Welcome to Idyllwild
A relaxing mountain town that is just a mile high
Idyllwild is a small mountain town located in the San Jacinto Mountains in California. This picturesque place is surrounded by beautiful nature, making it the perfect escape from city life. However, a city is never too far away. Idyllwild is in close proximity to both Los Angeles and San Diego, giving residents easy access to bigger cities for a weekend getaway or a night on the town.
Idyllwild is famous for being a mile high and for being one of the first towns to elect a dog as its mayor. The golden retriever Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II was the second dog elected as the town's mayor, and his two cousins, Mitzi and Mikey, serve as his deputy mayors. It’s a place with a lot of character!
What to Love
- Gorgeous Mountain Views
- Art Culture
- Breathtaking Nature
- Outdoor Activities
Local Lifestyle
Idyllwild truly embodies a small-town lifestyle. You won’t even find any commercial buildings or stoplights here. The nature that surrounds the town lends to many outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, and fishing. Idyllwild is known for its unpretentious art scene, spiritual retreats, and music.
Houses in Idyllwild vary in size and price, with many properties having substantial space and land surrounding them. Cabin-style homes are extremely popular due to the mountain setting, and there are a few notable art schools in the area, with more schools available in the surrounding towns and cities.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
There are plenty of dining options in town; some offering live entertainment as well. Ferro is an Italian restaurant with a casual take on fine dining. They host jazz nights as well for patrons to enjoy delightful tunes while eating their meals. The Idyllwild Brewpub has delicious food and beverages with the ability to watch the art of brewing live. Cafe Aroma has brunch and dinner menus that offer unique and exciting takes on classic items. Alpaca Coffee has every coffee drink you could want and then some. They also feature bubble milk teas.
Wildland Organics has specialty crafted items for bath and body, and you can visit their retail shop or purchase products online. They also have Wellness Retreats that allow you to relax, meditate, and create. Merkaba is a tea shop, but it's also so much more. In addition to over 340 varieties of teas and herbals, they also sell home decor, spiritual items, apparel, jewelry, games, and seasonal items. If you’re looking for your next read, head over to Speakeasy Books, a local bookshop with all the latest reads in every genre you can think of. Wooley’s is a family-owned store selling quality hats and apparel, and they have specialized in sheepskin products since 2001.
Things To Do
Idyllwild is a tight-knit community with lots of activities to do year-round. The Fourth of July parade is an annual event where the whole town is decked out to the nines to celebrate the nation's birthday. The event ends with a spectacular fireworks display. When fall hits, it's time for the Halloween Festival. The day includes a parade, carnival, and costume contest that is open to residents and pets alike. In the winter, you can attend the Idyllwild Christmas Tree Lighting. The day includes singing, hot beverages, food, and of course, dazzling lights.
The annual art walk and wine tasting event feature 17 of California’s wineries that you can taste samples of while walking to explore various art galleries and booths. You can also enjoy live music and even get the opportunity to purchase everything from art to jewelry to furniture. The Idyllwild Nature Center is a family-friendly museum that allows visitors to learn more about the Southern California region and the local plants and wildlife that inhabit it. Beyond the museum, there is also a trail system that brings visitors out into the area's nature.
Schools
While Idyllwild doesn’t house a large number of schools, there are a couple to take note of:
