What Hotels Are Close To Garths Boulder Garden

My Guide to Joshua Tree JOSHUA TREE!

It strikes me as ironic that not long ago I had to locate Joshua Tree, California on a map because I had never heard of it before and now I am writing my very own guide to it. But truly, it's about time! I've visited and lived in the high desert town on and off for the past three years now and I'm always rattling off how much I love, love, love the place to anyone who will listen. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the place I ultimately lay down roots someday. And if you know me, well, I wouldn't say that about just any old place.

Click on map to enlarge

I have multiple Joshua Tree posts scattered throughout the blog but it's due time I gather up all that amazingness in one place. So without further adieu, if you're planning a trip to Joshua Tree or its neighboring towns of Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, here's my guide to the best of the best.

Joshua Tree's Best of the Best

Best Vegetarian Cafe
Natural Sisters

Natural Sisters, Joshua Tree 61695 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of Natural Sisters Cafe

It's cute, it's vegetarian, it's friendly! The Natural Sisters Cafe is a must during your JT visit. Being so close to the park entrance it's the perfect pit-stop to fill up on smoothies, sandwiches, salads and freshly baked goods before or after your trip into the park. Don't be surprised if you unexpectably make a friend or strike up a conversation with a stranger here – it's just that kind of place!

Best Coffee House
Frontier Cafe

Frontier Cafe Joshua Tree Yucca Valley California

55844 Twentynine Palms Hwy

Frontier Cafe is my go to cafe in Yucca Valley. Taking advantage of the great wifi and comfy seats, many of my posts have been composed here. They also have an amazing menu – I'm hooked on the grilled cheese sandwich – live entertainment, and an all around great vibe. I could people watch here all day.

Best Bar and Nightly Entertainment
Pappy and Harriets

pappy and harriets pioneertown 53688 Pioneertown Road – Photo curtesy of palmspringslife.com

Located in Pioneertown and once used as a facade in a Hollywood frontier town, Pappy and Harriets is THE place to go for live music, good burgers, barbecue and drinks, and an eclectic mix of people. The inside decor is amazing in all its honky-tonk glory, but there's also a great outdoor patio that's not to be missed.

Runner up!
The Joshua Tree Saloon

joshua tree saloon 61835 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of globalgallop.com

Come in for some killer karaoke – or don't…but do make sure you stop by The Joshua Tree Saloon. I mean, just look at it! While Pappy & Harriets is tough to beat, The JT Saloon holds its own.

Best Brunch Spot
Crossroads Cafe

61715 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of Crossroads Cafe

An order of French Toast, fresh-squeezed orange juice and a coffee, please! That's my go-to brunch whenever I stop in at Crossroads Cafe, but if that's not your thing the menu is expansive. But the food isn't the only reason I stop in here, turns out I love gazing at the funky decor and all the LA tourists dressed in their finest hipster/boho-chic attire.

Runner up!
29 Palms Inn

29 Palms Inn 73950 Inn Avenue – Photo curtesy of tripadvisor.com

Yes, beyond that massive sandwich is indeeda glistening pool… If enjoying a meal on an outdoor patio while hotel guests frolic in the waters and catch a tan strikes your fancy, then eat at the 29 Palms Inn. Not only do they have amazing food, but the inside decor is charming and warm. You can roam the grounds afterwards, visiting the small lake and organic farm where the restaurant sources its own fruits and veggies.

Best Pizza
Pie For The People

61740 Twentynine Palms Hwy

I'm the kind of girl who likes her pizza thin and funky. With pizzas namedDavid Bowie, Bada Bing, and The Cliffhanger, and ingredients such as sweet plum sauce and Guinness caramelized onions, you know you're in for something unique. Pie for the People became an every Friday night occasion for me when I was living in JT. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. For those not so explorative types, yes, they do have a plain cheese option as well!

Best Health Food Store
Joshua Tree Health Foods

Joshua Tree Health Food Store 61693 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of Joshua Tree Health Foods

Located in the same plaza as The Natural Sisters Cafe, Joshua Tree Health Foods is the spot for all your organic and natural food desires.

Best Coffee
Joshua Tree Coffee Company

joshua tree coffee company 61738 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of desertargonauta.blogspot.com

What started at the local farmers market, to being served and sold in local cafes and stores, to now having its very own home in Joshua Tree, The Joshua Tree Coffee Company is my all time favorite coffee. Sure, I may be a little biased being that it's JT grown, and Royce, the owner, (pictured) is an awesome guy, but it's truly some of the best coffee around. I'm currently blogging from Ohio, far from the JT Coffee Company, but guess what made the 33 hour road trip home with me? That's right, a bag of JT Coffee beans.

Best Shopping
Hoof & The Horn

Hoof & The Horn

55840 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of yelp.com

Located in Yucca Valley and next to Cafe Ma Rouge, housing an eclectic blend of new and vintage, bohemian, biker, rock & roll, and western items, is Hoof & The Horn. As a self-described non-shopper, it may be surprising that I never miss a jaunt through this amazing shop and almost always walk out with something.

