Palm Springs & Joshua Tree
Poolside Gossip by Slim Aarons at The Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra, 1970
Palm Springs, a city in the Sonoran Desert of southern California, is known for its hot springs, stylish hotels, golf courses, and spas. It's also noted for its many fine examples of midcentury-modern architecture. Its core shopping district along Palm Canyon Drive features vintage boutiques, interior design shops, and restaurants. The surrounding Coachella Valley offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.
STAY
THE PARKER PALM SPRINGS Designed by Jonathan Adler, this resort is in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Behind the large Breeze Block facade lies a restaurant and terrace, bohemian bar, outdoor pool, tennis court, lawn games, and a spa.
L’ HORIZON RESORT & SPA Built in 1952 by renowned architect William F. Cody, the midcentury modern hotel was a favorite celebrity destination spot in the 50s and 60s. The current resort has been updated by Steven Herman, bringing back the glamour of the Hollywood golden age.
SENSEI PORCUPINE CREEK Nestled on 230 acres, this intimate health and wellness retreat resort features lush spa gardens and Nobu dining, golf & tennis. facilities.
KORAKIA PENSIONE An Auric Road resort housed in two lovingly restored historic Moroccan and Mediterranean-style villas.
THE ACE A trendy alternative to the grand resorts with a popular restaurant and bar.
THE RITZ-CARLTON RANCHO MIRAGE Sunset views from the terrace overlooking the whole of the Coachella Valley are par none.
CASA CODY A new property by the Cassetta Group, Casa Cody is a charming B&B dating from the 1920s, set in lush gardens with views of the San Jacinto mountains.
THE SANDS A Moroccan-inspired hotel designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, offering a twist on the Tennis and Racquet Clubs of the 50’s and 60’s in Palm Springs.
THE WALDORF ASTORIA LA QUINTA A sprawling resort in La Quinta by The Waldorf Astoria featuring golf courses, tennis courts, pools, restaurants, and bars.
TWO BUNCH PALMS RESORT & SPA A resort dating from 1930 set on 77 acres featuring a natural grotto, hot spring pools, swimming pools, and tennis courts, as well as a farm-to-table restaurant.
TWIN PALMS “SINATRA HOUSE” Commissioned by Frank Sinatra and designed by E. Stewart Williams, Twin Palms was the singer’s holiday house. It is now available to rent for events or stays.
THE COLONY PALMS HOTEL A 1930s Moroccan-style hotel reminiscent of the Beverly Hills Hotel with perfect poolside cabanas for basking under the hot desert sun. We also recommend the Purple Palm restaurant, named after the infamous Purple Gang mob.
HOLIDAY HOUSE This boutique hotel was originally designed by architect Herbert W. Burns. Today, it has been reimagined by interior designer Mark D. Sikes. The property features midcentury-inspired elements centered around Gio Ponti’s tile-work, and includes works by David Hockney, Roy Liechtenstein, Herb Ritts, Alex Katz and Mr. Brainwash, with a garden sculpture by Donald Sultan.
LA SERENA VILLAS Updated by architect Maya Sung, these 1930s hacienda-style bungalows sit at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains steps away from Palm Canyon Drive. Each villa includes a patio, claw-foot tub, fire-pit, and pool.
THE ROWAN A Kimpton Hotel. Head to 4 Saints: its open patio at sunset makes for an unforgettable dining experience thanks to the breath-taking views of the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains. The menu, concocted by Michelin-starred chef Stephen Wambach, is light and takes its cues from the fresh simplicity of Mediterranean cooking. Rowan Hotel – 100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262Rowanpalmsprings.com
THE AMADO Photographer Jaime Kowal is planting deep roots in Palm Springs. In addition to Ernest Coffee and Bootlegger Tiki, she’s also the proprietress of The Amado, a five-unit boutique hotel in the heart of town. After putting the property through an extensive top-to-bottom renovation, she decorated each apartment-style suite (private kitchens, vintage fireplaces, and pool access are standard) with one of the five elements in mind. Overall, the aesthetic is minimal with jolts of Southwestern patterns and photography thrown in for good measure.
