My Solo Trip to Joshua Tree — Allison Anderson

After a winter of constant rain in Seattle, I decided I needed a sunny getaway. Joshua Tree National Park has been on my travel list for a while now so when I found direct flights to Palm Springs for only $117, I didn’t hesitate. California here I come! (Note: this trip was in February 2020, prior to the global health and travel concerns.)

I rented a car and a cute Airbnb out in the Joshua Tree desert and spent four days driving through the park, checking out local restaurants, and soaking in some Vitamin D. Here are the best things I did during my trip.

Watch sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden. I set my alarm for 4am and doubted I would actually get out of bed but for once, my willpower won. I drove an hour into the park to reach the Cholla Cactus Garden parking lot about 45 minutes before sunrise to get setup to shoot a timelapse. Seeing the sky change from navy to peach to a sudden burst of vibrant red right as the sun first peeks over the horizon was worth it.

Enjoy the quiet of the desert at The Shack Attack. This perfectly curated Airbnb is the place to stay if you’re seeking wide open spaces. It’s located in north Joshua Tree and requires a little extra driving to reach (including some sandy dirt roads), but as soon as you walk inside the journey will feel worth it. From the boho chic decor to the bathtub under the stars, you’re going to wish you could stay longer. If this place is booked, there are tons of other cute Airbnbs in the area to choose from!

Hike the Arch Rock trail. Don’t let the name fool you, there is so much more to see on this trail than just one rock. You’ll walk about half a mile on a mostly flat path through the desert before arriving at an enormous network of stunning rock formations. My recommendation: hike out for sunset! I sat up on the rocks and watched as the sun dipped below the horizon. Just make sure to account for the 15-minute walk back to the parking lot - once it gets dark the desert can be really disorienting and it’s very easy to get lost.

Grab a meal at Crossroads Cafe. It doesn’t get more local than this spot and the menu is DELISH.

Travel back in time to the wild west in Pioneertown. Located just 10 minutes from Yucca Valley, Pioneertown was designed to be a movie set and since its incorporation in 1946, hundreds of old westerns have been filmed there. The downtown street is open to the public and features some small shops. If you’re looking for a meal, stop by Pappy + Harriet’s.

I loved my time in Joshua Tree and it was just what I needed to reboot after a dreary Seattle winter. I would love to go back again. Have you been to Joshua Tree?

To see more of my trip, check out my Joshua Tree vlog: