The best desert town around: Joshua Tree California
Joshua Tree California is the best desert town around. It’s gorgeous, the community is incredible, the outdoor scene top notch, and the art/energy scene is off the charts.
Some secrets, once everyone finds out, can turn special places like JT into overrun, overcrowded, and capitalism turned areas. (Sedona, Telluride, and Tahoe are battling this.) Joshua Tree is as well actually.
But JT has managed to find a way to keep itself unique, local, and funky. In my opinion it’s THE BEST DESERT TOWN AROUND and it all has to do with its wonderful flavors that reside in the town.
Grocery Store in Ohio Fitting Aside:
As I wrote this I was just told by my wife that the grocery store in our old neighborhood of downtown Columbus would be closing its doors in the coming days. For more condos. Condos that the neighborhood opposed.
More condos, more crowds, and less jobs for people who live in the community and rely on work that is nearby to where they live.
That’s EXACTLY what I LOVE about Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree’s spirit for resisting these types of things has been long applauded by me. As a two time resident of JT they have managed to keep the place in its small town vision. KUDOS! It doesn’t come without work and it is evolving but as someone who has seen the changes elsewhere it’s been able to retain its unique charm. It doesn’t always work but the spirit of resistance in the town is strong and contagious.
We spent time living in Joshua Tree in 2020 and again in 2023-24.
Below are 12 FUNKY REASONS why Joshua Tree California is the Best Desert Town Around! In no particular order.
Joshua Tree National Park and Nearby Hiking Areas
We probably hiked on 15 different trails in the National Park.
Some of our favorites are Ryan Mountain, The Boy Scout Trail, 49 Palms Oasis, Pine City, Arch Rock, and the Lost Mine Trail.
The town also boasts great nearby hiking destinations and we went hiking up Mt Baldy (the highest point of LA County), the Altadena Crest Trail, Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Whitewater Preserve, Morongo Canyon Preserve, the PCT, Big Bear’s Trails, and Mission Creek Preserve; which are all within two hours from our amazing rental. The options are ENDLESS!
Joshua Tree’s Rock Climbing!
Some world renowned rock climbing resides in the area. I did TONS of bouldering near Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, and the Wonderland Rocks Region of Joshua Tree National Park.
I also hired Matt (he was GREAT!) from Climbing Life Guides to do a half day of technical climbing, rope rappel, and a squeeze through the Chasm of Doom. It was one of the best, and hardest, outdoor adventure experiences in my life!
The Joshua Tree Certified Farmers Market!
Every Saturday from 8am-1pm. Fresh. Local. Supporting farmers who grow food and artisans who create.
It is our main grocery store for the week and it we used to take two walks from our rental with our REI 40L backpacks!
Make sure you get Kalamata Olives from Aliki’s, honey from the bee farmers, Lisa’s Homemade Peanut Butter, Jerry’s Kombucha, Black Garlic from T&D Farms, Strawberries from Gaytan Family Farms, Pesto from Eastern European Wellness Living, and the cheese from Petaluma (a 100 year old creamery) if you like those foods. In addition to all the seasonal fruits and veggies you could imagine!
Donate HERE to the Noah Purifoy Foundation.
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
Turning trash into treasure, literally!!! A Must See from famed LA artist Noah Purifoy.
Untamed Yoga
DJ Flow Yoga live from The Station with Emily & DJ Paul was on point! They have all the options of a big city studio but a feel that is hyper local. We loved taking class with them and can’t wait to collaborate with them and teach and take classes in a bigger way next time in town. Namaste Untamed! Their sticker is on our bicycle rack and sweatshirt on our bodies almost every day until we meet again.
(Untamed Yoga has since shifted to outdoor and online events. We still love them though! I currently go to indoor classes at Cedar and Sage in Yucca Valley which is also an awesome experience!)
Joshua Tree Coffee Company
Espresso Roast please. Well any of their flavors, it’s absolutely AMAZING!
Morongo Basin Humane Society and the Mojave Desert Land Trust
Where you can find me volunteering. Walking dogs, gardening, and advocating for the Mojave Desert. I love volunteering at these two local non-profit organizations.
Sam’s Market and Indian Restaurant, The JT Saloon, The Coyote Corner, The Dez, and Sky High Pie.
All the food and drink options you need after a long day hiking in the desert!
Arch Rock. JTNP.
The Krblin Jihn Kabin
Another must visit Desert Art Creation. We walked there along the dirt roads and will let you decide if this is a real or fictitious tale!
The Sunrises, Sunsets, and Night Skies
We saw the sunset on the Winter Solstice from the highest point of the park, witnessed the Jupiter Saturn conjunction with ease from our front doorsteps, and overall saw wide open and beautiful skies with ease day in and day out!
The Winter Solstice Sunset
The Local Art Scene
From the World Famous Crochet Museum to dozens of shops like the Station with Big Josh along the 29 Palms Highway this desert haven is home to more creatives than I could fit in one mention.
Just come and find out for yourself, see the magic being curated, and support some of the local Joshua Tree artists!
Joshua Tree Retreat Center
From hosting the 29 Palms Farmers Market to great events like Joshua Tree Voice to Somatic Dance Parties this is a special place!
Told you we filled the backpacks! No plastic bag waste going on in our Nissan Rogue!
Joshua Tree is one of a kind and I hope it stays that way. It’s hard to stay local, stay unique, and keep the corporate giants out. Just down the roads in 29 Palms and Yucca Valley Wal-Mart, Marshall’s, and other chains appear. But not here.
Sure there’s a Dollar General that finally weaved its way into the town but the local businesses have signs that say DOLLAR GENERAL SUCKS, SHOP LOCAL right next to their Pride Flags and Black Lives Matter Signs.
There is more magic to this town than I could fit into this article. Come for a weekend or stay for a while like we have. If you are into walking life to the beat of your own drum and letting others do the same then you will fall in love and in harmony with the Best Desert Town Around: Joshua Tree California!
Thanks for reading friends, comment with what you love about JT.
Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R
