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Midcentury Desert Escape

Photo gallery for Midcentury Desert Escape

The homestead at sunset
Living Room
Living room, looking toward the sun room.
Native cacti and mature trees surround the house
We just added an outdoor fireplace to take the nip off the high desert nights.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 41100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Twentynine Palms, CA
  • 29 Palms Historical Society
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Joshua Tree National Park North Entrance
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Twentynine Palms, CA (TNP)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Midcentury Desert Escape

This well-preserved 1950s homestead sits on 2.5 desert acres in a secluded spot on the outskirts of Twentynine Palms. The property is 15 minutes from the Joshua Tree National Park north entrance. You feel away from it all, but are convenient to all the local amenities. Enjoy quiet evenings under the stars, or kick back on the porch after a day of hiking in the park. We have one master bedroom and a bonus bedroom in a sunny alcove in the front of the house. The house comfortably sleeps up to two couples. A cozy living room features a fireplace to take the nip off the chilly nights. Eat breakfast under the shade of the pepper tree and you might spot jackrabbits, coyotes, roadrunners and quail. At night have a barbecue and then relax under starry skies and shooting stars (seriously, lots of shooting stars). Take a bath in our outdoor clawfoot tub. Perfect for a romantic getaway, artist/writer’s retreat or an adventure weekend in the park.

Property manager

Kurt Keppeler

Languages

English
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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Twentynine Palms

Located in Twentynine Palms, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Joshua Tree National Park and Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center, while Smith's Ranch Drive-In Theater and Theatre 29 are cultural highlights. Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce and Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Twentynine Palms, CA

What's nearby

  • 29 Palms Historical Society - 9 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Theatre 29 - 9 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Tortoise Rock Casino - 10 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center - 10 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Joshua Tree National Park North Entrance - 16 min drive - 14.8 km

Getting around

  • Bermuda Dunes, CA (UDD) - 81 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Rib Co. - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Castañeda's Mexican Food - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Midcentury Desert Escape pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Midcentury Desert Escape?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Midcentury Desert Escape?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Midcentury Desert Escape located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Knott Sky Park, Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Luckie Park. Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce and Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 33 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Beverly P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place to stay.

We enjoyed our stay. We spent most of the time at Joshua Tree National Park.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great desert house!

We stayed here for a few days after Christmas and it was such a relaxing spot. Loved the remote location, with close proximity to the park. We'll stocked and homey, I'd definitely recommend..
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Midcentury Vibe

Perfect house for a late winter stay, - clean, comfortably, and exactly as advertised. Quiet location with some quiet outdoor seating. Easy access to stores and all the area has to offer. Will stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rock F., Salt Lake City

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Desert Oasis...

This place is somehow even cuter in person than what we were expecting. Because it is on the outer edge of town, you really do get to experience desert living without feeling like you are in the middle of a city. The property is large and gave us beautiful unobstructed views of the sunset, and of the stars! Its still close enough to make going out to grab a bite to eat, or to visit Joshua Tree easy. It is the best of both worlds. The host was so easy to communicate with. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katrina W., Los Angeles

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Perfect

I can't gush about this place enough, from the landscaping to the interior decor, which is exactly how I would decorate a desert homestead. Kurt was super friendly and responsive, and we hope to return and stay at KnCHomestead this winter, maybe over Christmas/New Year's. The desert skies there are glorious. Everything about this place was absolutely perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

AUlyiAgAAACqAQICAHhRqf5uyCh4rhrpAEcd0Lr3O2ECPWffSl2fK29sG1pXlAFlOvpPJoYTafBoG0VB13RUAAAAcDBuBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagYTBfAgEAMFoGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQM0mSnlXaWr+KZdo8YAgEQgC3gFb9+Lc/YsSR+PNlAbNPZXhWFDWc11B/vlwZ74Xg5y2Bb4M+NaLXdL+b80PHjGpOZ/ZNjMVZV/+rkE/xZYf2vSZMXQ1ftZNU0NmqvyQUgoU81GY0SmkQ A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun, remote and well-appointed desert retreat

From the moment we booked our getaway to hike in Joshua Tree NP, the host Kurt was very helpful with his responses and suggestions. This quiet retreat was more than we expected, with lots of charm, and the house had everything we could need. (We especially enjoyed Kurt's and Clare's homemade beer left for us)! We saw beautiful sunrises and stunning sunsets from the house. A great place to visit Joshua Tree and relax later after a day in the park. Not far from the local eateries and hangouts.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ryan N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Desert Oasis

