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Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences.

Photo gallery for Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences.

Enjoy a meal at the table under the shady covered outdoor patio.
Front of house - surrounded by cacti and pine trees & faced in lava rock.
A large window in the living room provides present of natural light.
A circular driveway in front of the house provides plenty of parking.
The living room with beautiful vaulted ceiling.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5130.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Joshua Tree, CA
  • Joshua Tree Art Gallery
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Joshua Tree Visitor Center
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Joshua Tree Courthouse
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Twentynine Palms, CA (TNP)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences.

Our 1959 Mid Century Modern home is full of vintage decor that we have carefully selected to make your stay stylish, fun, and comfortable. The house has 2 bedrooms one with a King bed and the other with a Queen size bed. Each bedroom has a Roku flat screen TV with Netflix, Sling, Prime, and Criterion Channel and other streaming channels for your enjoyment. There is also a den with dart board and great stereo with turntable and iPod connection and a convertible sofa that can accommodate extra guests. We have vintage board games, books, and other fun things to entertain you in the house. The house has a very interesting newly remodeled bathroom with large walk in shower. It features terrazzo floors, 2 sinks, 2 toilets, and a shower. A sliding divider allows you to separate the bathroom into a powder room on one side and a full bathroom with shower on the other side. The kitchen features the original tile and knotty pine cabinetry and is fully stocked with kitchen basics like flour, sugar, cooking oil and spices. A large shaded patio area off the kitchen features a shaded patio for outdoor dining. Dimmable outdoor lighting can be adjusted to your mood. A sofa and a hammock are situated to take advantage of the desert views. A propane grill and a ROM 4 Minute Excercise machine are provided for your use. There is new seating under the pine trees arranged around an outdoor fireplace. The living room has a vaulted beamed ceiling and massive lava rock and limestone wood-burning fireplace which serves as a divider between the living room, kitchen, and dining room. There is an awesome stereo in the living room with turntable and iPod connection and a great record selection for your perusal. A 55” TV with Roku and Netflix, Sling, Prime, Criterion Channel, and other streaming channels is connected to the stereo in the living room for awesome sound. The original vintage elements were retained whenever possible and the house has been furnished with period-correct furnishings when possible to create somewhat of a time warp experience. Modern conveniences such as a Bluetooth connected Cambridge stereo receiver and fast and reliable Internet delivered by Spectrum and wifi throughout the house and outdoor areas have been incorporated. Central AC and heat has been recently installed for your year-round comfort. This is a very interesting and comfortable house filled with interesting things and we believe that you will enjoy it. If you are looking for a bland environment this house may not be for you, however.
The outdoor patio is fenced on 3 sides and very private and opens to 1.5 acres of natural desert with views to the surrounding mountains. It is truly a wonderful place to enjoy outdoor meals under the shade or stargaze in front of the outdoor fireplace. The house is located just 9 blocks from the village of Joshua Tree where you will find great restaurants, art galleries, shops, and the Joshua Tree Saloon.

Property manager

Mark Johnston
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Please refer to the attached document Lava House Vacation Rental Rules for a complete list of the House Rules.

Important information

You need to know

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
Property Registration Number CESTRP-2020-00408

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Joshua Tree

Located in Joshua Tree, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Joshua Tree National Park and Joshua Tree Visitor Center, while Joshua Tree Art Gallery and Hi-Desert Cultural Center are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Joshua Tree, CA

What's nearby

  • Joshua Tree Art Gallery - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Joshua Tree Visitor Center - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Hi-Desert Cultural Center - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Joshua Tree Courthouse - 5 min drive - 5.3 km
  • Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance - 7 min drive - 8.3 km

Getting around

  • Palm Springs, CA (PSP-Palm Springs Intl.) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Panda Express - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Steak 'n Shake - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences. ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lava House - Mid-Century Modern! Vintage Vibes & Modern Conveniences. located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Joshua Tree Art Gallery, Joshua Tree Visitor Center and Hi-Desert Cultural Center. Joshua Tree Community Center is 1.8 mi (2.8 km) away.

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. 19 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

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

Great stay

Property had a great vibe. Very well located and peaceful
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marlene Z.

