Private stargazing observatory, game room, hot tub

Entire home in Yucca Valley, California

  1. 8 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 2 baths
Hosted by Michelle
  1. Superhost
  2. 5 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 1% of homes

This home is one of the highest ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

20-min drive to Joshua Tree National Park

This home is near the national park.

Enjoy the pool and hot tub

Swim or soak at this home.
*Rare OMG! Airbnb*

Featured by Airbnb in their media channels as one of the most unique stays in the world!

Observatory Retreat is a first-of-a-kind, patent-pending experience that provides you exclusive access to a fully automated high-tech observatory!

Observatory is a weather-dependent nighttime-only amenity.

You’ll also enjoy all of the following:
+ Two game rooms
+ Hot tub under the stars
+ 360 deg. views
+ Outdoor deck
+ Outdoor games
+ Fire pit
+ L2 EV charger*
+ FAST wifi
+ Gated

The space
*Featured in Space Tourism Guide as one of the most amazing stargazing Airbnbs in the world!*
*Featured on Airbnb's TikTok and LinkedIn as one of the most unique vacation rentals on Airbnb
*Features the ONLY fully automated, guest-operated dome observatory stargazing experience in the USA!
(Patent pending)
*No astronomy experience required for professional telescope
*Observatory Retreat provides the best stargazing experience in Joshua Tree.

◈ OBSERVATORY EXPERIENCE (Patent Pending)◈
Imagine a retreat where you are in control of your destination in space. Simply tap a celestial object on the computer touch screen and the dome and telescope will automatically rotate to give you front row seats to the universe.

Featuring an innovative, futuristic design with custom lighting and sound system, the observatory brings an additional 110 sq. ft of space for your group’s ultimate stargazing galactic journey through space. This once-in-a-lifetime exclusive experience will bring space to you in a way that has never been done before at a vacation rental.

Note: The observatory is a weather-dependent nighttime-only amenity. See weather criteria under “Guest Access.”

The observatory features our exclusive software app (designed and coded by your hosts!) that makes the operation of the observatory a simple process. Inside the fully motorized observatory dome, your not just selecting celestial objects to view, you are experiencing the entire structure align with them, placing you directly in the path of deep space. Just a few clicks and you'll be on your way to observing and learning about space like you never have before!

◈ BEDROOM CONFIGURATION◈
Bedroom 1: King with ensuite bathroom
Bedroom 2: Queen with shared hallway bathroom
Bedroom 3: Queen with shared hallway bathroom
Indoor Game Room: Fold out queen couch

◈ OUTSIDE AMENTITIES◈
In addition to the observatory, there are plenty of amenities to enjoy outside including:
* Hot Tub/Soak Pool - plenty of room for the whole group! Hot tub is heated 24/7 complete with jets and seats for 8. Let us know if you would like us to lower the temperature for you so that the hot tub becomes a soak pool.
* Alien Scavenger Hunt
* Fire Pit
* Corn Hole
* Bocce Ball
* Dining on the Deck
* Exploring our multi-level backyard that has the feel of Joshua Tree National Park

Please follow us at @observatoryretreat.

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Observatory Retreat is conveniently located near many activities in the Joshua Tree area:

20 min to Joshua Tree National Park
5 min to Local grocery stores and many restaurants
10 min to Pioneer Town
15 min to Integratron
35 min to Morongo Casino
40 min to Palm Springs International Airport
40 min to Cabazon Outlets

**For nights with a minimum, we sometimes consider one-night stays on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire for more details.**

Observatory Retreat is a private stargazing Airbnb in Joshua Tree area. Guests can enjoy the professional observatory and telescope, relax in the hot tub under the Milky Way, and experience the dark desert skies like nowhere else.

STVR 66-22

Guest access
Guests will have full access to the home plus the expansive gated desert backyard.

The observatory is located on the fully gated property and only registered guests of Observatory Retreat will have access to the observatory and other amenities. All guests entering the property, whether staying the night or not, must be included in the reservation. Observatory door keypad is disabled until proper guest count is verified.

Access to the observatory is granted from approximately sunset to midnight unless during this time the forecast shows:
• Wind speeds more than 25 mph: No access permitted.
• Wind speeds 15-24 mph, rain or snow, or 100% cloud coverage: Access permitted, but dome power will be disabled (no opening roof). You may still enjoy the ambiance, relax and listen to music.
• Note: Access eligibility based on the hourly forecast from sunset to midnight on weather dotcom based on projection at approximately 4 PM. (Typically, winds decrease near sundown, so we look at hourly rather than the summarized winds for the evening.)

Other things to note
Up to two dogs are allowed and must be included in the reservation at time of booking. (The booking will automatically add the pet fee at time of reservation.) No other animals are allowed.

The correct number of guests must be included in the reservation at time of booking. The pricing Airbnb shows you is dependent on the number of guests. If your group size changes before your check-in time, please modify reservation with the correct number of guests to avoid any issues with your reservation or access to the property.

A level 2 EV charger is provided for guests’ convenience at rate of $0.50/kWh. Please message us for the access code.

Yucca Valley is located in a dark skies friendly community, making it perfect for stargazing.

There are three external cameras which have a view of the front gate, backyard driveway (does not show hot tub), and observatory entry for the safety of the guests and the property. These record audio and video 24/7. There are absolutely no internal cameras or recording devices.

Reserved guests will receive access to our digital guidebook. It contains everything you need to know to have an amazing trip, including property information, local recommendations, best hikes in the area, and add-on services (i.e. private chefs, wellness providers).

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 3 pages

What this place offers

Desert view
Mountain view
Kitchen
Fast wifi – 819 Mbps
Dedicated workspace

Accessibility features

This info was provided by the Host and reviewed by Airbnb.

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Rated 4.99 out of 5 from 403 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 1% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Yucca Valley, California, United States
This listing's location is verified.

Neighborhood highlights

Observatory Retreat is tucked in a rocky hillside amongst other gorgeous homes. You have the advantage of the easy paved roads of a neighborhood with a feeling of seclusion in your sky-high desert retreat.

Meet your host

Superhost
403 reviews
4.99 out of 5 average rating
5 years of hosting
Born in the 80s
My work: Aerospace and Teaching
Hi there! My name is Michelle and with my husband, Jonathan, we are so excited to welcome you to Observatory Retreat! We love traveling and are well-traveled vacation guests. We know exactly what a host should do to create an amazing guest experience and we are here to make sure you have an awesome vacation! By day, we work in the aerospace/drone and teaching world. Our hobbies include all things air and space related, including astronomy. Jonathan's work experience also includes working on NASA projects. His most recent NASA project was working on Orion, which is a program that will send astronauts to the moon! We are so excited to be the first vacation rental in the world to provide guests with exclusive access to their own fully automated observatory without a host onsite. Observatory Retreat features its own exclusive app (coded by Jonathan), which makes a relatively complex process - quite simple! Just a few clicks and you'll be ready for your front row seats to the universe. Consider Observatory Retreat your gateway to space as you explore the cosmic beauty above! Observatory Retreat is the perfect place for your desert getaway and we can't wait to share our love for the desert and night sky with you. Our three boys love climbing the boulders in our backyard and in Joshua Tree during the day, playing the games in the house, and stargazing at night!

Michelle is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
8 guests maximum
Safety & property
Exterior security cameras on property
Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
Heights without rails or protection