California Welcome Center: Yucca Valley

06/19/2025

Opening night the Field Museum

06/19/2025

What an amazing opening night. Nothing like 5000 people in a museum having a party.

06/14/2025

Heading to Chicago for an amazing travel show. Proud to showcase California's Desert Region.

06/05/2025

Josh Jackson to Open “Never Underestimate the Desert” Day at 29PBF
We’re thrilled to welcome author and public lands advocate Josh Jackson to the Twentynine Palms Book Festival! Jackson will kick off our “Never Underestimate the Desert” programming on Day 2 (Nov. 8) with a talk on his powerful new book, The Enduring Wild (publishing June 24). Published by Heyday Books, this vivid, photo-rich work takes readers on a sweeping road trip through California’s 15 million acres of public wilderness, including the Mojave. A SoCal native and founder of the Forgotten Lands Project, Jackson explores Indigenous histories, conservation threats, and the urgent politics of land protection. Featured in the LA Times and followed by 26K+ on Instagram, Josh brings lyrical storytelling and sharp advocacy to often-overlooked terrain. His presence at the festival will remind us all why these wild places matter. Book signing to follow the session. Follow for updates.

06/04/2025

TWENTYNINE PALMS BOOK FESTIVAL | 7-9 Nov.
This book festival is proudly supported by Visit 29 Palms.

Registration is now open for the Twentynine Palms Book Festival, taking place November 7–9, 2025. You can now reserve your spot via Eventbrite. We recommend registering early, as seating for certain events will be limited.

This year’s festival will feature over 100 guest authors and a three-day program of talks, live discussions, readings, and workshops. Highlights include the Independent Authors & Publishers Expo, a dedicated Young Readers Zone, and a series of evening literary events staged throughout the city. A preview of the program is available here.
Held in the small desert town of Twentynine Palms, the festival offers a more personal and immersive experience—allowing you to meet authors up close in a setting that’s both quiet and expansive. Many of the writers featured this year have deep ties to the Mojave and draw inspiration from its stark, beautiful landscape. To learn more about the area and plan your stay, visit Visit29.org. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Festival Buzz: 39 Authors Confirmed (and Counting) for 29PBF 2025!
With five months to go, the Twentynine Palms Book Festival is already shaping up to be our most exciting edition yet—39 authors are confirmed to participate, and the list continues to grow weekly. You can view the updated lineup directly on our website. This diverse group includes poets, novelists, memoirists, essayists, journalists, and children's authors, many of whom will take part in our live discussions, readings, panels, and workshops.

All confirmed authors’ books will be available ahead of the festival at Desert General’s recently expanded bookstore, now open 7 days a week in Tin Town, just steps from Kitchen in the Desert, the Hi-Desert’s newest food destination.

05/22/2025

We have pre-sale carnival tickets available at the California Welcome Center. We're open 9am-4pm daily! Come by and get your pre-sale tickets through Memorial Day and save!

05/21/2025

Looking for something exciting and fun to do? Discover the most iconic spots in Joshua Tree National Park with knowledgeable guides, who will share insights on the desert’s unique geology and the rich cowboy history of the area. Adventure Hummer Tours leaves from the California Welcome Center daily. Save $10 when booking through our website.

05/13/2025

CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER 7th Annual Call For Art!

The California Welcome Center of Yucca Valley is proud to host its 7th statewide California call for art. This artist opportunity is open to all eligible California residents. All eligible submissions will be reviewed by our California Judges. Winners will have their submitted work displayed at the California Welcome Center in Yucca Valley, for a duration of 12 months. Our Center welcomes more than 22,000 visitors every year, including thousands of visitors coming for the Joshua Tree National Park, and an engaged local community of art lovers and dynamic businesses. Winners will be chosen from 4 categories of "California" themed art - Paintings, Photography, Mixed Media, and People's Choice.

For complete details visit https://californiawelcomecenter.com/art-contest/

California Welcome Center hosts an annual California Art Competition. Winners can display art in this Yucca Valley visitors' center.

05/12/2025

29 Palms City Parks & Rec Dept is hosting an Event Planning & Permitting Workshop on May 28 at 29 Palms City Hall Council Chambers.

This informative session is designed to assist anyone interested in hosting events within the City of Twentynine Palms. Whether you’re planning a community gathering, special celebration, fundraiser, or public performance, this workshop will walk you through the event permitting process, requirements for using City facilities and public spaces, and best practices for organizing a successful and safe event.

Event is free to attend. No RSVP required. For more info, contact the Parks & Rec Dept at 760.367.7562.

05/10/2025

We have discounted tickets for The Living Desert. Stop by the California Welcome Center today and get $5.00 off while supplies last!

Located at 56711 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley | Across from Del Taco