Essentials
- City
- Joshua Tree, California, United States
- Population
- 7,414 (Census-designated place)
- Internet Speed
- Starlink is common (100+ Mbps), Frontier Fiber in limited areas (up to 1 Gbps), Spectrum (200 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Wells Fargo (Yucca Valley), U.S. Bank
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but high mineral content; many residents prefer filtered or bottled water from Hi-Desert Water
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon (best desert coverage), AT&T, T-Mobile
- Banking for Expats
- Chase, Wise, Revolut, Mercury (for business)
- Accommodation
- Mid-century modern Airbnbs, Homestead cabins, boutique motels like The Joshua Tree Inn
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple Pay accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, Homestead Modern ($150 - $600 per night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Joshua Tree Lakes RV & Campground ($30 - $50/night), Mojave Sands Motel ($200/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near the West Entrance (Park Blvd) for easy park access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Downtown Joshua Tree (walking distance to cafes) or Yucca Valley (closer to supermarkets)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially in JT; most nomads use 'The Dez' or drive to 'Industrious' in Palm Springs (45 mins)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Joshua Tree Coffee Company (61707 Twentynine Palms Highway; great WiFi, $5 latte), Frontier Cafe (Yucca Valley)
- Networking Events
- Joshua Tree Voice community mixers, Mil-Tree veteran/artist collaborative events
- Social Events for Expats
- Joshua Tree Music Festival (May/October), Farmers Market (Saturdays at 61595 Twenty-Nine Palms Hwy)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft (very limited availability), Lucky 777 Cab ($15-$40 local trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Joshua Tree Bicycle Shop (6029 Adobe Rd; $50/day mountain bike rentals)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Newport Beach (approx. 100 miles / 2 hours away)
- Top Regional Airline
- Alaska Airlines via Palm Springs International (PSP)
- Top International Airline
- United, American, Delta via Los Angeles International (LAX)
- Highway Access
- California State Route 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- North Palm Springs Amtrak Station (30 mins away)
- Public Transport Passes
- Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA) - $1.25 per ride
- Regional Travel
- FlixBus from Palm Springs to LA; MBTA Bus Connect
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hi-Desert Medical Center (6601 White Feather Rd, Joshua Tree)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Instant Karma Yoga ($20 drop-in), Cedar & Sage Wellness Studio
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Yucca Valley Fitness ($15 day pass), Joshua Tree Sportsman's Club
- Laundry Services
- Joshua Tree Laundromat (61880 Commercial Way)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash (limited), UberEats (limited)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- The 'Polenta Fries' at Boo's Organic Oven ($9)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Natural Sisters Cafe (Vegan wraps $14), Crossroads Cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Joshua Tree Saloon (Mud Pie $8), Boo’s Organic Oven
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Stater Bros. Markets (Yucca Valley), Grocery Outlet
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Note: use Amazon Hub lockers if staying in remote cabins)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart (via Walmart and Vons in Yucca Valley)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Joshua Tree Saloon (61835 Twentynine Palms Hwy) - live music and outdoor patio
- Local Brewery
- Joshua Tree Brewery (63939 Twentynine Palms Hwy)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine and Rock Shop (Yucca Valley), Desierto Alto
- Street Food Stalls
- The Dez (Gourmet deli/grab-and-go), Kasa Mexican Food truck
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sam's Indian Food & Pizza (61380 29 Palms Hwy) - local favorite
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Keys View (sunset spot)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum (Free/Donation), World Famous Crochet Museum
- Historical Sites
- Keys Ranch (Guided tours $10), Barker Dam
- Religious Sites
- The Integratron (Sound baths $50; located in Landers)
- Annual Events
- Joshua Tree Music Festival, Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours (October)
- Cultural Districts
- Downtown Joshua Tree Arts & Culture District
- Theater Venues
- Hi-Desert Cultural Center
- Local Markets
- Joshua Tree Certified Farmers Market (Saturdays 8am-1pm)
- Music Scene
- Pappy + Harriet’s (Pioneertown - world famous venue 15 mins away)
- Street Art
- Murals at Joshua Tree Village surroundings
- Cooking Classes
- Private workshops by local chefs at 'The Station' (Occasional)
- Art Galleries
- Hey There Projects, Taylor Jane Art & Design
- Historic Buildings
- Pioneertown Mane Street (Built as a 1940s film set)
- Local Heritage
- High Desert 'Dirt Bag' culture; mining and homesteading history
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Black Rock Canyon, Indian Cove
- National Parks Nearby
- Joshua Tree National Park ($30 per vehicle entry)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Section 6 (Desert View Conservation Area trails)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Keys View (Views of San Andreas Fault and Salton Sea)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Barker Dam (seasonal water attracts birds), Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated campfire rings at Jumbo Rocks Campground (Strict fire bans often apply)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS Joshua Tree Office, UPS Store in Yucca Valley
- Tech Repair Services
- The Computer Guy (Yucca Valley)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Joshua Tree Sportsman's Club
- Language Classes
- Copper Mountain College (Adult education classes)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Joshua Tree Branch Library (6465 Park Blvd)
- Community Centers
- Joshua Tree Community Center (6171 Sunburst Ave)
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is done via private high-speed Starlink setups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Tortoise Rock Casino (Twentynine Palms, 15 mins away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $192,000; note: mostly detached cabins, not traditional studios)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $312,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $246,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $440,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $344,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Federal) + 8.84% (California State)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% to 20% depending on income level (US Residents)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for US Citizens/Residents; State tax based on physical presence
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal) + 13.3% (California)
- VAT
- No VAT; Sales Tax in Joshua Tree is 7.75%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'GILTI' and Subpart F rules apply to US taxpayers
- Property Tax
- Approx. 1.2% of assessed value annually (California Prop 13)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Documentary Transfer Tax (approx. $1.10 per $1,000 of value)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No; California is a high-tax state; Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) applies only to income earned outside the US