Joshua Tree National Park is known for its sprawling boulders, miles of desert, and especially the plant of which it’s named after. Only a two hour drive from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree is a popular destination for people wanting to appreciate nature and experience a much-needed change of scenery. My family is fortunate to have a vacation home there, and throughout the past several years, I’ve gotten to experience the city in so many different ways. The whole area of Morongo Valley and the High Desert has so much to offer, but it can be confusing to figure out where exactly you want to go. If you’re planning a trip there soon, check out this guide!
Noah Purifoy Art Exhibit
While the high-desert is home to a number of amazing art exhibits, none of them are as impactful as this one. Noah Purifoy was an African American visual artist and sculptor. Born in 1917, his art explores the harsh realities of inequality and the unjust treatment of minorities. His most famous display is the Watts Towers in LA, which feature multiple sky-high towers made entirely from metal and other scrap materials.
The Noah Purifoy exhibit in the desert follows a similar pattern of using remnants and “trash,” but is sprawled out across a broader piece of land. Wooden platforms adorned with sinks and toilets fill the area. Deflated tires line the path. Small buildings, made with wooden planks, house broken beds and old TVs. The exhibit is truly unique. Like Purifoy’s other pieces, a social element is present; a drinking fountain and a toilet stand side by side. Above the fountain is a sign that says “whites.” The sign above the toilet reads “colored.” Purifoy calls out the racism that Black people had to endure, dating back to Jim Crow laws. His response to these social implications is present throughout the whole art exhibit. If you’re looking for an eccentric yet breathtaking museum to visit, this one is definitely worth your time.
Art Queen
Joshua Tree is known for its population of creative minds; the gorgeous landscape of the town provides perfect inspiration for all fields of art. Numerous exhibitions and museums line the streets, but this one is a bit more unique than the others. Art Queen is home to the “world famous crochet museum,” which you probably have heard of since it’s known throughout the entire globe. Despite the museum being smaller than a school bathroom stall, it’s stuffed to the brim with cute crocheted animals and other knick knacks. On the same property, there’s a gift shop with tons of cool items for sale - upcycled old clothes, stickers, buttons, and more. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something funky.
Pioneertown
Have you ever seen a western movie, and the bad guys are having a showdown in the middle of some town straight from the Wild West? That’s basically what Pioneertown is. Home to dozens of wooden buildings, surrounded by mountains and dust, with no other cities in sight, you’ll feel like you walked into a cowboy movie. Although it’s fun just to walk around, the main attraction is the saloon “Pappy and Harriets.” With amazing barbecue and other eats, it’s a great place to satisfy your hunger while getting a full desert experience. But that’s not the only thing Pioneertown is known for…
Featuring both an indoor and outdoor stage, countless bands have put on amazing performances down at Pappy and Harriets. Some notable names include Paul McCartney, Lorde, The Arctic Monkeys, The Dead Kennedys, and so much more. I’ve had the privilege of seeing a handful of bands here, and these concerts have always been amazing and memorable experiences. My very first real show was seeing The Circle Jerks play here back when I was still in 7th grade. I’ve gotten to see The Breeders, The Descendants, Cat Power, and more amazing bands; every show is just as incredible as the last. Tickets are all general admission, meaning it’s averagely less expensive here than other venues (and so much cooler!) For Christmas, I got tickets to see Kim Deal at Pappy and Harriets in the spring, and I absolutely can’t wait. If you’re planning a trip up to Joshua Tree, check out who’s playing at the saloon when you’re in town - it could lead to an unforgettable experience.
Dillon’s / other good eats
When driving through Morongo on your way up to Joshua Tree, you’ll likely pass a road called “Dillon Road.” Amongst the dozens of windmills and endless landscape of sand, it may look like this street leads nowhere, but the best burger joint of all time is only a couple minutes down. “Dillon’s Burgers and Beer” is a small humble restaurant that specializes in, you guessed it, burgers and beer. However, their selection is surprisingly considerate, with tons of different entree options and even a delicious veggie burger for vegetarians. There are two locations, and both look like a typical wild west saloon; wooden walls, wagon wheels, and an odd array of pinball machines. If you’re looking for a delicious place to eat, I wholeheartedly recommend this one. (And don’t forget to try their onion rings!)
If a burger isn’t what you’re in the mood for, Morongo Valley Cafe (on Palms Highway) has a scrumptious breakfast menu and tasty lunches. My personal favorite meal there is the french toast, but with so many options to choose from, there’s something for everyone. If you’re more in the mood for dinner, further north by Joshua Tree, “Kasa” is an amazing Mexican restaurant to try. It’s actually a Mexican mart and butchery, with lots of salsa and raw meat for sale, but in the back of the store there’s an ordering window and most likely a handful of locals waiting around. What my family does is order a “family meal,” which comes with tons of rice, beans, salsas, meats, and homemade tortillas. Not only is it cheap, but it’s delicious. Keep these places in mind when looking for your next meal!
Thrift stores
Another high-desert specialty is the abundance of vintage stores, thrift shops, and antique trinkets you can find scattered in the city. A personal favorite of mine is “Angel View Resale Store,” on Palms Highway. Angel View is an organization that helps kids and people with disabilities through residential and day care. With their thrift stores, they use the proceeds to help fund their “Angel View Outreach” program, which provides free essential support to families in need. Not only is their mission admirable, but the clothes are reasonably priced and cute! My sister (a certified clothes critique) often leaves with a whole handful of finds. They have a good selection of both men’s and women’s clothing, but the emphasis is definitely on women’s jeans, tank tops, and shirts. This store is also located centrally in town, so it’s an easy address to get to.
Another fun thrift store to check out is “the bins.” Owned by Angel View, the bins are located a bit farther away from the main town, but it’s worth the journey for thrifters and clothes enthusiasts. Just like the goodwill here in LA, big piles of clothes are laid out in the building, and it’s up to you to sort through them. Anyone who frequents the bins knows how competitive it is; dozens of people with the same fashion sense as you looking for the same kind of clothes that you want. This isn’t the case down in Joshua Tree. Every time I’ve been, it’s only older men and women looking out for comfy pajamas, flannels, and other clothes I have no interest in. (With no disrespect of course - who wouldn’t want some fuzzy pjs? - but it allows me to find all the “cute” clothes since no one else is interested in taking them.) Plus, the pricing here is extremely affordable, even cheaper than the bins back home.
———————
There you have it! The ultimate guide for your next trip to Joshua Tree / the high desert. With so many amazing thigs to do, it can be hard to decide what to check out first - hopefully this list makes it easier to get your priorities straight. Safe travels!
Comments