Ever since I visited the area for the first time a few years ago, I have come to really love to escape to Joshua Tree! It’s the perfect place for a chill getaway to recharge! The Joshua Tree area is one of those places that so many people talk about, but you really don’t understand until you actually go. I am not a fan of hot weather and a lot of the times I’ve been to the area it’s been HOT, but for some reason it’s bearable.

It was wonderful to also get to share it with Walter for my birthday in 2020, literally right as the pandemic was starting. I will absolutely never forget that trip for that reason! It’s like when our parents say they remember exactly what they were doing when JFK was assassinated. I remember packing for this trip, thinking we needed to pack everything, so we wouldn’t need to go out any buy anything. This was pre-shutdown – the shutdown happened right as we got into Palm Springs. Anyways, this post is a compilation of a few trips; complete with the best places to stay, what to do and suggestions on what to make to eat. Every time I’ve been to the area so far, we have cooked our meals. I would love to explore the food scene more on my next trip back – La Copine, I’m looking at YOU!

Escape to Joshua Tree – on the way

In-n-out

On the drive to the desert, if you need a bite In-n-out is a great option! I introduced Walter to In-n-out on our way since hadn’t had it before! There is one in Cabazon right before you get to the dinosaurs!

Cabazon Dinosaurs

The Cabazon Dinosaurs are a 150-foot-long Brontosaurus and a 65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex. You can see them while you’re driving on the 10 but they’re a super quick detour if you want to stop.

Escape to Joshua Tree – lodging

I’ve found that I love staying in Pioneertown because it’s far enough from Joshua Tree proper with little to no light pollution, that you can see SO many stars and it actually tends to be quite a lot cooler temperature. I also love the Yucca Valley and Flamingo Heights areas!

Here are a couple other spots I have stayed that I didn’t detail below : Casa Paloma – sleeps 4, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath // The HiDesert Ranch – sleeps 8, 4 bedrooms, 3 bath

Pioneertown Rockstar – sleeps 5, 2 bedrooms & 2 bath

Note: it seems that this exact property is either booked up super far out or no longer being rented out, but here is the company I booked through. They have a BUNCH of other properties!

I found this gem through instagram. I immediately fell in love with it’s retro design touches! Also, any house with a record player immediately has my heart. The location is literal perfection. During the hours when it’s too hot to go outside, you can feel like you’re still outside thanks to the large windows throughout the house.

Rimrock Ranch

On a previous dreamy trip to the Joshua Tree area, I got to stay at Rimrock Ranch. It is the perfect venue for a retreat, wedding, or just a little getaway.

The cabin we stayed in was perfectly cozy for a couple or close friends. It’s also complete with a kitchen. They also have a handful of other accommodations available, ranging from an airstream, to lodges great for larger groups or families!

We had so much fun exploring the property and surrounding area. Eric and Gwen of Rimrock Ranch can help book a few different experiences during your stay! One evening we got to do some more in depth stargazing with a local expert. They brought telescopes so we could get a zoomed in look at some of those little sparkly objects up in the sky. One of the mornings we started off with a hike, then did yoga with a local yoga teacher in one of the buildings on property. Another afternoon we took part in a Sound Bath just a short walk away at Indigotopia.

Serrano Remote Boulders in Pipes Canyon – sleeps 4, 1 bedroom & 1 bath

This property is pretty far out from town – perfectly quiet, with little light pollution (if any)! I prefer staying in places that are a bit of a distance from any of the major highways. It’s cozy, quirky and retro. We woke up to the view of the sunrise each morning from bed. True peace.

The only downside, that I didn’t notice in the listing is that there isn’t an actual oven or stovetop. We cooked all of the meals in a toaster oven and on a hotplate. HAHA. It was an unforeseen challenge, but almost everything still came out perfectly (minus my birthday cake lol). If I’m being completely honest, this experience helped me gain a ton of confidence in the kitchen.

In Walter’s words, “When you are looking for a place to unwind from the stress and bad vibe of the city, Joshua Tree is the right place.

It was Corey’s birthday and we celebrated it in a spaghetti-western setting, just her and I. I have never heard such absolute silence as in that desert, where even the wind which blows refreshing the valley does it respecting the quiet of that place, giving you the peace necessary to find yourself.”

We used the cute mint green table set for breakfast each morning and Walter enjoyed the afternoon sun in some of the other chairs dispersed on the property.

Echo Ranch House – sleeps 5, 2 bedrooms & 1 bath

Walter and I enjoyed staying here on another trip during the pandemic. It is so beautifully designed because my friends, the owners, also own Circa Rentals, an event rentals / staging / design company!

Use code MISSFOODIE for a discount when booking through the link above!

I MEAN, COME ON! It’s like you’re transported into a retro boho desert oasis! I didn’t grab any photos of the bedrooms, but there are 2 & they’re equally as gorgeous as the rest of the house. Oh AND full kitchen included, thank goodness!

