Tiny Travels: Joshua Tree

Just a few weeks ago I ventured out with my boys and met up with my friend Isobel and her children in Joshua Tree. Neither of us had been there before but we were up for anything and ready for the (sometimes) challenging obstacles of traveling with children. I’ve found that the key is having no expectations and don’t try to be too prepared. We had the best time EVER and fell in love with this charming little town…not to mention the airbnb home we stayed in “The Joshua Tree House”. Here is our (eat, sleep, shop) guide to Joshua Tree…please feel free to print out and use this graphic guide that designer Melanie Burk made for us. Hope you’re having a great week and that you’re finding adventure wherever you are.

Stay:

The Joshua Tree House – An amazing house that we found through Airbnb. The house is located within walking distance of downtown Joshua Tree, but set back on enough land that you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. It is impeccably designed and you can tell that the owners, Sara & Rich, have put thought into every detail of this house. We enjoyed the house so much; Waylon still calls it the “desert treasure house”. It has a hot tub in the back that we used after a long day of exploring and a huge front porch that we sat and drank coffee in the mornings while the boys ran up and down the driveway with the dump trucks that we brought collecting rocks and stones and other treasures. Here is the link for the rental: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32694

Shop:

Jen’s Pirate Booty – We happened to be in town during the designer’s pop-up sale at her soon-to-be newest retail location. Filled with boho fringy dresses, desert hats, and gorgeous accessories this is one of the best (and only) place to shop in downtown Joshua Tree for women’s clothing.

Coyote Corner, Joshua Tree National Park Store – A great spot to find trinkets, keepsakes, and treasures to remember your trip to Joshua Tree. Great selection of toys for little ones and the friendliest staff ever.

Eat:

Natural Sisters Cafe – This is a great spot for lunch in the center of downtown. Here you will find healthy smoothies, vegetarian sandwiches and burgers and vegan desserts.

Pie for the People – Delicious pizza that delivers when you don’t feel like strapping the kiddos in their carseats and going out for the night.

Country Kitchen – Right in the center of Joshua Tree is a delicious spot for breakfast food. Nothing fancy, the place was filled with climbers and hikers, and felt like a true diner. Anthony Bourdain even ate here and there is memorabilia and enlarged photos strung up to proudly to prove it. The service was pretty horrible; it was actually kind of comical like a Seinfeld episode. Our server was also the owner and the only one on duty waiting tables that morning and probably every morning….but the food made up for all her short comings. Oh and be prepared they only take cash but there is an ATM in the gas station next door.

Joshua Tree Coffee Company – Arguably the best place in town to grab a good cup of coffee in the mornings before heading out for an adventure.

Walk:

Hidden Valley Loop Trail – A great place to explore with little ones. A one-mile loop surrounded by tall boulders, this hike is great for inexperienced hikers and children that just want to climb around. Also just walking around town and window shopping was fun for us with small children. 

Shop This Post:

I’m wearing Outfits from Madewell and Jen’s Pirate Booty and my boys are wearing clothing by Fin & Vince.