Joshua Tree'sBest Things To Do

Watch a drive-in movie at
Smith's Ranch Drive-In Theater

Smith's Ranche Drive-In, Twentynine Palms, CA. 4584 Adobe Road – Photo curtesy of cinematreasures.org

If you thought drive-ins were a thing of the past think again! Smith's Ranch Drive-In Theater, located near the military base in Twentynine Palms, just went digital, so it's sticking around for a long time to come. Grab yourself some munchies and enjoy two flicks for only $5 a vehicle.

Get your vortex on at the
Integratron

2477 Belfield Boulevard – Photo curtesy of urbanghostsmedia.com

Not far from Joshua Tree in the town of Landers sits the Integratron, which, according to its website, is a "resonant tabernacle and energy machine sited on a powerful geomagnetic vortex". Whew. I went there once for a community star-gazing party and got a free taste of the sound bath. I can't really comment on the energy machine/geomagnetic vortex claim, but if you're looking for something unique and fascinating, this is definitely the place to be.

Visit the 7-stories high
Giant Rock

Down an unmarked, unpaved road from the Integratron is the Giant Rock. The Native Americans considered this site to be sacred and in the 1950's it was a gathering point for UFO enthusiasts. It the 1930's a man actually dug a hole and made his home underneath it. Although now it seems to be a gathering place forgraffiti enthusiasts, if you don't mind the bad art it's definitely worth the visit.

Say hi to Garth and stay awhile at
Boulder Gardens

Garth's in Joshua Tree Click here for directions

If free-roaming donkeys, community style living, outdoor showers and "stone" houses in the shape of teepees are your thing, or even if they're not, you must get your behind over to Garth's place known as Boulder Gardens. Stay for a few hours, a few days, or a few months. Heck, I met someone who had been staying for years. All are welcome as long as they're "conscious-minded and truth-seeking". I just happened to be curious.

Meditate at the
Southern California Vipassana Center

The Southern California Vipassana Center

68561 Twentynine Palms Hwy

If 10 days of silent meditation sounds like your kind of thing, do it for free while enjoying some great vegetarian fare at The Southern California Vipassana Center in Twentynine Palms. Yeah, I thought it sounded crazy too, until I did it.

Take a stroll through
Pioneertown

Pioneertown, California

53688 Pioneertown Road

Built in the 1940's as a movie set to emulate an old western town and where over 200 movies and tv series have since been filmed, Pioneertown still stands to this day. Take a stroll down Mane Street and play on all the sets before heading over for a bite to eat at the nearby Pappy and Harriets. If you hit it on the right day, (Saturdays @ 2:30), stick around for the Mane Street Stampede Wild West Show.

Experience an intimate concert at
Harrison House Music & Arts

Harrison House

6881 Mt. Lassen Ave. – Photo curtesy ofdannypaulgrody.wordpress.com

During my most recent visit to JT I spotted a flyer announcing a performance by an international artist in residence at the Harrison House. Arriving in the evening, the cozy adobe and straw structure, which was meticulously designed for great acoustics, was dimly lit and magical. The website describes the experience of being inside as having been likened to a chapel, mosque or temple.

See some funky outdoor art constructed entirely of junked material at
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum

Noah Purifoy 63030 Blair Lane, Joshua Tree, California 92252

As much as I hate litter, I always enjoy coming across random junk in the desert because there's something weirdly fascinating about it. Artist Noah Purifoy created a 10 acre outdoor art museum made entirely of such junked material, and it's a must see. It's free to boot!

Get back to nature on a
Hike

Hike Joshua Tree

There are over 20 designated hikes in the area and each one is vastly different from the next. So, what are you waiting for?

Bend and "Omm" at
Instant Karma Yoga

61738 Twentynine Palms Highway

I had a lovely time at Instant Karma Yoga and highly recommend it. Drop in a class for $12 and instantly feel like a JT native.

Shop for fresh and local goodies at the
Joshua Tree Farmer's Market

Joshua Tree Farmers Market 61705 Twentynine Palms Hwy – Photo curtesy of uniquelyjoshuatree.blogspot.com

I always look forward to a Saturday morning Joshua Tree Farmer's Market stroll and inevitably leave with a bag full of goodies. Located in the same parking lot as Natural Sister's Cafe and Joshua Tree Health Foods, hunting for healthy fare couldn't get any more convenient.

Pop a tent at one of the many
Campgrounds

If you were hoping I'd suggest a great hotel you're out of luck: I always camp when visiting Joshua Tree. From 9 different campgrounds ranging in fees from $10-$15, you can save your money to experience other "bests" in town while getting back to nature and star-gazing. You're in the desert – there's no better place to do so.

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So that's it – my round up of Joshua Tree's best of the best! Did I miss something, leave something out? I'd love to hear from any locals or frequent visitors – what are your favorite places? Let me know in a comment and I'll be sure to visit during my next trip. There's always a next trip to Joshua Tree!

What is Vipassana Meditation:

Vipassana Meditation is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques, lost and then rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago. The wordVipassana means to see things as they really are. It's a process of self-purification by introspection.

