High Desert Escape | Fireplace, Spa, Views & Stars
About
Set high on Moonlight Mesa in north Joshua Tree, this serene retreat offers sweeping desert views, a private spa, and cozy evenings by the fire. Thoughtfully designed for relaxation and connection, it’s a peaceful escape where you can stargaze from the hot tub, cool off in the cowboy pool, or unwind on the expansive terraces just 15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park.
Good to know
Shifting Sands House is a peaceful high-desert retreat designed for effortless living and quiet comfort. Perched atop Moonlight Mesa, the home captures endless mountain views and the soft stillness of open desert. The open-concept layout includes a designer Reform kitchen with a breakfast bar, spacious dining nook, and a large, comfortable L-shaped sofa for lounging or movie nights by the wood-burning fireplace. Three bedrooms offer room for everyone, two with king beds and one with a queen, all with memory foam hybrid mattresses, linen bedding, blackout shades, and writing nooks. The primary suite features an en-suite bath with a soaking tub and separate shower. Outside, the private courtyard and multiple patios are designed for full days under the desert sun and starlit nights. Soak in the hot tub, gather around the firepit, or cool off in the cowboy pool (open seasonally). The west-facing terrace is perfect for sunset dinners and golden-hour views stretching all the way to Pipes Canyon and San Jacinto. Highlights Include: - Hot tub with open-sky desert views - Cowboy pool (seasonal) - Firepit and BBQ grill - Wood-burning fireplace indoors - Outdoor fire pit - Outdoor dining and lounge areas - Fully equipped designer kitchen - Central air conditioning and heat - Smart TV and board games - Pet friendly (two dogs max) Calm, comfortable, and filled with light, a true high-desert escape. Great Location: 15 min to Joshua Tree National Park 15 min to Pappy & Harriet’s 20 min to Old Town Yucca Valley Local Experiences: Make the most of your stay with curated local experiences we love to share. Sound baths at the Integratron or with a local practitioner Massage, bodywork, or energy sessions at the house Guided desert hikes and nature walks Yoga, Pilates, or breathwork under open skies Private chef dinners and in-home dining Stargazing and astronomy tours Horseback rides through desert trails Cold plunges and wellness sessions with local experts We’d love to connect you with our favorite local guides and practitioners.
Other Details to Note
— Number of guest The entire property has 3 bedrooms. The maximum capacity is 6. — Parking Please use the large driveway space for parking your vehicles. Please do not block the entry / exit of the property with your vehicle in case of emergency. — Oven Please make sure to turn on the vent while using the oven, if cooking something smokey you should also open the window above the sink to let in a little more air. Note that the oven only turns on when you turn the timer on (oven heat control is the centre right knob, timer is the centre left knob). Also please ensure all knobs are turned completely to OFF when not in use. — Jacuzzi (no extra fees) Please shower before use. The temperature control can be controlled by repeatedly pressing the temperature icon on the control panel on the edge of the Jacuzzi. Please do not turn the heat above 104 as this may cause damage to the system. Please don’t put any liquid/solid soap into it, any extra costs occurring will be charged. No glass is aloud near the jacuzzi. Guests will take all liability and responsibility for your own safety. — Pool Our cowboy pool is not heated, but it is filtered. Please shower before use, and take care. We have the pool cleaned out twice a week, but you may find some stray leaves in there. Use the net to remove any surface leaves before use. Note that the cowboy pool is closed in winter months. Anyone under 18 needs his/her parent’s present while swimming or near the pool for safety reasons. No diving and no glass near the pool. The guests will take full liability and responsibility for your own and your guests safety. — Pets Two well-behaved pups allowed. There is a $95 pet fee, which is paid when booking. No pups on the furniture and no pups left alone in the house (without being crated) or in the yard. Please be aware that there are snakes and coyotes in the desert. — Broken Items We understand that accidents happen, if anything breaks down - even if