Artist-Designed ‘Dream Catcher Ranch’ on the Outskirts of Joshua Tree National Park Lists for $1.35 Million

A dreamy "oasis" that sits on the border of Joshua Tree National Park and comes complete with a jaw-dropping artist-designed primary residence has hit the market for $1.35 million.

Sitting at the heart of the Yucca Valley, CA, compound, the incredible residence features a penny-tiled floor, stone and glass bottle walls, and sculptural tin ceilings that make it feel like you are stepping inside a piece of art.

Elsewhere on the 5-acre California property guests will find several different small dwellings, including a large domed tent and a guesthouse, all of which have been nestled into the boulders.

Those same boulders also form a natural grotto around the swimming pool, which has been built into the ground and comes complete with a "cascading waterfall."

"It is like nothing I have ever seen," said listing agent Reagan Richter of Compass. "A couple of key features, including the geography and topography, set it apart from any other property.

"The setting is almost like an amphitheater where the home sits, and it feels like you are living in your own private Joshua Tree National Park. It is nestled with boulders and all around are these sweeping views."

Dubbed the Dream Catcher Ranch, the Western Hills property features a primary residence built in 1957 that was custom designed by an artist.

"The woman who owned the home prior to my client is believed to have looked at the home as her canvas," Richter said. "It was an expression of her artistic abilities and named Dream Catcher Ranch because a lot of her inspiration is said to have come from her dreams."

Found throughout the eye-popping interior are sculptural walls embedded with stones and colorful glass bottles, penny-filled mosaic floors, and ornate wood and tin ceilings.

"There are about 350,000 pennies in the home," she said. "Most of the entire floor in the main home and the countertops in the guesthouse and main home are covered in pennies.

"There is even an exterior wall covered in pennies. The home is definitely more of a curated experience for someone who appreciates art."

A path outside leads to the pool with built-in barstools, a waterfall, and spa surrounded by boulders.

"The pool is incredible," Richter said. "The seller said he likes to relax in the Jacuzzi and stargaze to decompress. I think the next owner will be someone who is creative and appreciates the details that were put into the property. It will definitely be an inspired person."

A guesthouse has a custom-designed kitchen with tree features, a living room with wood-burning stove, and sliding barn doors that open up to a spacious step-up bedroom. A private stone patio with hot tub can be found out back.

The property last traded hands in April 2021 for $1.99 million.

"The seller bought it during COVID to use when he was visiting the area with friends," Richter noted. "He bought it at a time when every home nationally was swept up in competitive pricing.

"The seller has done a lot of maintenance to the property since owning it. You have to stay on the maintenance or the desert will take it back. The market has stabilized since then, which is why it is being offered at the reduced price."

While the residences are located on 5 acres, an adjacent 2.06-acre lot is also included in the sale along with plans to build a contemporary residence where the main home sits.

"The previous owners used the home as an income-producing property," she said. "It could be used as a private sanctuary, hosting retreats, or as a vacation destination for someone from Los Angeles or San Diego.

"You could build another larger home or even build another outbuilding or workshop. The previous owners resided in the main home full time and rented out the guest home. The land is just so amazing; everyone who comes on property is blown away by it. There really is nothing else like it."