LAUTNER COMPOUND This part of the desert is a treasure trove of mid century architecture—The Lautner Compound gives guests a chance to call one of these gems home, even if its just for the span of a weekend. As the name suggests it’s the handiwork of renowned architect John Lautner and structurally, it’s more of a four-unit compound with a shared outdoor common area than a freestanding house or hotel (there’s no concierge on duty but maid service can be requested for extended stays). Taking in the surroundings, complete with succulent gardens, dipping pool, and fire pits, and bumming around the spectacular rooms (all are outfitted with vintage-modern furniture, kitchens, and a selection of architecture-themed books) is the extent of on-property activities, which is pretty great in its own way. There’s also an event space attached that can easily fit 200 or so people making it the ideal spot for a wedding.
SPARROWS LODGE Just like so many Palm Springs properties, this lodge has lived many lives before it’s most recent incarnation as a beautifully-restored 20-room retreat. The Sparrows is the sort of place where the salt-water pool isn’t much of a scene but rather a serene spot to work your way through a fat stack of magazines. In lieu of a restaurant there’s the barn, which serves as a communal breakfast area and a bar-slash-hangout the rest of the day. There are no phones or TVs in the rooms, but there are Swiss army blankets, rain showers, and rustic furniture. At night, guests tend to gravitate to the fire pit for drinks and conversation.
LIFE HOUSE Set in a peaceful residential neighborhood, 240 feet from Moorten Botanical Garden, this Palm Springs hotel features an outdoor pool. 1700 S Palm Canyon Dr; lifehousehotels.com/hotels/california/palmsprings
THE WILLOWS Originally a private luxury hideaway, the Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn is now comprised of two stunning Italianate-style mansions, the Mead and Bishop Houses. This luxury boutique hotel is nestled against the mountainside yet located just two blocks from Palm Canyon Drive.
DINE | DRINK
COPLEY’S ON PALM CANYON Set on Cary Grant’s former estate, this romantic restaurant offers a charming garden with a view.
MELVYN'S A favorite of the Rat Pack back in the day, Melvyn’s & The Casablanca Lounge still plays live music and offers classic cocktails on the terrace.
SHIELD’S DATE FARM No trip to Palm Springs is complete without a stop for a Date Shake at Shield’s, which opened in 1924. Date Palms were originally brought to the California Desert from Egypt, Algeria, and the Persian Gulf in the 1800s. Today, 85% of U.S. Dates are from the Coachella Valley, derived predominately from the 14,000 offshoots of the Deglet Noor variety of Date imported from Algeria. The prodigious output of the oasis of the Coachella Valley rivaled that of the Middle East itself, and created such abundance, that new descriptions such as “Allah’s Garden” were coined. To this day, the city of Indio hosts an annual Date Festival.
SHERMAN’S DELI The only spot for NYC-style deli fare from bagels and lox to babka.
CHEEKY’S A popular breakfast and brunch spot with everything from cinnamon rolls to chilaquiles.
BIRBA Located next door to Cheeky’s, this is a modern Italian restaurant with wood-fired pizza, craft cocktails, and a changing menu served in a chic, tree-filled patio.
THE PURPLE PALM Set within The Colony Palms Hotel, The Purple Palm, is a Moroccan-themed restaurant designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard.
LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA A classic spot with multiple locations for Mexican Food.
THE PINK CABANA Set inside The Sands Hotel, The Pink Cabana is an all-day restaurant featuring a Mediterranean menu with, you guessed it, pink decorative accents and cabanas.
BAR CECIL Bar Cecil is a love letter to Cecil Beaton's vision of life and art. 1555 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs; barcecil.com
FARM Owner Liz Ostoich modeled Farm after the places she visited in her travels through southern France. This explains the Provençal aesthetic in the garden dining area (green shutters, wicker chairs, rustic wood dining tables), the French-press coffee, the house-made jams, and the truly impressive variety of paper-thin sweet and savory crepes. When we're there, we participate in an (almost) all-Brie diet, made possible by the pear, Brie, arugula, walnut, and date jam baguette, followed by the hazelnut, fig, and brown-sugar-baked Brie.
ELMER’S Though there are 25 locations of this Portland-born diner throughout the Northwest, this is the only California outpost and it’s the furthest thing from a run-of-the-mill franchise. Yes, there’s a massive laminated menu but that's half the fun. Lunch and dinner bring in a good amount of guests, but it’s the all-day breakfast that’s the true standout. German pancakes, oversize skillet omelets, and smokehouse bacon are particularly adored by both kids and those nursing wicked hangovers.
