List updated 3.1.2023
I've lived in Joshua Tree since 2012 and have seen the area evolve and grow. Living here vs. visiting here only once makes a BIG difference in knowing what places are consistently good and even knowing the people who run these businesses.
Here is my list of high desert places I recommend:
TIP: Have a short amount of time to visit? Businesses marked with a ★ are the ones you can't miss if you are on a tight time schedule.
Food
Joshua Tree
★Boo's Organic Oven
61675 Twentynine Palms Highway #3, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
usually has vegan options
★NEW: Sky High Pie
61740 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
vegan options
★Sam's Indian Food and Pizza
61380 29 Palms Hwy Ste 13 Joshua Tree, CA 92252s
vegan options
Natural Sisters Cafe
61695B Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
vegan and vegetarian options, indoor/outdoor seating
Crossroads Cafe
61715 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
vegan and vegetarian options, will get packed at busy season, may have to wait
Royal Siam
61599 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
has had vegan options in the past if you ask for no fish oil to be used, vegetarian options available
Yucca Valley
Frontier Cafe
55844 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
vegan and vegetarian options
NEW: The Tiny Pony
57205 Twentynine Palms Hwy Yucca Valley, CA 92284
limted vegan options
I haven't been here yet so I can't vouch for them, but they've gotten good reviews by local friends.
Flamingo Heights
La Copine
848 Old Woman Springs Rd, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
usually has vegan and vegetarian options but check menu first, super good, make reservations if you plan on going
Palm Springs
Chef Tanya's Kitchen
706 S. Eugene Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264
ALL vegan
ok, it's not Joshua Tree, but I love Chef Tanya's so much, I have to mention it!
Shopping
Joshua Tree
★The Station
61943 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
★Desert Marketplace at JT Trading Post
61716 29 Palms Hwy
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Local vendor marketplace only open on the weekends. Currently runnning through Spring 2023 but more dates may be released after this publishes.
★Joshua Tree Street Market
Shops at Zanny's Boutiques located at 61877 Twentynine Palms Hwy at El Reposo in Downtown Joshua Tree
select Saturdays 11am to 3pm. check their website for schedule.
Joshua Tree Farmer's Market
Downtown Joshua Tree at Turtle Island
every Saturday 8am to 1pm
Mincing Mockingbird
61675 Twentynine Palms Highway Unit 2, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Yucca Valley
★Hoof & The Horn
55840 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Funky and Darn Near New / Desert Omen
55812 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
The End
55872 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Acme 5
55870 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Morongo Valley
★Black Luck Vintage
49950 Twentynine Palms Highway, Morongo Valley, CA 92256
Twentynine Palms
NEW: Scorpion Lollipop
73552 Twentynine Palms Hwy Suite 1, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
I haven't been here yet so I can't vouch for them, but they seem like good people!
NEW: Desert General
73552 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
I haven't been here yet so I can't vouch for them, but the store is part of CORNER 62, the home to five retailers.
Palm Springs
Windmill City Super #1
463 North Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92262
it's not Joshua Tree, but this place is run by GOOD people!
Hiking
A NOTE ABOUT HIKING IN THE DESERT: Always bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and let someone know your hiking plans. Hiking in the desert is no joke and shouldn't be taken lightly despite what you may see advertised. There is usually limited or no shade on desert trails, and due to the arid climate, people tend to need way more water than they think. Please hike safe!
Joshua Tree National Park Trails
★Keys View
★Barker Dam
Wonderland Ranch
Cholla Cactus Garden
Hidden Valley
Hall of Horrors
Black Rock Canyon - Warren Peak Trail
9678 Black Rock Canyon Rd, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Indian Cove
13 miles east of Joshua Tree Village and 10 miles west of Twentynine Palms
49 Palms Oasis
Fortynine Palms Canyon Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Pioneertown
Pioneertown Mountains Preserve
51010 Pipes Canyon Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Morongo Valley
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve / Sand to Snow National Monument
11055 East Dr, Morongo Valley, CA 92256
Attractions
Joshua Tree
Big Josh at The Station
61943 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Pioneertown
★Pappy and Harriets
53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Mane Street
Mane St, Pioneertown, CA 92268 (behind Pappy and Harriets)
Landers
Giant Rock
Landers Lane, Landers, CA 92285
may need 4WD
Coffee
Joshua Tree
★Joshua Tree Coffee Company
61738 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
NEW: Más o Menos
66031 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
I haven't been here yet so I can't vouch for them, but they have been getting good reviews by locals.
Yucca Valley
Frontier Cafe
55844 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
NOTE: Just because a business or location not on theis list, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't check it out. There are some places I've purposely haven't visited yet, because I still want to have "new to me" places to go to since I reside here the whole year.