Whether you’re looking for a complete retro feel or just a quiet escape in the desert, this is the place to choose! Kurt was an awesome host and the place was very close to the Oasis Joshua Tree National Park entrance. Only suggestion I would make is to have an easier way to charge a phone or tablet at night close to the bed. Not a big thing though if you are just looking to get away from it all for a bit. :-)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emily W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tranquil Desert House

We had a great time staying at this cute little house in the peaceful 29 Palms desert. The house is just as described with everything you could possibly need down to lots of charcoal for the BBQ. The owner had great communication and really went way out of his way to make sure that our stay was perfect and even brought us extra fresh coffee. The location of the house is perfect, rural feel off a dirt road but just a couple of minutes drive to stores and restaurants. The house has tons of seating areas inside and out so you always have the best view no matter what time of day. After a long day of hiking it was nice to watch the sunset and then the stars at night. We felt so relaxed we didn't want to go home! Looking forward to our next stay here. Thanks Kurt!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lauren T.

Wonderful, warm, inviting home base for Joshua Tree explorations

My nine year old son and I just spent five nights at this adorable desert gem. It's located on its very own 2 acre property so you have your peace and quiet, but it is very close to a good grocery store, gas stations, and importantly tons of things to do outside! First - everything works! You've got a stove, fridge, coffee maker, washer, TV (they have Netflix and Amazon, and we were able to access our Hulu for winding-down in the evenings), and the heater/AC in the bedroom and the heater in the living area kept us warm and toasty even thought it was freezing outside. The heater in the bathroom would make it nice and toasty. (Also - the hot water is wonderfully hot and the shower head is adjustable so you can have a hot and strong stream of water - - great for after long hikes.) The fireplace in the living room is fantastic and wood just catches itself and burns beautifully for hours. The kitchen has everything you could possibly need - no less than two French presses if you prefer to let your brew steep instead of machine made! The bed in the bedroom has a firm mattress - again, great for tired muscles and bones after active days. The bedding and pillows are super cozy. We had an outdoor fire in the fire pit and roasted marshmallows - big hit for my son! If you need to wash clothes - no worries! There are clothes pins and clothes line outside and our stuff was dry within a few hours. (No need for a dryer here!) We made good use of some of the hiking guides in the home and also battled it out on the backgammon board and connect four game. There are windows galore to let in the sun's rays, and all windows have curtains or blinds for privacy. So - whatever you want, you can have it. There are six chairs around the house for relaxing and a picnic table that gets late afternoon sun. Great for an adult beverage or two at the end of the day. Although we didn't use it - there is a charcoal grill outside with supplies for your convenience. We easily navigated to Joshua Tree's north and west entrances. Also - there are alternative accesses to the park a few miles away down Canyon or Indian Cove roads. On the property we saw owls, hummingbirds, bunnies, a jackrabbit, and were serenaded by coyotes on evening. (How cool!?) As a single, middle-aged woman with her nine year old, I felt completely secure at the property and never once was concerned at all about our security. In a word - fabulous! Thank you so much!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Sandra and Bill C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Great location and loved the night sky. House had everything we needed and very comfortable We enjoyed the 50s feel.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

REED O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Desert Chillin

I stayed here with my son and daughter. We were looking for a nice relaxing home base for our travels into Joshua Tree Park and the surrounding areas. We absolutely loved the house and the property and of course our host Kurt. There were so many little detailed touches that made our stay enjoyable - from the well stocked kitchen, to the linens and supplies to the outside property and even the neighbor who gave us a wave every morning as we left on our adventures. Only great things to say about our experience. Now I want to take my wife here.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jodi P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing vacation

This was an absolutely perfect vrbo rental for my family of 4. The house and it’s surroundings were exactly as pictured and magical in person. We were close to many of the hikes we wanted to do, and I liked being in what felt like the quieter part of the area. Would absolutely book here again and recommend it to anyone. Loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay for a desert vusit

Cute house in great location for a visit to Joshua Tree National Park. Fun mid century modern/South west interior decor with patios that catch the sun at all hours. Great outdoor fireplace too. Host very responsive and pleasant.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paul H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

sweet vibes & sweet host

We were looking for a homestead getaway in the desert, and this place was perfect for that! Even though homesteads can be rough around the edges, this one was immaculate. The house had plenty of space and even more style & character (lots of photo opportunities!). We loved spending time in the cozy kitchen, cooking, eating, or playing scrabble. We would also recommend this place for people looking to go into Joshua Tree Nat'l Park. Since we were so close and easy to access, we went for our first time, and it was magical! - Besides the house & location, the hosts were so very friendly and accommodating. It was a low-pressure, easy-going experience to stay at their place. 10/10!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mike and Jennifer B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love this Place

