Joshua Tree Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Shop, See + Eat
As I prepared for my recent trip out west, I mentioned to people that a leg of my trip would lead me to Joshua Tree. Several times I heard, “that was one of my favorite trips ever.” I now know why. It was here in Joshua Tree that I got some serious head space, sound sleep, plenty of Vitamin D, and a heavy dose of inspiration.
I stayed in Joshua Tree for five days. A long road led me here. I had already spent three days in Vegas for my cousin’s bachelorette party. Then, I flew to San Diego, where I spent the day and then rode to Oceanside for work with Jazzercise. After three days in the beach town, I rented a car and drove to Palm Springs, situated 40 minutes from Joshua Tree. Here, my dear friend and talented photographer Ashley scooped me up to take me to the magic land. She recently made the move to Joshua Tree with her pups. The desert town was to be my home base for the second weekend of Coachella.
Joshua Tree is a small, eclectic, progressive town full of curated thrift shops and boutiques, wholesome and creative dining spots, and rejuvenating respites set among the Mojave Desert. Here, the Yucca brevifolia, also known as the Joshua Tree, grows among fam palms, rock formations, cacti, and wildlife. Flowers were blooming everywhere during April when I visited. Though it was hot, the desert was lush and inviting.
I’ve recapped my time here and made recommendations for your next trip out west. Save it for later or pull the trigger on tickets now. Make it happen. See what beauty and feel the freedom for yourself.
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Where to Stay
I’ve been following Thunderbird Lodge Retreat for a while now. I was drawn in by the quiet seclusion of the cabins. I was hooked by the unique characteristics of each one with names like the Ranch House & Saloon, “Space” Mountain, and Shell House. I rested in the Rock House during my stay, which had a full kitchen, wifi, two bedrooms, a bathroom, cozy living room, and several outdoor hangout spots. Every nook and cranny exposed a bit of artistic touches from the owners and curators of this homestead in the desert. If you watch the video above, I met a friend there, too! We named him Turt.
Where to Eat
We had breakfast here twice. We scarfed down gluten-free polenta, eggs, and veggies one day. Another day, we ordered tacos and French dips. We sat at the bar for easy service and to watch the kitchen in action. The staff here was especially sweet and we always left full.
Ashley knew I’d like Frontier. I visited the spot more than once. We ordered Avocado Tartines, Vegan BLTs and iced coffees on the way to Coachella. I returned again another day by myself for a few hours of computer work. I scooped up lattes for the crew on the way home. The spot stayed full of friendly locals and trendy visitors. It’s also a solid starting point for shopping saunter (more below).
If you’re craving a healthy salad, smoothie, or vegetarian friendly sandwich, swing through Natural Sisters Cafe. You’ll also find an extensive selection of coffee drinks. There was a line every time of day, which is a sure sign of good food. Space is limited here, so I recommend getting food to go before a sunset picnic in the desert.
Honorable mentions go to Pappy & Harriet’s for live music and 29 Palms Inn for fine dining. I didn’t get to go to either, but they were both recommended several times.
Where to Shop
Here, you’ll find and edgy collection of cowboy boots, chunky necklaces, scarves, denim, art , vinyl and more one-of-a-kind items. I stepped away with a green died coral necklace I love.
I found vintage shirts, floral dresses and rompers, kimonos, candles, sunglasses, hats, and more at Hoof & The Horn. It felt very selective in its collection, but still laid back. Expect high quality items with the price that goes with them, but nothing not worth its tag.
I walked into Desert Omen hoping to find some sunglasses. That I did find! The store carries loads of affordable options ($18-25). The space was lined with embroidered pillows, brightly patterned leather sandals, and high quality clothing curated with a desert touch. I loved some of the embellished denim I discovered.
This is the kind of vintage shopping I love. Not a single piece in the store was like the other. You could find bright fluffy tutus, demure slip dresses, and bright red cowboy hats. If I had planned better, I might have started here to build my Coachella wardrobe.
This was one of my favorite discoveries. This bohemian is fit for a desert princess.I wish I had more time and more room in my suitcase after this spot. I did wind up taking home a mustard yellow wrap top I plan to wear again and again this summer. I’m sill day dreaming of a sequin dress I tried on. I’m following them on Instagram now for regular arrivals.
I finally landed in Ricochet Vintage. Up front, you’ll find a small store crammed with a variety of leather jackets, cowboy boots, belts, vests, jewelry and hats. Out back is a fenced-in yard and a small trailer, both decorated with house wares, kitchen appliances, and art for sale.
Where to See
There’s only one place to see on my list, and that’s Joshua Tree National Park. Why? Well, it’s 790,000 acres, so you can’t get bored. Also, why come here if you aren’t going to take advantage of this natural source of physical activity and aesthetic wonder? I recommend a sunset or night hike to beat the heat and see some magic. I was overwhelmed by the sunset more than once here. As the sky changes colors, it changes the colors of the landscape with it. Once it turns dark, the stars come out. There’s a high likelihood you’ve never seen that many cars before. The entrance fee is $30 and you can also secure an annual pass for $55.
Here are a few more photos from my visit in Joshua Tree:
A special thank you to Thunderbird Lodge Retreat and Ashley of Sound Snap Photo. I can see why people think this place is magic. Thank you for leading the way.