it's your fault - let us know so we can send someone to fix it or replace it for you and future guests. — Plumbing All houses in Joshua Tree are on a Septic Tank system. For this reason nothing can be flushed down the toilet except toilet paper. Following these guidelines will avoid problems with the plumbing. — Security Camera According to the requirements from Insurance Company, there are security cameras facing the main house entrance and back entrance. — Film/Video and Photos Our property is a beautiful place to shoot photos and videos, we welcome you to tag us on Insta at @shiftingsandshouse. Any shoots with any commercial purposes are priced at a different rate and must be cleared with us in advance of your stay. If you are in doubt, inquire first. We will charge $5000 per violation, plus production fee up to $575/hour. — No-Smoking Smoking (including E-Cig) is not allowed inside or within 15 feet exterior door. Please dispose cigarettes into a plastic bag and put it in the outdoor trash can. Please take care as there is a high fire risk in the desert. Ensure butts are completely out before disposing. — Checking Out Please check out of our Airbnb rental by 11:00AM. Please checking out by this time ensures that we have enough time to clean the property and get it ready for our next guest. •Check in time 4:00PM •Check out time 11:00AM WILDLIFE: The desert is alive with nature, you may see coyotes, lizards, rabbits, or hear owls at night. Insects and snakes are rare but part of the ecosystem. We recommend keeping doors closed and pets supervised. The property is treated monthly for pests and well-maintained for guest comfort.
Availability
What this place offers
Amenities
Common
- Air conditioning
- Cleaning products
- Cooking basics Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper
- Dishes and silverware
- Essentials Towels, bed sheets, soap, toilet paper, and pillows
- Hair dryer
- Heating Central heating or a heater in the listing
- Hot tub
- Kitchen Space where guests can cook their own meals
- Dedicated workspace
- Pool Private or Shared
- TV
- Wifi
Outdoors
- Alfresco dining
- BBQ
- Fire pit
- Garden or backyard
- Outdoor seating
- Patio
- Sun loungers
Kitchen and dining
- Baking sheet
- Barbecue utensils
- Blender
- Coffee
- Coffee maker
- Dining table
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Hot water kettle
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Rice maker
- Stove
- Toaster
- Wine glasses
Common
- Air conditioning
- Cleaning products
- Cooking basics Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper
- Dishes and silverware
- Essentials Towels, bed sheets, soap, toilet paper, and pillows
- Hair dryer
- Heating Central heating or a heater in the listing
- Hot tub
- Kitchen Space where guests can cook their own meals
- Dedicated workspace
- Pool Private or Shared
- TV
- Wifi
Outdoors
- Alfresco dining
- BBQ
- Fire pit
- Garden or backyard
- Outdoor seating
- Patio
- Sun loungers
Kitchen and dining
- Baking sheet
- Barbecue utensils
- Blender
- Coffee
- Coffee maker
- Dining table
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Hot water kettle
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Rice maker
- Stove
- Toaster
- Wine glasses
Bathroom
- Bathtub
- Conditioner
- Hot Water
- Shampoo
- Shower gel
Bedroom and laundry
- Bed linens
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Hangers
- Iron
- Room-darkening shades
- Clothing storage
Family
- Board games
- High chair
- Travel crib
Entertainment
- Books
- Exercise equipment
- Sound system
Home safety
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Smoke detector
Heating and cooling
- Ceiling fan
- Indoor fireplace
Services
- Cleaning before checkout
- Long term stays allowed Allow stay for 28 days or more
Parking and facilities
- Free parking on premises
- Single level home No stairs in home
Location features
- Laundromat nearby
- Private entrance Separate street or building entrance
House Rules
Accessibility
Neighborhood
Situated on top of a hill in 'Moonlight Mesa' a picturesque area in north Joshua Tree with views of the several mountain ranges including the San Jacinto range. 15 mins from the JT National Monument Entrance, 10 mins from Downtown Joshua Tree and all it's amenities. Walking distance to the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum.
Guest Access
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Approximate location. Full address will be provided on booking.