California Route 62 Road Trip!

Looking to escape Los Angeles for the day? This Fotospot Route 62 family-friendly road trip is approximately 1.5 hours of driving time and it won’t disappoint. From the world’s biggest dinosaurs, to an old-timey cowboy town, to Big Josh, the 25-foot-tall muffler man, this road trip has it all.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

50770 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA

Dinny and Mr. Rex are billed as the World's Biggest Dinosaurs and possibly the most famous. They made their silver-screen debut in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" in 1985. Now they are joined by a few dozen other fake prehistoric creatures and the establishment charges $12 per person for admission. If you want to skip the fee, snap a few pics from outside the grounds where the dinosaurs are still highly visible.

-----

Pioneertown (35 min from Cabazon)

53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA

The spirit of the old west lives on in Pioneertown, CA. Once a permanent movie set built in the '40s used for shooting scenes as well as for housing actors, it's now become a bonafide small town with thriving businesses popular with locals and out-of-towners.

-----

Pappy & Harriets (1 min from Pioneertown)

53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA

To the tourist, Pappy & Harriets may appear just like any other obscure, local hangout on the outskirts of town. Well, it might be that, but it’s so much more. This legendary venue boasts some pretty heavyweight musical acts including Sir Paul McCartney, Arctic Monkeys, Neko Case, Vampire Weekend…the list goes on for days.

-----

Desert Christ Park (7 mins from Pappy & Harriets)

56200 Sunnyslope Dr, Yucca Valley, CA

This Christian-themed park was opened in 1950 by Reverend Eddie Garver. The first statue was a 10-foot tall, 5-ton statue of Christ created by Frank Martin. Over the next 10 years he built over 30 statues for the park before his death in 1961. Although the park is still managed by the foundation it is showing signs of wear. Some may find it beautiful and some may find it unsettling - it all depends on your frame of reference.

-----

The Integratron (19 mins from Desert Christ Park)

2477 Belfield Blvd, Landers, CA

As seen on "No Reservations," the Integratron is an acoustically perfect wooden dome situated on a "geomagnetic vortex" positioned just so in relation to the energies of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. It was allegedly built using instruction from extraterrestrials and Anthony Bourdain received a revitalizing "sound bath" that flowed sonic power straight to his chakras. Get all that? Even if not, the building is a marvel of acoustic engineering and definitely worth a visit.

-----

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum (17 min from Integratron)

62975 Blair Ln, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

This outdoor gallery of work by renowned sculptor Noah Purifoy is pure magic. The sprawling desert landscape serves as the perfect backdrop for the weathered, industrial aesthetic of Purifoy’s structural, found object masterpieces. Need we say more?

-----

Beauty Bubble Salon & Museum (9 min from Noah)

61855 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA

Who would have ever guessed that a lonely desert highway would be the location of a museum and salon dedicated to beauty and its history? Vintage coiffing equipment and accoutrements are on display next to the newest and best hair potions. However, unlike the 1950s, the stylists here use organic dyes and modern-day techniques.

-----

World Famous Crochet Museum (1 min from Beauty)

61855 CA-62, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Yarn art is showcased in this giant green Polaroid camera. Once a photo-developing stand, it was converted by owner Shari Elf. One would not think so many different objects could be made from a ball of yarn and a crochet needle. Lined along every inch of the walls are stuffed animals, toys, realia, and miscellaneous knick-knacks - as well as a few pieces of clothing. Shari doesn't know how to crochet or knit but she really admires people who do!

-----

Big Josh (1 min from Crochet)

61943 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA

Big Josh is Joshua Tree's very own Muffler Man. He made the move from Mecca, CA and has been standing here since 2018. The Station owners like to change Big Josh's accessories occasionally. During the first half of 2020 he been sporting a mask and blue nitrile gloves in order to do his part in fighting Covid-19.

-----

Krblin Jihn Kabin (4 mins from Big Josh)

5880 Border Ave, Joshua Tree, CA

This ramshackle wooden "kabin" was the prison of a religious leader with a fantastical name. Interestingly enough, this religious leader was also the fantasy of artist and freethinker Eames Demetrios. The hut is the first historic site which is part of his grand Kcymaerxthaere project. To get there Take Hwy 62 to Sunburst Avenue and turn north. Make a right on Crestview and follow it until you reach a dirt road. Turn right on the dirt road and you'll see the wooden hut a short distance ahead.

-----

To see all of this (and about 6,000 more attractions), don't forget to download our app in the Apple App Store and follow Fotospot on LinkedIn.

Happy travels.