Favorite Stuff Around Idyllwild
Food & Drink
We just opened our tea house May 2023. Please stop by for tea, pastry and browse our selection of cozy home goods from around the world. Some of which you'll recognize from our cabin🤎
Shala Tea Company
We just opened our tea house May 2023. Please stop by for tea, pastry and browse our selection of cozy home goods from around the world. Some of which you'll recognize from our cabin🤎
Superb single origin coffee beans. Make reservations for coffee tastings. No specialty drinks, just filter coffee + milks. Plenty of outdoor seating in a quiet plaza.
26 locals recommend
Black Mountain Coffee Roasters
54425 N Circle DrSuperb single origin coffee beans. Make reservations for coffee tastings. No specialty drinks, just filter coffee + milks. Plenty of outdoor seating in a quiet plaza.
Local heroes sourcing Verve coffee beans. Try the dirty chai latte, the cafe cortado - you cannot go wrong here. Brunch served next door.
47 locals recommend
Alpaca Coffee & Tea
26600 CA-243Local heroes sourcing Verve coffee beans. Try the dirty chai latte, the cafe cortado - you cannot go wrong here. Brunch served next door.
Vegan gluten free doughnuts in flavors like pistachio, lemon and carrot cake. Also coffee.
Pure Bean Idy
Vegan gluten free doughnuts in flavors like pistachio, lemon and carrot cake. Also coffee.
Dense, artisanal truffles and soothing chocolate drinks hiding in this strip mall joint. I go for the hazelnut.
41 locals recommend
El Buen Cacao
54423 Village Center DrDense, artisanal truffles and soothing chocolate drinks hiding in this strip mall joint. I go for the hazelnut.
Go early, shop closes when Amelia sells out. Try the original cinnamon sugar and apple fritter.
28 locals recommend
Amelia’s Donuts & More
54300 N Circle DrGo early, shop closes when Amelia sells out. Try the original cinnamon sugar and apple fritter.
Perfect for a tasting as they source natural, organic and biodynamic wines from around the world $$$$
25 locals recommend
The Wine Finch
54225 North Circle DrivePerfect for a tasting as they source natural, organic and biodynamic wines from around the world $$$$
Easy place to grab a glass and small bites, often with live music on weekend evenings. The vineyard is in nearby Temecula so consider these our most local grapes.
50 locals recommend
Middle Ridge Winery
54301 N Circle DrEasy place to grab a glass and small bites, often with live music on weekend evenings. The vineyard is in nearby Temecula so consider these our most local grapes.
Strikes the best balance between good food and warm ambience. Make reservations in advance.
111 locals recommend
Cafe Aroma
54750 N Circle DrStrikes the best balance between good food and warm ambience. Make reservations in advance.
An easy order-at-the-counter spot with plenty of outdoor seating. Excellent pastas, risotto funghi, vegan gf pizza. Live music weekends.
81 locals recommend
Fratello’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
54295 Ridgeview DrAn easy order-at-the-counter spot with plenty of outdoor seating. Excellent pastas, risotto funghi, vegan gf pizza. Live music weekends.
Hearty Mexican standards with very spicy homemade salsas. Lovely patio. $1 tacos on Mondays & Thursdays if you dine in.
68 locals recommend
La Casita
54650 N Circle DrHearty Mexican standards with very spicy homemade salsas. Lovely patio. $1 tacos on Mondays & Thursdays if you dine in.
One of the few places offering vegan breakfast options, mimosas with fresh juices, steak and egg standards too.
36 locals recommend
Mama's Egg House
54241 Ridgeview DrOne of the few places offering vegan breakfast options, mimosas with fresh juices, steak and egg standards too.
Where people end up most nights. Lots of patio seating. Full bar and good bar food. The best Beyond burger in town.
135 locals recommend
Idyllwild Brewpub
54423 Village Center DrWhere people end up most nights. Lots of patio seating. Full bar and good bar food. The best Beyond burger in town.
Stuff To Do
Fun bookstore and one of the few places that may have something special going on past 8PM.
9 locals recommend
Speakeasy Books
54440 North Circle DriveFun bookstore and one of the few places that may have something special going on past 8PM.
Weekly art classes and right next door to Mountain Pottery. Run by Marla & Chris who have brought their sense of humor, impeccable taste, and generosity into a well curated art supply store.
6 locals recommend
Art Dept.
54240 Pine Crest AvenueWeekly art classes and right next door to Mountain Pottery. Run by Marla & Chris who have brought their sense of humor, impeccable taste, and generosity into a well curated art supply store.
Newly remodeled with generous seats, cheap tickets and a great candy, beer and wine selection. Special events in the biergarten out back.
58 locals recommend
The Rustic Theatre, Idyllwild
54290 N Circle DrNewly remodeled with generous seats, cheap tickets and a great candy, beer and wine selection. Special events in the biergarten out back.
