Jillian’s guidebook
Food scene
So great for kids to have some space while adults have really good food and beautiful cocktails in the desert.
319 locals recommend
Kitchen in the Desert
6427 Mesquite AveSo great for kids to have some space while adults have really good food and beautiful cocktails in the desert.
Our new favorite bakery. The sandwiches are amazing and staff is so friendly. An excellent stop on your way in or out of town for lunch on the road.
51 locals recommend
Luna Sourdough
55700 29 Palms HighwayOur new favorite bakery. The sandwiches are amazing and staff is so friendly. An excellent stop on your way in or out of town for lunch on the road.
They're usually understaffed so you might need some patience, but the food is great, the drinks are great, there's lots of space and if you're lucky, an outdoor concert. Keep in mind that phones don't work but you can usually connect to wifi.
1340 locals recommend
Pappy & Harriet's
53688 Pioneertown RdThey're usually understaffed so you might need some patience, but the food is great, the drinks are great, there's lots of space and if you're lucky, an outdoor concert. Keep in mind that phones don't work but you can usually connect to wifi.
We almost always start our trips to the desert with a frozen drink and some snacks at Red Dog. They have such a great outdoor space which is kept cool with misters in the summer, and the kids usually make friends with nearby tables of kids!
223 locals recommend
The Red Dog Saloon
53539 Mane StWe almost always start our trips to the desert with a frozen drink and some snacks at Red Dog. They have such a great outdoor space which is kept cool with misters in the summer, and the kids usually make friends with nearby tables of kids!
Great pizza, cocktails and a fire pit and heaters outdoors!
209 locals recommend
Giant Rock Meeting Room & Coffee House
1131 Old Woman Springs RdGreat pizza, cocktails and a fire pit and heaters outdoors!
It's fancy and you definitely need a reservation, but the food is great and the outdoor space feels like vacation.
725 locals recommend
La Copine
848 Old Woman Springs RdIt's fancy and you definitely need a reservation, but the food is great and the outdoor space feels like vacation.
The Copper Room
8 Star Cafe
57053 29 Palms HighwayActually good Korean food to order in
popular cafe by the entrance of Joshua Tree. Good fueling station for before or after your visit to the park
688 locals recommend
Crossroads Cafe
61715 Twentynine Palms Highwaypopular cafe by the entrance of Joshua Tree. Good fueling station for before or after your visit to the park
hip, little convenience store with a great selection of drinks and snacks (overpriced but good selection for nice foods)
146 locals recommend
Desierto Alto
55827 Twentynine Palms Highwayhip, little convenience store with a great selection of drinks and snacks (overpriced but good selection for nice foods)
City/town information
Our kids call Pioneertown "the wild west", and we go every time we visit the desert. Just 10 minutes from the house, Pioneertown feels like its own little vacation spot. Visit the shops and stop for snacks or dinner while watching the sun set.
558 locals recommend
Pioneertown
53688 Pioneertown RdOur kids call Pioneertown "the wild west", and we go every time we visit the desert. Just 10 minutes from the house, Pioneertown feels like its own little vacation spot. Visit the shops and stop for snacks or dinner while watching the sun set.
Sightseeing
The Living Desert is our happy place. It's a bit of a drive from the house, but the reward is worth it. Lush gardens, beautiful animals, enough food to keep everyone happy for a day of wandering.
889 locals recommend
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola AveThe Living Desert is our happy place. It's a bit of a drive from the house, but the reward is worth it. Lush gardens, beautiful animals, enough food to keep everyone happy for a day of wandering.
Joshua Tree is the most magical place in the world and we feel so fortunate to be so close to it. Make sure you set aside as much time to explore as you can, bring plenty of water and food, stay on trails and remember you phone won't work in the park. Our favorite spots are Hemmingway and White Tank.
1713 locals recommend
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is the most magical place in the world and we feel so fortunate to be so close to it. Make sure you set aside as much time to explore as you can, bring plenty of water and food, stay on trails and remember you phone won't work in the park. Our favorite spots are Hemmingway and White Tank.
Beautifully curated shopping
Mojave Flea Trading Post Yucca Valley
55727 Twentynine Palms Highway