Beautiful Vacation Rental with Swimming Pool and Fire Pit in Joshua Tree, California

Description

This vacation rental is the former home of internationally acclaimed artist Andrea Zittel, situated on a sprawling 80-acre compound (A-Z West) filled with site-specific artworks and direct access to Joshua Tree National Park. A-Z West is an evolving testing ground for living—a place in which spaces, objects, and acts of living all intertwine into a single ongoing investigation into what it means to exist and participate in our culture today.

Recently Featured in Travel & Leisure Magazine, April 2023

Since the early 1990s, Andrea Zittel has used the arena of day-to-day life to create sculptures and living situations that challenge typical notions of “how to live.” Within her house, Andrea used herself as a self-proclaimed human guinea pig in countless artworks that tested the boundaries of living. The outcomes of these experiments can be found in the house’s various spaces, objects and systems, all of which have been prototyped and reworked countless times before being collectively preserved as a complete artwork. Nearly every inch of the house has been customized or touched by Zittel with purpose and consideration. At the end of 2021, Andrea moved off A-Z West and her house is now available for private stays.

HIGHLIGHTS
► 2 Spacious Bedrooms, 1 King, 1 Full
► 2 Full Bathrooms | Large bathtub
► Cold soaking tub (turned off in winter months, Nov-April)
► 80 acre compound | Exterior art installations
► Fully equipped kitchen with premium appliances & AZ containers
► 3 Patios | Outdoor shower
► Wood burning fireplaces, wood provided
► Living room encircled by books and art. No Television
► Pet friendly
► High-Speed Internet with designated workspace
► Featured in New York Times T Magazine and Travel & Leisure Magazine, April 2023

Includes:
- Full-time, local support team
- Locally roasted coffee & pantry essentials
- Parachute towels & linens and Public Goods natural body products
- Concierge-like support to help you unplug, unwind, & engage with the High Desert



Here Are a Few Kind Words From Our Previous Guests:

“It was one of the best places I have stayed when away from home. The place is surely inspirational and owner's creative spirit was everywhere to be seen and felt.” -Neeta

“The house & everything in and around it is a conscious exercise in intentionality, functionality & aesthetics. We came here looking for a peaceful retreat and left inspired & rejuvenated” -Victoria

“Incredibly unique property and memorable visit. Close to downtown Joshua Tree by car yet felt remote in a good way. Hiking right out the back door. The art of the home and its furnishings stimulated great conversation and reflection.” -Chris


High Desert Test Sites stewards AZ West and is a nonprofit arts institution that supports and fosters experimental artwork in the Joshua Tree region. All proceeds from this accommodation rentals will support High Desert Test Sight's mission to create a comprehensive nonprofit art institution offering residencies, workshops, exhibitions, and community-engaged public arts programs.


--HOME DETAILS--

While at this vacation rntal visitors will live in and with Andrea’s art as she originally intended and be immersed in the ethos and environment of A-Z West. Staff is often available to guide visitors through the site, sharing their extensive knowledge of Andrea’s artworks, as well as their deep understanding of our high desert region. Visitors will experience the Mojave Desert holistically, providing greater insight and fostering meaningful connections with this amazing place.

-OUTDOOR SPACE-
The three distinct outdoor areas are intentionally integrated into the natural desert landscape.

The front patio features sunken-style benches that look out onto Joshua Tree. These conversation pits are perfect for small gatherings or simply enjoying the sunset, positioned just right, facing west.

The enclosed yard on the east side of the house is outfitted with lounge furniture, a small soaking tub (turned off in winter months, Nov-April), outdoor bed and shower.

The third patio, between the house and the boulders, offers a propane fire pit, and seating under the shade of a palo verde tree, and stairs leading up the hill onto the trails behind Andrea’s house. The house is surrounded by native plants, inviting a range of daily wildlife visitors.


-BEDS & BATHS-
The main bedroom and bathroom floors are cohesively tiled with rectilinear forms echoed on the walls and other artworks in the house. These forms integrate the different spaces as well as contextualize the shapes of other furniture such as the paneled bed platform and custom light fixtures. This bedroom includes a queen bed, mini-split for AC/Heat and ample built-in closet space. The bathroom includes lime-based plaster walls, custom vanity, and shower with access to the enclosed backyard where the outdoor shower is.

The second bedroom and bath can easily serve as a live-work space with shared access to a large office. This bedroom, which was Andrea’s son’s room, contains a full-size bed, small custom-built desk and wardrobe. The office, which looks out onto the boulder-filled backyard, contains a desk space spanning the length of the room and the bath contains a large soaking tub. **The second bedroom is the only room without AC and therefore can be quite warm during the summer.

Premium parachute linens and Onsen towels are stocked throughout, and Public Goods body products are provided in each bathroom.


