Palm Springs Woodworking Artist Aleksandra Zee Shares Her Favorite Spots in the High Desert

MÁS O MENOS in Joshua Tree tops Zee’s list for coffee and natural wine. “It’s a beautiful space that reflects the soul of the desert,” she says. “I’m here at least three times a week for the best live music and pop-ups.” She loves catching the collaboration pop-ups between Friendo Burger and I Fall to Pizzas there during golden hour.

Another favorite is Kitchen in the Desert in 29 Palms, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant which she calls “soulful and lush,” where “the vibe is always on point.” Her go-to orders are the Brussels sprouts and the jerk chicken. La Copine in Yucca Valley is a must for what she describes as exquisite, upscale, California cuisine. The menus here are seasonal, but at the moment, she is enjoying their mushroom toast, shrimp roll, and gem wedge salad. Additionally, the Tiny Pony Tavern, with its karaoke nights and local crowd, is “always a good time.”

For a true desert night out, she heads to The Copper Room, a retro lounge overlooking the old airport in Yucca Valley. “It’s got a cool vibe, great cocktails, and a really fun menu.” Nearby, the Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown serves Mexican food and feels like “a family-friendly Western saloon with live music.”

For visitors seeking art and community, Zee loves choreographer Ryan Heffington’s DESERTRADE artist residency, which features rotating exhibitions in 29 Palms. If visiting in October, she recommends HWY 62 Art Tours. She’s not only a fan but also a participating artist in the upcoming event, where over 200 artists open their studios to visitors and buyers. “It’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever participated in, and I look forward to taking part for many years.” Another must-visit is the Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum, an altar to the late, high-desert artist Noah Purifoy, famed for creating art out of found debris.

How she connects with nature

“Living out here feels sacred, not just for my inner peace, but for my creative well-being,” says Zee. She loves the otherworldly Integratron in Landers, where she goes for sound baths. “As a woodworker, what blows me away is that there’s not one screw or nail holding it together, which plays into the acoustics.” She considers it one of the most magical things to do in the desert.

When she’s not in her studio, she’s often hiking around the massive boulders in her neighborhood in Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Park. “Watching the sunrise or sunset as the boulders turn pink, you can’t deny the force of nature here. There are endless trails and boulders to scale. I feel like every time we venture into the park, we find a new spot to explore.” The half-mile Indian Cove nature trail is a popular hiking trail, surrounded by ancient monzogranite rock towers that draw rock climbers. In spring and fall, you might spot desert tortoises, a variety of birds like the shy LeConte’s thrasher, and colorful wildflower blooms scattered among Mojave yuccas and desert shrubs.