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

Beautiful desert retreat

A perfect location, close to "downtown" Joshua Tree, but with easy access to hiking etc., in a house with lots of personality. We'd stay there again!
Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Franc B., Venice, CA USA

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

Love the Lava House

Perfect … perfect … perfect!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa B.

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

Lava House 2023

Great, comfortable house in an excellent location. Can’t wait to come back. Melissa
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jo B.

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

We LOVE the Lava House! Best VRBO Ever!

Lava House is a gem! It’s super kitsch, with quirky decor that makes it feel unique and welcoming. There are records galore and plenty of pulp fiction books to dive into, making it an absolute paradise for any vintage lover. The hosts are the nicest people you could ask for—they provided wonderful local tips that made our stay even more memorable. The location is ideal, close to everything, and it’s also dog-friendly, which made it perfect for our needs. We absolutely fell in love with this house and our two-month stay. Thank you for an unforgettable experience!
Stayed 63 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn L.

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

Excellent Escape

Wow, what a great getaway! The lava house is beautiful and full of neat touches. Mark has an incredible collection of records and old vintage games to entertain. The location is very close to the park so you can easily hop over for sunsets in Joshua Tree. Overall, we had an incredibly relaxing long weekend and could not recommend more highly.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

John & Rhonda F.

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

LOVED this home. Retro fun & super comfortable

First, the checkin was probably the easiest ever as we got the code in a timely fashion. The neighborhood/location was perfect. Safe area and super close to town and park entrance. Great communication. Regarding the home, we LOVED it!! Retro, kitschy, cozy, comfortable. It was a fun place to stay and we enjoyed grilling & hanging outside in the covered backyard area. Look forward to staying here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

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

Cute fun house, excellent place to stay

Loved this place, lots to do in the house (which was great because we actually had bad weather for a few of the days we stayed). Very comfortable and well appointed.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

laura w.

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

3 nights in joshua tree

Great location and good value if you want quick access to the park and close to the saloon which has great food and a nice atmosphere. Mark was very accommodating, personable and nice and let us check in early since we arrived sooner than expected. Everything was dated, but clean and functional and the bed was comfortable and the outdoor area was pleasurable. It would improve the general sense of enjoyment if there was a bit less junk outside and the frayed lounging chairs were replaced. There was a broken chandelier lying on the ground and I think what was an old soaking tub that had straw in and around it. There was a chair with a woven seat that had broken plastic weaving and some sort of large stainless container that might have been a whirlpool tub outside full of stuff that just added to a run down feel that didn't lend itself to an "i'm on holiday" feel. I get it that Joshua Tree is a place to be chill, but a little effort could make this more inviting. Lots of barking dogs during the night in the neighborhood, which is certainly no reflection on the owner, but if you want to sleep with the windows open I would bring earplugs. The folder in house recommends the Las Palmas Mexican cuisine - the food is inexplicably bland so close to Mexico, the atmosphere was dungeon like and the clientele was obnoxious - a definite skip.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rob D.

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

Close to Joshua Tree NP West Entrance

We stayed at Lava House in early March. Nights were cool around 50°F and daytime highs were in the 70s°F. Lava House is close enough to walk to the Joshua Tree Visitors Center and a 10-minute drive to West Entrance. We visited the park every day. Lava House is comfortable and easy to live in: it sports a well-stocked kitchen with pots and pans, dishes and the like, a private yard, and views of the area from the front and back yards. There is no traffic noise of any kind from highway 62 or the few main streets in Joshua Tree. The beds are comfortable. We used the central heat evenings to keep the chill off. We did not use the fireplace but spent many happy hours finding and listening to quite a few old friends in the owner's LP collection and finding others we had never heard before and glad to have had the opportunity.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

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

Lava House Rocks

One of our favorite vrbo experiences. Lots of thoughtful touches and details, well equipped kitchen, great outdoor sitting area, and an eclectic selection of vinyl LP's available to play. Beds were very comfortable, the neighborhood was quiet. Easy access to the National Park.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Clarke B.

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

House was very clean with easy access to the park. Great vinyl collection!

Very enjoyable
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

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

Great Getaway

Loved our stay at Mark's home. Appreciated his attention to the small details. Will definitely be back in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia R.

