The Twentynine Palms story begins at a bountiful oasis set in the heart of the parched, windswept Mojave. First settled by the Serrano, the oasis was named Mara, meaning “the place of little springs and much grass.” Legend says the birth of each boy was celebrated by planting a palm tree; that first year, they planted 29. They were followed by the Chemehuevi, and the tribes lived peacefully together.
By the 1870s, the area attracted gold seekers, while cattlemen utilized the desert grasslands for their trade. Today, Twentynine Palms contains the largest U.S. Marine Corps base, established in 1952. The city also serves as the primary gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. (Find the north entrance on Utah Trail.) The city is undergoing a creative re-pioneering as artists, innovators, and tastemakers flock to the desert to cultivate a community where history, nature, and culture converge.
Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center.
PHOTO COURTESY SKY’S THE LIMIT
29 Palms Art Gallery.
PHOTO COURTESY 29 PALMS ART GALLERY
Top Attractions
Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
Near the north entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, the observatory offers stargazing experiences suitable for folks of all ages.
9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms
29 Palms art gallery
This historic adobe structure houses the oldest arts organization in the region, founded in 1951 by the all-volunteer Twentynine Palms Artists’ Guild. Visit for exhibitions and artist receptions.
74055 Cottonwood Drive, Twentynine Palms
old schoolhouse Museum
History springs to life in a charming 1927 schoolhouse. Established as a museum in 1982, the space features exhibits and hosts events and educational activities.
6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms
Old Schoolhouse Museum.
PHOTO BY BRANDON HARMAN
Smith’s Ranch Drive-In.
PHOTO BY BRANDON HARMAN
Theatre 29.
PHOTO COURTESY THEATRE 29
Smith’s ranch drive-in
Open since 1956, the drive-in blends nostalgia with modern entertainment under the stars. Enjoy classic concessions and the magic of outdoor cinema while creating lasting memories.
4584 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms
theatre 29
The lively community treasure stages dynamic performances and offers a summer theater program for kids. The volunteer-driven venue fosters a lifelong love of the arts.
73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms
29 Beer Co.
PHOTO BY BRANDON HARMAN
Drink, Dine, Shop
29 Beer Co.
From the owner of Grnd Sqrl comes a sophisticated new brewpub situated just outside the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center with offerings that include artisan coffee and elevated grab-and-go meals.
“It’s a beautiful brewery for anywhere in California, not just the desert,” co-owner Mike Usher says. Four beers are brewed on-site, inspired by the spirit of adventure: Highway 62 Blonde, Roadrunner American Red Ale, Ocotillo hazy Pale Ale, and Adobe Road IPA.
73565 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
Sun of the Desert.
PHOTO COURTESY SUN OF THE DESERT
Sun of the Desert
Enter this stylish boutique-meets-man-cave at Historic Plaza, and you’ll never buy anything online again. Partners Jimmy Brower and Damien Merino — both with backgrounds in corporate retail — curate products that are timeless and durable, and above all, cool. Like Levis meant to be worn hard, hats that’ll last longer than a season, and souvenirs showcasing local makers.
“We don’t bring anything into the shop we don’t have at home,” Brower says.
5690 Historic Plaza, Twentynine Palms
Good Eats, Great Peeps
While the area’s otherworldly rock formations and mighty sunsets have long attracted visitors, Twentynine Palms now commands attention as a bona fide culinary destination.
Everton Gordon, the self-taught chef behind Kitchen in the Desert, has been among those leading the charge. Starting in 2015 as a pop-up in a gas station, the concept has blossomed into a hot spot with a seasonal menu of Caribbean-inspired New American dishes and Gordon’s signature jerk chicken.
Kitchen in the Desert.
PHOTO COURTESY KITCHEN IN THE DESERT
Outpost 29.
PHOTO BY BRANDON HARMAN
Out There Bar.
PHOTO COURTESY OUT THERE BAR
“The scene is happening as we speak,” Gordon says. “People have been doing cool things out here for a long time, and now it’s attracting more people to do even more cool things.”
Among the newest options is Outpost 29, a convenient stop to fuel your adventures with excellent coffee or a burger on the covered patio.
Later, luxuriate in the ultimate hangout vibes at Out There Bar, a psychedelic desert dive tucked inside a vintage 1960s A&W Root Beer stand. Along with generously poured cocktails, the retro-chic joint serves up nonstop fun, including indie bands, DJ sets, pizza nights, and movie screenings. The mantra here? Not fancy but friendly.
Corner 62, a shopping hall with boutique retailers.
PHOTO BY BRANDON HARMAN
Fortynine Palms Oasis in Joshua Tree National Park.
PHOTO BY BILL BJORNSTAD, COURTESY JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
Unique Places to Stay in 29 palms
For additional lodging ideas, head to visit29.org.
29 Palms Inn
Art and nature converge within this enclave of adobe bungalows and wood-frame cabins at the Oasis of Mara. Savor meals made from homegrown produce, revel in artistic touches, and unwind in hammocks beneath the palms.
73950 Inn Ave., Twentynine Palms
Harmony Motel
The eight-room retro treasure has been lovingly managed by South African expat Nalini “Ash” Maharaj since 2004. A serene oasis where U2 once stayed, the motel offers cozy rooms, historic charm, and views of the mountains.
71161 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
Ramsey 29
This hideaway re-imagines a charming 1946 motor court motel without losing the vintage allure. Cozy rooms with chic décor serve as a tranquil escape. Bonus: Every bed was custom-built for maximum comfort.
73842 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
29 Beer Co.
73565 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
instagram.com/29palmsbeerco
Sun of the Desert
5690 Historic Plaza, Twentynine Palms
sunofthedesert.com
Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms
760-490-9561
skysthelimit29.org
29 Palms Art Gallery
74055 Cottonwood Drive, Twentynine Palms
760-367-7819
29palmsartgallery.com
Old Schoolhouse Museum
6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms
760- 367-2366
Smith's Ranch Drive-In
4584 Adobe Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
760-367-7713
drivein29.com
Theatre 29
73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms
760-361-4151
theatre29.org
Kitchen in the Desert
6427 Mesquite Ave., Twentynine Palms
760-865-0245
kitd29.com
Outpost 29
71845 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
outpost29.com
Out There Bar
73839 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
760- 800-1222
instagram.com/outtherebar
29 Palms Inn
73950 Inn Ave, Twentynine Palms
760-367-3505
29palmsinn.com
Harmony Motel
71161 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
760-401-1309
harmonymotel.com
Ramsey 29
73842 29 Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms
213-440-2826
ramsey29.com