Quick Escape from LA to Joshua Tree: 3 Day Joshua Tree Itinerary For Your Next Vacation in Lockdown

Kevin and I think we speak for just about everyone when we say, “We could use a vacation right now!” Our week days seem to blend into one long day. And truth be told, this past week, I hardly left the apartment. Okay…I barely left the couch! Needless to say, we were ready for some new scenery. If there is one thing that has kept us sane through all this social isolation, it’s been our weekend escapes from LA.

Travel is completely possible right now — even during a pandemic. Airbnb has been our go-to since there is significantly less foot traffic compared to a hotel. Plus, you can be super cautious like us and sanitize the life out of the place! I mean, we don’t even clean like this at home.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve celebrated our wedding anniversary by spending 3 days in La Jolla, Calif., overlooking the Pacific Ocean, enjoyed a mini escape to Paso Robles wine country and jumped into the world of virtual tastings and walking tours.

But of course, one of our new favorite places we’ve discovered with all this social distancing, has been Morongo Valley, located in the middle of the desert between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. This latest adventure marked our third visit in the past few months. And honestly, it gets better every time. So whether you’re tired of the city grind — or imagining that next trip far away from humanity — check out our 3 day Joshua Tree itinerary for a quick escape from LA.

• 1 PM, Depart Los Angeles for the Sun Ray Ranch Airbnb in Morongo Valley (Rates starting at $100 a night)
  • It takes about 2 hours to drive to Morongo Valley, so the timing works out perfectly. Most Airbnb rentals have a 3 PM check-in.
• 2:30 PM, Optional detour to Village Bread in Calimesa. We love making little food stops along the way. You won’t be disappointed by this one either.
  • Village Bread is a closet-sized storefront but packed with loaves of fresh baked breads and pastries. We highly recommend their baguettes.
  • Still hungry? Walk through the parking lot to George’s Market, where you’ll feel like you accidentally walked into the Germany pavilion at Epcot!

• 3 PM, Arrive at Airbnb in Morongo Valley. And feel the stress melt away. Maybe get in some hot tub time or throw some darts?

• 5 PM, Pick up dinner from Pappy & Harriet’s, a quick and easy 15 minute drive away from the cabin. This is one of the best steak and barbecue spots you’ll find. When there isn’t a pandemic, the place is hopping with live music on most nights.

• 5:15 PM, Stroll through Pioneertown, a super quirky spot like nowhere else. You can walk to “Mane Street” from the restaurant. We’ve been here a few times — even doing a self-guided tour of Pioneertown a few years back with Kevin’s parents.
  • Pioneertown was one of Hollywood’s top filming locations, used as the backdrop for such classics like the Gene Autry Show, Cisco Kid, Annie Oakley and Adventures of Judge Roy Bean. Today, you’ll find artsy shops that feel more like hipster Silverlake, than say the middle of nowhere!

• 6 PM, Enjoy dinner from Harriet & Pappy’s in the comfy Airbnb.
• 7-9 PM, Join in a virtual wine tasting with Prime Solum in Napa Valley.
  • Without a doubt, this was the highlight of our weekend. Imagine a trip to Napa Valley, all from the comfort of your home (or Airbnb)? Prime Solum ships everything to you, making it as easy as possible.
  • We recommend inviting a few friends to join in as well, adding even more to the experience.
  • Prime Solum offers tasting experiences starting at $123 USD for a wine set. We recommend the New Release Tasting Set ($157 USD for four bottles).

• 9:30 PM, Wrap up the night by watching a movie, doing a puzzle or taking a dip in the hot tub under the desert stars. And forget about all the stress back home.

Day 2: Saturday, Hiking, Shopping and Eating. A Combo of My Favorite Things

• 8:30 AM, Rise and shine! Depart for Joshua Tree National Park.
• 9:30-11:30 AM, Hike Lost Horse Mine Trail in Joshua Tree National Park.
  • Without a doubt, one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. See what remains of this slice of desert history on an easy, 4-mile round-trip hike. The trail follows the old mine road to a massive wooden stamp mill, still standing and in remarkably good shape; it was used to crush ore to extract the gold.

• • Above and below the mill are several fenced-off mine shafts; look for the winch that lowered men and machinery into the main shaft.
  • We were planning to do just the out and back trail to the mine (4 mile). But accidentally missed the mine. Oops! And yes, we ended up turning back around and found the mine. I tried to play it off by telling Kevin that I wanted to get in more mileage. He didn’t buy it.
  • In case you’re wondering, you’ll know you went too far when you see rusted cables cross the trail. These cables lead up directly to the mining site.

