Pioneertown...the second happiest place on earth

Sounds like an attraction at Disneyland, huh? Get this, we think it might be better. For one it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to go--it’s FREE! (Minus gas of course.)

This little gem is nestled out in the middle of Yucca Valley, close to Joshua Tree. I have to give my hubby props for finding this place. I think our Saturday morning conversation went something like this:

CHRIS
Where do you want to go for our weekend adventure?

CAITLYN
I don’t care. Something cheap.

Chris walks over to computer.
Wearing boxers.
Eating bagel and drinking coffee.
Uses "the Google" (this is a G.W. Bush reference.)

5 minutes pass.

CHRIS:
We are going to Pioneertown. It looks freakin’ awesome

CAITLYN
Cool

Caitlyn looks at computer search history.
Thinks to herself, how does he find these places?
Hopes they can stop by Starbucks on the way.

Pioneertown in a nutshell

• It was built in 1946 as a movie set for westerns. The movie set was designed to provide a place for the actors to live, and at the same time to have their homes used as part of the movie set.

• Mock gunfights are staged on weekends from April through October along Pioneertown's Main Street. The cast is great and ends the show by asking the kids to say, "I promise to be the best I can be." I really liked their positive attitudes, even if they did shoot one another. Plus, every kid goes home with a bandanna.
• There is a really cool bar/restaurant called Pappy and Harriet’s Palace that serves drinks in mason jars and BBQ off the grill. Not sure why, but drinks just taste better out of a mason jar.

SHE SAID:

• Wear shoes. I always thought everyone in old Westerns looked dirty, well so did I after wearing sandals
• Bring $1 bills. The “Pioneertown Posse” works on donations only. All of the actors are volunteers.
• Bring sunscreen. There isn’t a whole lot of shade and depending on when you go it might be pretty hot.
• Stick around after the gun fight and they might let your kids sit on a horse for pictures. However, I can't guarantee they will look as cute as my cowboy. :)

HE SAID:

• Take the long way. On our way home, I noticed we missed a turn on the way into town that resulted in a much longer drive. But, the scenic route was well worth it. We even spotted a cool geoglyph, if you're into that sort of thing.
• Bring cooler.
• Check fluids in car.
• Eat local. Pappy and Harriet’s looked awesome; we'll have to check it out next time.
• Be on the lookout for famous people--we aren't kidding. We saw Rob Corddry from Hot Tub Time Machine, among other things. Probably figured TMZ wouldn't be in Pioneertown.

So friends, you ask....

1. Do we plan on going back? YES
2. Do we recommend this place to friends with and without kids? YES
3. Did we feel like we missed the memo to wear our skinny jeans and grungy flannel tees ? YES (there was a two-day music event called Clean Air Clear Stars going on at Pappy and Harriet's. Seriously, check out their Web site. They have live music like 5 night a week and some well-know artists have played there.)

Bottom line, this place is awesome! Fill up the gas tank, hop in the car, and explore Pioneertown. You won't regret it.