The technique begins by observing one's breath and leads to a sharpened awareness as one proceeds to observe the changing nature of body and mind. The mental purification that results allows one to face life's tensions and problems in a calm, balanced way.

Donation based Vipassana centers offering 10-day silent retreats can be found all over the world. In July, 2014, I attended the Southern California Vipassana Center. I first heard of Vipassana meditation while house sitting in Joshua Tree. I was having lunch at a cafe in town when I randomly met Dorian, the center's manager at the time, and he invited me over to give me a tour. While I was interested in learning more about the practice, I remember thinking, "Who in their right minds would want to sit in silence for 10 days?" But being the ever-curious person I am, a year later it turned out to be ME.

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The Southern California Vipassana Center:

Registration. So it begins:

Dining hall in the background and a gong used to notify when it was time to meditate:

The Meditation Hall:

Men and women are strictly separated throughout the duration of the course:

There are rest periods during the day when you can stroll through the walking path:

Beautiful desert gardens surround the center:

The Experience:

I had never seriously meditated before and therefore was extremely nervous before going. My biggest concerns were that I couldn't sit still comfortably for that long, that I would be starving since there's no food served after midday, and frankly, that I would stand out like a sore thumb amongst serious meditators.

I remember reading a review that said, "you're going to do everything to talk yourself out of it. Just GO." That was me exactly: I took every hardship, like struggling to find subletters for my apartment and coworkers to cover my shifts as signs from the Universe that perhaps I shouldn't go after all. I even searched online in hopes of discovering bad experiences and warnings not to go but couldn't find any. Instead, I discovered that almost everyone who attends gains something positive from the experience. So off I went.

I arrived and settled into my private room. After a light vegetarian lunch and presentation reiterating the practice and rules, the course began. The first few days were spent focusing solely on respiration. For hours on end, I observed my breath as it entered and exited my nostrils and brushed over my upper lip. As the course progressed, we were told to move on to full body scans. Guided audio recordings were provided throughout the day, and each evening there was a video presentation. Teachers were also present to guide and assist. Soon the real world and all its concerns drifted away as I began to spend every waking hour in silence, contemplation, and meditation.

I finished the 10 days with relative ease. In fact, throughout the course I found myself really enjoying it and not wanting it to end. I was overcome with feelings of gratefulness for the center, the practice, and its volunteers. I was amazed by how much I had learned about myself and how much more I felt at peace in a relatively short time. I instantly wanted to tell everyone about Vipassana mediation as I felt like I was given such a gift.

The Days Since:

Once leaving the security and routine of the center and reentering the real world, I found it's not exactly easy to practice everything I've learned, but a lot has remained ingrained, and long-term effects become even more apparent as time goes on. For example, my ability to remain equanimous in many situations that would have previously led to a reaction of fear, pain, anger or sadness continue to strengthen. My ability to sit in silence and not feel like I must always be doing something has improved greatly as well, and I've also been able to let go of certain regrets, pent up frustrations, and pain that I had been holding onto.

The practice meant so much to me that I've since returned to the center numerous times to serve as a student manager and kitchen server, meeting some amazing people from all walks of life in the process.

My Suggestions:

A thought that continuously passed through my mind while at the center is thateveryone needs to try this at least once. It may feel selfish and seem ridiculous to carve out ten days in your busy life just to go sit somewhere in meditative silence, but once you're there, and after the initial shock wears off, I believe you're going to ask yourself how you could have spent your entire life up until this pointnot doing it. Soon all your worries and concerns, fears and hopes, regrets and memories, once examined, will fade away. You will then begin to better understand the meaning of impermanence, and soon find yourself living in the wonderful here and now. It's truly a treat for the soul. You don't have to already be a serious meditator or yogi or follow any certain religion or dogmas; all you need to begin is an open mind and a thirst for exploration into yourself. If it doesn't work for you the first time around, don't be afraid to try again at a different time. Go easy on yourself no matter what your experience turns out to be.

Further Reading and Information:

Vipassana Website

Spiders, Farts, Torture and Enlightenment – One woman's hilarious account with corresponding pictures to boot.

That Misery Called Meditation – It starts out rough for Tim Yu, but trancends as time goes on.

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I would love for you to leave your experiences in the comments and I would be happy to answer any more questions or concerns you may have.

Through a series of random events I met Armen, co-founder of tinytimemachines.com, and when he asked if I wanted to visit him where he was staying in Joshua Tree I jumped at the chance to get back to one of my favorite places on earth. I lived in Joshua Tree for two glorious months this past summer while house sitting, and I feel like I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for that experience.

Since I've explored almost all the park has to offer, I was excited when Armen told me he was bringing me to a place I've never been before known as Boulder Gardens. In fact it's private land, but the owner welcomes visitors and even full-time residents – we ran into a man originally from Europe who had been living there for six years! The property was something out of a fairy tale: houses made to look like boulders, teepees, bathtubs and showers coming out of rocks and trees, and yoga platforms and amphitheaters that blended effortlessly into their natural surroundings. The property also had chicken coops, gardens, free-roaming dogs and even donkeys! The whole experience was a reminder of how magical and mystical the desert can be.

Can you spot the house below?