Two Pepper Ranch

Lure of the Wild

A little bit country, and a little bit 70s-inspired rock and roll, this hip desert haven offers a design-forward, five-acre outpost in the California wilds. A rugged California ranch-style home, it rises from the prickly foothills of the Mojave, offering easy access to Palm Springs’ retro glam, the fun-loving fields of the Coachella Valley, and the otherworldly rockscape of Joshua Tree National Park.

A secluded beacon brightening its arid lot in the sandy scrublands of southern California’s iconic desert, this raised ranch home presents the classic, low-pitch roof line of traditional ranchers, with generous adjustments to its floor plan that include a second-story patio perch and an independent casita. The private retreat of an interior and lifestyle photographer, the home’s pastel palette creates a space that’s relaxing and unaffected, ideal for rest, retreat and wellness practices. Showing off a neo-desert modern influence in its décor, the home has many stand-out features, including a handsome central staircase with metal railings detailing a mountain horizon that mimics the dramatic San Bernardino vistas outdoors.

AROUND

Occupying the western edge of the Mojave Desert, Morongo Valley is rugged desert country—a land of scrub and sand, prickling cactus and thorny shrub, and Jurassic-looking rock formations. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a local destination for hikers and adventurers, a desert oasis of cottonwood and willow trees lining a streambed, creating a marsh habitat for small species. The town of Morongo Valley is home to some 3,000 residents, with services and numerous equestrian facilities in its environs. The desert wilds are better known as home to hip Joshua Tree National Park, retro glam Palm Springs and the new-age artistic playground of the Coachella Valley, but other local draws include the Hollywood remnant of Pioneertown, a Wild West movie set-turned-desert community. 

Outdoor adventures are abundant in the area. Hiking, mountain biking and rock-climbing in and around Joshua Tree National Park and the Yucca Valley are popular, and day trips to the cooler landscapes of the San Jacinto mountains, or Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon are easy drives away. Golf courses, restaurants, bars, and classic architecture fill the mid-century modern oasis of Palm Springs, located an easy drive from the home. The poster child of the Desert Modernism movement, Palm Springs’ iconic strip is dotted with vintage boutiques, hip concept stores, cafes and cocktail bars. The rugged Coachella Valley is also home to lots of outdoor recreation activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.

LOCATION

Morongo Valley, California, United States. Nearest airport: Indio/Palm Springs (20 miles).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round