Why Twentynine Palms
Located in the inland Mojave Desert region of Southern California, Twentynine Palms is a city in San Bernardino County situated at an elevation of nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. Positioned along the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, the municipality serves as a primary gateway to the park and the surrounding desert landscapes.
The area's settlement history centers on a natural water spring historically known as the Oasis of Mara, where the Chemehuevi people once resided in the surrounding hills. The community derived its name from native fan palms planted around the spring by the Serrano. Historical landmarks in the area include a reservation for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and Utah Trail, a road named in honor of nineteenth-century pioneer wagon routes originating in St. George, Utah. Regional growth was further shaped by the establishment of a post office in 1927, the preservation of the adjacent national park, and the creation of a Marine Corps combat center in 1952.
Visitors to Twentynine Palms can explore several cultural and historical sites centered around the local terrain. The Oasis of Mara remains an important point of interest, housing the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center at its eastern end and featuring a large shaded pond to the west. Across the city, 26 outdoor building murals depict scenes of regional history and desert living. Cultural institutions include the 29 Palms Historical Society, housed in the city's original schoolhouse, which maintains a local history museum and hosts an annual art event dedicated to weed displays each November. Local artwork is also exhibited by the Twentynine Palms Artists' Guild.
Twentynine Palms features a subtropical desert climate, characterized by summer daytime temperatures regularly climbing past 100 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate winter days in the 60s. Monsoon storms in August make it the wettest month, occasionally causing flash flooding in low terrain and canyons. Travel to and around the area is facilitated by State Route 62 running east-west, public bus routes operated by the Morongo Basin Transit Authority, and flight connections at nearby Palm Springs Airport.
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