Exploring one of the tallest peaks in Southern California, tasting a local mountain brew, camping beneath the pines — these just scratch the surface of things to do in Idyllwild.
Idyllwild is one of my all-time favorite California mountain towns. It’s not as well known as others, but it retains an irresistible charm nonetheless.
As a California local, I’ve traveled to Idyllwild many times (and even wrote this guide from my campsite there). This guide will cover the absolute best things to do in this small town, including several of my favorite gems you won’t find on other lists. Let’s dive in!
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15 Best Things to Do in Idyllwild
San Jacinto Peak
Hike to the top of Idyllwild’s highest point with 360-degree views of the Inland Empire.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (909) 382-2921 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free
Put your fitness to the test with a 12-mile hike to one of the tallest peaks in Southern California. San Jacinto Peak soars an impressive 10,834 feet into the sky and takes hikers through a ponderosa pine trail.
The San Jacinto Peak hike is one of the best things to do in Idyllwild, but it’s not for beginners. Be prepared for 4,500 feet of vertical elevation gain on the Marion Mountain Trail. Adventurous and experienced hikers will like this one best.
The hike to San Jacinto Peak can be done in one day, but many hikers opt for an overnight adventure and camp at the Little Round Valley Campground.
This hike is accessible in all four seasons but usually gets a few feet of snow from late fall to early spring. Hike to San Jacinto Peak with the proper foot traction and poles or an ice axe during this time.
Marion Mountain Campground
Camp among the pines at this secluded campground within walking distance of downtown.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (909) 382-2922 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $10 per night
Camp among the pines for a beautiful nature experience in Idyllwild. Marion Mountain Campground is one of the best camp spots near San Diego. It’s at the base of San Jacinto, and it’s the ideal place to camp if hiking to the summit is your main priority.
This is also a great place to scout for brilliantly blue Steller’s Jays or fluffy mountain squirrels. Be sure to keep your opened food in bear boxes because black bears and mountain lions frequent the area.
The campground is open from late May through mid-November and has 25 first-come, first-serve campsites. Each site has its own picnic table and a fire ring with a grill, although there are often fire restrictions in place.
Idyllwild Nature Center
Learn about native flora and fauna and check out the nearby hiking trails.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-3850 | Website | Hours: 9 am-4 pm daily, Closed Mondays & Tuesdays | Entrance: $4 Adults, $3 Children (free under 2 yrs), $1 Dogs
The Idyllwild Nature Center is a museum that focuses on local ecology and the Native cultures of the area. It serves as a sort of visitor center for San Jacinto State Park and has many informative exhibits and environmental education programs.
The Center also hosts special events like Lemon Lily Restoration Day, Butterfly Daze, Trail of the Acorn Day, and Wildflower Day. Be sure to check out the nearby hiking trails after your visit for the best possible experience.
👉 Pro Tip: Dogs are allowed in the Idyllwild Nature Center and on its surrounding hiking trails but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Indian Vista Scenic Overlook
Photograph the San Jacinto Mountains and the distant Salton Sea from one of the best viewpoints on Highway 243.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (909) 382-2600 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free
The Indian Vista Scenic Overlook is a viewpoint on the Pines Scenic Byway and is easy to miss. Keep your eye out for this overlook as you carve your way through through Highway 243.
Come here to enjoy the view, but also to look for songbirds and red-tailed hawks. Other wildlife you might spot include deer, bobcats, gray foxes, and coyotes. Don’t forget your binoculars!
The Indian Vista Scenic Overlook is open year-round and is an ideal spot to take a nap or cook lunch in your motorhome.
Middle Ridge Winery
Enjoy wine, art, and live music at a local winery.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-9000 | Website | Hours: 12 pm-6 pm Sunday & Monday, 12 pm-7 pm Friday & Saturday, Closed Tuesday-Thursday
Middle Ridge Winery is on Idyllwild’s main downtown drag and is a premiere spot for wine connoisseurs. The cabin-style architecture is a big draw, as well as the outside patio.
Middle Ridge Winery is also a premiere art gallery that hosts live music every weekend. You will find most locals hanging out at this poppin’ place most days of the week.
Dogs are allowed on the patio. Idyllwild residents love dogs so much that their mayor is a loveable golden retriever named Max. It’s safe to bet your dog is allowed in most places in town.
