Kaleidoscope Desert Sanctuary won its episode of HGTV’s Wild Vacation Rentals. Season 1, Episode 6, “Desert Escapes,” follows comedians and besties D’Arcy Carden and Sherry Cola as they explore the most unusual destinations in California’s High Desert, and out of everywhere they visited, they picked us. You can stream the episode on HBO Max.
A Sanctuary Unlike Anywhere Else
Kaleidoscope Desert is a 7.5-acre nonprofit animal sanctuary and outdoor art space tucked into the Mojave Desert in Morongo Valley, near Joshua Tree. The HGTV crew came out to capture what makes this place different from any other stop in the desert. A working sanctuary where rescued animals, immersive art installations, and the raw beauty of the high desert share one living landscape.
That is what the cameras found. Not a set. Just a real place, built by our founder and the team, animal by animal and mural by mural.
The Animals and the Art
Visitors here meet rescued and rehomed animals including mini horses, mini cows, emus, goats, pigs, peacocks, giant sulcata tortoises, dogs, ducks, chickens, and guinea hens. They live here. You are the guest.
The grounds also hold sculptures and installations from artists including Bunnie Reiss, Ralph Borland, Nicholas Danger, Tijuana Tony, Lucas Woodamon, Shrine On, and Jose Di Gregorio. There is artwork around every corner, and the desert light changes all of it hour by hour.
Where to Find Us
We are in Morongo Valley, California. That puts us 15 minutes from Joshua Tree, 10 minutes from Yucca Valley, 15 minutes from Pioneertown, and 20 minutes from the Integratron. Palm Springs is 20 minutes away, and Los Angeles is about 2 hours.
Come Experience It Yourself
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every ticket and every donation directly supports the rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong care of the animals who call Kaleidoscope Desert home. We are deeply grateful to HGTV, Wild Vacation Rentals, photographer Nick Agro, journalist Ben Breslerman, and to D’Arcy and Sherry for sharing our sanctuary with a wider audience.
If the episode brought you here for the first time, welcome. Book a guided sanctuary tour, a Gamelatron Sound Experience, or a full Day Pass at kaleidoscopedesert.com/visit. Visits are 18+. Every visit helps us keep caring for the animals and growing this magical place.
