From a wacky spacecraft theme to an outdoor bedroom under the stars, one pair of travel experts have opened the doors to four of the ‘craziest’ vacation rentals in California.
Kara and Nate Buchanan, from Nashville, Tennessee, set out on a mission to visit four off-the-wall properties dotted around the Joshua Tree desert to mark their 11-year wedding anniversary.
In in YouTube film documenting their adventure, they give a thorough guide to 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 describe more of an ‘art piece’ as opposed to a home.
Scroll down to learn more about this property – which comes in at a staggering $6,500 a night – and the other three spots Kara and Nate tested.
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 abode features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with slick, minimalist-styled interiors running throughout
Kara and Nate tell viewers in their YouTube tour, that while the home ‘looks crazy from above,’ the ‘details inside might be even more impressive’
Inside they reveal that the abode was inspired by dinosaur fossils and there are ‘lots of things… that look like skeletons or vertebras or bones’
The quirky so-called Desert House on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park was designed by Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, an architect who is known for his bold and pioneering designs, and completed after a five-year build in 1993.
In total, the abode features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with slick, minimalist-styled interiors running throughout.
Kara and Nate tell viewers in their YouTube tour, that while the home ‘looks crazy from above,’ the ‘details inside might be even more impressive.’
Inside they reveal that the abode was inspired by dinosaur fossils and there are ‘lots of things… that look like skeletons or vertebras or bones.’
There are also boulders integrated into the structure, with panes of glass and walls built to accommodate the desert rocks.
But one of the couple’s favorite features is one of the bedrooms which features a 14ft 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 are now directed to a dedicated website at www.kelloggdoolittlehouse.com.
Mars Hangar
Seeking an out of this world experience, the couple checked into a hangar near Joshua Tree National park, fashioned after a spaceship
As they give a tour of the four-bedroom shelter, the couple say how they are ‘obsessed’ with the futuristic interiors
Details include two pod sleeping chambers, colored LED lights in the bedrooms and kitchen and Stormtroopers positioned in the living room
Seeking an out of this world experience, the couple checked into a hangar near Joshua Tree National park, fashioned after a spaceship.
As they give a tour of the four-bedroom shelter, the couple say how they are ‘obsessed’ with the futuristic interiors.
Details include two-pod sleeping chambers, colored LED lights in the bedrooms and kitchen as well as Stormtroopers positioned in the living room.
Moving outside, the duo showcase the huge backyard, complete with a ‘super cute patio area, hanging lights, fire pit… hot tub and a bunch of hammocks.’
There is also a large above ground pool.
At night, after watching TV on the big screen, the couple give the sleeping capsules a whirl.
Nate tells viewers that the pods were pretty wide to sleep in with LEDs on the ceiling and he gave the mattress his seal of approval.
The Mars hangar is currently available for just under $400 a night on Airbnb.
Invisible House
Another unique property the couple landed upon is California’s famed ‘Invisible House’
Designed by film producers Chris and Roberta Hanley, the 5,500sqft home is constructed out of mirrored panels which reflect the desert landscape
Highlights include contemporary bedrooms and bathrooms with prime desert views, a 100ft indoor pool, an open plan kitchen area and a TV on wheels so it can be positioned freely
That night, the couple celebrate their anniversary by attempting to watch a movie while laying on floaties in the pool
Another unique property the couple landed upon is California’s famed ‘Invisible House.’
Designed by film producers Chris and Roberta Hanley, the 5,500sqft home is constructed out of mirrored panels which reflect the desert landscape.
As they arrive at the unusual rental, Kara exclaims: ‘Oh my gosh. It’s way bigger than it looked… it’s massive!’
After entering the property, she continues: ‘This place is nuts, it’s unique, it’s funky… extremely impractical to live in full-time but very exciting to live in for 24 hours.’
Highlights include contemporary bedrooms and bathrooms with prime desert views, a 100ft indoor pool, an open plan kitchen area and a TV on wheels so it can be positioned freely.
Kara seems to be wooed by the kitchen, describing it as the kitchen ‘of my dreams.’
She continues: ‘Look at all of this counter space! When you live in a van [like we do], you come to appreciate stuff like this. It’s huge!’
That night, the couple celebrate their anniversary by attempting to watch a movie while laying on floaties in the pool.
The Invisible House starts from just over $2,500 a night on Airbnb, and it can accommodate eight guests.
Boulder-filled Paradise
For a true desert experience, Kara and Nate checked into a Airbnb with an outdoor bed
Despite it being open air, they note in their tour that the spot has a private feeling with giant boulders strewn around and it even comes with a fire pit and hot tub
While they attempt to make it work for a night’s stay, they get too cold and they end up sleeping in the rental’s accompanying cabin
They gave the cozy cabin a big thumbs up and said that they especially liked the garage which had been converted into a pool room
For a true desert experience, Kara and Nate checked into a Airbnb with an outdoor bed.
Despite it being open air, they note in their tour that the spot has a private feeling with giant boulders strewn around and it even comes with a fire pit and hot tub.
While they attempt to make it work for a night’s stay, they get too cold and they end up sleeping in the rental’s accompanying cabin.
Nate tells viewers: ‘So it turns out the bed came with an entire house.
‘I promise we had all intentions of sleeping out there last night but we woke up at midnight and it was absolutely freezing and there was a nice warm bed waiting for us inside.’
They gave the cozy cabin a big thumbs up and said that they especially liked the garage which had been converted into a pool room.
High West House: A Boulder Filled Paradise starts from just under $600 a night on Airbnb.
