucca Valley): This hotel is WILD! Check out the themed suites in the photos. Selected themed rooms have jetted tubs, so check the specific room before booking. Brandon and I have a deep love for America's Best Value Inns after staying in one at Newark Airport way back in 2014.
Motel 6 Twentynine Palms: A simple motel option to compare if you're looking for more adventure and care less about the aesthetics of your hotel. Check current rates for your dates.
Where to Eat:
Brunching at Country Kitchen
Pappy and Harriet's: While this is located a bit of a drive away in Pioneertown, it is one of our all-time favorite spots in the area. Pappy and Harriet's is a legendary showspace and bar that gets surprisingly large acts for being way out in the desert (Paul McCartney played a surprise show here a few years ago!), and is always packed with people. It also has AMAZING food - and some of the best ribs anywhere. Seriously if you like ribs, get a rack of ribs here. They are divine.
Rocky's New York Style Pizzeria: An un-ironically old-school pizza parlour, Rocky's is fun to step in to - with a hand lettered menu, old pizzeria tables, and a little arcade on the side, and also offers really great pizza. We brought ours back to our house to share with a bottle of wine.
Joshua Tree Coffee Company: Our Airbnb stocked coffee beans from here and they were GOOD, so we stopped by as we drove through town. Great coffee with a nice outdoor patio to hang out or work on a laptop.
Joshua Tree Saloon: About 10 years ago, on my first trip down to Joshua Tree, we stopped in to the Saloon here for burgers after hiking around the park all day, and ended up getting up and singing because it was karaoke night. Great food and always an entertaining spot to try.
Where to Explore:
Exploring in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree Park: Luckily, you don't need to drive all the way around to Joshua Tree to enter Joshua Tree Park - there is a lesser-known entrance right from Twentynine Palms that takes you into some of the coolest areas of the park quickly. If you need information or a park map, stop by the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center at 6533 Freedom Way in downtown Twentynine Palms. I always find just wandering around and taking photos in Joshua Tree to be a full day's activity all on its own - we hardly ever look for actual hiking trails, and just pull the car over and climb around wherever feels interesting. It's never led us astray. The area near 29 palms has some incredible rock formations, and also a few proper hiking trails - check out the Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail for some cool desert greenery, and the area surrounding The Arch for amazing rocks to climb. Check current park conditions before setting out for Fortynine Palms Oasis, which can close seasonally.
Other Things to Do:
Glass Outhouse Gallery: A field full of wild and eccentric art installations surrounds an actual interior gallery. There is also a real glass outhouse with a working toilet. You can see out - but no one can see in.
Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center: An observatory where you can look deeply into the night sky. Check the current program calendar for stargazing events and registration details.
Where to Shop:
Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree are known for bohemian boutiques and vintage shops - here are the best ones to add to your weekend to do list. Note: If you are visiting on a weekday, there is a strong chance that many of these places won't be open on some days, the area plays by its own rules.
Habitat: On our visit, a cute, bohemian homewares and gifts boutique right on the main stretch in Twentynine Palms. Check current opening information before making a special trip.
Jen's Pirate Booty: On our visit, the Joshua Tree outpost of this hip LA Boho brand stocked Spell and the Gypsy, Lack of Color Hats, and local designer jewelry.
Totally Blown: "A conceptual clothing company that distresses clothing using the shotgun"
Ricochet Vintage: Looking to dig through the closets of the long-time, 1970's-looking residents of the desert cities? This is the place to do it.
Wonder Valley Oil Shop: We visited a BEAUTIFUL and super Instagrammable shop in a vintage gas station. Wonder Valley makes olive oil and oil-based cleansers and balms by a local husband and wife team.
BKB Ceramics: Ceramic homewares by a local artist. Check the current online shop for available pieces and any visiting information.
Get Inspired:
A natural earth-made hut at Wonder Valley Hot Springs
Glass Outhouse Gallery art installations.
Airbnb Days
Lazy days and late sun at our Airbnb - I always love staying somewhere this pretty!
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