Joshua Tree at sunset
The desert at sunset is a spiritual experience. The harsh, dry landscape comes alive with purples and pinks that instantly soften anything sharp and menacing. You feel as if you can take a deep, long exhale and are reminded that we’re just a tiny part of this huge planet. Micah and I come out here at least twice a year to get away from the city and experience the quiet vastness.
This particular trip, we started our day by cooking breakfast at The Lautner Compound, where we stayed, then drove out to White Water, a little nature preserve just off the 10 highway. It was pretty, but kind of underwhelming, and very windy so I wouldn’t necessarily go back. Once you’ve seen the epic landscape of Joshua Tree it’s impossible for anything else to compare.
For lunch we stopped at our favorite place, Frontier Cafe in Yucca Valley. I always get the Green Dream sandwich, and let me tell you - it is a dream. So are their iced match lattes. Everything in the desert is spread out so you need to give yourself enough time to drive to wherever you’re going. We were staying in Desert Hot Springs which is about 30 - 45 minutes to Yucca Valley, then it’s another 30 - 45 minutes from Yucca Valley to the entrance of the park.
The park is where the Mojave and Colorado deserts collide, and it’s big, about 800,000 acres. It takes a good 2 hours to drive from the north side to the south. We usually start at the West Entrance right near Joshua Tree village, then drive through, stopping along the way and leave out the South Entrance at Cottonwood Spring. However, if we’re staying in Joshua Tree then we just go back out the West Entrance.
It’s one of the only places in the world where Joshua Trees grow, and is covered in rock formations that look squished together to create the most beautiful shapes.
Food Highlights
Frontier Cafe - Best for breakfast or lunch, their sandwiches are divine and I don’t usually like sandwiches.
Natural Sisters - I get the black bean burger and a smoothie but their salads are amazing too. The carrot cake is a must have!
The Dez - Just got coffee and a snack here but it was delicious.
Pappy & Harriets - More for the atmosphere than the food. If you’re staying in Joshua Tree it’s a great place to go at night for live music and a vibe.
La Copine - Amazing breakfast/brunch. A little out of the way but one of the more refined places to eat.
Design Highlights
The Desert - The desert landscape is all the design inspiration you need.
Acme 5 - Furniture and lifestyle store with a lot of beautiful items.
Mojave Flea Trading Post - Lot’s of great local brands in here, they have vintage clothing, home decor, wellness products, etc and the store is really cute
Mojave Sands Hotel - 5 room boutique hotel with beautiful design. Great place to stay in Joshua Tree.
