“acme62 is one of my favorite lifestyle interior design shops. They’re versatile—they source from many local desert artists. For anyone looking for handpicked goods and gifts, or wanting to elevate their space, this is one of my favorite places. Everything is very intentional in terms of the pieces they carry—from furniture to art. They have a lot of great home goods like bowls, mugs, and cups, plus different accessories to make your space feel tasteful.”

“The Copper Room is a classic aviation spot, and it’s literally along a landing strip, so there are a lot of small planes flying in. It’s a restaurant and bar, like a speakeasy kind of spot. It has a history dating back to the 1940s, and people such as Frank Sinatra and Roy Rogers would hang out here. They have really good food and drinks. It’s a place that I love—probably my favorite place to eat and go to. And they also have live jazz on Sundays.”

“I love collecting unique items, and the Mojave flea market always has interesting new pieces to discover. It’s a trading post–style boutique space perfectly curated with local art, clothing, lifestyle goods like incense and candles, and utility items such as drawing supplies. I mean, they have everything to elevate your home space or closet.”

“The Integratron is a wellness center that’s a dome-shaped structure that's now a sound bath and meditation spot. The acoustics are incredible, and the way the sound travels through your body is a very cleansing, kind of reset type of experience. The Integratron has a unique history. It was designed by George Van Tassel, who claimed he had connections to extraterrestrials and was inspired to build this space in the 1950s. Make sure to book your sound bath early, because it fills up quickly.”

“Desierto Alto is one of the finest liquor and wine boutiques in the High Desert. They have the finest natural wine selections, really good unique liquors, and alcohol spirits. It’s a spirit boutique, and they have a lot of interesting and good snacks and organic products. So if you’re looking for great wine and want to be educated on unique spirits, including nonalcoholic beverages, you want to go here.” 

“Joshua Tree National Park is massive. There are many trails you can explore. But if you’re thinking about a quick, intermediate trail with easy access, Skull Rock Trail is one I highly recommend. There’s literally a rock that’s formed like a skull, which is good for photos and offers great scenic views. The hike will take you two hours or so, and it’s easy to get there. It will give you a good idea of Joshua Tree National Park if you have limited time.”

“Frontier is a really good café and coffee shop. It’s local, and it’s one of the first places you run into when driving into Yucca Valley. So it’s just another tasteful spot if you’re looking for a great café to work out of or just recharge at. In recent years, a lot of great new businesses have opened in the High Desert. A lot of people have moved here because it’s a lot cheaper. And also, they say a vortex runs through the area, which folks are drawn to.”

“Kitchen in the Desert is a really cool spot in Twentynine Palms. The cuisine is super-interesting, actually. It’s Caribbean fusion, which you don’t really get in the desert. They have jerk chicken and a bunch of interesting dishes, but it’s really cool. They also have a cocktail bar. I highly recommend it—it’s one of my favorite places. My go-to cocktail here? I'm a Moscow Mule and espresso martini type of guy. So I like those. Or I love me a spicy margarita!”

“The Red Dog is really cool because it’s in Pioneertown, right next to Pappy + Harriet’s. It’s a Mexican restaurant and bar. They used to film a lot of Western movies here. It still has this Western cowboy kind of feel; they kept the same skeleton and barn-like energy. So when you come here, you kind of feel like you're in another world—you’re like, “Where am I?” Good food, good drinks, good setting to get you away from the more traditional Joshua Tree area.”

“Right in the heart of Joshua Tree, here’s where you’ll find the best pizza in the area. They have all my favorite pies. I usually go for a margherita or vegetarian pizza, or I like vodka pizzas. If not those, I enjoy a good pepperoni pizza. Pretty simple, but they have a great variety of food and drinks. I highly recommend it. You know, go for the versatility. And it’s also within walking distance to all the other places you need to visit in the area.”

“The Joshua Tree Retreat Center is a health and wellness space. They have interesting experiences here and attract a lot of people, especially yogis and those interested in meditation. I’ve popped in here on occasion. They have events for anyone interested in the cultural or spiritual side of things and who want to explore wellness, activities, breath work, meditation, and things like that. They also have a café and a bookstore, plus they have lodging options if you want to stay over.”

“If you want to stay in the area, there are amazing spots on vacation-rental websites, but a new, cool experience is AutoCamp. It’s dope—like glamping; they’ve converted high-end RVs into unique accommodations. I’ve had friends stay here. They also have a community center, similar to a clubhouse, with a comfortable lounge area, snacks, and games. Very cool.”