Wonder Valley is a unique place in this overcrowded world. It's a beautiful valley in an an unincorporated rural desert area just east of Twentynine Palms, California.
It lies between the Bullion and Pinto Mountain ranges. Winters are mild and pleasant. Summers are also pleasant if you like really, really, really hot weather.
Wonder Valley has some of California’s most affordable real estate. It’s a haven for artists and retirees.
Winters out here are very pleasant. Temperatures are between 60-70 most days. Summer temperatures can get as high as 125. Most days, it’s around 110-115 for a high though.
When I first moved here, I wondered how I would deal with the summer heat. It's good to wake up early, take a nap at the hottest part of the day, and stay up late! It also helps to have an efficient swamp cooler and air conditioner system!
The biggest problem I had in the summer was the paint drying on my brush while I was painting. I use acrylics, and I had to start using a special medium to keep the paint from drying.
In the 1930s and 40s, Wonder Valley was homesteaded. That means the government would give a 5 acre parcel of land to anyone who would build a small structure. These homesteads were not meant to be working farms, but vacation homes for city dwellers. When you drive through Wonder Valley, you will see hundreds of these little homes in various stages of disrepair. Many of the full sized homes here got their start as homestead cabins.
Wonder Valley is close to the town of Twentynine Palms, where you will find shopping, a library, post office, restaurants etc. About 30 minutes away is Yucca Valley, with a lot more stores and restaurants. The city of Palm Springs is only an hour away.
Sunsets and sunrises here are amazing. The valley has an amazing quality of light and good air quality. It’s the perfect place for painters, writers, artists and musicians.
I'm an artist, and have been so inspired by my desert world. Many of my paintings have desert themes.
Wonder Valley occupies a special place in my heart, even when I am away.
UPDATE:
It's been three years since I first did this site. I now live in.......... Toronto, Ontario. What a surprise, huh? Right downtown too. My husband got a job here so I sold my house to a friend. I get back to visit when I can and I miss the desert, though I enjoy living in Toronto.
I stopped painting for a while, the move was kind of hard on me and I had some stuff to sort out. But now I'm painting a lot again, and I'm doing well. I have even painted some desert art while I've been up here.
LINKS Updated May 31, 2007
A thumbnail gallery of all my desert paintings. You can send any one of them as a free E-card, just click on the thumbnail.
A collection of news and links from the 92277 (wonder valley zip code)
An arts and music organization, various artist's web pages and a blog with local art and music happenings.
A blog about my art.
Wonder Valley's finest eating and drinking establishment. Also, Wonder Valley's only eating and drinking establishment. Live music on the weekends, it's an old fashioned roadhouse. So cool, and very Wonder Valley. If you are in the area, you must go!
An excellent bunch of assorted local links
Dining, art, entertainment, activities and area info. A useful page.
Famous residents
Ok, so only Kevin is a Wonder Valley guy. I first saw them play at the Beatnik Cafe in Joshua Tree, and have been a big fan ever since. You owe it to yourself to get their latest CD. Also, check out their schedule to see if they are playing in the area.
Artist and musician Deborah Iyall is a Wonder Valley Resident, and runs Wonder Valley Press. I first heard of her when she was in the band Romeo Void and was surprised to find that she lived in the area.
Yes, the king of surf guitar lives in Wonder Valley. The guys who delivered my refrigerator told me. Supposedly he has a private airplane and hangar that you can see from the road. And a solid gold space rocket! Ok, I made the space rocket part up, but he does live here, and he does have an airplane. At least if you trust my source, the refrigerator delivery guys.
