Drive Through the Quirky Side of Joshua Tree

Art Queen, nestled in the vibrant landscapes, offers a captivating mix of art installations. One of the crown jewels of Art Queen is the World Famous Crochet Museum, a charming haven housed in a vibrant lime green former photo-processing booth.
Inside this tiny one-hour Fotomat booth, Shari Elf has collected every manner of crochet animal you can imagine. It won't take very long to check out everything out, so if you are looking for more, wander through the artist's found object garden. She sells what she makes at her store.

The Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum/Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Museum is the work of Noah Purifoy and makes a wonderful stop for wandering, wondering and taking photographs. Purifoy's large-scale sculptures of found and discarded objects—think rusted chairs, broken bicycles, and outdated television sets—bring new ideas, shapes, and life from junk. The 10 acres here were the late artist’s home, where he created his assemblages between 1989 and 2004 following a storied and influential career.

When sound baths were all the rage, eager participants flocked to the Integratron to have a session. (In case you aren't sure, a "sound bath" is the experience of being "bathed" in the songs of crystal bowls for meditation and relaxation.) The building, which resembles a spaceship, was built by a local man who believed it could help him communicate with aliens. (You have to admit, the acoustics are pretty good inside.)
Decide for yourself and sign up for a session. Even if you don't, you can still wander inside the compound to see the building up close, visit the shop and hear the chatter from sound bath participants as you relax in the hammock circle.

Just down the road from the Integratron is La Copine, a cheery café serving up fresh, seasonal plates. This is a chic local's hang, filled with the writers, artists and other creatives who make the Joshua Tree area home.

Joshua Tree National Park typically takes up all the glory for natural landscapes around here, leaving Big Morongo Canyon Preserve forgotten. This 31,000-acre preserve harbors a desert oasis on the border of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Take the Marsh Trail, a 6-foot-wide boardwalk that showcases the unique ecosystems of the area. Due to its water, the preserve is a great location for birdwatching.

Next up is the sleepy town of Desert Hot Springs, where an abundance of spas offer up the chance for rejuvenation. Azure Palm Hot Springs offers a day option so that you can soak to your hearts content. There are 5 mineral water pools in varying temperatures here, ranging from 85 degrees to 104 degrees. Enjoy!

Snag a dinner in Desert Hot Spring, on the road (Pappy and Harriet's isn't far away), or in the San Gabriel Valley for a hearty meal of dumplings. 101 Noodle Express has two locations: one close to the 10 Freeway, the other off the 210. The San Gabriel Valley is one of the best places for authentic Chinese food in the United States. Take advantage! In addition to a few rounds of dumplings, try the beef roll (unless you don't like cilantro.) Bon appetit!