Idyllwild Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, Hike & Shop (2025)
There’s a place just ~2ish hours from L.A. that transcends typical mountain terrain and transports you to another dimension, and that place is Idyllwild. As soon as I returned from this enchanted village, I knew I had to share an Idyllwild travel guide and shout from the rooftops about how amazing this place is.
The highway you take to get there is literally called Palms to Pines because, after exiting the 60 freeway, you’re taken to a summit with surroundings that are more more desert-like than anything else. As you ascend a highway surrounded by large grey boulders, succulents, terracotta-colored dirt, the elements of nearby Joshua Tree are felt for about half of your climb up the mountain.
Then, as if a fairy waved a wand (and I’m not *not* convinced that fairies reside in this magical place) you’re suddenly in the forest. And once you’re there, that palpable feeling of being immersed in crisp mountain air, surrounded by forests, and the uniquely charming downtown and locals will surely make you fall in love with this place, as I did. So if you’re looking for a transcendent getaway that’s a short drive from LA, this is the place – and after spending several days there, I’m thrilled to share my Idyllwild travel guide with you all.
Your Definitive Idyllwild Travel Guide
Without further ado, let’s get into the best accomodations, restaurants, hikes, and shopping in Idyllwild!
Where to stay in Idyllwild
Idyllwild Cabin Rentals
So, I have to tell you – the cabin I stayed at in Idyllwild might have been my favorite house I’ve ever stayed in on vacation…ever?? This home was truly so special. I pulled up to the property and was immediately taken aback by the beautiful, red A-frame house nestled into the pine trees, and entering the property was an experience so filled with awe and appreciation at how much love was put into the creation of this space.
Every detail was just so lovely and thoughtful. The extremely well-appointed kitchen (with the best mug collection I’ve ever seen, I might add) is surrounded by skylights and large windows leading out to an expansive, stunning deck with incredible patio and lounge furniture to enjoy the incredible scenery. There are plenty of games, books, and even a built in-swing in the entryway to nurture the inner children inside all of us, and for actual children, of course – the place is super family-friendly. The two upstairs bedrooms are perfectly tucked into the top floor of the A-frame, engulfing you in wood and warmth and beautiful views.
But for me, the best area of this cabin was the ground floor. For the vibe: think boho spa meets mountain chic meets…actual heaven? There are three gorgeous rooms on this floor: a beautiful bathroom with dual sinks and a gorgeous walk-in shower with two shower heads, brass finishings and opal tile, a sitting room/bedroom with a fireplace, plush lounge furniture, and a massive, cloud-like bed, and the next room is really something: they call it the “sun room” and there’s a beautiful living area, writing desk looking out into the trees, and here’s the real money maker: a gigantic sunken bathtub looking out into the forest.
Apart from the incredible nature and hikes (below) and extremely joyful antiquing (also below), this incredible cabin was undoubtedly one of my favorite parts of my trip to Idyllwild. I spent my days journaling or reading on the back deck, cooking lasagna and baking scones in the amazing kitchen, cozied up by one of the fireplaces cuddling Cookie, writing at the perfect desk, and of course soaking in the tub.
I booked this cabin through Kindred, a membership-based home-swapping program where you can do 1:1 swaps or use credits to book night at stunning homes all around the world. I can’t say enough good things about this platform: from the incredible customer service, to the sheer volume of amazing homes to choose from. If you have any questions about Kindred give me a shout, or use code ANJ.PRI for 5 free nights at any of their properties around the globe.
There are also plenty of incredible Idyllwild cabin rentals on Vrbo and Airbnb, as well. I’ve learned that Idyllwild is quickly becoming the new Joshua Tree for people that want to purchase investment rental properties to fix up and list on vacation rental sites, so there are tons of incredible rentals in Idyllwild if you’re the type of person who prefers having an entire home to yourself over staying in a hotel.
Idyllwild Hotels
Grand Idyllwild Lodge (pictured) is a beautiful, well-reviewed hotel and spa. I walked and drove by it a handful of times, and it looked rustic and lovely – exactly what you want in a mountain hotel! It looks like you can also book services at their spa without being a guest.
Idyllwild Inn is also a cozy place with on-site rooms and off-site cottages and cabins for rent. And Taquitz Pines Retreat is another nice spot to check out!