-KITCHEN & DINING-
The kitchen, with A-Z West’s emblematic tiles covering the floor and back wall, is equipped with basic appliances for day-to-day cooking and dining seating for four next to a second wood burning stove. In line with Andrea’s practice of using A-Z Containers for all eating and drinking functions, the kitchen includes a variety of these ceramic bowls created by hand in our studio. From the kitchen and dining area, one may view and access the open, boulder strewn backyard, with steps leading right onto a trail.

Noteworthy Items:
• Outdoor dining table beneath mature Palo Verde, set for four
• Baking sheets, pots, pans and tinfoil
• Blender, toaster & dishwasher
• Cooking oil, salt & pepper and a few spices as well
• Tea, locally roasted coffee, and sugar in the raw. This home includes a tea kettle and French press.


-LIVING-
The living room houses Linear Sequence, an artwork custom built for the space. This singular piece of furniture serves several different purposes from lounging with a book to conversing with another over tea. Each surface of the work reflects a different use and gently guides you from one use to another. The living room also houses a majority of Andrea’s personal book collection, records, record player, and other artworks such as Vertical Accumulators. Vertical Accumulators, which take the form of hand-molded bronze hooks, are used throughout the house but in this room serve a particular function of holding years’ worth of dried tea bags. These remnants of individual cups of tea, echo a time when Andrea experimented with living independently of conventional time, tracking her time idiosyncratically by marking moments of consumption like bags of tea and cans of beer. The living room also includes a wood burning stove and access to the enclosed backyard.

-ESSENTIALS-
---Parking is available for three vehicles and two additional day guests are allowed until 10pm.

---There is a small washer & dryer available, though you must ask us for access in advance

---It is equipped with high speed WiFi and is heated and cooled by two mini-splits, which keep the cabin comfortable throughout the year. The house also contains an evaporative cooler and two wood-burning stoves, heating and air conditioning.

-ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS-
Visitors come to the High Desert for its unique landscape, culture, and recreational opportunities, as well as for the weather - hot and dry summers and mild winters at our high altitude. Joshua Tree and the communities surrounding the Joshua Tree National Park include Flamingo Heights, Pioneertown, Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, and Landers. You’ll be close everything at Andrea Zittel's Joshua Tree Home. Some of our favorite options are…

–Joshua Tree National Park: 800,000 acres of mystical beauty - Joshua Tree National Park is one of the world’s most incredible natural desert treasures. Sweeping, grand in scale and populated by granite monoliths and voluptuous rock and boulder formations. This quiet land, conducive to meditation and roaming, was carved by extremes in climate - wind, rain and an ever-present, relentless sun. Diverse forms of plant life are found everywhere, but none as unique or prevalent as the park’s namesake: the Joshua tree, standing majestically across the vast topography.

–Pioneertown: Step back in time to thus rustic Old West-style village. Wander through the historic buildings, visit unique shops, catch a live music performance at Pappy & Harriets, and experience the Wild West charm.

–The Integratron: New age-y healing destination with a sound bath, originally designed by ufologist George Van Tassel with the goal of reversing the aging process.

Everything at your fingertips and more, when you book with us today!

Please contact us if you have any questions about the home and please note that staff on site is limited and not always available for tours. Please contact High Desert Test Sites in advance if you want to book an official tour.

We look forward to welcoming you!

You will have the entire house and property to yourself, though because this home sits within A-Z West there will often be staff or artists passing by on the road or working in the structures or tortoise sanctuary next door to the home. You are welcome to wander and visit any art installations outside and hike into the park from the backyard, but please do not bother anyone inside a home or structure, except for the office/studio. There is not always staff on site to assist, but if they are in the studio they would love to assist you with an orientation of A-Z West.

Only registered guests are allowed, unless specifically agreed upon during the booking process. Any unannounced guests will be asked to leave and the reservation may be cancelled at will.

Also note, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO USE OF OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES (OHV) IN THIS AREA.

This Joshua Tree area is renowned for its forever vistas of the Mojave Desert and its proximity to the national park. The quiet neighborhood offers a tranquil vibe and big, open skies, so you’ll feel like you’re miles away from it all, but plenty of restaurants and things to do just a mile away in Joshua Tree Village. This particular house is adjacent to the national park and you are able to walk right into it from the back yard.

When you’re ready to hike, bike, or climb, Joshua Tree National Park’s Main entrance is just a 5-minute drive away.

This is a remote location down dirt roads, so please take it slow. While a car is required to get around, a four wheel drive car is not, but note that roads will often have ruts, particularly after a rain.

• SOAKING POOL: This is a small soaking pool that is not heated. It is fantastic for cooling off after a hike or on a hot day, but is not operational during the winter months except with advanced request.

• A-Z WEST COMPOUND: This home sits within A-Z West. You are welcome to wander and visit any art installation, but there is not always staff on site to assist and sometimes there are other artists in residence within the other living areas.

• EVENTS & COMMERCIAL PHOTOSHOOTS: Are not permitted without prior approval, applicable permit and additional fees.

• DOGS: Your dog is welcome and there is a one time fee of $100. Please alert us in advance. Max of 2 dogs. No other types of animals are authorized.

