This tiny, all-day eatery opened in late 2020 and gave the downtown area another excellent post-hike refuel option. The small counter-service space is takeaway only at the moment, but there’s a large daily-changing menu that’s sure to appease every dietary restriction in your group. We recommend going for either a fresh-made sandwich or one you pull something from their grab-and-go refrigerator to enjoy lounging at your rental.

If there’s one thing the High Desert excels at, it’s impressive restaurant patios. And the best of the bunch is at Kitchen In The Desert. The massive, outdoor space, located on a residential side street in Twentynine Palms, has fire pits, a stage for live music, and an incalculable amount of string lights. The most impressive feature here, though, is the food. The menu is a unique blend of American and Trinidadian cuisine. If you only have time for one nice, sit-down meal in Joshua Tree, this is the place to go!

The iconic restaurant/saloon/outdoor music venue has history dating back to the 1940s when the original building (and the surrounding Pioneertown) was designed to be an 1800s frontier set for Hollywood movies. Pappy + Harriet were beloved... Harriet was legendary for cooking, then coming out on stage and singing before heading straight back into the kitchen to serve up her famous food. There is live music every week (from your neighborhood band to Paul McCartney) and a family atmosphere that caters to locals and the park visitors.

Built in 1946, the Red Dog is the original Pioneertown saloon. Late nights dancing under the stars were here long before the tacos and margaritas and we believe in traditions. Expect the freshest and brightest ingredients available for both plate and glass.

Since 1957, this Rat Pack gem has been serving up ice cold martinis and medium-rare cuts. Famously a favorite amongst major musicians, most notably Gram Parson, this lounge is the real deal. We pride ourselves on freshness, quality and immaculate vibes.

The downtown shop specializes mainly in small-production wine, but there’s also an excellent beer fridge and a small selection of craft mezcal and other spirits.

This studio offers a variety of classes including various styles of yoga, meditation, breath work and fusion classes that incorporate building strength, such as barre sculpt. They provide invigorating weekly sound bath meditation classes along with community hikes, workshops and special events.

This is an unforgettable sound experience for those who seek deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and introspection. All Sound Baths are 60-minute sonic healing sessions.

Length: 3 miles round-trip

Although considered a moderately tough hike, Ryan Mountain provides an unparalleled view of Joshua Tree that you just can’t catch on the desert floor. The mountain is one of the park’s central peaks, giving you a panoramic view dotted with spindly cacti. The hike is three miles round trip, with a demandingly steady climb to the top. At sunrise and sunset, the canyons perfectly reflect the sky, turning the park’s tapestry pink and orange. You may even be guided (by sight or sound) by desert bighorn sheep, two hundred of which roam Joshua Tree National Park, on your ascent.

Length: 3 miles round-trip

A bit tougher than most hikes on this list, but well-worth the incline, Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is a 3-mile round trip hike with a 350-feet elevation gain that surrounds you with palm trees in the middle of an arid desert. The trail begins uphill and, as you get closer to the halfway point, the path affords you an overlooking view into the Fortynine Palms Canyon. Miners used the palm trees as a marker for the spring that now feeds the trees. Pools of water provide a calming oasis to lounge amongst the towering trees, which feel almost out of place in the otherwise harsh desert. If you stick around long enough, bighorn sheep may join you at their favorite swimming spot.

Length: 1 mile round-trip

A former cattle rustler’s hideout, the Hidden Valley Trail shows off the best of Joshua Tree’s expansive playground. It’s a one-mile loop that guides you through an enclosed valley of boulders jutting out from either side on a well-marked path. The route is lined with yucca trees and wildflowers, and it's a great spot to people watch as climbers clutch the rock-holds. For those looking for a firsthand adventure, this trail is a great place to practice scrambling on the rocks as well.

Length: 1.7 miles round-trip

A 1.7-mile roundtrip hike, Skull Rock Nature Trail features the titular rock, which is shaped like a skull that’s melting into the desert terrain. In the soft evening glow, sunset light halos the naturally-formed rock and illuminates the path towards a sea of rock formations. Desert oaks pop up on the hillside to provide a bit of shade to the passing traveler; wildflowers lead the way to the end. This path provides another great opportunity to scramble up some boulders and even climb onto a ridge to get a wider look onto the landscape.

Just when you least expect it, you stumble upon world class cuisine in the depths of the High Desert. We can’t say enough about this wonderful restaurant, so we’ll direct you to the mouthwatering menu and let you take it from there.

Yucca Valley - The locals’ favorite Watering Hole. The menu offers elevated bar food classics, each pairing perfectly with the cocktail of your choice.

in Morongo Valley is a restaurant that serves Italian cuisine with a Western twist. Owners Jasmine and Lorenzo, were born and raised in Rome, and have brought the meaning of Italian Hospitality to the desert. “Here you can count on impeccable customer service, excellent music, enjoy a delicious meal made with fresh, local ingredients, and get a taste of authentic Italian hospitality.” Enjoy the stunning solid-wood bar, and dining room, or venture out back to the porch with your whole party.