ICE CREAM & SHOPPE As the name suggests, it’s not just ice cream that’s sold here. Aside from the horchata, sweet corn, Mexican chocolate, and (our personal favorite) Coachella Valley date scoops, there are shelves lined with kitschy gifts. The store, in the lobby of the Arrive hotel, is an instant pick-me-up of cacti-covered coffee mugs, coloring pencils, and flamingo pool floats.
JAKE’S This is the sort of neighborhood eatery that goes above and beyond the call of duty to make patrons happy. For one thing, dogs are wholeheartedly welcome to dine with their owners on the outdoor patio (real-life Jake is a actually the owners’ beloved pup), the food offering is of the comfort variety (salads, sandwiches, awesome weekend brunch), and the overall vibe is super chill.
KING’S HIGHWAY & THE AMIGO ROOM Occupying an old Denny’s and decked out with mod fixtures and faux taxidermy, Kings Highway is exactly what one might expect from Ace hotel’s riff on a roadside diner. In addition to providing the hotel with room service, the restaurant serves elevated versions of standard diner fare (burgers, omelets, pie) as well as random but welcome additions—grilled Monterey squid, shrimp vindaloo, black eyed pea hummus—all day long and well into the night on weekends. Next door is the Amigo Room bar, a former rancher watering hole which was purposely left out of the renovation to keep its gritty ambiance. There are 21 craft beers on tap and a killer craft cocktail menu that goes perfectly with the slew of campy activities (bingo is a fan favorite) hosted at the bar pretty much nightly.
EL JEFE Much like the color-happy Saguaro Hotel it’s situated in, El Jefe is super casual (communal seating, reclaimed wood-paneled walls) and great for accommodating kids and larger groups. Inspired by Mexico City’s thriving street food scene and helmed by chef Jose Garces (of Iron Chef fame), the small-plates menu is extensive yet easy to navigate. For breakfast there’s torrijas (a delicious citrus-vanilla French toast dish) and loads of egg-centric options. Lunch and dinner are devoted to South-of-the-border favorites like ceviche, sopas, and of course, tacos—our go-to is the veggie-and-mushroom Hongos con Rajas.
KOFFI There are two Koffi outposts, one at each end of town, which is great since the coffee here is some of the best in the desert. While there are loads of complicated espresso drinks to choose from, we’re partial to the no-frills single-origin iced coffee. To complement the miles-long beverage menu, there’s also a nice selection of muffins, cakes, and more substantial small bites.
NORMA’S Located in the Parker Hotel, Norma’s offers a take on classic diner food. For breakfast—served all day on the covered patio or inside if it gets too steamy—we swear by the famous Waz-Za waffle (stuffed with fruit and brûlée-d to perfection) and the upstream eggs Benedict (tiny pancakes topped with smoked salmon and smothered in some of the best Hollandaise we’ve ever had).
MISTER PARKER Also located in the Parker Hotel, Mister Parker’s for a good meal and even better people watching. Beyond the velvet-curtained entrance, the vibe is unapologetically sexy (mirrored ceiling, an all-white baby grand piano, and eyebrow-raising artwork) and the menu is decadent to say the least. Pistachio-crusted scallops, Steak au Poivre, and the shoestring parmesan fries take top billing. It’s also important to note that every meal is kicked off by a mini loaf of piping-hot sourdough bread. Needless to say reservations are a must.
PENINSULA PASTRIES While the strip mall location doesn't exactly channel the glamor of Paris, this is our go-to for fresh breakfast pastries (the almond croissants and pain au chocolate are insane) and dinner party desserts. It’s owned by a French couple who whip up the delectable baked goods daily and put a ton of effort into quality—the bread selection, for example, is on par with the stuff you’ll find in authentic Parisian boulangeries…definitely try the olive loaf.
ROOSTER & THE PIG Pork belly fried rice with spicy okra is a standout at this dinner-only Vietnamese-American spot. Arrive early to avoid a line out the door, though if you have to wait, know that it’s worth it. We’d come just for the cocktails, especially the Floating Orchid, made with vodka, pear nectar, elderflower, lemon, and cava.
TYLER’S BURGERS This no-frills, feel-good restaurant has been around for over twenty years—and not much on the menu has changed since it opened. Locals swear by this lunch-only burger joint, famous not only for the burgers (we love the turkey burger, though the tuna and egg salad sandwiches are excellent, too) but for the homemade potato salad and the blissfully old-fashioned chocolate malts and root beer floats.
