Starfire Lodge is a delightfully eccentric 1950s hillside house in Morongo Valley, with sweeping mountain views and two private acres to spread out. Spend slow afternoons in the hammock garden, cool off in the cowboy tub, then slip into the hot tub as the sky changes color. When you're ready to turn up the energy, the Big Cat Lounge has records, karaoke, and a light show that moves with the music.
The Space:
Built by a retired shipbuilder, this is a house with an unmistakable personality. Exposed metal beams support soaring ceilings, rich wood paneling meets intricately patterned original tile, and walls of windows bring the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains into the living spaces. Vintage lighting, sculptural furniture, colorful textiles and unexpected details give the interiors a wonderfully collected feel. It's a home that encourages you to explore, settle into your favorite corner and enjoy the pleasure of having nowhere else you need to be.
-Highlights-
► Six-person hot tub with mountain views
► 10-foot cowboy tub for cooling off
► Cast-iron cold plunge bathtub with a disco ball
► Hammock garden, croquet and outdoor seating
► Shaded patio with outdoor dining
► Big Cat Lounge with karaoke, projector, surround sound and vinyl records
► LUMITONE music-responsive light installation
► Soaring ceilings and panoramic mountain views
► Fully stocked chef's kitchen with copper cookware
► Oversized stone dining table and vintage bar
► Joshua Tree Coffee Co. beans and burr grinder
► Three bedrooms, including an open-air loft, and two bathrooms
► Memory foam mattress toppers and OEKO-TEX cotton bedding
► Wi-Fi suitable for remote work
► Games and puzzles
-Outdoor Amenities-
The grounds invite you to enjoy the desert at your own pace. Find a hammock in Hammock City and disappear into a book, challenge your friends to croquet, or spend an afternoon moving between the property's unconventional collection of soaking spots.
The 10-foot cowboy tub offers a refreshing escape on warmer days, while a cast-iron bathtub on a raised deck beneath the pergola serves as a cold-water plunge, complete with an overhead disco ball. It's just the right amount of unexpected for a house like this.
A shaded back patio provides a comfortable spot for meals outdoors, with the surrounding hills and mountains as your backdrop. As evening approaches, settle into the six-person hot tub and watch the last sunlight move across the landscape.
-Living Area-
The main living room feels almost like an observation deck, with dramatic ceiling heights and a long expanse of windows framing the Morongo Valley basin and distant mountain ranges. Warm wood walls and original architectural details create an intimate counterpoint to the enormous views.
Leather sofas and striking orange swivel chairs make this an inviting place to spend a slow morning, catch up with friends or simply watch the light change across the mountains. Vintage furnishings and carefully chosen decorative pieces add character without taking attention away from the landscape.
-Kitchen and Dining-
The kitchen is made for guests who enjoy cooking as much as gathering around the table afterward. Fully stocked with sharp knives, specialty tools and copper cookware, it has what you need to prepare a proper dinner together or keep things wonderfully simple.
Mornings begin with Joshua Tree Coffee Co. beans, freshly ground using the burr grinder for a pour-over. Later, the oversized stone dining table becomes the center of the evening, with its vintage chandelier casting a warm glow over dinner and conversation.
A vintage bar stocked with premium glassware adds another reason to linger, while the outdoor dining area offers a change of scenery when the weather calls for eating outside.
-Bedrooms and Bathrooms-
Starfire Lodge accommodates up to six guests across three individually styled sleeping spaces, each with its own take on the home's vintage character.
The Cream Room is the primary suite, with whitewashed finishes, a king bed and a private ensuite bathroom. Its lighter palette offers a calm retreat from the richly layered gathering spaces.
The Blonde Room embraces the home's midcentury roots with warm plywood walls, a queen bed and a dedicated desk. It's a comfortable space to retreat to, with a convenient spot to catch up on a little work when needed.
The Loft sits above the main living room, with a queen bed in a rustic log frame and Pendleton accents that give it a cozy cabin atmosphere. This is an open-air sleeping space rather than a fully enclosed bedroom, so it's best suited to guests comfortable with a little less privacy.
All three beds feature memory foam toppers and OEKO-TEX cotton bedding. Both bathrooms retain their original tilework and are equipped with rain showers, glass enclosures and eco-friendly bath products.
-Big Cat Lounge-
When the mood shifts from relaxation to entertainment, the Big Cat Lounge is where the evening takes on a life of its own.
A curved, half-moon sofa anchors this retro-inspired gathering space, which is equipped with a projector screen with Roku, a high-fidelity surround sound system and karaoke. Browse the record collection, put on an album and watch the LUMITONE light installation respond to the music.
Whether you're putting on an impromptu karaoke performance, sharing favorite records or settling in for a movie, this is a room designed for enjoying the evening together. And when the energy winds down, there are games and puzzles for a quieter night in.
-Surrounding Area-
Morongo Valley's shops and restaurants are close by, and so is Old Town Yucca Valley. Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown is an easy drive for live music. Palm Springs and the West Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park are within reach, and Big Bear makes a day trip when there is snow to ski.
Guest Access:
The entire house and property are yours to enjoy! Please note that a few supply closets stay locked to store rental supplies.
Please note that a closet at the front of the house and a few cabinets in the dining area are locked and used for rental supplies.
The Neighborhood:
Starfire Lodge is in Morongo Valley, a mountain-meets-desert community roughly between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. It sits just below the final pass to the high desert, so summers are milder than Palm Springs and winters warmer than Yucca Valley. Neighbors are on acreage, which gives the property privacy and big views. The last 0.7 miles to the home are dirt roads.
Below are travel times to nearby shops, bars, eateries and attractions:
► 5 minutes ➔ Morongo Valley shops and restaurants
► 10 minutes ➔ Old Town Yucca Valley shops, bars & restaurants
► 15 minutes ➔ Pioneertown: Pappy and Harriet's & Red Dog Saloon
A personal vehicle is necessary to get around in this area - rideshare apps are not guaranteed.
Please note that Starfire Lodge is in a remote location, and the final stretch to the home is on dirt roads, so please take it slow. The dirt roads are maintained, and a four-wheel drive car is not necessary, but please note that the dirt road conditions vary and may have bumps and ruts, particularly after rainstorms.
Interaction with Guests:
The best and fastest way to reach us is to send us a message on the message thread. We kindly ask that all communication be kept on this platform, so we do not miss any questions you may have!