The Ultimate Desert Road Trip

One of the many beautiful things about our state is how within a few hours you could be at the beach, in the desert or on the mountain. We took a trip to Joshua Tree National Park and this is our recap complete with our favorite stops, eats and tunes! 

The Perfect Desert Soundtrack
The War On Drugs - Red Eyes
Bob Dylan - Blowin in the Wind
The Who - I Can See For Miles
Tame Impala - Solitude is Bliss
Zella Day - Seven Nation Army
Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane
Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee 

In N Out is a California road trip necessity. Fuel up and have your tastebuds singing. It's the perfect pit stop because come on, a road trip is not a road trip without some savory food. 

The Cabazon Dinosaurs are a must-see! The larger-than-life T-Rex and Brontosaurus stand out amongst the stark desert landscape. They're easy to get to (right of the 10 freeway), so no reason not to swing by and snap some pics. There also happens to be the worlds largest dinosaur gift shop INSIDE one of the dinosaurs... That's right you can go inside these babies! The desert dinos are an iconic road trip landmark and you wont be disappointed. 

 

Pappy & Harriet's is the perfect desert venue. Whether your watching a show under the stars on the outdoor stage or drinking a beer and soaking up the unique desert biker charm of the inside stage, Pappy & Harriet's will never disappoint. If you can't catch a concert, be sure to still swing by, grab some eats and have a beer at the bar then wander around the quaint little downtown Pioneertown. On some Saturdays you might be able to catch a reenactment show, full of old western outfits and saloon shoot-outs.

 

If you're looking to do some shopping on your desert adventure, be sure to swing by The End in Yucca Valley. This funky shop has so many trinkets, treasures and vintage ensembles, you could be in there for hours! The mural on the side of the building makes for the perfect photo op. 

 

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Joshua Tree National Park is breath-taking at sunset, be sure to bring a blanket, a bottle of bubbly and sit back and watch the kaleidoscope of color take over the sky.

Photo Credit: Brandon Facon - http://www.brandonfacon.com/index

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Cabazon Dinosaurs: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cabazon-dinosaurs-cabazon 

Pappy & Harriets: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pappy-and-harriets-pioneertown-palace-pioneertown 

The End: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-end-yucca-valley 

Joshua Tree: http://www.yelp.com/biz/joshua-tree-national-park-twentynine-palms