Best Restaurants in Idyllwild (Vegan, Plant-Based Food in Idyllwild)
Raven Hill Bagels
Who doesn’t love a fresh, fluffy bagel? I ordered “The Veggie” which was a gigantic pile of fresh veg atop an everything bagel: we’re talking carrots, cucumber, radishes, red onion, capers, tomato, and dill. It came with a vegan cream cheese that wasn’t my *favorite,* so when I go back I’ll probably ask for avocado instead. But this place makes a fantastic bagel, uses high-quality ingredients, and also has an adorable shop where you can peruse various gourmet items while you wait for your food.
Cafe Aroma
I stopped by Cafe Aroma after hiking Ernie Maxwell trail, and had very much worked up an appetite by the time I arrived. The owner was very kind and walked me through the array of amazing vegan options on their menu (vegan queso, various salads, cashew “fauxfredo,” creamy pesto penne, rojo dragon which is a spicy vegan mac n’cheese with kimchi, tofu, and jalapeno, and red rock tofu). I went with the latter and it was good, but I have a feeling that their vegan pastas are really where they shine – so I would order one of those next time. But their service is fantastic (I re-hydrated with a few glasses of water at the bar while I chatted with the friendly bartender), and they included some pretty incredible fresh baked bread with garlic dipping oil in my order. They also have a great dessert menu that always has a couple of vegan options – I had to go with the vegan creme brulee, which was superb. As a bonus, the restaurant atmosphere is super cute and cozy.
Mile High Cafe
Mile High Cafe is an unassuming restaurant just off the CA-243, but they’re known for having an expansive menu with traditional Americana food balanced with very authentic Korean food. I was craving some greens when I popped in for lunch, so I went with their Asian salad with tofu which was simple but fresh and tasty, but I hear their claim to fame is the Bimbibap, which can be made vegan if you sub tofu and remove the egg.
Ferro
I’m disappointed that I didn’t have a chance to dine at Ferro because they have an impressive vegan offering for an Italian restaurant – and in a small mountain town, no less. Many of their pizzas can be made vegan (and they actually have vegan cheese – no sad, marinara-only pizzas here!) and they have an array of veggie sides and salads that are veg-friendly, as well.
Best Coffee & Tea in Idyllwild
Pure Bean Idy
It wouldn’t be a proper Idyllwild travel guide if I didn’t tell you where to get the best coffee in town. So if you’re looking for an excellent cup of joe in Idyllwild, Pure Bean is the place. Their espresso was absolutely delicious – I was really impressed by how flavorful my oat milk latte was. They usually have a vegan pastry or two, on offer, as well!
Shala Tea Company
Shala Tea is a must-stop in Idyllwild. They have an incredible assortment of teas – even down to a decaf chai, which I had to order (it didn’t disappoint). They also had vegan olive oil cake that I adored, and they have a lovely shop with various ceramics and other decor, gifts, and tea items.
Alpaca Coffee & Tea
I didn’t get the chance to go here, but their coffee and tea (boba creations included) get wonderful reviews. It also shares a space with Mile High Cafe (above).
Best Hikes in Idyllwild
Ernie Maxwell Trail
This was the hike I did and I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s about 5 miles out and back – which I tend to prefer over loops when I’m solo hiking, as it feels far less likely I’ll get lost – and the full hike took me a little over 2 hours. It was absolutely stunning, and offered incredible mountain views as well as manzanita groves, which are common in this region. There was also a small waterfall and a couple of lovely creeks. I gained about 800 ft. of elevation that day, so there was enough incline that I got a solid workout, but it wasn’t what I’d call a super tough hike. Just a perfect couple of hours of movement amidst truly beautiful scenery. Bonus: you don’t need a day pass to park or hike here, as you do with many of the hikes in the area. It’s also dog-friendly and Cookie absolutely loved her time on this trail.
Suicide Rock via Deer Springs Trail
If you’re looking for a more strenuous hike with stunning vistas, Deer Springs Trail is the one. It’s 6.7 miles out and back with 1,866 elevation gain, and you can expect to be hiking for about 4 hours with a good amount of incline. You’ll get to see beautiful views of Strawberry Valley, lots of streams, and be immersed in stunning wilderness. You need a permit for this trail, but it’s free. Stop by the ranger station down the road, go up to the board outside of the station, grab a permit from the “all other trails” box, fill the permit and leave the white paper on the board and keep the yellow. Parking is free, but note that dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.
