Kalina’s High Desert Guidebook
Sightseeing
The closest entrance to the park from the house is the West Entrance up the hill from the Joshua Tree downtown, approx 25 mins driving.
The Twentynine Palms Entrance is about 40 mins driving from the house, though is often the less busy entrance.
Ryan Mountain - Moderate, uphill 2.8 mile hike with 360 degree views of the park.
Hidden Valley - Easy, 1 mile loop featuring giant boulders & rock formations. Great for families with kids or as an intro hike to the park.
Barker Dam - Easy, 1.3 mile hike. Extra beautiful during or just after a rain. Fun to rock scramble behind the dam for lovely desert vistas. You may also see Bighorn Sheep.
Cholla Cactus Garden - Easy, short walk through the cacti.
Skull Rock - Easy, 1.7 mile hike featuring unique rock formations including the namesake giant skull-shaped rock.
Ocotillo Patch - A dense stretch of ocotillo, fun for photos.
Willow Hole - Moderate, 6.9 mile trail that winds through flat, open sandy desert and rock valleys. After rains there is also a small creek.
Split Rock Loop - Easy 2 mile loop featuring rock formations and beautiful vistas.
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IJoshua Tree National Park
The closest entrance to the park from the house is the West Entrance up the hill from the Joshua Tree downtown, approx 25 mins driving.
The Twentynine Palms Entrance is about 40 mins driving from the house, though is often the less busy entrance.
Ryan Mountain - Moderate, uphill 2.8 mile hike with 360 degree views of the park.
Hidden Valley - Easy, 1 mile loop featuring giant boulders & rock formations. Great for families with kids or as an intro hike to the park.
Barker Dam - Easy, 1.3 mile hike. Extra beautiful during or just after a rain. Fun to rock scramble behind the dam for lovely desert vistas. You may also see Bighorn Sheep.
Cholla Cactus Garden - Easy, short walk through the cacti.
Skull Rock - Easy, 1.7 mile hike featuring unique rock formations including the namesake giant skull-shaped rock.
Ocotillo Patch - A dense stretch of ocotillo, fun for photos.
Willow Hole - Moderate, 6.9 mile trail that winds through flat, open sandy desert and rock valleys. After rains there is also a small creek.
Split Rock Loop - Easy 2 mile loop featuring rock formations and beautiful vistas.
Experience a Sound Bath in a structure designed by George Van Tassel, claimed to be capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel. Reservations required.
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Integratron
2477 Belfield Blvd Experience a Sound Bath in a structure designed by George Van Tassel, claimed to be capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity and time travel. Reservations required.
Explore the 1940s western movie set at Pioneertown now full of small shops and weekend shows.
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Pioneertown
53688 Pioneertown RdExplore the 1940s western movie set at Pioneertown now full of small shops and weekend shows.
Sculpture park & outdoor musem in “secret” South Joshua Tree location
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Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
62975 Blair LnSculpture park & outdoor musem in “secret” South Joshua Tree location
World Famous Crochet Museum
61855 CA-62Self explanatory. Located in JT
About a 15 min drive from the house, Giant Rock is a 7-story giant, freestanding boulder. Learn more here: www.atlasobscura.com/places/giant-rock
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Giant Rock CA
About a 15 min drive from the house, Giant Rock is a 7-story giant, freestanding boulder. Learn more here: www.atlasobscura.com/places/giant-rock
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
11055 East DriveDesert View Conservation Area
Whitewater Preserve
9160 Whitewater Canyon RdGlass Outhouse Art Gallery
77575 Twentynine Palms HighwayFood scene
An old, western style saloon up in Pioneertown that serves food/drinks and is also a great concert venue. Be sure to check out their upcoming lineups and events. Often busy so arrive at off hours or expect to wait on weekends or show nights.
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Pappy & Harriet's
53688 Pioneertown RdAn old, western style saloon up in Pioneertown that serves food/drinks and is also a great concert venue. Be sure to check out their upcoming lineups and events. Often busy so arrive at off hours or expect to wait on weekends or show nights.
My personal favorite restaurant in the high desert, conveniently located just 7 mins from the house on 247. Californian fare that can be shared or enjoyed individually. Reservations are available and recommended as it’s quite popular!
