The home I stayed in during my visit to Joshua Tree National Park was simply an oasis in the desert.  I found 49 Palms Park Place on Homeaway.  I was searching for something in the town of Joshua Tree, until I saw this place in Twentynine Palms.

We arrived late day on a hot afternoon.  I know…it’s the desert.  It’s supposed to be hot.  Driving up to this home perched on the side of a hill, I couldn’t help but think it’s better than the pictures.  

Jenny the owner was so easy to reach and her dad met us onsite to let us in and show us around.

This home blends art deco with the natural desert landscape.  The floor to ceiling windows of the open concept living room and kitchen allow for ample natural light to stream into the house.  Even when the temperatures are scorching, you can still enjoy the amazing view.

We settled in to the two bedrooms and quickly headed out to the patio to enjoy some wine.  We were treated to a painted sky that typical of a desert sunset.  I knew then we had picked the right place for our two nights stay at Joshua Tree National Park.  As the sun went down, stars galore filled the night sky.  

With a nice breeze, it was so comfortable outside I almost slept in one of the pool recliners!  Instead I chose the bedroom with the kitchenette, which I used to lay out my suitcase.  There are tvs in the bedrooms but we didn’t turn on a tv a single time during our stay.  This place gives you the chance to really check out.

Being an early bird, I woke up the next morning in time to catch a stunning sunrise.  

This home is just a couple of miles away from the Oasis Visitor Center for Joshua Tree National Park so we had ultra easy access to the park.  That sunrise I woke up to was the perfect way to start the day of hiking for hours in JTNP including exploring popular areas like Hidden Valley and then we headed into the town of Joshua Tree for lunch at the Joshua Tree Saloon.  

While at lunch we decided to pick up provisions to grill out for dinner so we could enjoy a great afternoon and evening at our casa.  We spend the afternoon relaxing in the pool, taking cat naps, reading, and just really enjoying this home.  As someone who is always on the go – I really needed a couple of hours of chill time and this home delivered the perfect atmosphere for it.

This house is very close to the Fortynine Palms Oasis trailhead.  With the meat marinating for dinner and the temperatures cooling off a little we headed out to hike the 3-mile round trip trek.  Since it was 6-ish, we kept our eyes peeled for bighorn sheep.  We didn’t see any but we did see a desert tortoise and a rattlesnake, which scared the life out of me as I stepped up on a boulder to do a tree yoga pose and saw it slithering out of it daytime hiding spot about 6 feet away from me.  I could have done without seeing the rattler!  This hike is a must on a visit to Joshua Tree.  

As we made it back to our car with the sun going down, it was just a mile drive back to our desert paradise.  We ate dinner outside and enjoyed wine with another star-filled sky.

I didn’t want to leave the next morning.  I wanted at least one more day.  Jenny had suggested taking in a movie at the drive-in movie theater at Smith Ranch and going to Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown for dinner and music.  Those will be on the agenda on my next visit….along with more hiking in Joshua Tree perhaps up Ryan Mountain or to Keys View.  As you can probably tell, I’d stay at 49 Palms Park Place again in a heart beat!