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From a wacky spaceship theme to an open-air bedroom under the stars, a pair of travel experts have opened the doors to four of California’s craziest vacation rentals.
Kara and Nate Buchanan from Nashville, Tennessee, set out to visit four unusual properties spread across the Joshua Tree Desert to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary.
In a YouTube video documenting their adventure, they provide a detailed walkthrough of each of the properties before hitting the road again.
They start at the famous Kellogg Doolittle House, which was inspired by dinosaur fossils, and the duo describes it as more of a “work of art” than a home.
Scroll down to learn more about this property, which costs a staggering $6,500 per night, and the three other places Kara and Nate tried out.
Kellogg Doolittle House
The quirky so-called Desert House on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park was designed by Kendrick Bangs Kellogg
In total, the home features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with sleek, minimalist interiors that extend throughout the house.
Kara and Nate tell viewers on their YouTube tour that while the home “looks amazing from above,” the “details inside may be even more impressive.”
Inside they reveal that the abode is inspired by dinosaur fossils and there are ‘a lot of things… that look like skeletons or vertebrae or bones’.
The quirky Desert House, located on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park, was designed by Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, an architect known for his bold and pioneering designs, and was completed in 1993 after five years of construction.
In total, the house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with elegant and minimalist interiors.
Kara and Nate tell viewers on their YouTube tour that while the house “looks crazy from above,” the “details inside could be even more impressive.”
Inside they reveal that the abode is inspired by dinosaur fossils and there are ‘a lot of things… that look like skeletons or vertebrae or bones’.
There are also rocks integrated into the structure, with glass panels and walls built to accommodate the desert rocks.
But one of the couple’s favorite features is one of the bedrooms that features a 14-foot-wide circular bed.
The Desert House was available on Airbnb for $6,500 a night, but has since been removed. Those interested in staying there can now access a dedicated website at www.kelloggdoolittlehouse.com.
Mars Hangar
Looking for an out-of-this-world experience, the couple checked into a hangar near Joshua Tree National Park designed in the image of a spaceship.
As they take a tour of the four-bedroom retreat, the couple say they are “obsessed” with the futuristic interiors.
Details include two capsule-style bedrooms, colorful LED lights in the bedrooms and kitchen, and Stormtroopers located in the living room.
Looking for an out-of-this-world experience, the couple checked into a hangar near Joshua Tree National Park designed in the image of a spaceship.
As they tour the four-bedroom retreat, the couple say they are “obsessed” with the futuristic interiors.
Details include two-module bedrooms, coloured LED lights in the bedrooms and kitchen, as well as Stormtroopers located in the living room.
Stepping outside, the duo shows off the massive backyard, complete with a “super cute patio area, hanging lights, fire pit… hot tub and lots of hammocks.”
There is also a large above-ground pool.
In the evening, after watching television on the big screen, the couple wanders around the sleeping capsules.
Nate tells viewers the pods were plenty spacious to sleep in, with LEDs in the ceiling, and he gave the mattress his seal of approval.
He Mars Hangar It’s currently available for just under $400 per night on Airbnb.
Invisible house
Another unique property the couple landed on is the famous ‘Invisible House’ in California.
Designed by film producers Chris and Roberta Hanley, the 5,500-square-foot home is constructed of mirrored panels that reflect the desert landscape.
Highlights include contemporary bedrooms and bathrooms with prime desert views, a 100-foot indoor pool, an open-plan kitchen area and a TV on wheels so it can be positioned freely.
That night, the couple celebrates their anniversary by trying to watch a movie while lying on floats in the pool.
Another unique property the couple found themselves in is the famous “Invisible House” in California.
Designed by film producers Chris and Roberta Hanley, the 5,500-square-foot home is constructed of mirrored panels that reflect the desert landscape.
When they arrive at the unusual rented apartment, Kara exclaims, “Oh my God. It’s so much bigger than it looked…” It’s huge!
After entering the property, he continues: ‘This place is crazy, it’s unique, it’s weird… extremely impractical to live there full time, but very exciting to live there 24 hours a day.’
Highlights include contemporary bedrooms and bathrooms with prime desert views, a 100-foot indoor pool, an open-plan kitchen area and a TV on wheels so it can be positioned freely.
Kara seems to be seduced by the kitchen and describes it as the kitchen of “my dreams.”
She continues: ‘LLook at all this counter space! When you live in a van (like we do), “You get to appreciate things like this. It’s huge!”
That night, the couple celebrates their anniversary by trying to watch a movie while lying on floats in the pool.
He Invisible house Pricing starts at just over $2,500 per night on Airbnb and can accommodate eight guests.
A paradise full of rocks
For a true desert experience, Kara and Nate stayed in an Airbnb with an outdoor bed.
Despite being outdoors, they note on their tour that the place has a private feel with giant rocks scattered throughout and even comes with a fire pit and hot tub.
While trying to make it work for a night, they get too cold and end up sleeping in the cabin that accompanies the rental.
They gave the cozy cabin a big thumbs up and said they especially liked the garage that had been converted into a pool room.
For a true desert experience, Kara and Nate stayed at an Airbnb with a outdoor bed.
Despite being outdoors, they mention on their tour that the place has a private feel with giant rocks scattered around and even comes with a fire pit and hot tub.
While trying to spend a night there, they feel too cold and end up sleeping in the cabin that accompanies the rental accommodation.
Nate tells viewers: ‘It turns out the bed came with an entire house.
‘I promise we had every intention of sleeping there last night, but we woke up in the middle of the night and it was freezing cold and there was a nice, warm bed waiting for us inside.’
They highly praised the cozy cabin and said they especially liked the garage, which had been converted into a pool room.
High West House: A Rock-Filled Paradise starts at just under $600 per night on Airbnb.
