The Ocotillo, Secluded Stargazing, Pool, Hot Tub, Art Gallery & Pets!

Cute place deep in the hills of the desert. Loved the hot tub and the fireplace during the chilly nights. We'll be back!

Everything was exactly as described. The silence was wonderful. And Lara’s art collection and carefully arranged vignettes was a pleasure for this retired architect. The entire area has majority dirt road access to properties beyond the main roads. So not an uncommon occurrence. Be sure to hike goats mountain just across the way. Enjoy the stars too.

Clean house, pleasant stay in the desert, and a very responsive manager who quickly and efficiently resolved the hot tub water cleanliness issue.

Such an amazing home, the vibes were perfect and very secluded. Great walking areas near by, a bit off road for driving wise but great for what we wanted.

Wonderful remote location, hot tub, and views of the stars. Loved the decor and the gallery in the yard. Wonderful aesthetic.

This delightful home provides a vision of desert life—expansive, wrap around views that seem to go on forever, the art and well chosen library of books, the handwoven textiles from desert cultures, the desert silence and the darkest night skies I’ve ever known. A ten minute walk from the door through open desert grasslands brings you to ancient rock formations in nearby hills. The house is clean, well equipped, comfortable beds, outdoor lounging and dining areas, and has its own small art gallery. We felt so at home and happy in our ten days here. The hostess is warm and responsive.

Secluded location, amazing for solitude, stargazing and sunset strolls. AC was very strong- especially important during this heat wave. Thank you for hosting us, we really enjoyed our stay!

Loved this home! Very private and peaceful. We enjoyed the patio in the afternoon and evening after a day of hiking. Loved the records and record player. Bed was very comfortable. We used the firm one. Kitchen well-stocked with cookware,etc. would get a jeep for the long sandy road but were able to do it in and SUV slowly.

Beautiful location, shooting stars, clean hottub, kind host. Highly recommend!

Yes, everything was great.

Everything was perfect! We got to watch one of the best sunrise. Thank you for being an excellent host, Lara!

We enjoyed this place so much. It was quiet and peaceful. The home was well set up with a great kitchen area - nice to cook meals on our road trip. The hot tub worked well and was a great place to listen to the owls and coyotes in the evening and early morning hours. I would recommend this place and hope to return again on a road trip.

Lara was a great hostess, with really good communication. Listen to her when she suggests to arrive during daylight; we took a wrong turn initially and luckily followed the white rocks to the house just before it was too dark to find our way! Great house, shower, hot tub, and gallery. Might I also recommend the Tiny Pony Club for dinner. A real find, all of it!

Remote quiet location with very pleasant house for desert lovers.

The house itself was clean and sparely decorated, which I liked. The hot tub got hot. I had everything I needed in the kitchen. The views were outstanding. It was a pleasure to have an onsite gallery!

The property was stunning, magazine worthy. We loved the peace and quiet, the outdoor area was gorgeous. We used the hot tub and BBQ grill during our stay. Convenient to Joshua Tree National Park and stores/restaurants, but away from the crowd.

Host was very responsive to questions. Great home.

We loved staying here! The remote location was perfect for our getaway and the large fenced property was perfect for our dog to roam safely. Stargazing in the hot tub was spectacular! We would love to come back.

The host was very communicative, the home was so comfortable and well-decorated. The huge yard was amazing and alllwed our dog to run freely but fenced in. The entire experience was so peaceful.

Very clean home with comfortable beds! Great communication and experience overall was great. Would visit again!!

We celebrated my spouse’s birthday with this stay at Lara’s property and it was exactly the type of serene and beautiful experience we were looking forward to. The house is indeed quite remote, but there a couple of neighbors nearby which made us feel more at ease. The house itself sits on an incredibly spacious plot of land and we really enjoyed taking strolls around the property every day. We were disappointed not to have seen more wildlife during our stay, but we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of the resident owl’s swooping down from a telephone pole right in front of us!We really appreciated the variety of spaces throughout the house and took the most advantage of the den, the record player, and the dining area with its expansive windows facing the backyard. I would’ve loved to have used the outdoor amenities more, but we did manage to enjoy the hot tub and fire pit on one of ours nights.

We had a fantastic stay. Beautiful location, comfortable and aesthetic home,...it was serene and relaxing. Thank you!

This home is a perfect desert retreat! We booked it as the last leg of a 2 week journey and it was the best way to unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Very spacious, with comfortable beds, and the kitchen has all the amenities of home. Although the bed was super cozy and comfortable, I wish the other blankets and towels were more plush. I appreciate how they match the aesthetic of the house, but the throw blankets we found weren’t very cozy. That said, the rustic decor and feel of the house is very appropriate for the desert landscape. (Our friends stayed nearby in a very modern home with a bubble tent outside and we thought The Ocotillo was more true to the overall vibe and gave the experience we were looking for).Getting to the property is a little tricky, even with the provided maps. Definitely heed the advice and arrive in the daytime, as the “markers” are difficult to distinguish in the pitch black of night, especially since we didn’t know what the markers looked like. Turning on the satellite view on our GPS was a life saver. I’d recommend driving an SUV or something with a higher suspension.The property is large enough where it doesn’t even feel like you have a neighbor. The sky was so clear and so many stars visible with the naked eye. A fancy telescope is provided, but we didn’t use it. The link provided to instructions for it didn’t work so we found a YouTube video for it and it was overwhelming for us. The onsite art gallery was inspiring and beautiful.

