Soak up the sunrise
Your summer adventure in 29 Palms starts at sunrise where basking in the early morning light while taking in the otherworldly beauty of Joshua Tree National Park makes for a truly unforgettable experience. Few experiences rival that of watching the sunrise in the desert, so trust us, you will not regret setting that early morning alarm!
With nearly 800,000-acres to explore there is no one best place in Joshua Tree National Park to watch the sunrise from. By staying in 29 Palms you will be minutes from the park’s north entrance on Utah Trail where a short and scenic 12-mile drive into the park gets you to the iconic Cholla Cactus Garden which is one of our favorite places to watch the sunrise. Soak up the sunrise while strolling the easy quarter-mile trail through this fascinating stand of cacti located near the transition zone between the Mojave and Colorado deserts in the Pinto Basin area of Joshua Tree National Park.
Once the hot summer sun has fully risen and welcomed the new day, it’s time to head out of the park and explore all that our city has to offer. And don’t worry, we know a few hours in Joshua Tree National is not nearly enough time to take in all the beauty of this incredible desert landscape and this itinerary will have you back in the park once the temperatures cool off in the evening!
Shop all that’s new in downtown 29 Palms
Start your downtown stroll at Hi-Desert Daydream, a newly opened boutique in the heart of downtown 29 Palms that showcases a diverse collection of artists, makers, and designers, all in one beautifully designed space. Open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and defined not as a consignment shop, but rather a space where dreams come true, Hi-Desert Daydream offers makers and vendors a creative and collective space to flourish. Shop everything from hand-picked vintage wear and modern crocheted clothing, macramé and weaving, handcrafted and luxurious body, bath and home products, unique home goods like charcuterie boards and serving trays, field guides and books on geology and astrology, and keepsakes and souvenirs like mugs, pins and keychains – all inspired by the beauty and nostalgia of the desert California desert.
Also newly opened, and located right next door is White Label Vinyl, a brand new record store that offers the desert’s best in new and used vinyl. Whether you’re a long-time vinyl enthusiast or just starting to build your collection, you’ll be blown away by what you find in the bins here! Music lovers will find everything from Jazz and Soul to Hip Hop and R&B, from Bluegrass and Country to Classic Rock and Punk. And for those rare or hard-to-find records, be sure to check out what White Label Vinyl has listed on Discogs! Open Thursday through Monday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, or by special appointment, White Label Vinyl not only specializes in records, but also boasts a great collection of vintage denim and western wear, books, art, posters, and lots of other cool collectibles.
It’s been a busy and exciting year for new business activity in our city, so while you’re downtown we also recommend checking out the newly opened Donahlue Clothing Co., The Lobby by Desert Beacon, and Campbell Hill Bakery. And there’s lots more to come, including a new Joshua Tree National Park Visitor and Cultural Center and Community Center as part of the City’s downtown revitalization project known as Project Phoenix!
Splash away until midday
Summer and swimming go hand in hand, and every summer vacation itinerary needs to include some pool time! Whether you choose to spend the afternoon at the pool at your hotel or vacation rental, or at our city’s community pool at Luckie Park, there are lots of great opportunities to keep cool, have some fun, and splash away until midday.
Ready to dive in? Luckie Park pool is located at 5885 Luckie Ave and is open 7 days a week from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is $4/day for adults and children over the age of three, $2.50/day for seniors, and free for children three years of age and under. For more information, call (760)367-5777.
Sip, relax, recharge
After your early morning sunrise adventure and an afternoon spent shopping and swimming, it’s time to refuel. Head on over to Kitchen in the Desert where Caribbean roots and Trinidadian family recipes have inspired a creative New American menu, made with whole, raw ingredients to standards that respect authentic island food. Located on a property with rich history and unmistakable charm, they take pride in making high-quality food from scratch using the freshest ingredients, grill and smoke their meats outside over Mesquite hardwood, and proudly offer vegan and vegetarian options. Open daily from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Kitchen in the Desert is a favorite dining spot for both visitors and locals so be sure to call ahead or make reservations online!
With an exciting diversity in restaurants across our city, there’s something for every taste and every age so whether you’re looking for a comforting breakfast, a quick lunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a full-service sit-down dinner, you’ll find it all in 29 Palms.
Settle in under the stars
Despite an already full day of adventure, the real treat of visiting in the summer season is the opportunity to experience our dark star-studded night skies, so grab those lawn chairs and blankets and get ready to settle in for a magical and unforgettable evening under the stars.
Joshua Tree National Park received its prestigious International Dark Sky Park designation from the International Dark Sky Association in 2017 and proudly boasts some of the darkest night skies in southern California. It’s a place where the fiery sunsets give way to a night sky so dark and so clear that you can map out the magnificent Milky Way – something that the overwhelming majority of people living in the United States can no longer see with the naked eye due to increased light pollution. From stellar views of the summer Milky Way to the annual Dela Aquarids and Perseids meteor showers, there is a lot to look forward to seeing in the night sky this summer.