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

Fun home!

Excellent home located very close to the national park. We had a great time. Very nice decor and clean. My kids enjoyed the board games and husband enjoyed the darts and records. The records were definitely a highlight to our trip. The backyard was amazing during the day and night! Only thing you need to watch out for those splinters!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Antonio S.

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

Lava House

This house far transcends any other rental I've had. Yes it's stylish with it's lava fireplace and hip decor, but it goes deeper: the grounds are lovely, with terrific views both up and down the mountain, and a private patio that is sheltered by mature pines that provide shade. Yes, there's a great collection of records and nice stereos throughout, as well as an inspired collection of pulp fiction novels from the 50s. Walking distance to downtown. The host was attentive and accessible, checking in on me throughout my stay to see if I needed anything or if I had any questions. There are two hammocks on the property, with one positioned to ideally view the stars. I highly recommend this rental and thank the hosts profusely!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Manali S., Oakland, CA

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

So cool!

My friend and I stayed here and had a great experience. The place is tastefully decorated with entirely vintage and retro objects- it's very impressive! There was plenty of space for me and my friend to hang out together and separately if needed, the house was cool enough for our mid-August stay, the internet worked, and we enjoyed an afternoon on the outdoor patio while we were there. We didn't cook but it looked like a fully stocked kitchen. I would just recommend washing all cups and plates before use because it looked like some had sat untouched for a while. Mark was one of the most responsive hosts I've ever stayed with, he always responded to texts immediately, which was so handy when I had questions. He had a book of recommendations and had a Joshua Tree park map that we could borrow which saved us a trip to the visitor center to get one. Also, this is the location you want for Joshua Tree, it's close to the park and restaurants. Stay here! You'll love it.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stewart F.

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

A very comfortable house with a very tasteful decor and a very inspiring proximity to natural desert

We were wonderfully surprised by the retro art decor and comfort of this property. We enjoyed playing many sounds from the extensive record (LP) collection, enjoying many inspiring books, games and artistic wall hangings. A nice fire place provided warmth with the crackle of fire. The kitchen was very well stocked enabling us to cook many meals using the food and beverages that we brought....standing at the sink, viewing the natural desert environment through a window. The back yard featured a large covered patio that enabled us to stay dry, drinking morning coffee, while the rain and snow fell. The patio cover and the pines in the back yard would offer much protection from summer sun rays also. A patio fire pit is also available. The bedrooms featured comfortable memory-type foam beds. Each bedroom had it's own TV, along with the TV in the living room. All TV's provided many services with entertainment viewing.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

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

Comfortable base camp for Joshua Tree activities

Comfortable, well-equipped house in a great location. We were mostly rained/snowed out of climbing during our trip and enjoyed hunkering down in the house watching the stormy weather outside!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L., San Francisco

Perfect House for a perfect vacation

We absolutely adored this house. Everything was perfect and accommodating. The records were our favorite as well as the design and amenities. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

shell h.

We felt right at home!

The house and its appointments were wonderful. The mid-century modern feel was spot-on! The location was just a few minutes drive to the village and Joshua Tree National Park. Accommodations were very comfortable and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

About the host

Hosted by Mark Johnston

Host profile image
We recently relocated permanently to Joshua Tree from the Silverlake area of Los Angeles and operate several vacation rentals in Joshua Tree. Laura teaches yoga and owned a yoga studio - Glendale Yoga in Glendale, CA - which is now closed but continues to offer classes through Zoom from Joshua Tree. We both grew up in Cincinnati, OH but have lived in California for 30 years. We love everything that California has to offer but are particularly enamored with the beautiful scenery and interesting community of Joshua Tree.

Why they chose this property

The architecture of this property was particularly appealing to us. The house was built by Arch Brothers Construction in 1959. It incorporates their signature 4" X 16" CMU masonry. Rumors are that the masonry blocks were fabricated in Joshua Tree and incorporate the local sand. The Arch Brothers were talented stone masons and this house features a massive lava rock and Texas limestone fireplace and black slate and terrazzo tile flooring along with the block construction. We loved that nearly all of the original MCM features of the house were intact when we purchased the house.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests