Magic at the Oasis - the historic 29 Palms Inn

Shanghai Brown
Dec 5, 2017
5 min read

If you're seeking an authentic desert experience, you need look no farther than the historic 29 Palms Inn.

Located on the Oasis of Mara, the 29 Palms Inn has been operated by the same family since 1928. The 70-acre property provides room to relax and escape from the stresses of the outside world. Wander the oasis, visit the turtles in the pond, dine poolside at the Inn's restaurant, and take a stroll through the Faultline Garden, where much of the organic produce used in your meal may have been harvested earlier that day.

Stay

You can stay in an authentic adobe bungalow from the 1930s, or a 1920s wood-frame cabin. Bring the whole gang and stay in one of the large guest houses on the property. No two guest quarters are alike in this classic desert inn.

Dine

The Inn's restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch, and features live music daily from desert and touring musicians. Enjoy an original Inn cocktail at the bar and enjoy a slice of local hi-desert life.

Explore

Have a creative streak? Join an arts workshop at the on-site 29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery. Stroll over to the Old Schoolhouse Museum or the 29 Palms Art Gallery, or follow the oasis to the Oasis Visitor Center and headquarters for Joshua Tree National Park.

Host a Wedding or Special Event

Looking for a memorable desert location to host a wedding, reception, reunion, or special event? The 29 Palms Inn has a full catering service and can host events in the tent or on the grounds. Whether it's a corporate retreat or a family getaway, the Inn is ready to host your event at the magical Oasis of Mara.

The 29 Palms Inn Top 10 Things to Do

A visit to Joshua Tree National Park and our gateway communities is not complete without a stop at the Oasis of Mara and the historic 29 Palms Inn. Here are our top 10 picks of the best of the oasis!

1. Stay in an authentic adobe bungalow or wood frame cottage from the 1920s-1930s. You want vintage? You got it. Unlike any other hotel you're likely to encounter, the Inn offers true classic desert lodging.

2. Dine poolside at the Inn. This is casual fine dining at its best. Enjoy a fig pizza, or the Inn's famous sauteed mushrooms to begin, and follow it with one of the Inn's grass fed Wagyu flat iron steaks, pasta, or a variety of delectable entrees. Don't rush - you're on desert time.

3. Try one of the Inn's original cocktails. Whether it's an Amboy Crater, or a Whitewater Canyon Colada, refresh and relax while sipping one of these unique concoctions.

4. Stroll the Faultline Garden. When you dine at the Inn, much of the organic produce you are served comes direct from the Inn's own Faultline Garden. Named after the fact that the oasis is formed by groundwater hitting a fault that brings it to the surface, the garden produces a large variety of seasonal produce for your dining enjoyment.

5. Join the Inn's naturalist, Pat Flanagan, for a Saturday or Sunday morning walking tour of the Oasis of Mara. Pat is a superb guide to the geology and natural history of the oasis. You'll learn about the fault that formed the oasis, the history of the Serrano and Chemehuevi Indians who lived here, the plants and animals that reside in and around the oasis, and, of course, aphid poop. Ask Pat about the time Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin took the tour. There's no charge for the naturalist-led walking tour, but they do ask for you to call the day before to reserve your tour. Tour times are from 8:30 to approximately 10 a.m. Meet at the Library/Hotel Front Desk. Call (760)367-3505 to reserve your tour.

The best way to get to know the Oasis of Mara is with naturalist Pat Flanagan on a walking tour.

6. Make memories and your own souvenirs with an art class or workshop at the 29 Palms Creative Center & Gallery. This rambling arts facility is located on the west end of the Inn's 70 acres, just off Adobe Road. Learn how to make monotype prints, try your hand at the potter's wheel, make stained glass, tile mosaic, paint, collage, or host an art party for your friends (or your kids). Gretchen will help you with creating a memorable experience for all ages. If you're short on time, drop by the Creative Center and browse the local desert art to find that perfect gift.

7. Go birding. Hey, it's an oasis, with water, in the desert. Birds love it. More than 180 different types of birds have been documented on the Inn's grounds. See how many you can find and then go to the Inn's website to log them on the 29 Palms Inn Bird List!

8. Order a picnic lunch for your desert explorations. Call the Inn the night before (by 9 p.m.), and they'll have delicious picnic lunches ready for you to pick up the next morning by as early as 7:15 a.m. Vegetarian options are available. So, whether you're heading into Joshua Tree National Park, or up to the Mojave Trails National Monument, Amboy Crater, Route 66, the Colorado River, Mojave National Preserve, or just out and about in the hi-desert, this is a great way to bring the restaurant with you. Order at (760)367-3505.

9. Visit the nearby Old Schoolhouse Museum and 29 Palms Art Gallery, or walk to the Oasis of Mara Visitor Center and Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters. Admission is free to all of these locations, and you can learn a great deal about life in the desert from these three locations. At the Old Schoolhouse Museum,

you'll meet some of the original miners, pioneers, and homesteaders who settled this area and learn about the hardships they faced and the homemade fun they had. The 29 Palms Art Gallery, housed in a historic adobe, will introduce you to monthly exhibits of desert artists, and the Oasis of Mara Visitor Center is a great place to learn about Joshua Tree National Park and the oasis. A big plus is all three have great gift shops and friendly volunteers!

10. Plan a special event at the Oasis of Mara. After falling in love with the magic of an authentic desert oasis, why not share it with those you love? The Inn is an ideal location for hosting a wedding or family reunion. Their catering staff can ensure your event is as magical as the oasis!

For more information: 29palmsinn.com

Watch The Real Desert with Steve Brown as they visit the 29 Palms Inn.

29 Palms Inn naturalist, Pat Flanagan, receives the Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award.

Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith talks about why the desert needs more women like Minerva Hoyt and 29 Palms Inn naturalist, Pat Flanagan.