W – “I never thought that a desert could be a romantic place. Flamingo Heights made me change my mind. We stayed in an adorable house, fully equipped to allow a couple (but also a family) to break away from the wear and tear of the city and spend an excellent time together. There was also a record player –– so on the notes of the Lumineers, Fleetwood Mac, Sinatra and Armstrong we danced in the living room with a wooden floor and a view over the whole valley. Nature was just outside the door and you could often see jack rabbits, squirrels and quails a few meters from home, busy in their activities. In the evenings we had an aperitif in the garden, with the sun disappearing behind the hills leaving a pink tinge in the sky and on the sand. Ah, and at night, don’t forget to look up at the stars!”

There are a bunch of different outdoor areas to take in the scenery on the ERH property. We enjoyed breakfast outside daily, swung in the hammock, had an aperitif on the picnic table, and took in the sunrise & stars from various locations! I also fell in love with the sound of the wind chime on property. Wake up with the sun and ENJOY that soothing sound.

The house is on a bit of acreage and is also among a lot of easily walkable areas. We ventured out one of the evenings at sunset and discovered the desert equivalent of a Superbloom and my heart was happy!

Be sure to look down, you’ll surely spot some desert wildflowers & maybe even a ladybug!

Escape to Joshua Tree – what to do

Take a trip to the Integratron

I’d been wanting to experience the Integratron for a few years. I booked a session back in 2018, but didn’t end up doing it then. When I was planning this trip, I knew we had to do it! Walter had no idea what to expect, but he’s pretty much down for anything, so off we went! The crazy thing is that when we went, It was their last session back in March of 2020 before everything shutdown because of the pandemic. They spoke to us about how everything was sanitized, safe, etc. I highly recommend going; whether you’re spiritual or not, it’s brilliant. Definitely worth going for the good vibes, interesting back story and gorgeous construction of the building.

Visit Pioneertown

Walter offered the thought that “Pioneertown is the right compromise to gradually return to civilization with its sweet shops and locals.” It’s true! If you want a little taste of civilization, head to Pioneertown for a walk around, hit up Pappy + Harriet’s for a drink. They also serve BBQ (so I’ve heard, the one time I went all of the food was accounted for) and live music.

Shopping, mainly thrifting

I always make it a point to stop into my favorite antique shop in Yucca Valley – Pioneer Crossing Antiques. There are also some other great spots on the same street – Funky and Darn Near New, Hoof & Horn, and The End.

Visit the National Park

Obviously you you can’t escape to Joshua Tree without checking out Joshua Tree National Park on your trip. I recommend buying an annual pass if you’re a fan of National Parks – it’s well worth it! Drive on in, find a spot that you think you’d like to park and get your wander on! I love getting lost and seeing how high I can climb!

Stay in!

I think the point of going out to the desert though, is about doing little. Taking time to just do nothing; spend time with whomever you traveled with, if it’s a solo trip spend time with you.

Here are some things I like to do among the not doing:

• Paint, sketch
• Walk
• Observe the wildlife
• Look at the stars
• Play records & dance
• Cook & craft cocktails
• Read books
• Walter studied Japanese

Escape to Joshua Tree – What meals to make

We went into this trip bringing everything we could possibly need for the week. We planned out a menu and brought all of the ingredients with us! Here’s a complete menu and tips on planning a vacation.

W – “If someone had said to me six months ago -‘When you are in the desert, why don’t you try to cook ragù alla bolognese?’ – I would have replied that he was crazy; and instead we did it: there, in the beautiful nothing of an American desert, the scents of a ragù typical of Bologna, of my city, 10,000 kilometers away, spread all around (and for the record it came out really good!).”

That ragu was definitely the most rewarding and satisfying thing we made on that hot plate! I tasted Walter’s mom’s ragu back in Bologna, then asked him if he could get the recipe from her so I could make it for my family at Thanksgiving. It was a HIT! It was even more special to recreate it with Walter in the desert.

W – “The following morning Corey made me her delicious pancakes and made it dancing and singing. All of this is as close as it gets to the happiness a man can desire.”

When Walter visited America for the first time in June of 2019 – the first meal I took him to in LA was at a diner; he wanted to try American pancakes. He really loves his pancakes, so obviously I had to make some on this trip (and every other trip we went on).

As I mentioned at the beginning, I brought Walter to Joshua Tree for my birthday trip in 2020. I would not have wanted to be anywhere else with anyone else that year. It was perfect; aside from the birthday cake I chose to make. Remember that aforementioned hot plate and toaster oven? Well I still can’t decide if it went south because that’s how we had to prepare it, or if the recipe also sucked. I definitely won’t be trying the recipe again to find out. I’d say this birthday cake was a little foreshadowing of the rest of 2020 LOL.

Happy & Safe Travels,

Corey