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
★Natural Sisters Cafe
61695B Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
vegan and vegetarian options, indoor/outdoor seating
★Boo's Organic Oven
61675 Twentynine Palms Highway #3, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
usually has vegan options
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
Cali Greens
57754 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
vegan and vegetarian options, closes early so check hours before you plan
Frontier Cafe
55844 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
vegan and vegetarian options
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
Shopping
Joshua Tree
★The Station
61943 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Mincing Mockingbird
61675 Twentynine Palms Highway Unit 2, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Yucca Valley
★Black Luck Vintage
7350 Acoma Trail, 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
Twentynine Palms
Joshua Tree National Park - Oasis Visitors Center
74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
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 Preserve51010 Pipes Canyon Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Morongo Valley
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve / Sand to Snow National Monument11055 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 RockLanders Lane, Landers, CA 92285
may need 4WD
Coffee
Joshua Tree
★Joshua Tree Coffee Company
61738 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Flamingo Heights
Giant Rock Meeting Room
1141 Old Woman Springs Rd unit a, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
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 it's 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.
