In August of 2011, Anthony Bourdain brought his show No Reservations to the California desert, spending time in Joshua Tree, Pioneertown, Landers, and Rancho Mirage.

Unlike a lot of travel shows that treat the desert like a quirky backdrop, this episode actually understood the place.

“Once you’re past Palm Springs into the high desert,” Bourdain says early in the episode, “people start to vibrate at a different pitch than they do elsewhere.”

If you’ve spent any real time out here, that line probably landed a little too accurately.

Where Bourdain Went (And Why It Mattered)

Bourdain wasn’t just ticking off tourist stops. He was chasing the strange, the quiet, and the places that only make sense once you stop expecting the desert to behave like anywhere else.

• Pioneertown – Including time at Pappy & Harriet’s, long before it became a must-stop headline venue.
• Landers – Visiting the Integratron and Rancho de La Luna, two places that perfectly capture the high desert’s mix of mysticism and DIY creativity.
• Joshua Tree – Eating, wandering, and talking with locals rather than trying to “explain” the town.
• Rancho Mirage – A reminder that the desert is layered, not just one vibe stretched across sand.

He was joined by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, who acted less like a celebrity guide and more like a translator for desert logic.

The Food Stops Still Hold Up

The episode featured meals and stops that, years later, still represent the desert well:

• Joshua Tree Kitchen
• Pappy & Harriet’s
• Lord Fletcher’s
• Anthony Vineyards near the Salton Sea

What worked wasn’t just the food. It was the pace. Bourdain let the desert be quiet, uncomfortable, and occasionally strange without forcing a punchline.

Can You Still Watch the Episode?

The original embedded video that once floated around the internet no longer works, and most unofficial uploads have disappeared over time.

If you’re looking to watch the episode today, your best options are:

• Streaming platforms that currently carry No Reservations (availability changes often)
• Digital storefronts where individual episodes or seasons can be purchased
• Physical media releases of the series

It’s not always easy to find, but it’s worth the effort.

Why This Episode Still Matters

This wasn’t a “Top 10 Things to Do” take on the desert. It didn’t try to sell the place or clean it up.

Bourdain treated Joshua Tree and the high desert as places people actually live, create, and disappear into on purpose.

That’s why the episode still gets referenced, shared, and talked about more than a decade later. It didn’t explain the desert. It respected it.

If you’ve ever tried to describe this place to someone who’s never been here, you already know why that matters.