• • If you want to do a longer hike, the Lost Horse Mine Trail continues along the mountain crest as a 6.8 mile trail, looping back to the parking lot. The trail gets tougher after the mine, reaching 1,215 in elevation. But the views are pretty spectacular.
• 12 PM, Pick up lunch from 29 Palms Inn.
  • This is one of our favorite places, and located right outside the park. During pandemic times, they’re offering curbside pick-up for lunch from 11 AM – 2 PM; Place your order by calling 760.367.3505.
  • Afterward, drive back towards Yucca Valley, stopping at Joshua Tree Coffee Co. Pick up a cold brew coffee and a bag of beans to go.

• 1 PM, Arrive at Desert Christ Park in Yucca Valley and enjoy lunch. Kevin and I love a good roadside America attraction and Desert Christ Park doesn’t disappoint (plus it’s a great lunch spot).

• In the 1950’s a local reverend got 5 acres of land from the government to create a park. The rev ended up hiring Frank Antone Martin, a sculptor and poet from Inglewood, Calif., who created more than 35 statues from plaster and concrete, including a 3-story reproduction of The Last Supper. But this isn’t any old sculpture. There is a window where you can pop in behind Jesus to be part of the supper. It’s one of those quirky stops that I think can only exist in the desert!

• 2 PM, Depart for Giant Rock and The Integratron.
  • Just 30 minutes from the park, these are 2 more wild, weird and wonderful spots.
  • The Integratron was created by ufologist George Van Tassel who believed he created a time machine and anti-aging device. What? I’m sure he got a lot of attention from the folks in LA. Today you can still visit his domed structure where they do guided tours and expensive sound baths. If it looks familiar, you probably have seen it on TV, including several music videos.

• If you have a 4-wheel drive car, brave driving out to the Giant Rock, purported to be the largest free standing boulder in the world and a gathering point for UFO believers. As always, bring PLENTY of water when you venture into the desert. And maybe a shovel if you get stuck. Don’t attempt in a compact car.

• 4 PM, Pick up groceries for Eatz Cooking Class.
• 6-8 PM, Join a virtual cooking class with LA’s culinary school, Eatz.
  • Talk about a wonderful way to cap off a busy day. We did their 2-hour “Whiskey A Go Go” cooking class, making 5 different courses, while cooking with whiskey.
  • Just remember, a little whiskey goes a long way when you flambé. The 2 hour classes are just $30 per person. Buy all the ingredients ahead of class and have them ready to go, or “mise en place.”

• 8 PM – on, relax in the Airbnb, work on a puzzle and enjoy a movie or hot tub time. It’s been a long day!

DAY 3: Virtual Walking Tour and a Real-Life Walking Tour of Palm Springs

• 9-10:30 AM, Enjoy a relaxing morning. Or if you’re feeling active, you can stroll along the 3.2 mile mostly-flat Mission Creek Preserve Trail (15 min from cabin). The trail winds along a river and old stone buildings. It also would be a nice spot for breakfast or lunch.

• 11 AM – 12:30 PM, Relax your legs by doing a live Virtual LA Arts District Graffiti and Mural Tour. LA Arts Tours normally offers these in person, but adjusted given all the coronavirus concerns.
  • Long a pioneer of the global graffiti art scene, Los Angeles is home to some incredible urban artists and muralists. This tour is led by actual artists who will take you through Downtown Los Angeles’ famous Arts District, where you’ll learn it all from artists who have called this neighborhood home for decades.
  • This was another major highlight for the weekend. Tours are for a suggested donation ($2-$10). Sign up by visiting their eventbrite page.

• 1 PM, Leave your Airbnb for Palm Springs.
• 2-4 PM, do an urban Hike and explore Palm Springs area. Palm Springs was once where Hollywood’s biggest stars went to escape. We came across GPS My City’s Famous Houses Tour, walking to the first 7 of the 9 homes listed. Try to imagine what crazy stories went down inside Elvis’ honeymoon hideaway home. Or Marilyn Monroe’s home located just around the corner. If only these walls could talk!

• 4-5:30 PM, After doing the self-guided celebrity tour, we suggest walking through downtown Palm Springs. We loved checking out the variety art galleries and cute shops.

• Plus, since I’m in charge of the itinerary, you better believe we stopped by Sherman’s Deli in Palm Springs, known for its homemade Jewish food.
  • Be sure to grab a black and white cookie and a chocolate chip cookie. You earned it with all this walking today!

• 6 PM, Sadly your long weekend has come to an end. But you’ve earned the relaxation time driving back to LA. Here’s to another fun-filled itinerary and weekend escape.

Looking for more places to explore during quarantine? Check out all our adventures in Los Angeles here. Want to do more urban hikes? Then check out our round up of the best hidden staircase hikes in Los Angeles. For those who love wine country, check out our top picks for a romantic getaway in Paso Robles and our 3-day itinerary. Have more time? Read our recommendations for a cheap weekend in Santa Barbara and Ojai. And of course, if you are looking for more ideas to do during COVID, here are our top 5 fun ideas to do at home.