Experience Stargazing at a Midcentury Modern Home with Pool and Hot Tub in Joshua Tree

Introduction

If you’re lucky, you might even see the Milky Way.

The Journey to Joshua Tree

It was the silence that struck me the most. As my husband and I zipped down Interstate 10, heading from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree, the bright city lights faded in the distance. The streaming streak of cars tapered off one by one, and the stillness grew louder. Sporadic roadside dives supplanted trendy restaurants and bars, as California’s High Desert drew closer.

“I think that’s one,” I said, enthusiastically, pointing to a spindly, scarecrow-like tree. We—millions of others that year—made the two-hour drive to witness these whimsical figures. Wondering how they got their goofy shape, I flicked around my phone for a quick tutorial: “Did you know Joshua trees are not, in fact, trees, but plants that are part of the yucca family?” I asked, sharing a few fun facts.

Black Rock Homestead

As we continued to follow the dusty desert floor, the shaggy succulents began to increase in frequency. This excitement continued until we pulled off the main road and reached our rental, Black Rock — a mid-century modern home sitting on five acres of almost extraterrestrial land, surrounded by prickly cacti and junipers, all stretching back to the ochre hills and bright-blue skies. Up here, it felt like it was just us.

Activities and Amenities

The charcoal façade amidst the tawny landscape added to the far-away feeling. Inside, the two-bedroom ranch-style retreat was bright with vaulted ceilings, crisp white linens, and pops of color. Moments after our arrival, it became clear that we had landed at an Instagram haven—without even seeing the backyard yet.

Sliding open the floor-to-ceiling doors revealed mind-clearing views across miles. Although we were just minutes from downtown Joshua Tree, we chose to maximize our 48 hours at the house. We lazed on hammocks, played rounds of cornhole, enjoyed the private in-ground pool, and warmed up around the fire pit or hot tub at night.

The property also offers opportunities for guided hikes in the desert, private chef-prepared dinners, massages, sound baths, and yoga sessions.

Exploring Joshua Tree National Park

The national park, just a mile from Black Rock, felt hushed, as if someone had pressed mute. Despite the cars at the entrance, we found solitude on hikes, including the eight-mile Boy Scout Trail, boulder-studded Wonderland of Rocks, and Cholla Cactus Garden. Popular spots like Keys View, overlooking the Coachella Valley, and Skull Rock had more visitors capturing selfies.

Stargazing Experience

Joshua Tree is a certified International Dark Sky Park—a dream for those coming from city lights. Back at our rental, we lounged in hammocks, watching the sun dip behind the horizon.

As darkness enveloped the landscape, we pointed out constellations and shapes in the stars—a dancing frog, a map of India, and a bearded man with a dog. A shooting star whooshed across, leaving us both in awe.

Finally, there it was—the Milky Way, glimmering with ribbons of stars across the pitch-black canvas. Speechless, we embraced the silence, savoring the beauty and tranquility of this remote paradise, a stark contrast to the chaos beyond.

Alisha Prakash is a senior digital editor at iBestTravel. A New Yorker at heart, she navigates between the hustle of cities and the serenity of nature. Follow her adventures on Instagram: @alishaprakash and Twitter: @alishasays.