Overview
Idyllwild is a city in Riverside County in Southern California. It is situated at mile high elevation in the San Jacinto mountains. Visitors are attracted by alpine scenery, rock climbing, hiking, shopping, and outdoor camping.
4 things to do · 18 places to eat · 24 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Idyllwild
Tahquitz Peak
Excellent 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 Peak
The 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 …
Jazz in the Pines
There is an annual outdoor jazz festival held in late summer.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail
This 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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 109°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Palm Springs)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SBD San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino — 38 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tahquitz Peak, San Jacinto Peak
- Lunch Cafe Aroma
- Afternoon Jazz in the Pines, Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail
- Dinner Fairway Foods
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
A range of restaurants caters to all budgets.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
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.
Get around
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.
See
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.
Do
Events
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:
Do Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail
This 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.
Do Tahquitz Peak
Excellent views and a lookout tower. It takes about 4 hours round trip via Humber Park and Saddle Junction, or via South Ridge Trail.
Do San Jacinto Peak
The 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.
Buy
There are over 15 art galleries in Idyllwild representing over 200 artists. Nomad Ventures sells rock climbing and other outdoor equipment.
Eat
A range of restaurants caters to all budgets.
Grocery
Eat Village Market
Market, deli, pizzas, beer, liquor and coffee bar.
Snacks
Eat Candy Cupboard
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.
Eat Idyllwild House of Jerky
Jerky from around the world.
Eat Idyllwild Tea Company
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
Eat Cafe Aroma
"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.
Eat Gastrognome
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.
Eat Omas Bakery
European Bakery Breakfast and Lunch.
Eat Gary's Meat
In the shopping center across from the US Post Office. Deli Lunch and Dinner.
Eat Jo'anns Restaurant
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.
Eat Red Kettle
Perhaps Idyllwild's oldest eating establishment (though under different names). Colorful coffee shop with both indoor and outdoor dining.
Eat The Greek Place
Greek lunch & dinner every day.
Eat Idyllwild Pizza
Next door to the US Postal Office in the shopping center Lunch & dinner, every day.
Eat Mozart Haus
German Lunch and Dinner.
Eat The Creek House
Fabulous dinners W-Sa; Lunches Sa,Su. Great Place to have your wedding or party.
Eat The Breadbasket
Great Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with a fabulous deck.
Drink
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.
Sleep
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
Stay Atipahato Motel
Stay Bluebird Hill Lodge
Stay Cedar Street Inn
Stay Cottage Creek Inn
Stay Creekstone Inn
Stay Edelweiss Lodge
Stay Fern Village Chalets
Stay Fern Valley Inn
Stay Fireside Inn
Stay Idyllwild Inn
Stay Knotty Pine Cabins
Stay Manzanita Cabins
Stay Mile High Country Inn
Stay Quiet Creek Inn
Stay Rainbow Inn
Stay Silver Pines Lodge
Stay Strawberry Creek Inn
Stay Wilder Cabins
Stay Woodland Park Manor
Cabins and Homes
Stay Idyllwild Mountain Rentals
Stay Idyllwild Vacation Rentals
Stay Mountain Greenery
Stay Muir's Mtn Vacation Rentals
Camping
Stay Idyllwild County Park
Go next
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.
Nearby
Palm Springs
City / town · 58 listings · 12 mi away
Cathedral City
City / town · 3 listings · 15 mi away
Hemet
City / town · 8 listings · 15 mi away
Banning
City / town · 2 listings · 15 mi away
Rancho Mirage
City / town · 8 listings · 17 mi away
Desert Hot Springs
City / town · 18 listings · 19 mi away
Beaumont
City / town · 3 listings · 20 mi away
Palm Desert
City / town · 25 listings · 20 mi away
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