Idyllwild

By car

Most visitors to Idyllwild will arrive by car. Idyllwild is reachable by three main routes. Highway 74 connects Hemet to Idyllwild in about 30 minutes driving. Highway 243 connects to Banning and Interstate 10. Highway 74, known as the Palms to Pines highway, also connects the desert communities of Palm Springs and Palm Desert to Idyllwild via a scenic route that passes through many ecological zones and spectacular landscapes.

By foot

It is possible to reach Idyllwild by hiking 10 miles from the top of the Palm Springs Tramway. This is perhaps the most stunning route to the town. Be sure to have a car waiting at Humber Park, or arrange for a ride to town, as it is another couple miles from the trailhead to the center of town.
The Pacific Crest Trail, which extends along the west coast from the Mexico border to Canada, passes by Idyllwild. Idyllwild is a good place to stop for supplies, and maybe a shower and clean bed.

Much of Idyllwild can be visited by walking, though a car is useful to get to trailheads, and some of the hotels and rental cabins are located a bit outside the center. Occasionally a horse-drawn cart transports visitors between the main attractions in the town center.

The views from town are beautiful. Tahquitz peak and rock are probably the most photographed. Marion mountain is also visible from town. Panoramas of Hemet and the greater Los Angeles area are visible from many lookouts near town. You can even see the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.
The center of town is full of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a movie theater.
There is a world class secondary arts school, the Idyllwild Arts Academy that frequently offers free gallery exhibitions, classical music concerts, and theater performances on campus.
The local newspaper, the Town Crier, provides local news and a calendar of events.
Idyllwild TV lets you see the town, its people, events and natural attractions from the eyes of locals and tourists.

Events

Jazz in the PinesThere is an annual outdoor jazz festival held in late summer.

Rock Climbing

Idyllwild has world class rock climbing on Tahquitz Rock (sometimes referred to as Lily Rock), and Suicide Rock. Tahquitz Rock has longer climbs, some of them 6 pitches. Suicide Rock has mostly 2 pitch climbs. Both offer a range of difficulty and excellent views.

Hiking

There is an extensive, well maintained trail network throughout the San Jacinto mountains. These are administered by the San Bernadino National Forest, and the San Jacinto State Park. Pick up permits at the rangers station in the center of town before leaving. Permits are recognized by both the National Forest and State Park.
Recommended hikes:

Ernie Maxwell Scenic TrailThis is a relatively short and mostly level trail for a relaxing walk through the woods. It's accessible from Humber Park and ends at a road a couple miles to the south. Most hikers walk part way and then turn back.
Tahquitz PeakExcellent views and a lookout tower. It takes about 4 hours round trip via Humber Park and Saddle Junction, or via South Ridge Trail.
San Jacinto PeakThe highest peak in the range, over 10,800 feet elevation. It is about 7-8 hours round trip, and has a lot of elevation gain. An easier way to reach the peak is via the Palm Springs Tramway, but the Idyllwild route is a beautiful and less traveled way to do it.

There are over 15 art galleries in Idyllwild representing over 200 artists. Nomad Ventures sells rock climbing and other outdoor equipment.

A range of restaurants caters to all budgets.

Grocery

Fairway Foods

phone: +1 951 659-2737
Village Market

phone: +1 951 659-3169
Market, deli, pizzas, beer, liquor and coffee bar.

Snacks

Candy Cupboard

phone: +1 951 659-5502
In the same location for 27 years, an old fashioned candy store serving fun items like shaved ice, chocolate dipped ice cream bars, novelty candy and very retro candy. its basically a journey into the past. have fun! The oldest business in Idyllwild other than the Gastrognome.
Idyllwild House of Jerky

phone: +1 951 659-4504
Jerky from around the world.
Idyllwild Tea Company

address: 54425 North Circle Dr Suite 7
Offers premium tea, espresso, hot chocolate and freshly made scones in a cozy cafe or outside below the pines. Also has a retail store that offers fine quality bulk teas, unique and vintage tea pots, hand-made soaps from goat's milk and olive oil, tea scented lotions, bath products, custom-made vintage broken china jewelry, hard-to-find tea necessities, and custom gift baskets ranging in affordable prices. They also have Wifi.

