Last Updated: January 3, 2024
During our recent visit to Joshua Tree, we had the absolute best time exploring not only the National Park but also the town. It was one of our stops on our 2-week road trip across the southwest USA and we spent one amazing day in this wonderful place. It was a dream come true to finally see the National Park but what I didn’t expect is how exciting the town itself is.
Joshua Tree is bustling with independent coffee shops, vintage stores, and great restaurants offering anything from true American BBQ to vegan mindblowing food. As we were drafting our itinerary of how to spend one day in Joshua Tree and putting together a list of what to see and where to eat, we got pleasantly overwhelmed by the abundance of all the amazing places that it has to offer.
Below, you will find an itinerary of how to spend one day in Joshua Tree. With that said, we do believe that this is a destination that has so many awesome things to see that you can easily spend more than one day exploring Joshua Tree.
Let’s dive in and find out How to Spend One Day in Joshua Tree, what to see and where to eat.
HOW TO SPEND ONE DAY IN JOSHUA TREE: WHAT TO SEE & WHERE TO EAT
Chances are, that by the time you arrive in Joshua Tree, you’ll probably like to eat something first. Road trips in the USA can be thrilling but quite tiring at the same time. After a long drive, you’ll need fuel for your body. Before you start exploring the town, head over to one of our recommended places below, which serves some of the best food in Joshua Tree.
If you’re wondering where to eat in Joshua Tree, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best places to eat in Joshua Tree.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN JOSHUA TREE
- Frontier Cafe – An excellent place for breakfast and lunch serving delicious sandwiches and salads. If you have only one day in Joshua Tree, then this is the best place for a quick fix.
- Joshua Tree Saloon – For a drink and bar food. This place has been around since 1984, so stepping into the saloon is like stepping back in time. You MUST try their baby back ribs! Here you can find the Joshua Tree Saloon menu.
- Crossroads Cafe Joshua Tree – Because sometimes, all you need is a nice cup of coffee. Crossroads Cafe Joshua Tree is the perfect place to have a delicious breakfast or lunch. It also offers a great variety of vegan options.
- The Rib Co. – The place may look simple but the food is finger-lickin’ good! Don’t miss out on the BBQ ribs and the sandwiches. They’re exceptional!
- La Copine – If you’re looking for American cuisine with a twist, then you’re going to love La Copine. The owners have turned an otherwise typical American diner into one of the coolest places to eat in Joshua Tree. The minimalistic decor probably doesn’t stand out, but the sensational dishes and the exceptionally warm service, sure do. One quick glance at the menu and you’ll immediately understand what we’re talking about.
- Pappy & Harriet’s – Pappy & Harriet’s is an unmissable place to eat, located in historic Pioneertown. We have written an extensive article here, on what makes Pioneertown so special and all the cool things to experience during your visit. Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on this one!
The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is during the sunset. Until then, you’ll most likely have a few hours to kill, so this is the perfect opportunity to explore Joshua Tree town.
We know you’re probably excited to visit Joshua Tree National Park but we’re going to tell you all about it, a little further down; so bear with us.
WHAT TO SEE IN JOSHUA TREE
We really enjoyed Joshua Tree town. We spend a few hours checking out the vintage shops, art galleries, and simply taking in the charm of this cute town.
To anyone who asks me what to see in Joshua Tree, the first thing that comes to mind is all the amazing vintage shops. I love vintage clothes and I like to share my finds whenever I get the chance. With that said, Joshua Tree has no shortage of beautiful vintage shops that sell one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories.
If you’re wondering what to see in Joshua Tree, here are a few things that you should not miss during your one day in Joshua Tree.
The End
Here you will find cool vintage clothes, shoes, and other accessories. The End has many unique items and as such, the prices are a little bit high. I really enjoyed trying out some of the clothes and was obsessed with a few of their funky jackets!
Pioneer Crossing Antiques
Pioneer Crossing Antiques is the ultimate place to be for antiques and local crafts. It’s a great place to spend some time browsing through its extensive variety of cool antique and collectible items. If you have an eye for these things, then we’re certain that you’ll find cool memorabilia to bring back home.
Hoof & The Horn
This is one of my favorite places to shop for vintage clothes in Joshua Tree. I particularly loved the dresses and the hats. The fun doesn’t stop there though. At Hoof & The Horn, you’ll also find boho handmade accessories, candles, and other interesting stuff, that you don’t particularly need but you’ll definitely want. Best part? The prices are very reasonable!
A FEW MORE THINGS TO SEE IN JOSHUA TREE
Sky Village Outdoor Marketplace
If you’re visiting during the weekend, be sure to head over to Sky Village Outdoor Marketplace and stroll through the various stalls. If you’re on the hunt for unique items, you’re sure to find one here. At the Sky Village flea market, you can find old records, home decorations, art, and plenty of other quirky items that one can think of. Sky Village Outdoor Marketplace Joshua Tree is open only on the weekends, from early morning until 2 pm. Undoubtedly one of the best things to see in Joshua Tree!
The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery
While you are still in Twentynine Palms, make a stop at The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery. It is not very often that you come across an outdoor gallery showcasing unique art made of materials such as metal and glass. If you’re lucky, there will also be a band playing live music. So you can take a casual stroll while listening to some nice tunes. If you’re wondering what to see in Joshua Tree and you’re looking for something unique, then this is the ultimate place to check out during your one day in Joshua Tree.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
Of course, the main reason that you’re here is to visit Joshua Tree National Park. As we mentioned earlier, the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is during the sunset. Our advice is to start from the town approximately 3 hours before sunset. This way you’ll make sure that you’re already at the main points of interest in the best light. That’s when the park looks truly magical. Below are some of our favorite spots that you can see in one day in Joshua Tree National Park.
We’d strongly recommend that you have a look at the Joshua Tree National Park official website and familiarize yourself with the distances between the main points of interest. Regrettably, we didn’t think of that in advance and we ended up running out of time and missing out on some of the key points that we really wanted to see.
WHAT TO SEE IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
- Cholla Cactus Garden – It is an incredibly photogenic spot in the park and an absolute must-see. If you love cactuses as much as we do, you’ll fall in love with this place. It is a cholla cactus oasis!
- Arch Rock – Another amazing spot in Joshua Tree National Park and one that is also very easily accessible. The hike is short and very scenic which is why this site is one of the most popular in the park.
- Skull Rock – The formation of this rock, resembles remarkably a human skull (hence the name). Skull Rock is located right by the street, so there is no chance that you will miss it. It is a great spot to take some pictures and have a short break before you move on to the next site.
- 49 Palms Oasis – Just as the name suggests this is a captivating lush oasis in the middle of the desert. To get there, you’ll need to park your car at the parking lot and continue on foot for about 30 minutes. The hike is moderate but there’s hardly any shade until you reach the oasis, so be sure to wear a hat and bring with you lots of water.
- Enjoy the scenery – What we enjoyed the most about Joshua Tree National Park, was the scenic drive. As you drive through the park, you’ll be passing by beautiful joshua trees, cactuses, and wildflowers. The scenery is mesmerizing, so we suggest that you allow yourself enough time to take it all in and simply enjoy being there.
As soon as the sun sets on the horizon and the first few stars start to appear, don’t rush back to your Airbnb. Park your car at one of the parking lots and allow some time to admire the stary sky. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in the USA for stargazing; you don’t wanna miss that, do you?
HOW TO SPEND A DAY IN JOSHUA TREE: WHAT TO SEE & WHERE TO EAT – FINAL THOUGHTS
Although one day is enough to see the Joshua Tree National Park and explore the town, we’d highly recommend that you spend at least 2-3 days in Joshua Tree. The vibe of the town is incredible and in order to fully experience that, you need to allow a few days to do things at your own pace.
Whilst you’re in Joshua Tree, why not take advantage of its great location and explore a few other awesome places that are located nearby? You can spend a few hours in Palm Springs or you can drive to the Salton Sea and visit the incredible Salvation Mountain!
We hope that our guide on “How to Spend One Day in Joshua Tree: What to See & Where to Eat” has inspired you to visit this wonderful place.