Tahquitz Peak Trail
Trek to a scenic lookout tower 8,846 feet high.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (909) 382-2921 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free, $5 Adventure Pass for parking
The Tahquitz Peak Trail Lookout is one of the most popular hiking trails in California. The 8.1-mile trail near Pine Cove is just outside of Mount San Jacinto State Park and is easily accessible via the Devil’s Slide Trail.
The trail takes you to a lookout tower in the high country wilderness with incredible views of the Inland Empire and the Salton Sea to the southeast. It can be chilly atop the 8,846-foot tower. Be sure to bring a warm down jacket.
You must obtain a Wilderness Permit from the San Jacinto Ranger Station before you hike the trail, as well as an Adventure Pass for parking. These are only $5 and can be purchased at the ranger station.
Bird-Watching in San Jacinto State Park
Witness high-altitude mountain birds in their natural environment.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-2607 | Website | Hours: 8 am-4 pm daily | Entrance: Free
The San Jacinto Wildlife Area encompasses 19,000 acres of protected forest land. Acorn Woodpeckers and Mountain Chickadees are the most common birds in Mount San Jacinto State Park, one of my favorite California state parks.
The forest comes alive with the lively chirp of high-altitude mountain birds. White-headed Woodpeckers, quail, Steller’s Jay, and birds of prey like hawks, falcons, and the occasional brown eagle can all be spotted here.
After a full morning of birdwatching, take a break at one of the park’s picnic tables or visit the downtown area for some well-deserved coffee and a croissant.
Lake Fulmor
Fish for rainbow trout or go for a walk around the lake’s perimeter .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-2607 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $5 Adventure Pass for parking
Lake Fulmor is right off Highway 243. It’s on the left-hand side of the highway and is very easy to miss. This lesser-known spot is great for fishing, summertime swimming, or taking an easy stroll around the perimeter.
There is a fully accessible pier at this forest oasis as well as picnic tables and a pit toilet. Lake Fulmor is a fun California lake and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon away from crowds that descend upon Idyllwild on the weekends.
Pure Bean Idy
Get caffeinated with the best coffee and tea in town.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-1379 | Website | Hours: 6 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday, 6 am-6 pm Friday-Sunday
I visit Pure Bean Idy every time I’m in town. You’ll find it downtown, right across from the rustic theatre and La Casita Restaurant. Pure Bean Idy always brews the perfect cup of coffee. It’s also affordable, uses quality beans, and gives high-end cafes in LA a run for their money.
The cozy interior of the cafe is spacious enough for big parties but I prefer to sit outside on the wood benches overlooking the bustling small town. Aside from its killer lattes and cappuccinos, one of the best parts about Pure Bean Idy is that dogs are allowed inside.
This coffee shop is the perfect hangout spot for remote workers, writers, and students. Don’t like coffee? There’s also tea, smoothies, and lemonade available. Don’t forget to pair your drink with a delicious baked good like the apricot pound cake or spinach and cheese fritter.
Downtown Idyllwild
Shop among an eclectic mix of vintage, thrift, and crystal stores.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Downtown Idyllwild sets this mountain town apart from the rest. The quirky shops, local art, and beautiful scenery of the San Jacinto Wilderness make downtown feel like a foresty mountain dreamland.
You will find a friendly atmosphere everywhere you go. Check out the antique and vintage stores. Stop by the local art gallery, Idyllwild Inn, the winery, brewery, and pizza restaurant. And make sure to chat with the welcoming Idy residents.
Most of the stores resemble a cottage or a rustic mountain cabin, which makes this mountain hub one of the most romantic destinations in California. Whenever I’m downtown, I always stop by the charming Idyllwild Gardens plant nursery and Idyllwild Ice Cream & Jerky to finish off a perfect afternoon.
Rock Climbing
Scale giant granite boulders in the heart of the San Jacinto Mountains.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Idyllwild is a rock climbers’ paradise. The granite boulders are surrounded by stunning mountains and Jeffrey Pines, making the area one of the most beautiful spots to rock climb in California.
Suicide Rock and Tahquitz Peak have sought-after rock climbing routes. There’s a wide variety of climbs in these areas and they typically receive ideal weather conditions, depending on when you visit California. Be wary of freezing conditions in the wintertime, however.
These spots are for experienced climbers only. You must bring your own gear for either bouldering, top rope, or sport climbing as there will be no one there to assist you. These hike-in spots are remote and nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains.
