1. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the country’s national park in the southeastern region of California. Located in near Palm Springs to the east from Los Angeles, the park gets its name from the Joshua trees that are native to the area of the Mojave Desert. The grounds of the park were first designated as a national monument back in 1936. It was redesignated instead as a national park in the year 1994 after the passing of the California Desert Protection Act. Joshua Tree National Park encompasses an area of more than 790,000 acres, a bit bigger than Rhode Island.
Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Phone: 760-367-5500
2. Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture
The Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture, located in Joshua Tree, is a 7.5-acre outdoor museum created by Noah Purifoy. The open air museum displays assemblage sculptures made by Purifoy, which were all created between the years 1989 and 2004 on site. Any visitors wanting to visit the site will need to take some dirt roads to reach it. Once there, guests are greeted by the “Blair Lane” hand-painted street sign, along with dozens of large sculptures created out of materials like blown-out tires, burnt wood, and castoff metals. Brochures are available with information about the sculptures.
Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture, 63030 Blair Ln, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Attractions for Couples
3. World Famous Crochet Museum
The building that houses the self-named World Famous Crochet Museum was originally a photo-processing booth that bought by Shari Elf, who wasn’t even thinking about her passion for crochet when she bought the place. Elf started her collection of crochet items in the beginning of the 1990’s, long before she chose to buy the roadside hut which now houses the collection. Among the eclectic crochet collection, visitors can find almost every single conceivable sort of item in crochet form. There is an assortment of animals, such as unicorns, bears, and poodles, as well as more abstract items, like somewhat unidentifiable creations and smiley faces.
World Famous Crochet Museum, 61855 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
4. Murtle the Turtle
“Murtle the Turtle,” or also known famously as “Myrtle the Turtle,” is giant sculpture of a turtle situated along the side of 29 Palms Highway. The massive turtle sculpture can be found on the highway’s south side in Joshua Tree between Sunset Road and Hillside Road. It is considered to be the “world’s largest tortoise.” Murtle the Turtle began as simply a float, created from a wire and wood framework with plaster and cement, and then painted with thick enamel-type paints. The float was made back in 1957 for the town’s Turtle Days Parade. It was later transformed into a sculpture.
Murtle the Turtle, 61605 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
5. Panorama Loop Trail
The Panorama Loop Trail is a little of six miles in length and is a loop trail found near Yucca Valley in Joshua Tree. It boasts a moderate difficulty and features colorful wildflowers along the trail. The trail also includes several different options for activities, and is best hiked between the months of March and October. The trailhead of the Panorama Loop Trail is located at around 4,000 feet in elevation in the Black Rock Canyon section of the Joshua Tree National Park. The trail provides some of the park’s most spectacular views and interesting plants.
Panorama Loop Trail, Black Rock Canyon, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Dining and Entertainment
6. Crossroads Cafe
The Crossroads Cafe in the town of Joshua Tree, California appears similar to an old western saloon looking from the outside, with parking available in a dirt parking lot behind a line of stores and on the street. The inside of the Crossroads Cafe is rather small, but the owners have tried to fit as many dining tables in the small restaurant as they could. The interior features a lot of metals and wood tones, reminiscent of a place guests may see in Moab. During the weekend, there will most likely be at least a little bit of a wait.
Crossroads Cafe, 61715 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, Phone: 760-366-5414
7. Joshua Tree Excursions
Joshua Tree Excursions is a locally-owned and managed concierge tour business that is built upon the idea that life is not about the destination, but the journey. The tour company believes that every excursion should be as personalized and unique as their customers. Joshua Tree Excursions offers semi-private and private personalized Hi-Desert experiences in one of the countries most majestic places, the Joshua Tree National Park, as well as the surrounding Mojave Desert. Visitors along one of the excursions can get up close to amazing rock formations, take in beautiful sunsets, and experience panoramic vistas of the desert landscape.
Joshua Tree Excursions, 61325 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, Phone: 760-974-9536
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