Experience the Old Western Movie Set of Pioneertown
Photo by Hope Stretch
Just over two hours from Los Angeles, there is little desert city called Pioneertown near Joshua Tree National Park. This expansive western set looks frozen in the old western days of dust and tumbleweeds. You can wander, shop, eat barbecue, and sometimes watch live music in this quirky little town.
To Get There
Address: 53626 Mane St, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Free parking
Free to visit
On Saturdays they have old west fast draw reenactments
Photo by Hope Stretch
The History of Pioneertown
Pioneertown, a western movie set, was founded in 1946 by a group of Hollywood investors, including actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Actors would stay in the quaint western town while they were working on the set.
Photo by Hope Stretch
They have recently turned some of the old western buildings into shops that sell handmade pottery, leather goods, jewelry, and more. There is a jail cell, a hotel, a bank, old wagon wheels and bails of hay. It's an adorable and uniquely well kept rustic town.
Photo by Hope Stretch
Pappy & Harriets Music Venue and Barbecue
Pioneertown is also home to Pappy & Harriets, which has great live music and draws in loads of talent to perform out in the middle of the desert. In 2016 during the festival Desert Trip, Sir Paul McCartney showed up unannounced at Pappy's to play for an audience of 300 very lucky people. I've seen many shows at Pappy's, and loved them all. The biggest names I've seen there are Bob Moses and Miike Snow during Coachella 2015. They created a stage on the back patio under the desert stars and it was magic.
Photo by Hope Stretch
If you walk down "Mane Street" towards the end you'll find some junk art. An odd smattering of toys, glass, junked cars and plants all arranged in odd fashions. My favorite display is some a quirky typewriter art installation with vintage colorful school desks.
Whether it's barbecue, music, or the Wild West I love taking friends and family to visit this quirky little town.
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