WORKSHOP KITCHEN Uptown Palm Springs is quickly becoming the culinary epicenter of the desert, thanks in no small part to chef Michael Beckman's Workshop Kitchen + Bar. The oft-changing menu is devoted to fresh, seasonal dishes like roasted heirloom carrots, house-cured gravlax tartine, and Iron House ranch rib eye, the ingredients for which are all sourced locally—even the craft cocktails are mixed with them (the scotch-heavy Carrot Penicillin is insane). Other than a singular communal table and a dozen or so private booths, the minimalistic cement dining room doesn't overwhelm with decor.
BABE’S Beers brewed on the premises help wash down baby-back ribs & pulled pork, plus scratch-made pies are served at this Southern restaurant at The River in Rancho Mirage.
HANDEL’S Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, originally from Ohio, has been made fresh daily at each store since 1945. They use an abundance of only the best ingredients available. The Palm Desert outpost is the perfect respite from the desert heat.
ROY’S Originally from Hawaii, Roy’s Restaurant is the birthplace of Hawaiian fusion cuisine.
MASTRO’S The Los Angeles steakhouse and celebrity favorite has a Palm Desert location.
BOOTLEGGER TIKI Brainchild of Jaime Kowal and Chris Pardo (the dynamic duo behind neighboring Ernest Coffee), Bootlegger Tiki—with its totem poles, novelty lighting, and various pictures of topless ladies on the walls—is the epitome of a kitschy tiki bar. Best part: happy hour is a daily occurrence here, meaning the elaborate rum-centric concoctions (Mai Tai, Daiquiri, Blue Hawaii, and more) can be enjoyed at deep discounts from four to six.
SEYMOUR’S This speakeasy-style cocktail den occupies a hidden space inside the steakhouse, Mr. Lyons (ask the host to point you in the right direction). Once inside, it’s easy for forget what decade it is. There are vintage photographs lining the walls, antique velvet seating, and even a black-and-white tv to set the retro mood. The whole thing is wonderfully old school, and a quiet place for a nightcap—try the Oaxacan Brunch, made with Gem & Bolt mezcal, lime juice, sage-infused simple syrup, and egg white.
HIGH BAR AND 4 SAINTS Located in the Rowan Hotel. Refreshing drinks like the frozen Aperol spritz and a passionfruit makeover of the gin fizz—plus light bites like ceviche and a minty melon-arugula salad—make swimsuit-clad, poolside dining comfortable in a destination as searing hot as Palm Springs. The rooftop bar is the perfect spot to people watch as the scene shifts from lively in the afternoon to peaceful at sunset.
SOTTOVOCE CAFE Offering paninis, salads, Italian style coffee & wine, gelato and more in the Gardens on El Paseo.
LA COPINE Located in Joshua Tree, this small roadside restaurant is a haven of biodynamic wine and vegetable dishes so tasty and satisfying, you’ll question your meat-eating ways. Even a simple green salad here is a complex bowl of kale, red oak lettuce, pickled carrots, seeds, and herbs—tossed in a lemony vinaigrette. Fingerlings are grilled with duck fat; beets are paired with plums and a pistachio dressing.
PAPPY & HARRIETS Located in Joshua Tree, you can smell the barbecue and hear the live music from miles away at this rustic eatery in Pioneertown. Check the event schedule and plan accordingly- even Paul McCartney has performed at this intimate venue.
THE NEST The place to go for live music and dancing. As lines can be long, your best bet is to go for dinner before heading to the bar.
TRUSS & TWINE Industrial-chic spot for craft cocktails & a desert-inspired menu in the historic El Paseo building.
LA QUINTA BAKING COMPANY A European-inspired bistro serving breakfast and lunch, as well as fresh-baked breads and pastries made by their in-house pastry chef. Order the Spinach frittata with brie, ham and cheese crepes, and the cinnamon raisin bread. 78395 CA-111, La Quinta; laquintabaking.com
ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES
SUNNYLANDS CENTER & GARDENS For over 40 years, Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg welcomed political, business, educational, and entertainment leaders to Sunnylands, their 200-acre winter home in Rancho Mirage, California. In 2001, the couple established The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands to preserve the estate as a place where world leaders could meet to discuss issues of national and international importance. Today, tours of the historic home and vast gardens are offered.
