Although the otherworldly desert landscape of Joshua Tree has been calling me for years, it wasn’t until this past month (after nearly 10 years of living in Southern California!) that we finally made our way there.
For decades, Joshua Tree has been known as an eclectic outpost for artists, musicians and others in search of solitude and spiritual awakening, but in the past several years especially, a new wave of makers and wellness folk have been quietly establishing the next generation of desert chic. Called by the peace, freedom and creative possibility of simple living, and ushered in by affordable home prices, Joshua tree is a utopia of locally made goods, great vintage finds, recycled art, bohemian airBnB’s, mid-century design, stock tank pools, artisanal pop-up shops and healthy restaurants.
Some favorite Joshua Tree dweller’s instagram accounts from top L, clockwise: lilystockman, m.parkestudio, alaalison, the_brick_house
To be sure I’m not painting an unrealistic picture– Joshua Tree does not share the glitz of Palm Springs. The Mojave Desert towns that make up the greater J-Tree area (primarily Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, Twentynine Palms, and Wonder Valley) are linked by long, mostly empty dusty roads, and the majority of attractions included here are clustered in unassuming strip malls along the 29 Palms Highway. But this is all part of the allure. Here, it’s rough-and-tumble old west vibe is all about the essentials. Getting back to basics (in terms of both life and luxury) and embracing the harsh beauty that the desert offers is what you come here for.
Our 36-hour stay was surely not long enough to truly get to know the area, yet it was somehow enough time to both check out nearly everything we wanted and completely recharge. Our home base was the Acacia House, where we stayed with our good friends and favorite travel partners for this much anticipated baby-free getaway. Between hiking around the national park, poking in the local shops, obsessing over every bite at La Copine, and balancing our chakras at the Integration, we spent the weekend cozy at home. BBQ-ing, listening to their impeccably curated record collection, staring up at the milky way, laughing late into the night and waking up the sunrise, it was just the escape we needed. Check out the place below as well as a guide to Joshua Tree at the very bottom with some great spots to check out when you’re in town.
Fresh juice delivery by Angela de la Agua
BKB ceramic beauties
don’t miss la copine!
the integretron
JOSHUA TREE GUIDE
*a super general map as I always find it helpful to be able to visualize where things are in relation to one another…for reference, Joshua Tree National Park and the Integratron are 20 miles/ 30 mins apart and the items clustered together are literally next door*
FLAMINGO HEIGHTS/ LANDERS
PIONEERTOWN
JOSHUA TREE
YUCCA VALLEY
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