Visit Historic Pioneertown

Here in California we have a lot of desert to sift through. When trying to figure out how to navigate the mass, you have to know the places worth fighting the brutal heat or chilling cold. Pioneertown will lure you in regardless. 

You will see why as you make your way up the 4-mile winding road off Hwy 62 on your way to Joshua Tree. As you leave the already small town of Yucca Valley behind, you head towards what seems like the middle of nowhere until you cusp the edge of this incredibly unique town. 

Pioneertown was established in the 1940's as a live-in Western motion picture set with films featuring actors like the original "King of the Cowboys," Roy Rogers. The town is now considered historic, and most of the movie-set buildings are still intact. This means that you can literally walk down Main Street and explore the old jail, bathhouse, bank, etc. 

When you are done exploring the set and stopping into a few of the functioning shops within, make your way over to Pappy and Harriet's. This place is beaming with energy and serves as the local watering hole for all types of travelers.The outside barbecue is always going, beer is always flowing, and they serve some of the best Tex-Mex around. 

If you have the chance, plan a travel date around a show. With the desert as a backdrop, this is an ideal venue location. Pappy's has housed talent from Robert Plant, Billy Corgan, Modest Mouse, and Grizzly Bear- just to name a few. Check out the calendar to check what is coming up and if the cards are not in your favor, still stop by to grab a bite before you leave Pioneertown and the rolling desert behind. 

To get there: take Hwy 62 East, when you get to Yucca Valley, make a left at Pioneertown Road and take the road for about 4 miles.