Though just an hour’s drive from Palm Springs, the region around California’s Joshua Tree National Park feels like a totally different reality. Of course, that has a lot to do with its otherworldly terrain—perched thousands of feet above sea level where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, the landscape is both brutal and beautiful, offering endless vistas of boulder-strewn mountains, cactus-studded valleys, and wide-open skies.
Known to locals as the High Desert, the area—which includes Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, Pioneertown, and the unincorporated community of Joshua Tree—has been home to indigenous peoples for millennia. It’s also been drawing visitors for centuries; legend has it that Mormon settlers gave the region’s endemic yucca trees the biblical name of “Joshua” in the early 19th century. And who could forget that the iconic band U2 named their seminal 1987 album after the desert region?
Recently, a new wave of visitors has discovered the charm of the High Desert—and many have decided to stay. Lured by the promise of wide-open spaces and more affordable homes, people from Los Angeles and beyond flocked to the area during the pandemic—an in turn, further fueled an already-thriving creative scene and set up a host of new businesses along the way. “Artists and seekers have long been drawn here, and it’s exciting to watch the area evolve further and to be a part of such a lovely and welcoming community,” says Jessica Pell, founder of the design firm Manola Studio and owner of the recently opened Hotel Wren in Twentynine Palms. “There’s something incredibly humbling about the High Desert and how it holds silence, space, and time differently. There’s an ache and a beauty in the contrast: the softness of light against sharp rock, the resiliency of wildflowers blooming in impossible soil, the brilliance of its creatures designed to endure such extreme conditions.”
With all that spellbinding natural beauty and a host of newly opened shops, restaurants, and lodging options—rumor has it that a Joshua Tree outpost of Miami’s Faena is also soon to arrive—it’s no wonder the High Desert holds everlasting appeal. Below, a look at some of the best places to stay, eat, and play should you decide to make the trip yourself. Just a word of caution to the heat-adverse: In the summer, temperatures can reach triple digits, so you may want to plan your trip for the cooler months between October and April—or, at the very least, make sure you have access to a very cold pool.
Where to Stay
For those who crave a quintessential camping experience without any of the discomfort, AutoCamp’s Joshua Tree location offers 47 custom Airstreams and eight sleek, tiny-home cabins. Nestled within 25 acres adjacent to the National Park and its West Entrance—and a stone’s throw away from the village of Joshua Tree’s main strip—it makes for an ideal launch pad from which to explore the area’s many delights. (So much so that it also served as the base for Vogue’s June 2025 cover shoot featuring Hailey Bieber, photographed by Mikael Jansson.)
And no wonder: Aesthetes and nature lovers alike appreciate both the high design and the attention to detail, which includes original art from local artists, dark sky-compliant lighting, native landscaping, organic-modern architecture by HKS, and handcrafted interiors by Narrative Design. In the mid-century modern-inspired Clubhouse, for example, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows, wood-slat walls, a free-standing fireplace, and plenty of clean-lined furniture in natural materials that echo the landscape outside.
Like other AutoCamp properties, the Joshua Tree outpost also offers a schedule of complimentary communal activities that range from morning yoga classes to evening live music to complimentary happy hours, while sound baths, guided hikes, and stargazing tours are available to book for an extra fee. You’ll also find a restaurant, bar, and a general store stocked with everything you could need—including grill kits, s’more ingredients, and all the making of an excellent charcuterie board—as well as a shaded patio, hot tub, and swimming pool from which to soak up the desert’s magic when not out adventuring. In short, it’s an experience that’s feels something akin to an updated version of adult summer camp—if summer camp was chic, pet-friendly, and had cocktails, of course.
%2520(1).jpg)
Originally a 1940s roadside motel, its twelve airy rooms are centered around a lushly-landscaped saltwater hot tub, fire pit, and pool to create an oasis of original artwork, natural textures, and hand-picked furniture. Designer and owner Jessica Pell calls it her “love letter to the desert”—and truly, every detail feels completely aligned with the locale: “The paint colors were matched directly from plant matter found on the property during the summer and winter. Our favorite desert flora and fauna were hand-painted on tiles by an artist as a little tribute to the land and all it holds,” she says. “I wanted Hotel Wren to feel like you’re visiting someone’s home—personal, intimate, and composed. My hope is that guests feel that care and that it creates a kind of soft landing.”