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La Copine
848 Old Woman Springs RdMy personal favorite restaurant in the high desert, conveniently located just 7 mins from the house on 247. Californian fare that can be shared or enjoyed individually. Reservations are available and recommended as it’s quite popular!
Also located just 7 mins from the home, this local coffee shop is great to get some work done in the morning. Their hours are constantly changing so be sure to check their Instagram @giantrockmeetingroom. Currently they are offering Friday / Saturday / Sunday night pizza nights!
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Giant Rock Meeting Room & Coffee House
1131 Old Woman Springs RdAlso located just 7 mins from the home, this local coffee shop is great to get some work done in the morning. Their hours are constantly changing so be sure to check their Instagram @giantrockmeetingroom. Currently they are offering Friday / Saturday / Sunday night pizza nights!
Joshua Tree Coffee Company
61738 Twentynine Palms Highway The best coffee in the area! Locally roasted.
Cozy cafe in the heart of Joshua Tree (JT) offering breakfast, lunch & dinner.
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Crossroads Cafe
61715 Twentynine Palms HighwayCozy cafe in the heart of Joshua Tree (JT) offering breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Old school, home cooking style restaurant in JT serving breakfast & lunch. Great biscuits!
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Country Kitchen
61768 Twentynine Palms HighwayOld school, home cooking style restaurant in JT serving breakfast & lunch. Great biscuits!
Open from 7am-7pm everyday. A great place for breakfast or lunch or an afternoon snack. It’s also a good spot to get some work down with WiFi and quite a few outlets for charging. Located in Yucca Valley.
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Frontier Café
55844 Twentynine Palms HighwayOpen from 7am-7pm everyday. A great place for breakfast or lunch or an afternoon snack. It’s also a good spot to get some work down with WiFi and quite a few outlets for charging. Located in Yucca Valley.
A cozy indoor / outdoor oasis serving Californian / Caribbean fare. Although a bit further in 29 Palms, it is well worth the drive. Rezzies recommended on weekends.
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Kitchen in the Desert
6427 Mesquite AveA cozy indoor / outdoor oasis serving Californian / Caribbean fare. Although a bit further in 29 Palms, it is well worth the drive. Rezzies recommended on weekends.
Plant-based restaurant in JT offering in house or to-go breakfast, lunch & early dinner options.
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Natural Sisters Cafe
61695 Twentynine Palms HighwayPlant-based restaurant in JT offering in house or to-go breakfast, lunch & early dinner options.
Pie for the People!
58960 29 Palms HighwayPizza in JT!
Old school saloon with a decent beer selection, tv screens to watch sports, and good pub fare. Located in JT.
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Joshua Tree Saloon
61835 Twentynine Palms HighwayOld school saloon with a decent beer selection, tv screens to watch sports, and good pub fare. Located in JT.
A healthy, straightforward restaurant in Yucca Valley. Open for breakfast and lunch.
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Cali Greens Cafe
57754 Twentynine Palms HighwayA healthy, straightforward restaurant in Yucca Valley. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Organic eatery with excellent baked goods located in Yucca Valley.
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Organic Market Cafe
55231 29 Palms HighwayOrganic eatery with excellent baked goods located in Yucca Valley.
Middle Eastern restaurant serving kabobs, shawarmas, and Mediterranean dips. Located in Yucca Valley.
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Yucca Kabob and Hookah
57345 Twentynine Palms HighwayMiddle Eastern restaurant serving kabobs, shawarmas, and Mediterranean dips. Located in Yucca Valley.
I would recommend just trying the pho or other Vietnamese options as they are much better. Great value in Yucca Valley.
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Pho 85 Vietnamese Chinese Restaurant
57069 Twentynine Palms HighwayI would recommend just trying the pho or other Vietnamese options as they are much better. Great value in Yucca Valley.
Boo's Organic Oven
61675 Twentynine Palms HighwayBakery in JT offering fresh baked pastries and breads.
Relaxed, dive bar atmosphere offering a variety of beers. Just 5 mins from the house.
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Landers Brew Co
1388 Golden Slipper LnRelaxed, dive bar atmosphere offering a variety of beers. Just 5 mins from the house.
On the edge of JT, small but tasty Indian restaurant that also offers pizza?
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Sam's Indian Food & Pizza
61380 Twentynine Palms HighwayOn the edge of JT, small but tasty Indian restaurant that also offers pizza?
Delicious tacos and tasty cocktails (even to go canned cocktails!)
