Joshua Tree, California

Joshua Tree, CA!

Best to visit in the March to Early-June timeframe, or later on in the year around September/October... Joshua Tree is a fantastic getaway from LA for the weekend. Leave on Thursday and you'll usually get there in 3-3.5 hours even during rush hour, and travel back to LA on Sunday will take about the same even in traffic.

Food and things

Name Links Description
Red Dog Saloon Google Maps Our favorite bar in Pioneertown, and one of our favorite spots in the Joshua Tree area in general. Their chips and guac are great, tacos are super cheap, and drinks are solid. Ample outdoor seating, an airy bar, and great music/people watching. Explore Pioneertown before or after, there's no rush after all.
The Copper Room Google Maps Elevated cocktails at the edge of an airfield. There's a tiny outdoor patio, but the real vibes are inside.
The Tiny Pony Tavern Google Maps Punk rock/biker vibes at the door, but a surprisingly chill spot. Food is solid - get the fries and the pretzel balls for sure, the veggie burger was and the specials change frequently. Patio out back has multiple TV's and picnic tables with heaters for when it's cold out.
Yucca Kabob Google Maps Great grab-and-go meal before hiking in Joshua Tree. They don't fully wrap their pitas and use styrofoam, so it might be worth bringing your own aluminum foil to wrap stuff and make it easier to take and hike.
JT Country Kitchen Google Maps Great spot for breakfast, it gets very busy so get there early. They do takeout and have a large outdoor dining patio.
Joshua Tree Coffee Company Google Maps Probably the best coffee spot in town, and nearly the only coffee spot in town. Every place that serves coffee seems to use their roast.
Larry and Milt's Western Cafe Google Maps Fantastic breakfast, and not nearly as busy as a lot of the other spots in town. Their chicken fried steak is delicious, and they have a very sunny and open patio to eat on. They do have umbrellas to shade from the sun though not nearly enough for hot days, and no heaters when it's chilly. Brave the elements, it's worth it.
Roadrunner Grab and Go Google Maps Probably the best grab and go sandwiches before you head into the park. They can get busy and sell out of stuff, so go early.
Desert Dog Coffee Co. Google Maps Coffee better than it has any right to be, a perfect quick stop on the way out of town without waiting in line at the other spots in Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley.
Grnd Sqrl Google Maps Twentynine palms area. Great beer selection and the food is excellent considering the dusty, roadside location of the place. Indoor and outdoor seating, no reservations and can get busy.
Kitchen in the Desert Google Maps A bit more elevated dining than you'd expect for the area. Strong brunch offerings, good cocktails and elevated New American food with ample outdoor dining, worth the drive to Twentynine Palms.
Mas 'o Menos Google Maps The closest thing you'll get to an elevated beer garden in the area, they specialize in wine and cocktails, including an excellent non-alcoholic selection. They also have coffee/small bites for breakfast in the morning, and pizza/bigger bites after 5PM. Live music nightly, with ample outdoor space. Expect LA 30-and-40-somethings in flat-brimmed felt hats, "living their best life."
Sky High Pie Google Maps The best pizza in the area. Their pork belly pizza was amazing the one time we had it, but their adventurous and simple pizzas alike are pretty tasty. Small front patio and larger back patio, they serve wine and beer along with their Pizza. Their back patio also sells ice cream earlier in the evening on a seasonal basis. Back patio is shared with Joshua Tree coffee.
The Dez / The Big Dez Google Maps The Dez opens at 6AM, The Big Dez at 8. Expect posh sundries and bites with decent coffee. I tend to go here vs Roadrunner Grab and Go if you need something quick and easy to take on a hike with you. A bit pricey for what it is - consider it the Erewhon of the desert.
Luna Bakery Google Maps Worth the drive back to Yucca Valley for fresh bread and baked goods. Some of the best bread I've had anywhere, and their cinnamon buns are spectacular (but usually sell out in the first hour). Their sandwiches are also excellent - the salmon sando is better than most things you'll have for breakfast in Joshua Tree, and their staff is exceedingly friendly. Do check their baking times on their website - different stuff is available at different times, and they sell out quick! Picnic tables outdoors if you want to dine in, as well as a few tables inside.
La Copine Google Maps The most elevated dining experience in the area, well worth the drive. Seasonal ingredients, excellent service, and a smart beer and wine list, this place punches way above its weight. Prices are high for the area but low compared to LA, and for the quality of food you won't bat an eye at the price. Tables inside and outside, with heaters outside. Call ahead for a reservation if you want to be safe, but walk-ins aren't usually an issue provided you're ok to wait ~30 min.

Places to stay

Name Links Description
Roadrunner Ranch AirBnB or Direct Booking Our favorite AirBnB in the area. Owned by a friend of a friend, it books up quickly but is a perfect spot.

Hikes

Name Links Description
Garret's Arch Trail Alltrails Our favorite trail in the park! Climb boulders and find your own way. Make sure you have the map downloaded on Alltrails or Work Outdoors. Parking wise, there's a separate dirt parking lot for Wall Street Mill that's down past the Barker Dam parking lot. Go all the way down and look for parking, even if the signs say the lot is full. There's a number of road pull-off's and such that might free up. The "Lot E" overflow parking is 1.25 miles away from the trail start. Hike should take about 2.5 hours without stopping.
Willow Hole Trail Alltrails Another favorite trail. This one can get busy because it's one of the first in the park. It starts out rather bland - a walk through tons and tons of Joshua Trees with rock climbing and camping spots shooting off in different directions, but eventually you wander into this massive 'wash' with huge boulders and very cool greenery. Hike takes about 3 hours without stopping. Very little shade, be mindful of this when hiking in the warmer months.
Lost Horse Loop Trail Alltrails Our third favorite trail, this one is often not as busy as the other two. The hike will take you to the Lost Horse Mine - hike up to the old mine but then make sure to make it to the top of that mountain for amazing views into the valley below. Then make your way back to the trail below the mine and hike the remainder of the loop. We've seen tons of wildlife on this trail, including ample rattlesnakes on the 'backside' of the loop past the mine, just be mindful of where you step and keep an eye out and you'll be fine.
Amboy Crater Google Maps Not actually in Joshua Tree, but about 45 minutes away. Go hike around a real, live, crater! Very little shade, so pack water and prepare accordingly. You're probably best off going for sunset or sunrise when the views are nicer and the sun is less harsh.
Things to add:
  • Maybe some spots in Palm Springs? Or actually that should be a separate page.