Weekend appointments available to tour the kennels and perhaps bring home an extra fluffy souvenir :)
8 locals recommend
Living Free Animal Sanctuary
54250 Keen Camp RdWeekend appointments available to tour the kennels and perhaps bring home an extra fluffy souvenir :)
Recreational lake 15 minutes downhill from Idy. Good for renting boats, kayaks, fishing, picnicking, designated swimming area for overnight campers. Bring your Annual Park Pass (provided) for free parking!
48 locals recommend
Lake Hemet
Recreational lake 15 minutes downhill from Idy. Good for renting boats, kayaks, fishing, picnicking, designated swimming area for overnight campers. Bring your Annual Park Pass (provided) for free parking!
Shops
Handmade candles, essential oils, ceramics and textiles in a quaint plaza with coffee right next door.
16 locals recommend
Wildland
54425 N Circle DrHandmade candles, essential oils, ceramics and textiles in a quaint plaza with coffee right next door.
More than just a magical nursery; browse the foodstuffs, stationary, free samples of tortilla chips.
30 locals recommend
Idyllwild Garden
North Circle DriveMore than just a magical nursery; browse the foodstuffs, stationary, free samples of tortilla chips.
All your outdoor gear needs can be found here + outpost for Pacific Crest Trail hikers in season.
11 locals recommend
Nomad Ventures
28780 Old Town Front StAll your outdoor gear needs can be found here + outpost for Pacific Crest Trail hikers in season.
Toy store/candy shop from a bygone era with bygone prices. Upstairs at “The Fort.”
9 locals recommend
Idyllwild Soda Pop & Sweet Shop
54225 N Circle DrToy store/candy shop from a bygone era with bygone prices. Upstairs at “The Fort.”
Great stop for music, books about music, clothing and buttons about music. Last shop in “The Alley.”
14 locals recommend
Hunky Dory Records
54200 N Circle DrGreat stop for music, books about music, clothing and buttons about music. Last shop in “The Alley.”
Owned by our local homesteaders who are building a sustainable farm in Mountain Center. Finely curated selection of their favorite utility apparel, tools and home goods.
El Sereno Mercantile
Owned by our local homesteaders who are building a sustainable farm in Mountain Center. Finely curated selection of their favorite utility apparel, tools and home goods.
Trails
Parking for the Devil's Slide or Ernie Maxwell Trail. Fills up on holidays and weekends. Devil's Slide is permit-only and will reach capacity on weekends. Still a gorgeous approach to the Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout.
72 locals recommend
Humber Park
24559 Fern Valley RdParking for the Devil's Slide or Ernie Maxwell Trail. Fills up on holidays and weekends. Devil's Slide is permit-only and will reach capacity on weekends. Still a gorgeous approach to the Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout.
If you start from the trailhead on Tahquitz View Drive instead of Humber Park, you'll go uphill on the outbound and downhill for the return. This direction also saves the best scenery for last.
59 locals recommend
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 3E07
Fern Valley RoadIf you start from the trailhead on Tahquitz View Drive instead of Humber Park, you'll go uphill on the outbound and downhill for the return. This direction also saves the best scenery for last.
The best approach to the Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout. Avoids the crowds and permit process of the Devil's Slide Trail.
7 locals recommend
South Ridge Trail
Fern Valley RoadThe best approach to the Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout. Avoids the crowds and permit process of the Devil's Slide Trail.
The most direct trail to Suicide Rock plus access to many multi-day trekking options.
35 locals recommend
Deer Springs Trail
Deer Spring TrailThe most direct trail to Suicide Rock plus access to many multi-day trekking options.
Marion Mountain Trailhead
Marion Mountain Trail 2E14Most direct approach to Mount San Jacinto at 10,834 feet.
Great spot to get a view of Mount San Jacinto, since most other hikes keep her obscured. Popular for bouldering and camping. Possible to drive all the way up but why not take the scenic walking route?
Black Mountain Trail 2E35
Black Mountain TrailGreat spot to get a view of Mount San Jacinto, since most other hikes keep her obscured. Popular for bouldering and camping. Possible to drive all the way up but why not take the scenic walking route?
Day Trips
Our very own Southern California wine country just an hour+ from Idy. Think Mediterranean climate and Italian/Spanish style grapes. Wines are surprisingly sophisticated and practically any vineyard you choose will have stunning valley views.
207 locals recommend
Temecula
Our very own Southern California wine country just an hour+ from Idy. Think Mediterranean climate and Italian/Spanish style grapes. Wines are surprisingly sophisticated and practically any vineyard you choose will have stunning valley views.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Lalitanand Yoga
Inspiring yoga for all levels on a beautiful private deck in Pine Cove, or a heated yurt in winter. Lili offers aerial, vinyasa, restorative and core yoga classes weekly. Check the lalitanandyoga website for full schedule.