Joshua Tree: California's Last Desert Getaway
Joshua Tree, CA is quickly becoming one of the last authentic desert getaways on the West Coast. Defined by untouched horizons, vast starlit skies, and the cool-vibe nostalgia of the psychedelic 1960s, California's High Desert is located just two hours east of Los Angeles and about forty-five minutes from an international airport in the well-known oasis, Palm Springs.
Sitting in the Mojave Desert about 3,000 feet above sea level, this high desert has been a treasured spiritual destination for about 5,000 years -- making it a truly unique Californian experience. Aptly named after the yucca trees that dot its picturesque landscapes, Joshua Tree is a national park at its core. However, in the '60s and '70s, the desert acted as a spiritual getaway for musicians like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons of The Byrds, who were known to frequent its hills and valleys.
Today, Joshua Tree remains the ultimate artsy adventure for free spirits looking to escape the LA smog, but is now a sought after location for visitors from around the world. Five-star rated accommodations like The Joshua Tree House and famous restaurant venues like Pappy & Harriet's (where Paul McCartney and The Arctic Monkey’s have performed) add to the essence of life in this wilderness.
One of the living rooms in The Joshua Tree House. This ranch has three private villas to book year round — dreamy desert vibes included.
Looking for a desert music festival that’s not Coachella? For over a decade, the Joshua Tree Music Festival has taken place every May and October and showcases up and coming artists from around the world.
The outside venue at Pappy & Harriett’s — the place to drink a Rancho De La Luna Mezcal and soak in the sunset.
On those lazy days in the Mojave, grab brunch at La Copine, a new American bistro with killer fried chicken — or step up your boho-chic style with a fringed leather jacket from a local vintage favourite, The End.
Of course, it is safe to say that there’s no Joshua Tree without art — and the groovier, the better. Ranging from funky outdoor installations like the Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Art or the nearby Desert X festival where Doug Aitken’s mirrored ranch home premiered in 2017, there’s always something spectacular to see amongst the yucca trees.
And if stargazing and hiking are on your bucket list in Joshua Tree, Skull Rock, Ryan Mountain, and the Cholla Cactus Gardens are just a few well-loved locations to stop and take in the quiet, but untamable nature of this mysterious California desert.
