Idyllwild

If in Southern California, you might be surprised to learn that the San Jacinto Mountains are much closer than they appear. The weather here is cool and comfortable when compared to the warm and drier climates further away. This weather, and the changing seasons makes Idyllwild a very appealing place for people to visit, as they can enjoy the four seasons. Weekenders willing to wander the windy roads will venture up steep ridges that take them 5,000-6,000 feet over Hemet, the nearest city. Idyllwild is nestled between many pine trees, which may be a welcome view for those who feel they spend too much time in the city. Winter visitors often are happy to return home, as some find the snow in Idyllwild overwhelming.

Vacation cabins dot this town and many of them are priced over $300,000 with only a few used throughout the year. Idyllwild has acquired the nickname of “The Hill” and only has about 2,000 permanent residents. The 50,000 visitors on the weekend, however, can make parking in this area really difficult to find. Regardless, people flock to this beautiful mountain town because of the contrast it offers from many of the cities in Southern California.

Idyllwild has been nicknamed the “Yosemite of the South” because of its beautiful forests. While many resort developments have sprouted up in the area, nothing has taken hold yet. Because of this, you will mostly find cabins filled with people who are looking to connect with nature.  Since there are no resorts, accommodations range from small motel-like unites to larger vacation homes. There are also a number of bed and breakfast and country inns as well as cabin motels. Many of the cabin motels offer mini-cabins on the same property.

On my most recent trip, my party chose a three-bedroom cabin located three miles from Idyllwild. This cabin was as large as a house, and had a cedar interior, two fireplaces and a free-standing wood stove. It even had a complete kitchen accompanied by sets of dishware and utensils, and the living room space was outfitted with comfy furniture and a satellite TV. There was also a lot of viewing space of the mountains and valley below.

We organized our rental through Muir’s Mountain Vacation Rental. This mountain retreat was isolated from nearby cabins. This particular cabin was built on a boulder, allowing us to take a short hike up it to take in a view that stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. On this trip, my family and I spent most of the weekend within the cabin enjoying each other’s company. From soaking up the atmosphere to playing with our five-year-old, we were able to focus more on each other as a family during our time together.

The time we visited Idyllwild was somewhat atypical, even though it took place during January. We didn’t need to use the four-wheel-drive, and often found the weather pleasant, if not chilly. It was a good thing we brought warm clothing as during the day, the temperature was between the 40s and 50s, while at night it was in the 20s.

During the few times my family ventured out of the house, we found that Idyllwild had a constant stream of villagers wandering the shops and streets. While there were some cute shops, there were also shops with unusual combinations. California Street Collectibles, as an example, sells Christmas ornaments, dolls, Harley merchandise and financial planning.

We enjoyed strolling the streets of Idyllwild, where we discovered such fascinating attractions as the old-time theater - the “Rustic” - which shows just one movie three times a day, but leaves the snack stand open for passersby to enjoy popcorn with real butter. Just down the street is the homemade candy shop which had nearly a dozen people waiting to go inside. Even the ice cream shop a few doors down was enjoying brisk business despite the cool temperatures.

As we wandered the streets, we found a number of wonderful attractions. One of them was the “Rustic,” a vintage theater that shows one movie three times a day, but offers popcorn with real butter to any passerby. There is also a homemade candy shop and an ice cream shop that is a popular stop for any visitor.

A great site here is the Idyllwild Tree Monument, a 50-foot totem pole that was carved in 1989 by a chainsaw as an effort to memorialize a 400 year old ponderosa pine. The monument has figures such as an eagle, mountain lion, American Indian, and coyote carved into it. It is also the final resting place of Ernie Maxwell, one of Idyllwild’s civic boosters and the founder of the local newspaper, the Town Crier. Beautiful works like this can be found throughout Idyllwild’s many art galleries; 17 of them to be exact. John Villani states in his new book, The 100 Best Art Towns in America, that Idyllwild is one of the best.

While exploring, we stopped at the Idyllwild Historic Society Museum. It is a 1920s summer cabin that has exhibits about the Idyllwild area. Here, you can follow the history of the people who have lived in this area. The history begins with the Cahuilla Indians who began traveling to the area 2500 years ago. They are followed by the mining prospetors in the 1850s and later by ranchers and farmers in 1875. The museum also records history from the 1920s to the 1960s, when many movies were filmed in the area.

Once we finished our adventure, we ate at the La Casita Mexican restaurant. There were many other dining options however, and they included Greek and Chinese cuisine and many steak and seafood restaurants.

When my family returns in the summer, we will definitely take advantage of the many outdoor activities that can be found in Idyllwild. Lily’s Rock, also known as Tahquitz Rock, is a rock face that symbolizes the raw and exquisite natural beauty found in this area. This mountainous region is home to many hiking trails, one of which is the Pacific Crest Trail. 272,000 acres have also been designated as the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Idyllwild, found west of Palm Springs, can be found on Highway 243. You can access Highway 243 from Highway 10, which is the main route to Palm Springs.

WHAT: Idyllwild and the neighboring mountain communities are accessible four season getaways that are only a few hours from Los Angeles.

WHEN: This place is a beautiful spot to visit throughout the year. Summers are sunny, while winters often promise snow.

WHY: This charming mountain village has many accommodations and services for tourists and residents alike. Goin2travel has great California vacation rentals to stay in while visiting.