Perfect Weekend in Joshua Tree
I’ve been on a domestic travel kick, exploring my home state of California lately. And my gosh, there is so much beauty here! It’s funny how you don’t tend to appreciate your own backyard. (I’m trying to rectify that though!)
Joshua Tree is quirky desert town that should be on anyone’s bucket list. There are lots of oddities to be explored, epic scenery, and beautiful starry nights.
The park is home to the famous Joshua tree (which can be found all over the park). And apparently was named by Mormon settlers who arrived there in the mid 1800s. I guess the tree’s shape reminded them of the Joshua reaching his hands up in the air to pray (Bible story). The trees are actually pretty susceptible to climate change and could be gone within 100 years….so better go check out this gorgeous park soon before it’s too late!
NOTE: It gets REALLY hot in Joshua Tree during the summer….so you may want to plan your trip Sept-May when temperatures are cooler and a little more enjoyable But keep in mind that desert at night can be very chilly….so pack / dress accordingly!
Here are my recos for how to structure a trip to Joshua Tree!
Friday:
Drive to Joshua Tree and get settled into your Airbnb.
We stayed at Boho Cowboy Retreat – which is an eccentric little Airbnb that is in a prime location for activities in the area and heading into the park. The highlight of this place is the outdoor area – which is perfectly set up for group hang out sessions. There is a fire place, hammocks, lots of games like bags, horseshoe, an outdoor bar area with TV, AND a camper (which actually acts as the 2nd bedroom).
I was in a group of 4 and we loved the spot….we are already planning to return and stay in this same Airbnb.
In the evening, head into the park for a visit to the Cholla Gardens at sunset. This is a cactus farm and one of my favorite sites in Joshua Tree. It’s absolutely stunning and once it gets dark you can see billions of stars! I’ve honestly never seen the milky way like I did that night. It was unreal!
Joshua Tree entrance is $25 per vehicle and is good for up to a week.
Saturday:
After a leisurely wake up, head over to Frontier Café for breakfast (I highly recommend the avocado toast….it’s BOMB….the breakfast sandwiches were awesome too). There are some cute clothing shops along this stretch as well that you may want to pop into.
Depending on how much time you want in Joshua Tree, you may want to check out the Saturday Farmers Market – it’s open from 8am-1pm and you can find merchants selling many locally grown & created items.
Then head into Joshua Tree for a full day of hiking and exploring. You’ll want to bring a cooler with beverages and a packed lunch/dinner, as there aren’t places selling food once you are inside the park.
Here are some of the things you shouldn’t miss:
Keys View – this lookout point at 5,000 feet elevation offers breathtaking vistas and is great any time of day – although it’s most exciting at sunset! When the weather is clear, you can see all the way to Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, and sometimes even Mexico!
Arch Rock – famous granite arch with a .5 mile easy hiking loop
Skull Rock – this collection of rocks is one of the most popular place in the park and feels almost otherworldly…like you stepped into a video game or something! Just across the street you can find a 1.7 mile hiking trail through Joshua trees.
Pull over anywhere & climb on giant rocks - you can do this pretty much everywhere and is one of the most fun parts of Joshua Tree!
Hike nature trails – there are so many great ones to choose from, but I’ve highlighted some of the most popular ones below:
Hidden Valley Nature Trail – scenic & easy one mile loop trail
Barker Dam Nature Trail – walking tail 1.3 miles long. Expect to see lots of trees, rocks, and a water area that sometimes attracts birds.
Ryan Mountain Trail – this trail takes place at a higher elevation and offers exquisite views of the surrounding park. 3 miles roundtrip (gains 1000 feet).
Lost Palms Oasis – this trail is 7 miles long and gains 500 feet elevation. This trail is in the southern part of the park and does not disappoint. Make sure you bring plenty of water though because there shade
Sunday:
Sunday morning wake up and grab brunch – before checking out some of the various activities to do within Yucca Valley & the Joshua Tree surrounding area. Here are a few suggestions for brunch/breakfast:
Crossroads Café (American Café)
Natural Sisters (Healthy Eats / American)
Country Kitchen (American Café)
Frontier Café (Coffee Shop/Quick Bites)
Then head over to Pioneertown– a revitalized old west town with various shops and restaurants to explore. This town is built entirely in 1880s style – but was actually built in 1946 by Hollywood investors and used as a film set for more than 50 films and TV shows in the 1940s and 1950s.
Pappy & Harriet’s is a famous restaurant that can be found at the edge of Pioneertown as well. Several well known artists have performed here.
It’s a great little spot to kill an hour or so and get some photos.
One thing to note however – is that they require a permit to film/photograph if you have over 10K followers on social media. There are signs up all over. I had never seen something like that before. Hence why I did not include photos :)
After a visit to Pioneertown, drive over to Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum. Noah Purifoy is an African-American visual artist and sculptor who has spent most of his life working in Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. In 1989, he began building and sculpting art that is a part of the museum today. It contains over a hundred large scale art installations and sculptures.
It’s a great place to wander around and take some photos. It’s open sunrise to sunset and it’s dog-friendly as well!
After Noah Purifoy’s, grab some lunch in town. A few recommendations:
Pie for the People (Pizza)
Las Palmas (Mexican)
Cali Greens Café (Sandwich/Wraps/Breakfast)
Pappy & Harriet’s Palace (American)
Well that ends my perfect weekend itinerary for Joshua Tree! I hope this was helpful to you in your planning. I have no doubt that you will LOVE Joshua Tree and this will be the first of many trips out there.
Xo
Lauren