MODERNISM WEEK TOUR Palm Springs is a mecca for fans of mid-century architecture and design, especially during the annual Modernism Week each Spring, where private properties that are typically closed to the public open their doors. Another option is The Modern Tour led by local expert Michael Stern. If you prefer to go at your own pace, the self-guided Palm Springs Modernism Tour is just right. You will make stops at the Albert Frey-designed Tramway Gas Station (now the Palm Springs Visitor Center), the Donald Wexler-designed, Alexander Steel House and Dinah Shore Estate, the William Krisel-designed 970 East Racquet Club. the Richard Neutra designed Grace Miller House on Palm Canyon Drive, Swiss Miss-style homes, Frank Sinatr’’s “Twin Palms” by E. Stewart Williams, Bob Hope and Arthur Elrod’s house by John Lautner, The Alexander Estate or "The House of Tomorrow” where Elvis Presley honeymooned, and of course the Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra, the setting for the icon “Poolside Gossip” photo by Slim Aarons.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Straddling the Colorado and Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park takes its name from trees that dot the landscape.
SALTON SEA The Salton Sea is actually a lake, which was created by the inflow of water from the Colorado River in 1905. In the 1950s and 60s, the area became a resort destination until the 80s when it became polluted and contaminated. Today, it still a tourist attraction, but the mirage is best seen from the car with the windows rolled up to avoid the less than favorable smell!
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY MOUNTAIN STATION The world’s largest rotating tram car travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Once you reach the Mountain Station with an elevation of 8,516 feet, enjoy a drastic weather change, two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop, and over 50 miles of hiking trails.
PIONEERTOWN Actor Dick Curtis created the town in 1946 as an 1880’s themed Old West living, breathing motion-picture set. Today, you can stroll the ranches, shops, and restaurants including Pappy & Harriets for barbecue.
THE LIVING DESERT A zoo specializing in desert wildlife and gardens.
THE THERMAL CLUB A members-only racetrack with a club, restaurant, and villas. Also worth a visit is the BMW Performance School adjacent to The Thermal Club.
INDIAN CANYONS HIKE A scenic hiking or horseback riding trail with palm trees and waterfalls in the middle of the desert- truly an oasis.
CACTUS TO CLOUDS TRAIL Not for the faint of heart, the Cactus to Clouds Trail begins in Palm Springs, California, and ascends to San Jacinto Peak. With a net elevation gain of roughly 10,300 feet, it has one of the greatest elevation increases among day-hike routes in the United States.
PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM Displaying a permanent collection of over 12,000 objects rooted in modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design, the museum is a must-see.
MOORTEN BOTANICAL GARDENS Specializing in cacti and desert plants, this privately-owned arboretum was created to share the beauty and extraordinary varieties of desert plants with visitors.
INTEGRATRON SOUND BATHS A 38ft tall cupola structure designed by ufologist and contactee George Van Tassel who claimed the Integratron was capable of rejuvenation, anti-gravity, and time travel. See for yourself at this desert spaceship.
ELDORADO POLO CLUB Indio is home to many polo clubs with Eldorado being one of the largest in the U.S. The season runs from January- March.
INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN The year-round tennis club is open to the public, and plays host to the world’s largest combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament – the BNP Paribas Open.
JANSSEN ARTSPACE We’ve long been admirers of Janssen Artspace, which closed its doors in 2010 after years of great exhibitions and events. Now, nearly a decade after its first opening party, artist and owner Steven Janssen brought the space back to downtown Palm Springs permanently.
PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM Occupying several hangars—and staffed by some pretty wonderful and knowledgeable military veterans—you can explore any number of planes (and even book a flight)!
PGA WEST GOLF ACADEMY The Waldorf Astoria resort, La Quinta is also home to the PGA West's legendary golf academy (which is, apparently, a big deal if you play). Golf school and private lessons are obviously on offer, but they also do custom club fittings, health and wellness consultations, and high-tech video analysis. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to take a lesson or book a tee time.
SHOP
EL PASEO The Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Palm Springs with luxury boutiques and restaurants.
THE FINE ART OF DESIGN One of many vintage stores in Palm Springs with designer labels.