Super cute house and beautiful nature all around. Really enjoyed the Hummingbirds flying all around. The sunroom bedroom is pretty great also. Can't wait to come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joline K., Sleepy Hollow IL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

If you like the 50s you will like this property. We enjoyed spinning records, the 1957 chevy iconic color(larkspur blue)on the fireplace wall and the overall mid-century architecture. Loved the location...great views. Even enjoyed the Baja like road to get there. ha ha
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Victoria A., South Pasadena

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful respite.

Our third time here and on our list of official getaways. We love the solitude, the vibe, the personal touches. Kurt is always quick to respond and helpful. Recommend and thank you! V + S
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect desert getaway

This place really captures the spirit of the area. It's a great spot to visit the park or get away from it all. Kurt was very responsive and easy to deal with.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Victoria B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely fabulous

An ideal place to come home to at night and wake up in each morning. Especially loved the green tile tub, the Shari Elf art and the coffeemaker that felt just like home. Outside were hummingbirds and owls. We had a great time and hope to come back someday!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Neal A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect desert getway

Beutifully decorated house on the edge of 29 Palms.

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

DESERT BLISS

This really is a special place. Lots of open land and the interior is cozy and well decorated. Hope to come back.

10/10 Excellent

Victoria A., South Pasadena

peaceful beautiful retreat

our second visit - really enjoy the peace, quiet and aesthetic. fits us perfectly..
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Victoria A., South Pasadena

Beautiful and Peaceful Respite

With all the turmoil going on in the world - Kurt and Claire's place was the perfect escape. Very well appointed, all we needed.. quiet, clean, beautiful, and eclectically decorated.. aesthetic.. we plan on returning.. highly recommend. v and s
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Blenda S., Ormond Beach, Florida

A great desert getaway with all we needed and more.

The desert getaway was just right. Well stocked with all we needed but the groceries. Comfortable and close to the National Park we came to hike. The information provided was thorough and accurate. We will be back for another visit. Well done.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Charles D.

Great location to explore Joshua Tree National Park

We had a great time during our 15 day stay in February-March 2018. The house is everything depicted on the web-site -- mid-20th century house and furnishings, all in great shape. Best of all, it's a great place to stay while exploring Joshua Tree National Park. Turns out that the North Entrance to the park (in Twentynine Palms) gets much less traffic than the West Entrance (closer to Palm Springs and LA). There are never more than 2-3 cars in line at the North Entrance, but there were 40-50 cars at the West Entrance one Saturday when we drove out that way. So you're far better off staying to the east in Twentynine Palms, and using the North Entrance. The situation was great -- the house is set back from others in the desert, so has privacy, yet Highway 62, the main drag in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, is easily accessible. The nearest store is the grocery store, so very convenient, and the local restaurants were much better than we expected. The only minor issue is that at this time of year (February), it takes a day or two for the concrete floors to warm up if the house has been unoccupied for a few days. But the heaters warm the air immediately, so just bring some slipper or thick socks, and you're fine.
Stayed 15 nights in Feb 2018

About the host

Hosted by Kurt Keppeler

Host profile image
We love to travel, especially by bicycle. There is nothing better than experiencing the landscape at 10 miles an hour. On the whole we like vacations that involve adventure and being immersed in cultures and scenes. In addition to traveling overseas we also love road trips and camping. Clare is originally from Scotland and Kurt is from Colorado.

At home we live in Los Angeles, but spend as much time as we can in the Mojave Desert near Joshua Tree National Park. After getting married in Twentynine Palms at the 29 Palms Inn we decided to buy a house out there. When we cannot be there ourselves we rent it out to others. The desert is incredible, so much wildlife and botanical life, breathtaking sunsets, stars forever and many human curiosities because it attracts eccentric and arty folk. We like hosting creative people who are interested in retreating from chaotic city life.

In our city lives, Clare manages a public art collection situated throughout Los Angeles County and Kurt makes films.

Why they chose this property

There is a serenity to this property that is unmistakeable and something we felt the first time we visited it. It really makes you feel like kicking off your shoes and relaxing on the porch. The second you arrive you feel like you are "home."

Languages:

English
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