Chris & Lara
Lodging and Travel
Hotel
29 Palms Inn
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277Â (760) 367-3505
This is the old-school place to stay in the Joshua Tree area, with casitas, adobes, and a very good restaurant. Close to the JTNP visitor center in 29 Palms. When we last checked, they had a number of rooms available in the under-$200 range.
Hotel
Joshua Tree Inn
Joshua Tree, CA 92252Â (760) 366-1188
Legendary desert upscale motel in downtown Joshua Tree. A bit pricier than 29 Palms Inn and more likely to sell out a few weeks in advance, so book now if this is your thing.
Hotel
Mojave Sands Motel
Joshua Tree, CA 92252Â
Small and chic. Rooms run $175-250 a night. This is the closest place to the wedding venue. It's also been discovered by the masses, so book early if this is what you want.
Flight
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
The airport Chris uses most often. It's an hour and forty minutes away from Joshua Tree (without traffic), but it's usually cheaper than Palm Springs, and the take-offs and landings aren't as bumpy. Rental cars can be low-cost if you book early.
Flight
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
The airport Lara likes, because you get to walk outdoors under the palm trees from your gate to the main airport, and there are marvelous bighorn sheep sculptures. Slightly less than an hour from Joshua Tree, and fully away from the LA traffic. Often more expensive than ONT. Chris thinks takeoffs and landings at PSP are too turbulent for his liking. Your call.
Flight
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Use this airport if you get a really good deal on a flight and have lots of extra time and want to spend some of it road-tripping through some of the most beautiful landscapes the United States has to offer. It's a three-hour drive from Las Vegas to Joshua Tree if you don't stop, so this is not for folks in a hurry. If you take this route, make sure you've got plenty of water in your rental car and don't count on cell service for about three quarters of the way. It's a gorgeous time of year to stop and camp along the way, ask us for recommendations!
Hotel
Camping
Best camping in the world nearby, if we do say so ourselves. We highly highly recommend camping in February! As of December 15th, there were still a few campsites available in Joshua Tree National Park. Reserve fast! The website above links you to loads of "campsites" outside the park, ranging from cabins to RV's to bring-your-own RV or tent sites.