Our stay was very enjoyable! Looks just like the photos. The hot tub and star gazing was amazing after a long day hiking in the park. We arrived at night due to timing of our trip and it was very challenging to navigate the road leading up to the house, so agree that it’s best to arrive during the during the sunlight hours if you can. Definitely recommend a car with four wheel drive. I would recommend others to stay here!

It was a very pleasant stay. Would definitely return.

This place is amazing. The decor is wonderful, and the space was very comfortable for three older ladies. Open and bright…but rooms for privacy. Spotless. Comfy beds. The best setup kitchen I’ve ever seen in a rental. Absolutely everything you can possibly need.We were there for bucket list stargazing, which was incredible! Loved the hot tub. Toured (in the air conditioned car) Joshua Tree National Park (too hot for hiking)…loved it! We didn’t expect it to be so beautiful! Lora is a great hostess and was very responsive.If you stay here, (and you definitely should!) pay attention to the directions she carefully gives you to find the place. Don’t plan to arrive after dark! This place exceeded my expectations. Wonderful!!!

Check-in was seamless and the house looks just like the photos inside and out. One thing the photos can’t capture is the expanse of the land surrounding the property. There a house next door on the driveway side (which is nice actually so you’re not 100% alone) but no direct views so it still feels very private and remote. The back and other sides of the house look out onto open land. On the property and into the horizon you’ll find palo verde, mesquite, and Joshua trees, and creosote bushes (often associated with petrichor - think the aroma of desert rain). We brought groceries and the kitchen is fully-equipped so we were able to make all of our meals. We had such a good time cooking and dunking in the cowboy pool during the sunlight hours and watching the Perseids meteor shower at night. The office is a great place to focus (good Wi-Fi access) and to keep any necessary work things separate from vacation things. Lots of good books and records, comfy beds, and everywhere you look is a little vignette of art and nature. Which leads to the gallery - such a cool addition to a vacation space. The exhibition right now focuses on photography and natural elements, really beautiful work. Love this place!

How star skies show on painting and television was a dream of ours and this location made it come true!It feel like its in the middle of no where with lots of bumpy dirty riads which will make you question about having a four wheeler or a big truck or suv. DOUBLE CHECK EMAIL & MESSAGES FOR PROPER ROUTE! If not given contact host.Once you make it with the code that they tell you before you get in you will instantly feel at ease. The floors and cool concrete which is perfect for the summer. Empty yet full of good energy with random pieces of art and funture near by. There is one restroom on the side and two comfortable bedrooms separate. The kitchen is in the middle and living room right there is the back with comfortable seats table and a record player with lots of records to choose from!Sliding the glass door to the back there is a beautiful view with jacuzzi, metal tub, outdoor table, bbq grill and seats and a fire pit. You want firewood? No problem! They have a little convenience store not too far where you can buy firewood, charcoal and other things you typically find in a liquor store ot 7-ELEVEN[but! no fresh hot food! Remember that you are staying in a dessert stay. There are wild plants and animals(including bugs) so do NOT be surprised to see little critters around when you turn on the light to the restroom or wake up in the morning to find a little uninvited guest in the kitchen.Jacuzzi? Amazing! Looking at the stars outside? Out of this world!Lovely stay.

What a beautiful place to stay. House was decorated beautifully and had everything that we were looking for.

The Ocotillo was exactly what we were looking for when we visited Joshua Tree. It's a lovely, relaxing property very near the park. We enjoyed hiking the isolated desert around the house and never saw a single person. We all enjoyed the Jacuzzi and cowboy pool. Nights were especially lovely on the back porch. Highly recommend!

Such a peaceful, relacing stay away from the everyday hustle and bustle.

Ocotillo gave us a much needed retreat for four wonderful days. I especially liked the views of the desert and the wildlife. Lara was a great host!

Had an amazing stay! Went with my husband and infant (6months). The pool was fantastic and super clean, the rooms were cozy and well done and the kitchen had everything we needed. Wouldn’t recommend if you have a small child who is mobile as the floors are concrete and uneven in places but for us it was perfect. Great added touch of the art gallery in the back, was super cool to see art from the park and then hike in the park seeing all the formations from the gallery. Directions for entry and how to find the place were easy and great communication from host

My husband and I stayed one night but wish we booked for the weekend. As first timers to Yucca Valley we wanted star gazing and tranquility, this property was perfect! It also had a beautiful decor, comfortable beds and a well appointed backyard. Will definitely stay again!