Idyllwild Brewery
Enjoy locally-made brews at this eco-friendly spot after a long day of hiking .
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-0163 | Website | Hours: 11 am-8 pm Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-10 pm Friday & Saturday, Closed Tuesdays
I always try to stop by a California brewery in every small town I visit to meet friendly locals and taste locally brewed concoctions. Idyllwild Brewpub is the perfect place to stop for a rewarding beer after a challenging hike or climb.
The Brewpub is incredibly eco-friendly and uses solar panels as well as pure mountain well water in its brews. A few of its best craft beers include the Idyllwild IPA, the Shoulda Been Red Irish Red, and the Blair Valley Brown Ale.
Sip your beer on the covered and heated outdoor patio while enjoying the fresh scent of pine and brisk mountain air.
Devil’s Slide Trail
Explore Mount San Jacinto State Park’s rich forest environment on foot.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (909) 382-2921 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Adventure Pass Required, $5/day, $30/year
Devil’s Slide Trail is one of the most popular trails in Mount San Jacinto State Park. This 2.5-mile trail is a moderate trek good for all ages. The trail can also lead to the Tahquitz Peak Lookout, but that hike is significantly longer.
This popular hike starts from Humber Park and leads to Saddle Junction, where it intersects the Pacific Crest Trail.
The best time to hike the Devil’s Slide Trail is in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming and the creeks are defrosting. The trail may be covered in snow in the winter, so bring foot traction if you plan on hiking at this time.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Soar like a bird on a trip to a high point in the San Jacinto Mountains.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 325-1391 | Website | Hours: 10 am-8 pm Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm Saturday & Sunday | Entrance: $30.95 Adults, $18.95 Children, $28.95 Seniors
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway isn’t in Idyllwild, but it’s only a short ride out of town (and is one of the best Palm Springs activities). Fly as high as the birds on a mountainous gondola ride.
You can access San Jacinto Peak from the Tramway. The hike is shorter and less steep than the Marion Mountain side, but the earliest ride isn’t until 8 am, meaning you can’t have an early start.
Keep your eyes out for bighorn sheep scaling the jagged granite peaks as you ride up the oscillating tram. Stay for a while and try out the delicious cafe at the top before you head back down or head up to the summit.
Idyllwild Art in the Park
Familiarize yourself with local Idyllwild artists at this monthly art festival.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 468-7223 | Website | Hours: 9 am-5 pm Saturday & Sunday, twice a month
Enjoy a local art fair once a month at the Idyllwild Art in the Park in Downtown Idyllwild. This special event is the perfect combination of art and nature. It showcases an array of artistic mediums like ceramics, jewelry, and woodworking.
Events like Art in the Park have given Idyllwild its slogans, “Keep Idy wild,” and “Keep Idy weird.” This is the best time to support local artists and get to know the Idyllwild community.
This event is similar to a farmers market or arts and crafts fair but in a gorgeous mountain setting. Many of the artists showcase their work at the town gallery but others depend only on the Art in the Park event for business. Support the weird Idy community with a trip to Art in the Park next time you’re in town!
FAQs About What to Do in Idyllwild
What is Idyllwild CA known for?
Idyllwild CA is known for its hiking trails, quirky hipster downtown area, and snow recreation in the winter. Idyllwild is also known for its rock climbing spots like Tahquitz Peak and Suicide Rock.
How do you spend weekends in Idyllwild?
To spend a weekend in Idyllwild, start with a cup of coffee from Pure Bean Idy, and admire the natural beauty of the town. Then go on a hike at the Devil’s Slide Trail or the Tahquitz Peak Trail. End your day at Idyllwild Brewery or Middle Ridge Winery.
Does Idyllwild have a downtown?
Idyllwild does have a downtown. Downtown Idyllwild is one of the cutest and hippest downtowns of all California mountain towns. You will find vintage stores, record stores, small cafes, crystal and gem shops, pizza and Mexican food restaurants, and more.
Are there Sequoias in Idyllwild?
There are a few dispersed sequoias in Idyllwild that were planted by the Forest Service after a big fire. They are randomly scattered throughout Idyllwild, so you will need to know what to look for to spot a wooded giant. Pines and Incense Cedars are the most common trees in Idyllwild.
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Now you’re ready to hit the mountain road and explore Idyllwild! Planning a road trip? Then check out these other great places to visit in California for more fun stops to add to your list!
