A Joshua Tree vacation rental for large groups: Desert Ace sleeps 14
Desert Ace is a fully remodeled five-bedroom house in Joshua Tree, California, that sleeps up to 14 guests, with a heated pool and spa, yard games, a covered outdoor dining area and parking for up to eight vehicles.
At a glance
| Guests | Up to 14 |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms and beds | 5 bedrooms, 7 queen beds |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Pool and spa | Private heated pool and spa, two shaded cabanas, loungers |
| Outdoor games | Four-hole putting green, bocce court, cornhole, giant chessboard |
| Dining | Covered outdoor dining area with built-in gas grill; formal indoor dining room |
| Parking | Circular driveway, up to 8 vehicles; on-site EV charger |
| Pets | Up to 2, fee applies |
| Fires | Gas fire pit only; no wood-burning fires |
Fourteen guests share seven queen beds and three bathrooms, so Desert Ace works best for families, couples and friend groups who are comfortable sharing rooms.
Space to spread out
The backyard does most of the work for a big group: the pool and spa, two cabanas, a gas fire pit, and a lawn with a four-hole putting green, a bocce court, cornhole and a giant chessboard. Indoors, the living room has a 65-inch smart TV and an electric fireplace, and a formal dining room gives the whole group a place to sit down together. Central air and fast Wi-Fi run throughout.
Getting a group there
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is the closest airport, about 37 miles and 44 minutes away. Ontario and LAX are roughly 1.5 to 3 hours away depending on traffic. Plan on rental cars for park days; Uber operates in Joshua Tree, but pickups can take longer than in a city. The circular driveway fits up to eight vehicles, and national park entry is charged per vehicle ($30 for 7 days per the National Park Service, so carpooling can cut the cost; check NPS for current fees).
Feeding a crowd
- Groceries: Vons and Stater Bros. in Yucca Valley are about 4 miles (7 to 8 minutes) away. Costco in Palm Desert is about 41 miles (46 minutes), easiest on the drive in from Palm Springs. The Joshua Tree Certified Farmers' Market runs Saturday mornings in the village.
- Cook at home: the covered outdoor dining area has a built-in gas grill.
- Eat out: Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown is a historic BBQ saloon and music venue (about 16 minutes away); book ahead for big nights. The Dez in the village is a takeout-focused all-day eatery, and the Joshua Tree Bottle Shop sells wine, beer and spirits.
Group-friendly outings
- Joshua Tree National Park: Hidden Valley is about 30 minutes away and Keys View about 41 minutes. Popular lots can fill by 8 am on weekends and holidays, so go early.
- Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum: free and self-guided; groups over 10 should arrange ahead.
- Pioneertown: a Western movie-set town about 17 minutes away.
- Horseback riding: Mustang Sanctuary and Knob Hill Ranch both offer guided rides; book online.
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: a day trip, about 48 minutes; hours vary by season, so check before you go.
The full Guest Guide has a map with drive times for every place.