I'm driving on a dusty road that leads to the Panoramic House in the town of Joshua Tree. The house resembles a cabin inside, with its wood panelling on the walls and furniture from the early 1960's. The outside the house takes me back in time with lawn furniture that could had been used in the TV series "Mad Men". The house is surrounded by Joshua Trees and Palm Trees. In the distance is a rocky butte that seems to be made of many smaller rocks glue together by time. The Panoramic house looks over the valley below, a majestiv view, perfect for a photo shoot, commercial, TV show or a feature.
There is not a lot of parking at this location, but you can fit two motor homes at this location and still have plenty of room to park at least five to seven other vehicles. If you have a large crew you can arrange to park at Copper Mountain College, which is less than five minutes from this location off of Rotary Way and Hwy 62.
In terms of lodging there is the 29 Palms Inn in 29 Palms (760.367.3505), a rustic Inn, made of many cottages and a small pond. There is the Best Western also in 29 Palms 760.367.9141 that can accomadate large and small crews. Large vehicles can park on the street adjacent to the hotel. There is the Holiday Inn Express in 29 Palms (760.456.7870), not advisible for large truck parking. There is a RV dump station in 29 Palms, a Stater Brothers super market, as well as several gas stations that sell diesel fuel.
A GPS can be very tricky, especially if you are driving a large vehicle like I generally do. The best way to this location is take Hwy 62 east from Interstate 10, make a right at Old Cooper Mtn Road (dirt road), left at Sullivan Rd, right at Cooper Mesa Rd. This will take you to the location. (Note, you cannot turn right on Copper Mesa Rd from Hwy 62.) The road is soft in places, as our passenger van driver learned when he drove the van for a shot near Copper Mesa Rd and Highway 62. The van got stuck, as did the AAA truck trying to pull the van out, fortunately a nice guy in a Nissan Frontier 4 X 4 was able to pull the van, and the truck out of arms way. Be careful in this area for soft sand. This property is on private property call Sylvia or Thies before you scout this location.
If you do plan on shooting at this location call Sylvia or Thies at Locations Unlimited 760.343.8327. If you need motor homes, portable restrooms or any questions about this location call me Michael Green at 818.317.7099.