The Ocotillo exceeded my expectations and offered everything I had hoped for and then some. Loved that it is quiet and secluded, but still easy to get to Joshua Tree. The house itself is beautifully designed and felled very cozy. Communication with Lara was easy and she responded quickly to questions. I will definitely be back!

The property is located a mile down a dirt road (we were able to easily navigate in sedans), which offers the perfect balance of seclusion and access to the park and nightlife of Joshua Tree. The home was thoughtfully furnished and the hot tub overlooking the landscape was perfect. Would re-book in a heartbeat!

Amazing property that delivers a private spot to enjoy the beauty of the area. The accommodations were excellent.

The home is very unique and we thought it very cool that it is often used as an artists retreat. Make sure you check spam for the detailed check in information. We are glad we arrived in the daylight as you must take an unmarked dirt road to get there. The home is very open with window coverings only in the bedrooms so prepare for that. Usually when I travel to new places I like to close myself in at night so that felt a bit uncomfortable for me to not be able to draw any blinds/curtains etc especially as the property is very isolated save a neighbor separated by chain link fence. We tried the hot tub but unfortunately the water was set at too chilly a temperature to enjoy. I imagine if you came during the hot time of year, it would feel great, but there was still snow in the mountains and it only got up to the mid 50’s while we were there. The location had great access to Joshua Tree and that’s what we came for. Additionally it was a quick few minute drive to town for shopping dining etc. Make sure to hit the snake bite for a burger and beverage while in town. Very cool unique open large peaceful spot! Very comfy beds and linens.

Enjoyed the time and experience. Awesome sunser

We really enjoyed our stay at the Ocotillo. Highlights for us were star gazing, sunrises, and the comfortable beds. The Joshua Trees on the property and in the surrounding area are great too. There are washboarded dirt roads required to get to the property, but we didn't have any difficulty with them in an AWD sedan.

Great place very clean

Remote high desert getaway, artfully appointed.

Fantastic. Amazing. Everything we'd hoped for. Terrific on every level. Loved the design & decor. Lara was very helpful and responsive. Highly recommended.

Comfy place with restful atmosphere. Enjoyed our time.

We had a great stay here. 10/10 - everything was clean, lots of kitchen items, and your basic amenities. The road getting there was a bit rough, but this was communicated by the host. The property was large, and the house itself was very open and clean. Very great for pictures and to feel solitude. With all thay said, it wasn't our cup of tea. Most outside windows in the common areas dont have blinds/curtains so during the day, it let in lots of beautiful natural light which we loved, but we preferred more privacy at night. The bedrooms however DO have blinds so it was nice and dark when we slept. Again- nothing wrong with the propery and I understand why this place is rated so highly. This was just our preference. We would still recommend it other friends of ours because it is a really cool place.

Octotillo was a great place to getaway. Lara's instructions were clear and concise. The house is tucked away north of Joshua Tree National Park and was everything you could ask for in a vacation destination. The property has great views of the night sky and we were able to see a few meteors. House was fairly clean and the beds comfortable. The firepit was welcoming and Literally off the beaten path and away far from the maddening crowds. Getting there requires navigating unpaved roads but it's manageable in a tiny sedan in the day time. Their is a neighboring house that we didn't see anyone at. It's a quiet place to get your mind away from work and enjoy the outdoors. Would definitely come back.

We were here for our honeymoon. It was secluded,

Very nice, rural place. Great to star gaze from hot tub!!

I cannot wait to go back!!! The property itself is beautiful, and somewhat remote. There is so much to see!! Wonderful stay!

The house and property are exactly as shown, and the views are amazing!

Really enjoyed sitting in the hot tub and gazing at the stars. This is a wonderful rental with no complaints.

The Ocotillo is such a wonderful place to get away. It's remote, beautiful and peaceful. This is the second time we've stayed at the Ocotillo and we will likely return. Lara, the owner, is lovely and helpful. The home is on what seems to be a perfectly situated corner of Yucca Valley - with breathtaking views of the mountains and Joshua trees. If you need a break from the daily grind, this is the place . . .

The cottage was exactly as shown on the listing. Great styling! Clean! It had all the amenities one would want in a vacation. It was everything I wanted for a night of solitude in the desert.

We spent two nights at the Ocotillo in August. First of all, the location is gorgeous...miles of untouched desert stretch out from the house and you can hike or run to your heart's content. The house itself is so beautifully appointed and full of character, from the furniture to the artwork to the rooms themselves. That said it is absolutely practical for the location...the smooth, poured concrete floors are great in such a sandy place, and, like the desert itself, the house is filled with a kind of rugged beauty. The exterior features many spots to take in the scenery, enjoy a book or cool off in the cowboy tub. At night, the stars overhead are incredibly clear and the best place to take them in is from the hot tub. If you love the outdoors, the beauty of the natural world and have ever longed to experience the magic of the desert, this is the place for you. We will definitely be back.

Stayed one night on a road trip. Enjoyed stay.