You have one weekend to get out of the city. You’ve heard about Joshua Tree, but what exactly will you do in the middle of the desert for two days? Here is your cheat sheet to the perfect getaway in Joshua Tree in just two days or less.
First Night
Get Stocked at Desierto Alto
If you are driving into town eastbound on CA-62 Hwy, you really shouldn’t miss picking up some fine drinks and snacks from Desierto Alto. You can get an incredible spread with cheese or salsa, snacks, plus wine or Mezcal from an astonishing selection. You can get all the supplies you need for stargazing and relaxing at your airbnb or room. Order ahead on their website for pickup or delivery.
Immerse in Pioneertown
For the main part of your evening, we recommend Mane Street in Pioneertown. Here you can have dinner and a stroll through a living old western movie set. Pioneertown’s Mane Street was developed by actor Dick Curtis in the 1940s. He and other investors such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry wanted to make a real-life movie set for films and shows such as The Cisco Kid and The Gene Autry Show. While some of the buildings are movie set facades, most are actual live in homes, shops and even a bowling alley.
Dine Outside at Red Dog Saloon or Pappy & Harriet's
First get a bite to eat and take in the breathtaking views from Pappy & Harriet’s or The Red Dog Saloon. Both restaurants are historic in their own right and have outdoor seating. Perhaps you have time for both? Next, head out back and take a stroll down Mane Street for old western movie-set sightseeing, shopping and tumbleweed watching.
Pioneertown is about 20 minutes west of Joshua Tree, so stop here first before checking-in if you are coming from that direction. If you are coming from the east, you might as well check-in first and then head out. It is a very dark and winding narrow road, so be safe driving afterward and make sure you have a designated driver.
One Full Day in Joshua Tree
Grab Breakfast at Natural Sisters Cafe or Roadrunner Grab+Go
You’ll probably spend longer than you think in your accommodations on this first morning. Most stays in Joshua Tree are comfortable, esthetically pleasing, have great coffee, and even better outdoors. Once you are ready, plan to quickly grab a bite to eat at Natural Sisters Cafe or the new local and woman owned, Roadrunner Grab+Go. Natural Sisters Cafe is a mainstay in Joshua Tree offering fresh, local and healthy vegetarian sandwiches, wraps and salads for breakfast or lunch. Roadrunner Grab+Go also has great coffee and breakfast to go options plus lots of lunch and snack boxes to take with you for a full day in the park.
Spend the Day at Joshua Tree National Park
Start at the Visitor’s Center to learn about the trails and sights you want to see. Everyone is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and will help you plan the perfect day. Here is our advice for anyone who wants to do a couple of small nature trails and see accessible and notable boulder formations.
One Day in Joshua Tree National Park
- Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a 1 mile loop that is beautiful, easy and right in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park. Checkout the Hidden Valley Campground across the street for some good rock climber watching as well.
- Keys View is the highest viewpoint in Joshua Tree National Park. You will get panoramic views of the Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert and the Coachella Valley—on a clear day, you can even see Signal Mountain in Mexico.
- Split Rock Loop Trail is a 2.5 mile trail which will take you about 1.5-2.5 hours. The trail is slightly more technical than the nature trails (such as Hidden Valley) as you will start out on rocky terrain. You will cross through washes, boulder fields and oak, pine and Joshua Tree woodlands. This trail is not as crowded as Hidden Valley or Keys Views, so we recommend the others early in the morning before the crowds and for this to be your mid-day trail. However, as it is longer and more difficult, you should either skip it entirely or do it early in the morning if it is hot.
- Skull Rock is a 1.7 mile flat and easy loop through boulder piles and desert washes, plus the namesake rock. Skull Rock is visible from the road so you can also skip the trail and just take a look.
See our list of Easy Hikes & Trails, Joshua Tree on Google Maps for more.
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Night in with 2 Guys Pies, A Fire Pit & All The Stars
Now that you already got out last night and had a great day in the park today, it is time to relax and enjoy the accommodations you were so excited about booking! We recommend your second night be a night in (technically out in the backyard) with pizza, a fire-pit (if they have one—absolutely no making your own!) and stargazing. Our favorite pizza is Two Guys Pies in Yucca Valley. Their pizza is creative and phenomenal—honestly, better than we’ve had in much bigger cities.
Final Morning in Joshua Tree
Quick Hike at Desert Queen Mine
If you have a half day before you get on the road, we recommend one last quick trip into the park. This time enjoy the drive and head out through the 29 Palms exit. Along the way, take a short dirt road out to Desert Queen Mine. This is a 1.6 miles out and back trail to the historic Desert Queen Mine. You will quickly pass an old stone foundation with an iron bed frame inside, even. It is great to explore and the views of the rock cliff along the trail are incredible.
A Glimpse of 29 Palms
If you have time, catch a glimpse of 29 Palms as you drive out. After you leave the park you will first see Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center. During the day, this is nothing to write home about, but it is quirky enough if you have time. I like the meditation rock garden. At first it looks a bit silly, but then you realize it is quite zen. Next up is the 29 Palms Art Gallery which features local artists and is really very impressive. You will see two local exhibits plus some great wood and even palm tree bark paintings. You can also make a quick stop at the Old Schoolhouse Museum to see the first school in the area for homesteaders.
Shopping & High Desert Art in Joshua Tree
If you are getting out of the house late, you may want to go straight to Joshua Tree Coffee Company and start shopping and checking out the arts across the street. First off, you can’t miss the large cowboy statue at The Station Joshua Tree. The Station is a midcentury desert gas station where you can shop as well as lounge and relax in their communal area out back. The gifts here are quintessential desert and will also make you laugh. Next walk back westward on 62 Hwy to checkout the various outdoor and small storefront shops, but don’t miss The Courtyard at Art Queen You will usually find some fascinating and large scale art exhibits, plus a few shops. This is also where you will find the World Famous Crochet Museum made out of a vintage Photo Booth.
Want to find the best gifts, decor and art in Joshua Tree? Read 7 Best Places for Shopping in Joshua Tree
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Coffee for The Road at Frontier Cafe
If you are heading out through Yucca Valley to the I-10, you may want to stop for one last coffee at Frontier Cafe in Yucca Valley. They have great food as well plus some trendy clothing stores and ACME 5 Lifestyle store for any boho desert decor you need to bring home.
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Looking for more things to do in Joshua Tree? Please checkout our list of articles for where to eat, shop and play in Joshua Tree.
All of these restaurants and shops, except for Pioneertown, and more are less than 5 minutes from the Desert Julep. Our home is curated with local art and sits on a hill filled with Joshua Trees and native plants, just minutes from the park. Come be inspired. Checkout our availability on Airbnb.