Joshua Tree is a cultural and natural wonder as distinctive as the eponymous tree variety that populates the community. Initially the site of extensive mining operations, the town has become one part artistic community, one part national park and one part tourist destination. “Joshua Tree has one hundred percent contributed to my style,” says artist and owner of Rando De Colores, Patrick Hasson. “There’s something about this place and the way the sun is so vibrant and works with so many different colors.” But the desert hasn’t just struck visual artists like Hasson. The town is also home to the famous Rancho De La Luna recording studio, where an extensive list of famous musicians have recorded.
Aerial view of the variety of homes of found in the Joshua Tree neighborhood.
You know you’re in Joshua Tree when you see the cowboy statue along 29 Palms Hwy.
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Climb, hike or picnic
Surrounded by sprawling desert vistas and towering rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park, the town offers miles of hiking trails, panoramic views from the Giant Marbles or the Quail Springs picnic areas and a myriad of rocks to climb. “It’s a world-class destination for climbing,” says Nelson Day, founder of The Climbing Life Guides. “There are thousands of places to climb, so if one is busy you can just move on to the next.”
Joshua Tree National Park is a great place to connect with nature.
Residents have access to world-class hiking and rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park.
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Vintage shops, a saloon and curry pizza
JT Trading Post is one of several kitschy shops in the area, with a colorful collection of apparel goods. The Joshua Tree Farmer’s Market is a popular spot to pick up fresh produce from local farmers, and the nearby Walmart offers a larger store for bulk products and household necessities. There are also plenty of options for grub. For a hot cup of coffee, Joshua Tree Coffee Company curates a collection of carefully sourced beans, which they roast on-site. Crossroads Café is a rustic, saloon-themed café serving up classic American fare, and Sam’s Indian Food and Pizza offers everything from chicken tikka to sub sandwiches and curry pizza. “Sam’s is the most unique, best food you can get in Joshua Tree,” says Day.
Crossroads Café serves delicious American dishes in a rustic atmosphere.
The Ricochet Vintage Wears features an eclectic blend of clothing and merchandise in Joshua Tree
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From funky jams to community fundraisers
Twice a year, the national park hosts the DIY Joshua Tree Music Festival, but Furstwurld is the center of activity within the town. “I’ve built four Quonset huts,” says Bobby Furst, community activist and founder of Furstwurld. “One’s a theater, one’s a metal and wood workshop, the third will hopefully be a library this year and the fourth space is for when we have events and we have a chef come out and bring food for everyone.” The most notable characteristic of the town, Furst says, is the people. “When I first got here, it was all about me. And after a few years it became all about the community.”
A sprawling view of the retail and residential neighborhoods in Joshua Tree.
The Joshua Tree Saloon Bar & Grill is a popular eatery for Joshua Tree locals and visitors.
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Large windows and lots of sunlight
The residential landscape is primarily made of single-family homes on sizeable lots. Southern California’s distinctive mid-century modern style is on full display, offering indoor and outdoor communal spaces with clean geometry and wide windows to take advantage of natural light. Thanks to the area’s booming short-term rental business, however, homes don’t come cheap. “I bought my first house in Joshua Tree in 2013 and it was $60,000,” says Hasson. “But now, for the true locals, it’s difficult to even find a place to rent.” Prices now start around $400,000 for two-bedroom ranch-style home and run as high as $18 million for a modern three-bedroom. The median home price is $390,000.
Many neighborhoods feature modern homes in the Joshua Tree area.
Desert landscaping seen in front of a row of homes in Joshua Tree.
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A high desert education
Students are part of the Morongo Unified School District, starting in schools like Joshua Tree Elementary, which earns a C on Niche. La Contenta Middle earns a C, and Yucca Valley High School earns a B-minus as part of the Desert Valley League with a handful of sports programs and a theatre company which produces three performances annually.
Students are the highest priority at Joshua Tree Elementary School.
Your kids will enjoy learning in the inspiring atmosphere of Yucca Valley High School.
