A Trip To This Southern California National Park Will Take You A Million Miles Away From It All
By Natasha Kayes|Published July 05, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
The Southern California desert has its own kind of magic. Maybe it’s the unique flora and fauna you can only find out in this arid climate. Or perhaps it’s the wide-open spaces that stand in such stark contrast to the buildings and traffic that characterize most places now. Or it could be the dramatic landscape that just makes you feel like you are a million miles from anything you know. A Southern California desert getaway is simply… liberating. This is an escape unlike any other.
There are numerous places where you can go and experience the SoCal desert, but there are just as many reasons to choose Joshua Tree National Park, particularly if you love outdoor adventures.
From the strangely beautiful desert trees that give this place its name (and the shockingly adorable “teddy bear” cholla cacti) to amazing and unique rock formations, and everything that resides in between, Joshua Tree has so much to marvel at.
One of the most enchanting aspects of the desert is actually what is missing - ambient light. The dark skies become a visual wonderland when you are out here in the open, miles from the city. If this is not a reason to spend at least one night in the desert, I don’t know what is.
Whether you are a beginning hiker or just prefer an easy trail, or you are up for a more rigorous adventure like rock climbing, hiking through the giant boulders is not to be missed.
Take an easy walk to the stunning Arch Rock, discover the eerie Skull Rock, or put your route-finding skills to use and find an abandoned mine and miner’s boulder house. Even the nameless rocks throughout Joshua Tree National Park will inspire the photographer in you, I promise.
After a day of adventuring, retreat to your own private oasis on the border of the National Park. Enjoy a cool drink on the large covered porch and soak up the panoramic desert views, take a nap in the hammock, or enjoy a sunset dinner with nothing between you and the rocky wonderland.
This rustic and spacious “Joshua Tree Retreat” sits on a 5-acre property and offers all the comforts of home while you enjoy the tranquility of Joshua Tree. Not only is the cabin right near the entrance to the park, it is also close to the quirky, retro town of Joshua Tree where you can have a meal out or pick up some groceries to prepare your own.
We talk a lot about beach sunsets here in SoCal, but the quiet and stillness of “golden hour” in the desert is oh-so-enchanting - just another reason to leave the city and head for the wilderness.
Are you ready for your own desert escape? Have you explored Joshua Tree National Park? With the perfect home base right outside, and endless adventure inside, this is the perfect place to spend a weekend away. If you agree, reserve your stay at the Joshua Tree Retreat on Vrbo.
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