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The Red Dog Saloon
53539 Mane StDelicious tacos and tasty cocktails (even to go canned cocktails!)
Local Events
Located in Joshua Tree, the weekly market is a great spot to purchase fresh produce and locals goods. 8am - 1pm.
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Joshua Tree Certified Farmers' Market
61651 Twentynine Palms HighwayLocated in Joshua Tree, the weekly market is a great spot to purchase fresh produce and locals goods. 8am - 1pm.
Sky Village Outdoor Marketplace
7028 Theatre RdLocal thrift and flea market
Shops
Charming boutique on 247, just 7 mins from the house, with clothing, small gift items, beauty and wellness products, art & handmade objects.
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Moon Wind Trading Co
1141B Old Woman Springs RdCharming boutique on 247, just 7 mins from the house, with clothing, small gift items, beauty and wellness products, art & handmade objects.
Well-designed little shop in JT with a random selection of items as well as an outdoor patio with pots and cacti for sale. The tiny oil shop is a great place to stock up on locally made oil and skincare products.
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The Station Joshua Tree
61943 Twentynine Palms HighwayWell-designed little shop in JT with a random selection of items as well as an outdoor patio with pots and cacti for sale. The tiny oil shop is a great place to stock up on locally made oil and skincare products.
Well-designed little shop in JT with a random selection of items as well as an outdoor patio with pots and cacti for sale. The tiny oil shop is a great place to stock up on locally made oil and skincare products.
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Wonder Valley OIL SHOP
61943 Twentynine Palms HighwayWell-designed little shop in JT with a random selection of items as well as an outdoor patio with pots and cacti for sale. The tiny oil shop is a great place to stock up on locally made oil and skincare products.
Wine and Rock Shop
59006 Twentynine Palms HighwayWines, beers & specialty gift items.
A shop in Yucca Valley featuring handmade furniture from Fire on the Mesa, artisan-made home goods, apothecary and curated vintage items.
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Shop on the Mesa
56636 Twentynine Palms HighwayA shop in Yucca Valley featuring handmade furniture from Fire on the Mesa, artisan-made home goods, apothecary and curated vintage items.
Janelle and Robert, high desert locals, handcraft wall hangings, textile artifacts and unique metal products.
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All Roads Design
55879 Acoma TrailJanelle and Robert, high desert locals, handcraft wall hangings, textile artifacts and unique metal products.
The End
55872 Twentynine Palms HighwayColorful, vintage store.
Super charming home decor store in Yucca Valley that exudes the desert casual/boho vibe.
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Acme 5 Lifestyle
55870 Twentynine Palms HighwaySuper charming home decor store in Yucca Valley that exudes the desert casual/boho vibe.
Cute wine and liquor store in Yucca Valley that also has cheese, snacks, and home decor items.
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Desierto Alto
57205 Twentynine Palms HighwayCute wine and liquor store in Yucca Valley that also has cheese, snacks, and home decor items.
Small cactus and plant nursery just off the highway in Morongo Valley.
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Cactus Mart and Morongo Hardware
49889 Twentynine Palms Highway Small cactus and plant nursery just off the highway in Morongo Valley.
Handful of small boutiques selling vintage/new clothing, ceramics, souvenirs, and more.
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Pioneertown
53688 Pioneertown RdHandful of small boutiques selling vintage/new clothing, ceramics, souvenirs, and more.
Hoof & The Horn
55840 Twentynine Palms HighwayPioneer Crossing Antiques
55854 Twentynine Palms HighwayDesert Curios
55995 Twentynine Palms HighwayRoute 62 Arts & Antiques
55635 Twentynine Palms HighwayMincing Mockingbird
61675 Twentynine Palms HighwayGrateful Desert Apothecary, Herb Shop and Eco Market
61607 Twentynine Palms HighwayMojave Flea Trading Post Yucca Valley
55727 Twentynine Palms HighwayServices
Pamper yourself with a facial that uses products with ingredients from the desert. A great way to relax and recharge in the desert. First visits are 20% off!
The Pointed Pearl Skincare
55898 Twentynine Palms HighwayPamper yourself with a facial that uses products with ingredients from the desert. A great way to relax and recharge in the desert. First visits are 20% off!