.jpg)
Though the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, each of its rooms has a fully equipped kitchenette, and natural wine, local cheeses, and other provisions can be purchased at the thoughtfully curated bodega on site. There’s also a complimentary breakfast featuring some of the best pastries in the area: Don’t miss the cinnamon-date bagels from 29 Loaves—a true local delicacy. Even better, the hotel is within minutes of the less-crowded northern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park and its main visitor’s center.
This chic collection of 14 post-and-beam homes is nestled within the sprawling, 152-acre campus of the historic Joshua Tree Retreat Center—also known as the Institute of Metaphysics—offering an opportunity to experience the desert’s famed mid-century design as well as its mysticism. Recently renovated and completely architecturally restored, the Harold Zook-designed Bungalows were originally created in 1960 to house the site’s on-campus teachers, and still feature many of their original aesthetic charms—including wood exteriors, sun-bleached interiors, and intricate millwork. Guests also have complimentary access to the Retreat Center’s pool, hot tub, and cafe—as well as all classes, workshops and activities for an additional fee. And, if you prefer a larger dwelling off-campus, Homestead Modern also offers some of the most intriguing design-centric rental house options in the Joshua Tree area and beyond.
Where to Eat
Housed in a lone adobe building off 29 Palms Highway in Joshua Tree, this adorable cafe designed by Studio Plow serves coffee by day and cocktails by night. Out back you’ll find a sprawling patio with string lights where local bands, DJs, and vendors often set up shop.
For a breezy indoor-outdoor experience amongst the cacti, head to this vibrant restaurant in Twentynine Palms. The menu features Carribean-tinged dishes like curry chana with coconut rice, steak with chimichurri, and spicy kale with goat cheese. Stop by for pear pancakes and to peruse the selection of local artists onsite during the day or at sunset when you can take in the fiery desert sky while sipping a matcha margarita or a chilled natural wine.
This historic restaurant at the Yucca Valley Airport is a must for anyone who loves a good story—and a good martini. The landmark property, which originally opened in 1957, has been recently restored to capture its former Frank Sinatra-era glory with red banquettes, wood paneling, and a long bar that features sweeping views of the runway outside. With food by Last Word Hospitality (of Los Angeles’ beloved Found Oyster) and a bar program by Eric Alperin, expect an elevated, retro-inspired menu that goes way beyond your usual airport fare.
Don’t let the diner vibes fool you—inside this couple-owned Yucca Valley restaurant, the aesthetic is crisp and white, while the food is fresh, inventive, and flavorful. Think: whipped ricotta and figs, sunchoke latkes with pea shoots, and gazpacho blanco with almonds and grapes. Stop on your way back from Pioneertown—you won’t be disappointed.
Where to Shop
Located on the main stretch of Twentynine Palms around the corner from the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, this sweet home decor shop features a curated selection of desert-inspired art and ceramics by local makers. Stop by after a visit to the nearby Farmer’s Market and a peek at the Visitor Center’s impeccable permanent exhibit showcasing the indigenous history of the park.
Holding court at the front of Twentynine Palms’ Corner 62 building—which also houses a host of other cool, indie stores—White Label Vinyl is a music-lover’s dream. Opened by LA-transplant Steve Przybylowski in 2020, it offers a large selection of new and used records as well vintage denim, western wear, books, art, and posters. You might even find something from 1960s psychedelic legend Timothy Leary… it’s that kind of mind-blowing assortment.
Though this desert “general store” also has a location in Joshua Tree, don’t skip its flagship location in Twentynine Palms’ Historic Plaza (right next to the equally visit-worthy Desert Moon Apothecary), which features an even larger selection of denim, books, vintage objects, apothecary, and other goods inflected with the spirit of a motorcycle adventure on the open desert roads. (Especially appealing is the fabulously well-curated selection of vintage astrology books tucked in the corner.)
Whether you’re in the market for a prairie print blouse, an embellished denim jacket, or the perfect cowboy hat, you’re likely to find it at these two conjoining shops in Twentynine Palms, which specialize in vintage clothing, furniture, objects, and western goods.
