Explore the quirky art installations at The Glass Outhouse
Off the beaten path of Joshua Tree National Park is the outdoor weird and wonderful quirky art installations of the Glass Outhouse Gallery. If you like strange recycled desert art as much as I do, stop in to walk the path lined with empty glass bottles to find an array of interesting objects to ponder and photograph.
Experience the Old Western Movie Set of Pioneertown
Just over two hours from Los Angeles, there is little desert city called Pioneertown near Joshua Tree National Park. This expansive western set looks frozen in the old western days of dust and tumbleweeds. You can wander, shop, eat barbecue, and sometimes watch live music in this quirky little town.
Visit Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum
For the last 15 years of his life, Noah created ten acres full of art installations in the desert. Everything is constructed from junked objects and materials.
Sculptures of Highway 395
Along the 395 between Grant and Olancha there is an array of sculptures on the west side of the highway. You can see them from the road and turn off to explore.
Visit The World Famous Crochet Museum
The World Famous Crochet Museum is a cute and quirky destination in downtown Joshua Tree. Shari Elf, a local artist, has created a whimsical world of crochet, screen printed clothing, patches, and other forms of art.
Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
Elmer’s bottle tree ranch is just off highway 40 on Route 66. It’s a plot of land filled will artistic trees made from old collected bottles and found objects. Elmer inherited these bottles from his father who collected them and other antiques. He turned this junk into over 200 art installations free for all to explore.
5 Destinations in the High Desert
When Angelino's think of the California Desert, they think of Palm Springs. Below I've listed seven other quirky destinations in the high desert, not far from the mid century modern mecca.