TRINA TURK Once known primarily as a womenswear designer, Trina Turk has expanded her creative vision to include jewellery, eyewear, footwear, swimwear, interior and textiles collections. Her passion for vibrant colours and contemporary Californian style shines throughout her sun-drenched designs and the bold prints that feature on her ceramics. Her flagship store is full of gift inspiration, whilst the swimwear range is perfect for lounging by one of Palm Spring’s many beautiful pools. Trina Turk – 891 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262Trinaturk.com
BON VIVANT Across the street from Tina Turk, nestled amongst the mid-century homeware boutiques on N Palm Canyon Drive, you'll find Bon Vivant, a specialist in vintage American and Italian glass and ceramics. The store’s eclectic glassware display is a sight to behold, with vases and vessels arranged by their multi-coloured hues, bathed in the warm Californian sunshine that radiates from a nearby window. It dazzles me each time I visit. Bon Vivant – 766 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262Gmcb.co
A LA MOD Owners James Claude and Miguel Linares have curated one of the best—and biggest— home decor showrooms in Palm Springs. While the majority of their neighbors peddle mid-century modern wares, you’ll also find pieces from the 80’s and 90’s here. It’s also a great resource for having vintage lighting refurbished or if you’re looking to have something authenticated.
DESERT HILLS PREMIUM OUTLETS Technically, the outlets are about 30 minutes outside city limits, but anyone who’s been will agree that the drive to or from Palm Springs isn't complete without a stop here. So massive is this shopping complex that it’s actually resembles a small town, with designer stores lining the recently revamped “streets” (though we think they’d benefit from the addition of a few more restaurants). Here, you’ll find off-price outposts for Barneys New York, Frette, Bottega Veneta, Prada, YSL, James Perse and so many more.
MARKET MARKET A 40,000 square foot emporium of fine vintage, repurposed & one of a kind goods including apparel, accessories, housewares, furniture, art & design.
MODERNWAY Come here for a great selection of gently loved furniture from decades past. As the name suggests, the bulk of the assortment is of the mid-century or modern variety so expect to see a healthy assortment of lucite seating, woven wall art, plush rugs, and retro patio furniture. The price points are steep, but a seasoned collector would know how to spot a hidden gem.
THE SHOPS AT 1345 We would trek from LA or SD to Palm Springs for a visit to 1345 alone. Aside from everything you can buy there, the building—a modernist structure designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1955—is worth a visit all on its own. Step inside and you’ll find a treasure trove of rare mid-century-inspired home items. Our favorites include wares from Double M pottery: The pastel-patterned, lead-free glazes are all handmade in California, and the mugs, plates, and bowls are all dishwasher-safe.
THICK AS THIEVES Midwest natives Jeremy Smick and Samantha Caltagirone opened their lifestyle boutique in 2017 and stocked it with the store’s own line of delicate jewelry, floaty dresses and rompers (godsends in the desert heat), hand-painted dishes, Italian ceramics, and decorative trinkets from their travels around the world. There are also antique rugs and furniture, making it one of our favorite one-stop shops for the home.
PIONEERTOWN GENERAL STORE It’s made up of a single dusty main road with less than a dozen buildings, but Pioneertown is actually an interesting shopping destination. Especially at the General Store, where vintage clothing (particularly boilersuits), incense, natural beauty products, and stuff that seems to be found only in the desert is available in abundance. The old-time postcards, bandannas, curated road trip books, and palo santo make for perfect keepsakes or gifts from this part of the Wild West.
WONDER VALLEY OIL SHOP Alison and Jay Carroll packed their bags in 2015 and headed south from LA down to Joshua Tree where they put down roots in Wonder Valley. Yes, Wonder Valley is a real place, and it’s every bit as magical as it sounds. Housed in an old 1940s gas station, the newly minted Wonder Valley Oil Shop sells Carroll’s own artisanal namesake olive oil, harvested in Northern California, plus a unisex face oil—the brand’s foray into the beauty space. Look for made-in-LA supersoft graphic tees, a few carefully chosen pieces from Carl Auböck (a cheese board and knife, a bottle opener, and a corkscrew), plus ceramic vases fired right here in the high desert.
SPA
MOJAVE DESERT SKIN SHIELD SPA You’ll come upon Mojave Desert Skin Shield Spa about a mile off Twentynine Palms Highway. And this desert spot lives up to our sanctuary-in-the-middle-of-the-nowhere expectations: zero cell service but plenty of peace, quiet, and quality treatments. Spa offerings include sound bath healing sessions, tao tea meditation, and their signature 100-minute facial healing session (a deep fascial massage accompanied by breathwork and meditation). We come here for a deeply relaxing, nurturing two hours and leave with a bagful of in-house blended skincare tinctures like their detoxifying pulling oil and the Ayurvedic eye rinse (sweet manna after too many hours behind the screen).