The Best Things to Do in Idyllwild, CA (+ Itinerary, Cabins, & Food Recommendations)

Idyllwild is one of my favorite Southern California mountain towns. Whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, or somewhere in between, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway filled with hiking, explorations around town, and breathing in the fresh mountain air.

Below, we’ll cover all of the best things to do in Idyllwild, and also go over a sample itinerary for a weekend getaway. I’ll also talk through a few key things to know before your visit.

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The Top Things to Do in Idyllwild, California

Let’s talk through what to do in Idyllwild, including where to eat, explore, and hike!

Walk Around Lake Fulmor

Lake Fulmor is an incredibly scenic lake right off Highway 243. There’s a super easy half-mile loop that goes around the lake – I highly suggest doing the whole trail to soak in all the beautiful views! Once you get to the opposite side of the lake from where you started (halfway through the trail), I also recommend walking down to the small beach to get up close to the water.

The parking lot for Lake Fulmor is just across the highway. Make sure you put up your Adventure Pass in your car!

Lake Fulmor with a Mountain in the Background

Enjoy the Views from the Indian Vista Scenic Overlook

About three-quarters of a mile down the road from Lake Fulmor, you’ll see the parking lot for Indian Vista Scenic Overlook. There’s a super short paved path that takes you out to the overlook, which offers views of the mountains and land to the west and south. Obviously, it was a super foggy day when I last visited, but I still thought it was cool to watch the fog roll in!

Explore the Town of Idyllwild

The town of Idyllwild may be small, but there’s still plenty of gems worth checking out. There are lots of gift shops, clothing stores, vintage shops, and more. I personally love Ephemera, a vintage clothing and goods store with some unique, colorful finds. There are also some great restaurants in town – I’ll go over a few recommendations below.

If you need something to eat or drink, grab a coffee at Black Mountain Coffee Roasting, or a donut at Amelia’s Donuts & More. Take your treat over to Idyllwild Park, which is right in the center of town. Be sure to get your picture by the Idyllwild Town Monument, as well!

Grab a Beer at Idyllwild Brewpub

I don’t know why, but beers just taste better when you’re in the mountains. Idyllwild Brewpub is a popular spot that offers 21 beers on tap, as well as cocktails. They have a great covered outdoor patio with heaters, as well as some indoor seating.

Idyllwild Brewpub is also an excellent place for lunch and dinner. They had pickle fries as a special last time I visited (perfect for a snack to enjoy alongside your beer!), and also have your classic brewpub fare (including vegan-friendly options).

Hike One (or More) of the Many Idyllwild Trails

There are plenty of incredible trails in Idyllwild of different lengths and challenge levels. Here are a few to consider for your visit:

Note: Some of these trails require an Adventure Pass and/or a Wilderness Permit. I cover the key details on what you need to know about these passes at the end of this guide.

Idyllwild Park Trail (Easy, 2.6 miles): This is a super pretty and very lowkey trail (see two photos on the right below) with excellent views that is located in the Idyllwild Nature Center (about a 5-minute drive outside of town). There are quite a few offshoots and it does get a bit confusing, so I suggest downloading the AllTrails map for offline use so that you can follow the GPS. Note that there is a small $4 per person fee that you can pay inside the center.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail (Moderate, 4.6 miles): This is another popular trail that offers a cool view of Tahquitz Rock from below, as well as the surrounding area. It is just about a 10-minute drive outside of town. An Adventure Pass is required for parking.
Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock (Moderate, 6.7 miles): If you’re up for more of a challenge, hike up to Suicide Rock for incredible views of Idyllwild and the surrounding mountain range. I’ve never done this entire hike myself, but there’s a clearing with a great view of Tahquitz Rock (see photo on the left below) three-quarters of a mile up the trail if you’re not up for a long hike. Hike up, take in the view, and then turn back around! Note: a free Wilderness Permit is required if you plan on doing the full hike. You can self-register at the Idyllwild Forest Service Ranger Station in town.
Devils Slide Trail to Tahquitz Peak (Moderate, 8.3 miles): If you’re really up for an adventure, you’ll want to hike up to Tahquitz Peak for some of the best views in Idyllwild. You need an Adventure Pass for parking AND a day use permit. You can find all the information about getting a permit here. Note that there’s a limited number of permits on weekends from Memorial Weekend until Labor Day Weekend.

View of Tahquitz Rock from Deer Springs Trail

The Perfect Idyllwild Weekend Getaway: Sample Itinerary

If you’re planning on spending a weekend in Idyllwild, here’s the exact itinerary I followed during my most recent visit. In my opinion, half of the fun of visiting Idyllwild is spending some unplugged time in your cabin, so this isn’t too jam-packed. That said, you’ll still get in plenty of activities!

Note: I was coming from Los Angeles, and came from the north side of town (through Banning). You may want to rearrange this itinerary based on where you’re coming from.

Day 1

Start the day with an easy walk around Lake Fulmor. After that, drive less than a mile down the road and take in the views at Indian Vista Scenic Overlook. Get back in the car, drive about 8.5 miles towards town, and go for a hike on the Deer Springs Trail (pictured below). If you’re up for it and got an early enough start, go for the full 6.7-mile hike (keep in mind it takes an average of about four hours to complete!). Not appealing? I recommend just going up to the three-quarter mile mark to take in the view from the clearing.

After your hike, head into town. Grab a beer and lunch at Idyllwild Brewpub, and then spend some time walking through and exploring the shops in the town of Idyllwild. Head to your lodging to check in and relax for a bit before heading back into town for dinner (I suggest Ferro – more info below!).

Day 2

Start the day with breakfast in your cabin or in town. Need some coffee? Check out Black Mountain Coffee Roasting or Alpaca Coffee & Tea (Alpaca also serves food at the cafe next door).

Head over to the Idyllwild Nature Center to hike the Idyllwild Park Trail (pictured below). After the hike, head into town for lunch (Mama’s Egg House is a personal favorite – you’ll find more info below). Walk around town one last time, and maybe pick up some donuts at Amelia’s Donuts for the drive home. If you’d like to fit in one more hike before heading home, make your way over to the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail.

Trail leading through trees at Idyllwild Park Trail

The Best Restaurants in Idyllwild

For a fairly small town, Idyllwild has a great selection of restaurant options. Here are the three spots I suggest checking out during your getaway:

Ferro: Ferro is one of the most popular spots for dinner in town, so I suggest making a reservation in advance. This restaurant serves classic Italian food, including a few vegan options (I really enjoyed the Spaghetti Aglio e Olio con Pomodori Secchi!). The patio out back is really nice, so I recommend trying to get a reservation out there if you can!
Idyllwild Brewpub: As mentioned above, this casual spot is excellent for lunch and dinner. If you’re planning on visiting during dinner, I recommend getting a reservation in advance (especially on busy season weekends!).
Mama’s Egg House: This is an excellent casual spot in town for breakfast and lunch! They have an extensive menu with omelets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, benedicts, salads, sandwiches, juices, and so much more. They also have a separate vegan menu with some great selections – I devoured the Breakfast Vegan Burrito.

The Best Idyllwild Cabins

During my most recent stay in Idyllwild, I stayed at Stellar’s Jay Cabin, a one bedroom spot that I highly recommend for a group of two people! It’s charming, clean, well-decorated, reasonably priced, and conveniently located just about a five-minute drive from town. It also has an indoor fireplace and a back patio – what more can you want?

If that’s unavailable or doesn’t work for your party, here are a few more top-rated Idyllwild cabins worth considering:

Cozy Oaks Cabin (1 Bedroom, 2 Guests): This welcoming cabin is located just a 5-minute drive from town. It has a great outdoor space complete with a grill and hammock, as well as a wood burning stove, stocked kitchen, and washer and dryer.
Idyllcreek A-Frame (2 Bedrooms, 4 Guests): This picture-perfect, pet-friendly A-frame is the ideal spot to stay for a getaway in Idyllwild. It features an outdoor patio with a hot tub and grill, a wood-burning fireplace, a fully-stocked kitchen, and a washer and dryer. It’s also only a quarter-mile away from town!
Romantic Log Cabin (2 Bedrooms, 6 Guests): This charming cabin is conveniently located less than a 5-minute drive from town. The property has a spacious outdoor deck (complete with a grill), a wood burning fireplace, a well-stocked kitchen, and a washer and dryer.
Mountaineer’s Lodge (4 Bedrooms, 8 Guests): For larger groups, this cabin is the perfect place to stay. The property features a wrap-around outdoor deck with a hot tub and grill, a game room with a pool table and other activities, a well-stocked kitchen, and a washer and dryer. It’s also only a 5-minute drive from town.

For even more places to stay, take a look at VRBO’s extensive list of vacation rentals in Idyllwild.

Idyllwild Travel Tips: Key Things to Know Before You Visit

To finish things off, let’s talk about some logistics and tips for making the most of your trip.

Do You Need an Adventure Pass in Idyllwild?

If you’re planning on doing some hiking in Idyllwild, there’s a good chance you’ll need to get an Adventure Pass. Idyllwild is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, where some recreation areas require you to display a National Forest Adventure Pass in your parked car to show you paid the fee. Currently, a day pass costs $5, and an annual pass costs $30.

Check out this map, which shows exactly where you need a pass. Of the trails and recreation areas that are recommended above, you’ll need a pass at Lake Fulmor, Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail, and Devil’s Slide Trail to Tahquitz Peak.

Note that many trails also require a free permit. You can find more information on the Forest Service website (I’ve also indicated which trails need a permit in the hiking section below).

Where to Buy an Adventure Pass in Idyllwild

If you plan a bit ahead, you can buy your Adventure Pass in advance at a store near you, such as REI, Big 5, or 7-Eleven (be sure to refer to this list of vendors, and then call ahead to double check your store has them in stock). For Southern California residents, it’s not a bad idea to buy a few day passes (or get the annual pass) to have on hand for when you explore other national forest areas.

Otherwise, you’ll want to get a pass as you’re driving into town, or buy one in town at the Forest Service Ranger Station (but I’d recommend you buy in advance, just in case you visit when the station is closed). If you’re coming in from the north side of town, I suggest stopping by the Big 5 in Banning, which you’ll drive through before you start driving up the mountain. If that doesn’t work for you, check the full list of vendors to find a spot.

Keep in mind that one pass covers one day (unless you end up buying the annual pass), so you may need to buy more than one if you’re visiting for a weekend or longer.

When is the Best Time to Visit Idyllwild?

If you’re looking to spend plenty of time hiking and being outside, the best time to visit Idyllwild will be around the late spring and early fall. In the late spring, you can expect temperatures in the mid 60s to low 80s. If you visit in the early fall, temperatures tend to be in the low 70s to low 80s.

The summer is nice, but note that it still gets fairly hot (average temperatures tend to go into the mid/high 80s). It also gets busier in the summer, so you’ll likely deal with more crowds, and may need to plan a bit more in advance when booking lodging.

You’re more likely to experience rain or snow from November to March, so keep that in mind when planning your Idyllwild vacation. That said, Idyllwild is beautiful when it snows – and you can still get some hiking in with the appropriate gear!

What to Bring to Idyllwild

Here are a few key things you’ll want to bring for your trip to Idyllwild.

Layers: Regardless of when you are visiting, you’ll want to make sure you have some layers. Even in the summer, temperatures in the evening can drop into the 50s, so it’s a good idea to bring along a sweater or jacket you can throw on.
Athletic Clothing: High-quality athletic wear is essential for when you’re out hiking and exploring Idyllwild. My go-to brands for outdoor adventures are Vuori and Beyond Yoga. If you like leggings, I’m a huge fan of the Beyond Yoga High Waisted Midi Leggings (I own multiple pairs!). They are super soft, great quality, and easy to move in!
Sunscreen: You’ll be spending plenty of time outdoors, so be sure to pack your sunscreen! I recommend the Supergoop Play SPF 50 for the body, and either the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion or the EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 for the face.
Backpack: It’s a good idea to have a backpack with you to carry your essentials as you’re hiking and exploring the area. The Osprey’s Daylite Everyday Backpack is a great option for day hikes, while the company’s fanny pack and shoulder sling bag are both excellent options if you prefer something more compact.
Water Bottle: Make sure you are staying hydrated while you are out exploring Idyllwild! I love my Hydro Flask bottle.
Running Shoes or Hiking Boots: Depending on how much hiking you’re planning on doing, you may want to bring along some hiking boots. If you’re on the hunt for a pair, I highly recommend Merrell. I’ve had my pair for about eight years at this point, and they’ve held up incredibly well. The Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are the more updated version of what I currently own. Men can try the Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot.

If you’re looking for more Southern California travel inspiration, take a look through these guides:

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