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Desert roads and few stoplights
Driving is the main mode of transportation for Joshua Tree residents, though there are Basin Transit bus stops along 29 Palms Hwy. Connecting drivers to the West Coast and the rest of the country at large, Interstate 10 is 27 miles southwest of Joshua Tree. Some of the larger streets are paired with sidewalks, but residential streets mostly go without, though the desert roads are wide.
An aerial view looking east over the retail shopping area along 29 Palms Hwy in Joshua Tree.
Find convenient access to bus lines along 29 Palms Hwy in Joshua Tree.
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Risk of fire
Data from Risk Factor shows that wildfires are likely to impact 98% of Joshua Tree properties over the next 30 years. Of the 19 facilities that are critical to Joshua Tree’s infrastructure, 13 face a high risk of being impacted by wildfires. Historic data indicates two wildfires were reported in Joshua Tree between 1984 and 2021. The last fire, in 2006, covered six square miles.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Video By
Luke Mancari
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Joshua Tree, CA sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Joshua Tree, CA over the last 12 months is $388,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
THE MARIPOSAS — JOSHUA TREEThree Mid-Century Modern bungalows + Turnkey top-1% STR business.Offered with all furnishings, fixtures, hardscape, soft-scape and brand goodwill. A rare below-replacement-cost acquisition. Step straight into a fully operating High Desert STR business with exceptional reviews, repeat guests, and dialed-in systems. Everything conveys—down to the last fork. Owner
Welcome to your desert retreat! Thoughtfully updated throughout and designed to highlight the charm of the high desert, this Joshua Tree home offers a welcoming blend of comfort and style. Featuring three spacious bedrooms, a versatile bonus room, and two full bathrooms, the home provides ample room for relaxation or hosting guests. The open layout is filled with natural light and modern
Set against a dramatic desert backdrop, this soulful Joshua Tree retreat spans 3,100 square feet and is being offered fully furnished -- ready to enjoy, rent, or retreat to. With 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and an expansive property on Just Under 9 Acres, it blends thoughtful upgrades with wide-open space for a truly one-of-a-kind living experience.Inside, the layout is airy and expansive, offering
Discover your own slice of the High Desert with this spacious residential parcel in Joshua Tree, offering endless potential in one of California's most iconic and sought-after desert communities. This property features wide-open vistas, gentle desert terrain, and stunning mountain horizons, perfect for anyone dreaming of building a custom retreat, creating an off-grid getaway, or holding a prime
Discover the perfect slice of Joshua Tree desert living with this spacious and scenic 2.18 Acre parcel. Nestled in a peaceful area surrounded by open land and iconic desert landscapes, this property offers an ideal setting for a future build, a private getaway, or a long-term investment. Enjoy sweeping views, star-filled night skies, and the tranquility that makes Joshua Tree one of Southern
Discover 2.23 acres of wide-open Joshua Tree beauty, perfect for anyone looking to build, invest, or secure a peaceful desert escape. This flat, usable parcel sits in a quiet area dotted with custom homes and offers panoramic views of rugged mountains, star-filled skies, and the serene Mojave landscape. Power is nearby, and the property provides excellent access to downtown Joshua Tree, national
NEW CONSTRUCTION *Amazing opportunity to lease a beautiful 3 bedroom 2.5 bath contemporary home in Joshua Tree. Brand new modern pool home has been meticulously build with recessed lights, large windows, mini split units, tile floors, quartz countertops, electric tankless water heater, 2KW solar panels (installed by closing) and so much more! Check out the open floor plan with Livingroom and
Quail Springs Village is a premier fully amenitized, 75-unit apartment complex in the high desert area of the Moron go Basin, which encompasses Yucca Valley, 29 Palms, and Joshua Tree. All the apartments are two bedroom / two bath units of approximately 975 square feet in size with individual covered patios. The complex is lowdensity with units distributed among eleven single-story buildings
Well-loved, charming 1953 former horse ranch nestled on the north side of Joshua Tree. This mid-century brick cabin, equipped with 1950’s vintage stove top and oven, has straight-shot, gorgeous views of Joshua Tree National Park, with a charming cactus garden all within 5 minutes from the center of Joshua Tree. Enjoy soaking in the hot tub with a mountain view. Very convenient central location,
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
