Gary’s guidebook
Sightseeing
IJoshua Tree National Park
Integratron
2477 Belfield BlvdDesert Christ Park
56200 Sunnyslope DrOutstanding views of the Coachella Valley, and a great place to go to escape the desert heat of the summer.
98 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tramway RoadOutstanding views of the Coachella Valley, and a great place to go to escape the desert heat of the summer.
Noah Purifoy is an African-American artist who left the south during the Great Migration and ended up in Los Angeles. He bought a property in Joshua Tree and began building sculptures from junk that he collected. It is open to the public and free to walk around - it is a local artist landmark.
549 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
62975 Blair LnNoah Purifoy is an African-American artist who left the south during the Great Migration and ended up in Los Angeles. He bought a property in Joshua Tree and began building sculptures from junk that he collected. It is open to the public and free to walk around - it is a local artist landmark.
Food scene
Great vegetarian/vegan food in downtown Joshua Tree
661 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Natural Sisters Cafe
61695 Twentynine Palms HighwayGreat vegetarian/vegan food in downtown Joshua Tree
Very popular local breakfast, lunch, and dinner place.
688 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Crossroads Cafe
61715 Twentynine Palms HighwayVery popular local breakfast, lunch, and dinner place.
Best local pizza! They even have the best vegan pizza.
486 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pie for the People!
58960 29 Palms HighwayBest local pizza! They even have the best vegan pizza.
Country Kitchen
61768 Twentynine Palms HighwayJoshua Tree Coffee Company
61738 Twentynine Palms HighwayWhile it doesn't sound like it, or look like it when you drive by, they have the best Indian food.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza
61380 29 Palms HighwayWhile it doesn't sound like it, or look like it when you drive by, they have the best Indian food.
Thai Cafe
73501 Twentynine Palms HighwayJoshua Tree Saloon
61835 29 Palms HighwayVery popular restaurant and saloon.
Very popular local saloon that attracts larger bands from around the state.
1340 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pappy & Harriet's
53688 Pioneertown RdVery popular local saloon that attracts larger bands from around the state.
Jumbo Rock Cafe' & Restaurant
73777 Twentynine Palms HighwayGreat smoothies and Indian food
If you are looking for a grocery store, this is the closest one, about 5 miles to the east. The Indian Cove Market is at the end of the street on the corner of Indian Cove and Highway 62, but its offerings are limited and typically expensive at convenience store prices.
130 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Stater Brothers Plaza
71727 Twentynine Palms HighwayIf you are looking for a grocery store, this is the closest one, about 5 miles to the east. The Indian Cove Market is at the end of the street on the corner of Indian Cove and Highway 62, but its offerings are limited and typically expensive at convenience store prices.
This is a very popular restaurant that grows a lot of its own vegetables in organic gardens.
251 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
29 Palms Inn
73950 Inn AveThis is a very popular restaurant that grows a lot of its own vegetables in organic gardens.
This place is an organic bakery that has the BEST sourdough bread. They also feature a wide selection of vegan desserts. Get there early to ensure they don't seel out of the bread!
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Boo's Organic Oven
61675 Twentynine Palms HighwayThis place is an organic bakery that has the BEST sourdough bread. They also feature a wide selection of vegan desserts. Get there early to ensure they don't seel out of the bread!
The Farmer's market is small but mighty! It is open only on Saturdays (all year) from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and features locally grown products, produce from the southern California region, and several arts and crafts booths. The market draws a lot of tourists as well as locals. I get all of my things for salads for the week every Saturday here!
344 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joshua Tree Certified Farmers' Market
61651 Twentynine Palms HighwayThe Farmer's market is small but mighty! It is open only on Saturdays (all year) from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and features locally grown products, produce from the southern California region, and several arts and crafts booths. The market draws a lot of tourists as well as locals. I get all of my things for salads for the week every Saturday here!
Neighborhoods
Old 1940's movie set that features Pappy and Harriets, a favorite local music scene.
558 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pioneertown
53688 Pioneertown RdOld 1940's movie set that features Pappy and Harriets, a favorite local music scene.
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Amasiko nenkcubeko
Watch your speed!
The police in this area are very aggressive, and the speed limits changes fairly frequently along Highway 62. I recommend using your cruise control to keep your speed to the stated limits
Izinto omele uzipakishe
Dring a lot of water
The desert is very dry, and people dehydrate more quickly than they realize. Always drink plenty of water and travel with ample water. The tap water in the area is safe to drink and tastes pretty good.
Bhukisha ngaphambi kokuba uhambe
Integratron
The Integratron Sound Bath is very popular and books in advance, so if. you are interested in going, make sure you book out 3-4 weeks, especially in the winter months during the height of tourist season.
Iindlela zokonga
Accessing the National Park
Joshua Tree is an extremely popular destination in the wintertime. The area draws people from all over the world. I recommend using the East Entrance to the Park. There is a loop through the park, and the East entrance east of 20 Palms is generally less congested than the West entrance in Joshua Tree. You can access the east entrance by driving east beyond 29 Palms and then turning right on Utah Trail. If you don't have a National Park pass, the cost is 25.00 per car.
Amasiko nenkcubeko
Eating in Joshua Tree
During the winter months, the Joshua Tree area is very popular. Thus, wait times in the most popular eating spots - Crossroads Cafe, Natural Sisters Cafe, Pie For the People, Sam's Pizza, and The Joshua Tree Saloon - can be long. If you can plan your meals, go in the mid-morning or mid afternoon between meal times. Expect very long waits otherwise. The lines are not as long in the off-season (summer).
Iindlela zokonga
Restaurants in Yucca Valley
If you are looking for more traditional and fast-food restaurants, check out Yucca Valley, about 25 minutes from my house. You will find typical fast-food - Del Taco, MacDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, Sonic, Panda Express, Subway, and Mexican fast food such as Castaneda's. You will also find some familiar chain restaurants - Dennys and Applebees are two popular ones. If you are looking for a specific kind of food, just ask me!
Ukuhamba-hamba
Carry a flashlight
If you have not been out here in the high-desert, you will notice one thing very fast: There are not nearly as many streetlights as you might be used to. Especially on moonless nights, the neighborhoods (including mine) can be very dark (which enhances stargazing). I will always have a porchlight on, but you might want to have a flashlight handy if you are planning on being out and about after dark.