weekend in joshua tree

since moving to san diego, joshua tree has become one of my favorite places to escape to for a quick weekend getaway. there is something about being out in the desert that makes me feel like I am in another world and very far from whatever everyday stresses I’m currently juggling. if you’re visiting the national park, there is no cell service once you’re in the park which, to me, is an added bonus and nature’s own airplane mode.

we took a quick trip there last month and I want to share the highlights as well as my recommendations for what to do and check out if you’re visiting joshua tree!

Joshua Tree National Park: if you’ve never been to joshua tree before, the park is a must see. it is one of the more unique national parks I’ve been to, purely because of the desert landscape. while there are hikes, there are not many long/strenous hikes, more exploratory and cool landscapes. If you are looking to hike, Ryan Mountain is the one longer / more intense hikes and has great views of the park. For an easy loop with great photo spots, try Hidden Valley. For cool rock formations, try Skull Rock or Arch Rock. For beautiful sunrise and lots of cacti, try the Chollo Cactus Nature Trail (note really not a trail just a walkway :)).

Wandering Around Joshua Tree: the town of Joshua Tree is fairly small but they have lots of cute little shops, funky vintage stores, and plenty of rock shops. Moon Wind Trading Co is a bit of a drive away from the main stretch of stores but worth a stop if you have the time; they have a selection of clothes, accessories, and homewares. Other stores I liked wandering through: Desert Omen, Holistic Grocer, and Hoof and the Horn.

For food, Frontier Cafe is great for a healthy lunch - their menu have a little bit of everything. I got the Sunrise Salad and loved it. Natural Sisters Cafe and Joshua Tree Coffee Company are great for getting your caffeine fix. I personally liked Natural Sisters a bit more for the coffee but Joshua Tree Coffee Company has plenty of space to sit outside which is also a plus. Joshua Tree Saloon is super popular and one of the main places in town to grab a bite and a drink - it gets busy quickly and most seating is outside since COVID - recommend bundling up if you’re doing dinner!

Finally, we stopped by the Transmission sculpture by Daniel Popper. The sculpture is unfortunately on private property so you cannot get up and close unless you rent the air bnb, however you can see the sculpture from the side of the road and IMO it’s still worth the stop.

My last highlight from the weekend and my recommendation to everyone who visits Joshua Tree is disconnect and relax. Spend time off your phone and away from screens. Wake early to catch a sunrise, drink your coffee slowly, read a good book, do a puzzle, etc. One of the great things about JT is that there are sooo many nice airbnbs that are very affordable and make this kind of relaxation that much easier and more enjoyable.

big sur roadtrip

sustainability 101: net zero, carbon neutral, climate positive - what do they all mean?