Idyllwild South Loop
For a shorter hike, Idyllwild South Loop came highly recommended. It’s a 2.2 mile loop with around 650 feet of elevation gain, and you’ll be hiking for about an hour and a half. Hikers have noted the beautiful views, a well-marked trail, some steep and uneven sections that require sturdy shoes. Dogs are allowed, but you’ll need a permit (which is free).
Best Shops in Idyllwild
WILDLAND
WILDLAND is a dream of a shop, and was part of what inspired me to write this Idyillwild travel guide! You’re greeted by a waft of their sublime handmade candles upon entering, and I immediately knew as I stepped through the door that I could spend a lot of time in this place. Their incredible candles have the most gorgeous scents, and they (in addition to all of their beauty and body care) are non-toxic and free of synthetic fragrances, which we love. This is a great place to stop for a gift for yourself (I purchased one of their large candles that I have gotten SO many compliments on when it’s been burning at home) and you can also make purchases on their website.
El Sereno Mercantile
El Sereno Mercantile a perfectly curated store with beautiful, high-quality clothing and home goods, but their mission is what makes them really special. Each purchase supports their mission to restore soil, promote biodiversity, and proceeds go towards land restoration projects. Say no more!
Speakeasy Bookmarket
Have you ever walked into a store and immediately thought, “oh, these are my people!” That’s how I felt upon stepping into Speakeasy Bookmarket. They have an impeccable selection of both new and vintage books, as well as other lovely gifts like non-alcoholic spirits.
The Hidden Grotto
Have you ever gotten to make your own bath salt, essential oil concoctions, or loose leaf teas? Well, you can do all of those things at the Hidden Grotto. I opted for the bath salts and of course used them in my fabulous tub back at the cabin later that night. Divine!
Mountain Paws
Because dogs need some retail therapy, too! This shop has everything your pup’s heart desires – from treats, to dog-friendly baked goods, to toys, pup apparel, and beyond. I swooped some treats from Bocce’s Bakery for Cookie – one of her favorite brands 🙂 She said, “include them on your Idyllwild travel guide, mom!”
Best Thrifting, Antiques, and Vintage in Idyllwild
The Owl Pine
The Owl Pine was probably my favorite vintage shop in town (there are many!) so I had to include them in my Idyllwild travel guide. The owner was extremely kind and fun to chat with, and clearly has impeccable taste. The items he has on offer are highly curated, and it was honestly hard to leave with just three items. I left there with a gorgeous geode ashtray (for my palo santo, of course!) and two sweet nesting bowls from the 70s. Pro tip: don’t skip the upstairs – he has a fabulous selection of vintage apparel up there.
Stop Light Thrift Shop
Stop Light was kind of the opposite of The Owl Pine – it was gigantic and stuffed to the brim, but I also kind of loved it and made out like a bandit (their book selection was actually insane and I could have spent a couple of hours perusing that section, alone). Along with a couple of books, I also purchased a beautiful ceramic pitcher and mugs that happened to match the nesting bowls I scored at Owl Pine!
Fern Valley Emporium
Fern Valley Emporium was on the other side of town (and by other side, I mean about a mile down the road) and is run by a very sweet older man. He has a beautiful collection of vintage china, records, and pretty much everything you’d want in a quality antique shop.
Best Time of Year to Visit Idyllwild
The great thing about Idyllwild is that you can enjoy all four seasons there – so you can really visit year-round. Their winters are a bit milder than other California mountain towns, and while they get a bit of snow, I hear that it’s light overall and pretty manageable (and magical) when it does snow. I visited during a particularly warm week in late February, and the temperatures were in the high 60s and low 70s 4/5 days of my visit – the last day was a bit windy and cloudy, but I kind of enjoyed the moodiness for the day.
Did I Miss Anything in my Idyllwild Travel Guide?
If I missed any must-sees, must-dos, or must-eats in Idyllwild, please drop me a line in the comments – because I’ll surely be back and want to soak in as much goodness as possible!
I hope you found this Idyllwild travel guide helpful and inspiring, and that you’re able to experience this magical mountain town. I know you’ll love it as much as I did. If you’re looking for more inspiration for upcoming trips, check out the travel section of my blog with tons of recommendations and restaurant guides for Kauai, Paris, London, Chicago, Sonoma County, and beyond.