Restaurant

Cafe Aroma

phone: +1 951 659-5212
"Idyllwild's funnest and funkiest fine dining establishment." Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. A relaxed fine dining experience. The best place in Idyllwild for locals and visitors
Gastrognome

phone: +1 951 659-5055
Open every day. Very fine lunch and dinner with exceptional ambience. Indoor and outdoor seating. The Gastrognome is located across the street from the Idyllwild Inn.
Omas Bakery

phone: +1 951 659-2979
European Bakery Breakfast and Lunch.
Gary's MeatIn the shopping center across from the US Post Office. Deli Lunch and Dinner.
Jo'anns Restaurant

phone: +1 951 659-0295
Dead center of town Breakfast, lunch & dinner every day. Eatery with live entertainment on Saturdays. Both indoor and outdoor seating. A Seatle's Best coffee shop has just been added.
Red KettlePerhaps Idyllwild's oldest eating establishment (though under different names). Colorful coffee shop with both indoor and outdoor dining.
The Greek Place

phone: +1 951 659-4540
Greek lunch & dinner every day.
Idyllwild Pizza

phone: +1 951 659-5900
Next door to the US Postal Office in the shopping center Lunch & dinner, every day.
Mozart Haus

phone: +1 951 659-5500
German Lunch and Dinner.
Hidden Village

phone: +1 951 659-2712
Chinese food.
The Creek House

phone: +1 951 659-0686
Fabulous dinners W-Sa; Lunches Sa,Su. Great Place to have your wedding or party.
The Breadbasket

phone: +1 951 659-3506
Great Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with a fabulous deck.
La Casita

phone: +1 951 659-6038
Mexican Food.

Some restaurants have bars, but they are not open very late. Instead, open a bottle of wine and share it with friends around the fireplace at home, or a campfire outdoors. There is a liquor store, and supermarkets sell wine, liquor, and beer.

There are a number of hotels, and rental agencies offer cabins. Camping is a popular option. Several campsites are run by the State Park, while others are administered by the national forest. Both car camping and sites that are only accessible by hiking are available.

Motels and Inns

Atipahato Motel

phone: +1 951-659-2201
Bluebird Hill Lodge

phone: +1 951-659-2696
Cedar Street Inn

phone: +1 951-659-4789
Cottage Creek Inn

phone: +1 951-659-5188
Creekstone Inn

phone: +1 951-659-3342
Edelweiss Lodge

phone: +1 951-659-2787
Fern Village Chalets

phone: +1 951-659-2869
Fern Valley Inn

phone: +1 951-659-2205
Fireside Inn

phone: +1 951-659-2966
Idyllwild Inn

phone: +1 951-659-2552
Knotty Pine Cabins

phone: +1 951-659-2933
Manzanita Cabins

phone: +1 951-659-3151
Mile High Country Inn

phone: +1 951-659-2931
Quiet Creek Inn

phone: +1 951-659-6110
Rainbow Inn

phone: +1 951-659-0111
Silver Pines Lodge

phone: +1 951-659-4335
Strawberry Creek Inn

phone: +1 951-659-3202
Wilder Cabins

phone: +1 951-659-2926
Woodland Park Manor

phone: +1 951-659-2657

Cabins and Homes

Idyllwild Mountain Rentals

phone: +1 951-659-5349
Idyllwild Vacation Rentals

phone: +1 951-659-5015
Mountain Greenery

phone: +1 951-659-4628
Muir's Mtn Vacation Rentals

phone: +1 951-659-4835

Camping

Idyllwild County Park

phone: +1 800-234-7275

Idyllwild is located 30 minutes by car from Hemet, and approximately 45 minutes drive from Palm Springs. The Temecula wine country is about an hour away. Los Angeles and San Diego are both a couple hours away to the west and south respectively.