• CELL SERVICE: Cell phone service availability and quality in the high desert varies by service provider. This is particularly true in the more remote areas of Joshua Tree, Pipes Canyon, and Pioneertown. Please be prepared by enabling wifi calling or downloading a VOIP program.

VACATION RENTAL AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT A LEASE AND CONVEYS NO RIGHTS IN REAL PROPERTY AT ANY TIME. YOUR USE IS LIMITED TO THAT DEFINED HEREIN.

• The number of people in the home may not exceed the number of guests in your reservation confirmation without our prior approval (regardless of whether they are staying the night or just visiting). Additional guest fees starting at $65 per person per night will apply for any unauthorized persons.

•Your sole right to access the property begins with the 3PM check-in and ends at the 11AM check-out, unless other times are approved in writing in advance. Check-in is not allowed after 9PM unless approved in writing in advance. If you violate these rules, we may charge up to 50% of the daily rate for an early arrival and/or late check-out.

• Dogs are allowed with prior written permission, only with the payment of an additional cleaning fee, and only at certain properties. Dog owners agree to the following additional rules: use protective sheets that we will leave out for you to cover any place where your dog may lie (we are not equipped to shampoo furniture or rugs or dry clean bedding after your departure); outside the house dogs are to be leashed at all times (there are coyotes in the High Desert, which present danger to unleashed dogs) and owners must immediately pick up after their dogs and deposit waste in a plastic bag and place it in the garbage bin; dogs are not to be left unattended in the house at any time. In addition to our additional dog cleaning fee, we will deduct the costs of extra cleaning or repairs necessitated by the presence of your dog.

• Recreational vehicles, motorcycles and camping or other overnight accommodations outside the home are not allowed. Violations of this policy will result in termination of the reservation with no refund.

• We do not guarantee the speed or availability of internet service. Internet service is provided by a satellite and/or wireless provider and may be subject to more fluctuations and outages than you are used to. No illegal or abusive use of the Internet access is allowed.

• Cell service may not be available at the property due to the rural nature and geography of the area.

• The High Desert occasionally has power outages. We are not responsible for any general outages of Southern California Edison.

• No photoshoots are allowed on the property without prior written approval and the payment of additional fees. Unauthorized use of the rental property’s name, address, or images, including its interior, exterior, and / or private property surroundings, for any commercial use including but not limited to selling, advertising, TV, film production, electronic, or other media, is not permitted and we will seek to have any use removed.

• Special events such as weddings and parties are not permitted without written approval and the payment of additional fees.

• Guests who utilize a home’s hot tub, pools and/or plunge pool do so at their own risk and we are not liable for any personal injury or other damages associated with such use. Guests may not use glass or pottery glassware, plates, etc. in or anywhere near any such water amenity. If any glass or pottery ware is broken in or near a water amenity, you will be charged the full amount to drain and refill the amenity and for any lost revenue during such service. Guests may not leave minors unattended at any hot tub, pool or plunge pool.

• Guests shall allow the property owner or any designated workers access to the property for landscaping and routine maintenance, cleaning, repairs and building inspections, and pool and hot tub repairs and service.

• If for any reason beyond the control of the owner, the property is unavailable, we may cancel your reservation with only a refund to the actual fees and / or deposits you have paid.

• Smoking is not allowed inside the house or within 15 feet of any exterior door. Please dispose of your extinguished cigarette waste into a plastic bag and then into the outdoor garbage can. Do not leave cigarette waste on the grounds. If these rules are violated, we will charge a minimum of $250.

• Propane firepits or fireplaces may not be used for burning wood or any other materials (it is illegal pursuant to a county ordinance and may damage the fixture). If any combustible materials are burned in them, we will charge a minimum of $500 cleaning fee.

• By making your reservation, you confirm that you will comply with (and your stay is allowed by) any applicable health or safety orders from the State of California.

• We do not allow firearms on the property. If you are a firearms carrier, your firearm must remain off the property.

• Rental Ordinance. Please pay attention to the relevant short-term rental ordinances in accordance with county or city guidelines. If you violate any ordinance and as a result the property is fined, you will be responsible for payment of the fine.

• Payment terms. Payments are due 50% at 60 days before check-in and 50% at 30 days before check-in (or at the time of reservation if less than the days for either payment).

• Deposit policy. A deposit is required at the time of booking and any unused portion will be returned 7 days after checkout.

• We may withhold all or part of your deposit if you fail to follow the rules in this agreement, the property listing or the property house manual. If the cost of the damages, losses, or missing items exceed the amount of the deposit, we will bill your credit card for the difference and / or pursue legal action. Cause(s) for withholding deposit funds include, but are not limited to: damage to premises or contents, missing or broken items, lost keys, required excessive cleaning, not complying fully with the departure checklist, smoke odors or damage, mailing charges for items left behind, unauthorized persons visiting or staying on the property, the presence of a dog without authorization, noise complaints after 10PM, including fines, trespassing on neighboring properties, and unauthorized late check-out.

Book your dream holiday glamping rental near Joshua Tree today!