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what to do when you have 48 hours in Palm Springs & Joshua Tree

Britt Mikkelsen

I’m not the biggest Palm Springs fan, but wanted to go to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs was a good stop on the way.

It was my first time in Joshua Tree, and I thought the rock formations were very cool and being able to pull the car over and climb the rocks felt like an adult playground. We went only for a day, and I think it would have been cooler to rent a house in Joshua Tree for a night or two. I’m happy I saw it, but not somewhere I’m dying to go again unless I was renting a house and really staying there.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

  • Brunch at Norma’s.

  • Check-in at the Korakia Pensione.

    • I thought they did a really great job with this hotel - Moroccan style at a good price point. The rooms are nothing crazy, but the setting and all the common spaces (pools, seating areas, lobby) are well done. I will note that it is a pretty romantic hotel, so definitely make sure that works for the trip you’re on.

    • I’d request a room on the other side of the hotel (not the side with the reception).

  • Hike: Palm Canyon Trail (2 miles)

    • This hike was super cool - you go through a palm oasis to start and then you can follow the trail up to a vista point where you look out over the desert.

  • Lunch at Farm - walk-in only, and you definitely want to get an outdoor table. Food is good, not great, but a really beautiful, almost magical setting (lots of greenery, gardens…).

  • Shop(pe) for ice cream.

  • Do some shopping (The Frippery, Shops at 1345) or relax by the pool.

  • Drinks at High Bar at the Rowan.

  • Dinner at Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey - great, fresh sushi.

DAY 2

  • Peninsula Pastries for pre-roadtrip fuel.

  • Drive to Joshua Tree (1 hr).

  • Visit Cholla Cactus Garden - would definitely recommend if you’re able to go. It’s a short walk through this large cluster of “teddy bear” cacti.

  • Lunch at La Copine or Natural Sister Cafe.

  • Hike:

    • Barker Dam Trail (1.3 miles)

    • Ryan Mountain Trail (3.0 miles)

    • 49 Palm Oasis Trail (3.9 miles) - if you did the Palm Canyon Trail in Palm Springs, this hike would feel repetitive.

    • And/or just drive around and pull over at any rock formations that look cool to you - get out and climb up!

  • Dinner at Pappy & Harriet - first-come, first-serve, in what feels like an old-western movie set. Even if you don’t eat, it’s cool to walk around the “town.”

Things we wanted to do but didn’t have the time for: