Enjoy hiking, but sick of the air quality of LA? Look no further than our latest weekend road trip hiking in Idyllwild, California (elevation: 5,413 feet), an easy 2.5 hour drive from Los Angeles. We recommend hitting the road early on a Saturday (or before noon on Friday) to beat the traffic. Otherwise, it will be bumper to bumper (and you’ll easily double that drive time).
Such a peaceful hike, along the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail in Idyllwild, California.
Never heard of Idyllwild? Well, you aren’t alone. It seems that most of our LA friends know Palm Springs. But mention the mountaintop town of Idyllwild, and we get blank stares. Or my personal favorite response when I said we were about to visit Idyllwild — you’re going to American Idol? Oh, you gotta love LA!
Finding my inner zen in Idyllwild, California
Sure, you won’t find any Aperol Spritz cocktails by a kidney-shaped pool like in Palm Springs. And you’ll trade in the midcentury modern digs for something, let’s just say, a bit more rustic. But hey, not too rustic. Kevin and I are getting too old for that! Follow our journey as we reveal the top Idyllwild restaurants, B&B’s and hikes for your next romantic escape.
What Makes Idyllwild So Unique?
A few of the towering mountains above downtown Idyllwild
Idyllwild, California, a mile high up in the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs, is the gateway to the San Jacinto Wilderness andone of those pretty little mountain towns that seem to only exist in a romance novel. It’s artsy, quiet and cozy. You won’t find a major ski resort. No box stores or factory outlets. It’s mostly independent shops that sell everything from Tibetan singing bowls to original artwork and hand-thrown ceramic bowls. You can still pick up a few T-shirts while you’re there. Though, even those are pretty artistic.
Besides the shopping (which I’m always down for), Idyllwild is a nature-lover’s dream. There is no shortage of spots to go hiking, rock climbings, mountain biking and camping. We absolutely love it.
Where Is The Best Hiking in Idyllwild?
Option #1: If you have 2 hours, Hike Ernie Maxwell Trail
Feeling the burn while hiking in Idyllwild.
We’ve done several hikes in Idyllwild over the years, including the Ernie Maxwell Trail. If you’re interested in doing a mostly flat and easy trail, the Earnie Maxwell Trail is the one for you. The 4.6 mile hike features beautiful wild flowers and mountain top overlooks. We really enjoy hiking but honestly don’t want to spend our entire day on the trail. It just took us 2 hours – a nice option if you’re short on time. A secret insiders tip: stop by the ranger station in town and ask about the entrance near the Mile High Cafe turnoff. The rangers literally drew us a map with detailed instructions on how to access (and avoid the parking fee in Humber Park).
Option #2: If you have 4 hours, Devil’s Slide Trail to Tahquitz Peak
Brrr… Kevin is ready to go hiking.
If you’re a little more ambitious, and want a more strenuous trail, look no further than the Devil’s Slide Trail to Tahquitz Peak. This is a fantastic out and back hike with a total distance of 8.3 miles. This trail is regulated and you’ll first need to stop in town at the Ranger’s Station to pick up a hiking permit (54270 Pine Crest Ave, Idyllwild; open daily at 8 AM). It sounds like a pain, but it takes about 5 minutes to fill out the forms.
The permit is just $5 and you must carry it with you on the trail. More than likely, you’ll be stopped along the hike by a ranger and asked to show it. If you’re hiking in the peak season (May through Labor Day weekend in September), the number of permits is limited to reduce wear and tear on the trail to just 30 passes total (up to 12 people per pass). So make sure you plan accordingly (and show up when they open at 8 AM to guarantee a permit).
Don’t forget to pick up your hiking permit and parking pass (pictured above) for your hike along Devil’s Slide.
We drove to Humber Park (where the trail begins and ends) and found no issues parking around 8:30 AM. There were several other hikers, completely geared up and looked like they were ready to tackle Everest. We’re not gonna lie, we were a little concerned since we showed up in sneakers and had 1 bottle of sparkling water to share. And let’s just say, we had at least a few fellow hikers call us out on it. But we were completely fine. If you’re in reasonably good shape, you should be able to do this hike in 4 hours total. I’d like to think we weren’t unnecessarily weighed down.
Enjoying the mostly shaded Devil’s Slide Trail.
It isn’t an easy stroll. Our legs were burning upon reaching the 2.5 mile mark right at Devil’s Slide. We considered turning back, but decided to follow the Pacific Crest Trail for an additional 1.4 miles toward Tahquitz Peak to the fire lookout tower. And oh, it is completely worth the final push. The tower was built in 1937 and today it’s still used by volunteers. There is a stove and sink (that no longer work) and even a bed inside the cabin. Each day, a local volunteer makes the long trek up the mountain to keep an eye out for fires. Talk about dedication — but I guess you can’t beat the view from the office.
Kevin peeks inside the fire lookout tower. I’m glad nobody is in there, otherwise it would be very creepy.
Where to Stay in Idyllwild?
Strawberry Creek Inn, a romantic B&B in Idyllwild.
We’ve stayed at a several places in Idyllwild over the years, and most have been wonderful. Some are definitely more “functional.” But you can’t go wrong at the uber-romantic Strawberry Creek Inn. A few years back, it changed owners who gave it a facelift. The manager on site personally got a kick out of my special request via email of “any room except the one with the grandma lace canopy bed.” I saw an old photo of the place and the grandma motif is long gone (thank goodness). We stayed in a Fireplace Premium Suite located in the main house on the first floor (rates start at $190 a night, typically with a 2 night minimum on the weekend). You’ll feel one with nature snoozing in the outdoor hammocks or feeding the chickens in the nearby coop.
The chicken coop next to the Strawberry Creek Inn
They also serve a full breakfast every morning, where we got to bond with other overworked LA natives hiding out for the weekend.
What are the Best Idyllwild Restaurants?
Breakfast or Lunch
After we wrapped the hike, we were ready to eat. And we burned some serious calories, which means one thing — time for some cinnamon rolls. Our first stop was the Town Baker Cafe to eat their famed breakfast bun (which we all know is basically dessert for breakfast). Whatever… stop judging us. And at least we didn’t go to Cinnabon.
The hot cinnamon roll. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables in the back.
From here, you’re just steps away from our favorite coffee shop in town (okay, one of the only coffee shops in town), Higher Grounds. Visitors and locals alike come here to sip on fresh coffee, hang out and read. Yes, it still happens here. It’s like taking a step back in time.
Inside Higher Grounds. Smile for the camera random guy!
Dinner in Idyllwild
Best restaurant in Idyllwild is Cafe Aroma.
Cafe Aroma has it all — delicious food, nightly live music and free bread with addictive garlic and olive oil dipping sauce. I can easily eat an entire basket of bread by myself. There are several great restaurants in Idyllwild but this is our favorite go-to spot. The Aroma kitchen team uses classic recipes to create dishes with French, Latin, Asian and SoCal influences. It closed a few years ago but is back once again. While some complain it isn’t the same (haters are gonna hate), we think it’s still as tasty and relaxing as ever. Grab a seat on the covered outdoor patio, grab a glass of wine or hot tea, and unwind in the cool mountain air. It’s cheaper than therapy!
Kevin enjoys his book and the fresh mountain air at our outdoor table at Cafe Aroma.
There you have it. Enjoy the best of Idyllwild. And if any Angeleno asks if you had fun going to American Idol, just say yes. It’s a whole lot easier that way!
What? Another cinnamon roll? We are making up for all that hiking, clearly.
Looking for other LA road trip ideas? Be sure to check out our top picks in California’s Gold Country. More into hidden gems? Check out this 1 day adventure from LA to an Egyptian city buried beneath California coastal sand dunes. Or there is always Palm Springs where we take you inside Elvis’ honeymoon hideaway and a hidden cabaret.
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