A quick three hours from LA is Joshua Tree National Park –

Zip past the windmills that serve as the gateway to Coachella and wind up and over the mountain to a desert town where everyone from fashion bloggers to granola nature seekers can find something to oogle over.

Home to some pretty freaky art, breathtaking landscapes straight out of the Flinestone’s, and foodie gems in the most unlikely of places, the trek to Joshua Tree is worth so much more than just The Gram.

Must do’s, tastes, and some pretty cutie Air BnB's below.
Go on and check out that good good y’all!

Worthwhile Hikes & Stops Within The Park:

*in order From the north gate entrance

Hidden Valley:

This is a great little first stop to get your feet wet and feast your eyes on your first Joshua Trees. Short and sweet.

Skull Rock:

The perfect spot to use the skull emoji. This spot was crowded and didn’t really have a hike per se. Though underwhelming in the moment, we were all far more impressed with the photos and how much the giant boulder really does look like a skull later while at dinner. (The wine might have had something to do with our enthusiasm).

Jumbo Rocks:

This really was a mega jumbo rock. We saw some guys standing at the tippy top and obviously began to scale up for the birds eye view of the park. I got stuck and a very nice German stranger had to help me down. Without him, I kid you not, I would still be there today.

***Do not climb things higher than you can jump off of. There is no cell service and you will be unable to call for help. LOL.

White Tanks:

The best for last. White Tanks had the most breathtaking landscape views and best nooks and crannies to explore. The angles for tangy pics inside this hike are endless and it is home to the very photographed rock formation - The Archway.

Cholla Cactus Garden:

(go at sunset)

They say the cactuses turn colors at sunset. While the greens and purples were certainly more amplified, we didn’t see anything glow. I call BS on your #NoFilter However, def go! The cactuses are gorgeous and kinda scary at the same time. BRING TWEEZERS! Someone in your group will be bound to get stuck to the cacti. The umpaloompa like pom poms are more painful than they look, so when going offroading, proceed with caution (and also prepare your phones to capture some IG story gold).

similar cozy white jackets

(pssst... a lot of them are on sale or under $100!)

Inspiration Peak

(go for sunrise)

Wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise at Inspiration Peak. Be sure to give yourself about a half hour once you’ve gotten to the park gate to get into position before showtime. (Psst… take a thermos of coffee. It is a game changer.)

Must Tastes:

Joshua Tree Coffee Company

If you love quality coffee, this is a must stop, see, and smell. They roast the beans on site and the staff is extraordinarily friendly and knowledgeable. Pick their caffeinated brains, buy a bag (or 10) for your French press at home, and prepare for one good cup of Joe.

Country Kitchen

This double wide trailer is filled with salt of the Earth, jolly folks. It is truly a no-nonsense diner. Their biscuits are made fresh every morning and they are all about that breakfast all day life.

Pappy & Harriets

When it’s pitch black, the GPS cut out 5 miles ago, and you’re starting to think you’ve driven into another dimension… you’re in the right spot. Keep following the North Star a few more mile. Live music and cheese fries sent straight from the God’s await you.

Hadley Fruit Orchards

On your way back to La La Land, stop by Hadley’s for one of their famous date shakes. It was started in 1931 by two brothers and is a true I-10 landmark. Be sure to stop by their brand new building and pick up all the goodies for the short drive back home.

“Wait. What?” Art Stops:

Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum

This makes Stranger Things look like an episode of My Little Pony. Though very bizarre with art installations that look like they might be unsafe to get too near, Noah Prifoy’s is most definately unlike anything you’ve ever seen. With a mess of toilets, crosses coming out of the desert sand, piles of vintage computers and mannequins stacked on top of one another… this might not go with your grid.

The Art Queen

Snuggled in between an eclectic boutique and a cotton candy colored old school hair salon, this funky establishment has unique pieces that will make you smile and go hmmm. Tentacled lights in fairytale colors sprout out of aluminum walls and after a few minutes… it all seems to be normal!

World Famous Crochet Museum

In a pistachio green trailer behind The Art Queen’s, is a small space with more expertly crafted crochet creations than you have ever seen in your whole life. From all over the US, this trailer is unlocked at even the oddest of hours for passerbys to oogle at.

Absolute Do’s:

Put gas in your tank before going into the park. There are no gas stations and no cell service so if you run out of juice, that AAA membership will not be helpful.
Bring all the food and water you’ll need for the entire day. There are only two entrances and going in and out throughout the day would be very time consuming. Explore more by coming prepared with a loaded cooler.
Have lots of layers on hand. The temperature changes quick in the desert (especially in the winter). We wore everything from sports bras to triple layered fleeces and wool beanies in our short 48 hour stay there.
Download your Spotify playlist beforehand – again, there is no service inside and it’sfar too pretty to not have Lumineers bumpin
Let your freak flag fly and take a shirtless pic with your gal pals. (Obvi no photo because a.) I’m a classy lady and b.) Hell, my Daddy reads this.

HARD don'tS:

Get stuck to a Chola cactus.
Get stuck on a boulder.
Be alarmed by the copious amount of bees in all the bathrooms at the entrance of the trails.
Expect too much from Noah’s Purifoy. It’s freaky and will probs not fit into your gram grid.