Diamond Sky Retreat • Joshua Tree, California

Our 1950s homestead, about 1,500 square feet, sits on 2.5 quiet acres of open desert, twenty minutes from Joshua Tree National Park and ten from the town center. It's a calm, unplugged place to write, make things, rest, or just watch the light change over the desert.

When you book here instead of on Airbnb or Vrbo, you skip their guest service fees, and you're booking straight with us. This is our home, not a rental company's, and we're glad to share it.

OUR HOUSE

The house was built in the 1950s by its original owner, who added on over the years until it became a two-story homestead cabin. By the time we found it, it had fallen into complete disrepair. Three friends saw what it could be, and we restored it by hand.

We designed it for writers, designers and artists, and for anyone who wants a few slow days away from screens. Much of what you'll see is handmade or custom built: the fixtures, the furniture, the art. Please enjoy it the way we do.

There's no cable or streaming here, on purpose. Instead there are 300+ VHS films, a vinyl collection with a turntable, an iPod full of music, and a closet of board games and cards.

THE KITCHEN

Fully stocked for real cooking, with a full-size fridge, oven and stove, microwave, dishwasher, toaster, blender and kettle. For coffee there's an espresso machine, a drip coffee maker, a French press and a grinder. Pots, pans, knives, utensils and dishes are all here, plus a propane grill outside.

THE BEDROOMS

Three bedrooms sleep up to six, on memory foam mattresses.

• Upstairs suite: a queen bed and a private bathroom with a jetted soaking tub, with a patio for morning coffee.

• The Sage Room: a queen bed, downstairs. It's partly below ground, so it stays cool on warm days and cozy on cold nights.

• The Gold Room: a full bed, downstairs. The coziest room in the house, with a soft rug and plenty of art.

The Sage Room and Gold Room share a custom downstairs bathroom with a concrete stand-up shower.

OUTSIDE

Wide desert views in every direction, a fire pit for calm nights, the grill, and the patio. After dark, Joshua Tree's low light pollution makes for some of the best stargazing we know, often with the Milky Way overhead.

Also here:

• Parking for up to 6 cars

• A dedicated desk for getting some work done

• Small, well-behaved dogs welcome ($50 pet cleaning fee, 2 dogs max; please let us know ahead)

NEARBY

• Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum: a 17-minute walk

• Mesa Market (groceries): 9 minutes by car

• Joshua Tree town center and Visitor Center: about 10 minutes

• Joshua Tree National Park, West Entrance: 20 minutes

Our guides on this site (Things to do, Bars & restaurants, and Hikes & trails) have everything else, with drive times from our house.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Our house is on a dirt road, about 3/4 mile from Border, the nearest paved road. Drive slowly.

• It's the open Mojave: expect dry heat, wind, and wildlife. Please be quiet and kind to the desert around us.

• Our internet is slower than city broadband. It's fine for email and video calls, not for big downloads.

• Uber and Lyft are rare out here. Please plan on having a car.

• Up to 6 guests, the limit on our county permit. Extra guests are $150 per person per night.

• Maximum stay is 29 nights.

• No film or photo shoots without our written OK, and no glitter (really).