Guidebook for Idyllwild, Thoughtfully created by The Fox Den
Sightseeing
Great place to go and hike! There are different trails for different levels of difficulty. The Ernie Maxwell trail is an excellent day hike that is easy with beautiful vistas.
72 locals recommend
Humber Park
24559 Fern Valley RdGreat place to go and hike! There are different trails for different levels of difficulty. The Ernie Maxwell trail is an excellent day hike that is easy with beautiful vistas.
Beautiful views from the top, but a bit more difficult than Ernie Maxwell!
15 locals recommend
Suicide Rock
Beautiful views from the top, but a bit more difficult than Ernie Maxwell!
Beautiful little lake towards the Banning side of HWY 243. About 20 min drive from Idyllwild. There are picnic benches and lots of people fishing.
71 locals recommend
Lake Fulmor Day Use Area
Hall Decker RoadBeautiful little lake towards the Banning side of HWY 243. About 20 min drive from Idyllwild. There are picnic benches and lots of people fishing.
Inspiration Point
Beautiful views - worth checking out!
Food Scene
Excellent place for dinner. High quality Italian dishes & gourmet pizza. (Recommend: Pollo Arrosto, Sausage and Fennel pizza) Great outdoor area with live entertainment (most nights) & cozy bar.
147 locals recommend
FERRO
25840 Cedar StExcellent place for dinner. High quality Italian dishes & gourmet pizza. (Recommend: Pollo Arrosto, Sausage and Fennel pizza) Great outdoor area with live entertainment (most nights) & cozy bar.
Good place for fresh baked treats in the morning to compliment Swiss based cuisine. Sundays they hold a buffet that locals and visitors enjoy. Their new dinner menu is excellent (Fri/Sat only)
42 locals recommend
Tommy's Kitchen
54700 N Circle DrGood place for fresh baked treats in the morning to compliment Swiss based cuisine. Sundays they hold a buffet that locals and visitors enjoy. Their new dinner menu is excellent (Fri/Sat only)
Good place to pop into for some coffee or a craft beer and baked goods. Paul is very friendly and their grilled sammy's are a good option for a quick lunch.
21 locals recommend
Idyllwild Bake Shop & Brew
54200 N Circle DrGood place to pop into for some coffee or a craft beer and baked goods. Paul is very friendly and their grilled sammy's are a good option for a quick lunch.
Our go-to for mexican in Idyllwild! You must try their Jalapeno sauce, but be careful, it is HOT!
68 locals recommend
La Casita
54650 N Circle DrOur go-to for mexican in Idyllwild! You must try their Jalapeno sauce, but be careful, it is HOT!
This hidden gem is located behind some shops on North Circle (look for Idyllwild Arts shop - it is behind it!) Perfect spot for baked goods, coffee and wraps.
48 locals recommend
The Town Baker
54385 N Circle DrThis hidden gem is located behind some shops on North Circle (look for Idyllwild Arts shop - it is behind it!) Perfect spot for baked goods, coffee and wraps.
Another good option for lunch/dinner. Wood Fired pizza and good Italian fare in the middle of town.
81 locals recommend
Fratello’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
54295 Ridgeview DrAnother good option for lunch/dinner. Wood Fired pizza and good Italian fare in the middle of town.
Grab some healthy vegetarian food - vegan options as well - and some yummy smoothies / juices.
17 locals recommend
Plant Food Supper Club
54241 Ridgeview DrGrab some healthy vegetarian food - vegan options as well - and some yummy smoothies / juices.
This place has it all - and is pretty consistent in their quality. Grab breakfast, lunch or dinner here - and if you go for dinner, their brown bread is a must to start! If you would like recommendations, please do not hesitate to ask us - their menu is extensive. Happy Hour is Mon - Fri in the cafe area - and Margarita Thursdays is fun!
75 locals recommend
Restaurant Gastrognome
54381 Ridgeview DrThis place has it all - and is pretty consistent in their quality. Grab breakfast, lunch or dinner here - and if you go for dinner, their brown bread is a must to start! If you would like recommendations, please do not hesitate to ask us - their menu is extensive. Happy Hour is Mon - Fri in the cafe area - and Margarita Thursdays is fun!
Our favorite place for breakfast, lunch and dinner! They have consistently great meals and we highly recommend them. Korean and other ethic options are avail and highly recommended as well. Try the new cheese plate - YUM!
48 locals recommend
Mile High Cafe
26600 CA-243Our favorite place for breakfast, lunch and dinner! They have consistently great meals and we highly recommend them. Korean and other ethic options are avail and highly recommended as well. Try the new cheese plate - YUM!
Roast all coffee in house... tastings are on the weekends. They are only a roaster, so you cannot purchase drinks - only coffee tastings. They sell their coffee, it is amazing - and worth trying / taking a little of Idy back home with you!
26 locals recommend
Black Mountain Coffee Roasters
54425 N Circle DrRoast all coffee in house... tastings are on the weekends. They are only a roaster, so you cannot purchase drinks - only coffee tastings. They sell their coffee, it is amazing - and worth trying / taking a little of Idy back home with you!
Not only do they have some pretty amazing Crepes - savory AND sweet - as well as gelato, shakes, bubble waffles and some of the best cappuccino on the mountain, but their VIEW is the best on the hill for a restaurant - you can see Tahquitz from the tables outside. Their bfast crepe is yummy and they have a crepe not on the menu - ask for lemon, butter and powdered sugar with a side of vanilla gelato. You won't be sorry.
21 locals recommend
Mamma Mia Crepes and Desserts
54225 N Circle DrNot only do they have some pretty amazing Crepes - savory AND sweet - as well as gelato, shakes, bubble waffles and some of the best cappuccino on the mountain, but their VIEW is the best on the hill for a restaurant - you can see Tahquitz from the tables outside. Their bfast crepe is yummy and they have a crepe not on the menu - ask for lemon, butter and powdered sugar with a side of vanilla gelato. You won't be sorry.
Aroma is a local staple and definitely a good option for dining. Catch local musicians on weekend evenings (and some week nights!) as well as a good selection of pasta, steaks, seafood and salads. Good ambiance with a large, heated outdoor patio.
111 locals recommend
Cafe Aroma
54750 N Circle DrAroma is a local staple and definitely a good option for dining. Catch local musicians on weekend evenings (and some week nights!) as well as a good selection of pasta, steaks, seafood and salads. Good ambiance with a large, heated outdoor patio.
Shopping
Fun little vintage/antique shop on the corner of South Circle and North Circle. Worth visiting and checking out, especially if you like records, jukeboxes and unique art. Don and Louie are great folk!
11 locals recommend
Fern Valley Emporium
54965 Pine Crest AveFun little vintage/antique shop on the corner of South Circle and North Circle. Worth visiting and checking out, especially if you like records, jukeboxes and unique art. Don and Louie are great folk!
We LOVE their hand poured candles! Worth a visit to check out their seasonal scents and look through their unique shop.
6 locals recommend
Spruce Moose
54225 N Circle DrWe LOVE their hand poured candles! Worth a visit to check out their seasonal scents and look through their unique shop.
If you forgot your snow boots or hiking shoes, then this little shoe store is the place to go.
Mountain Footwear
54225 N Circle DrIf you forgot your snow boots or hiking shoes, then this little shoe store is the place to go.
Authentic, hand crafted leather works. His handmade moccasins are one of a kind and spectacular. He is also a self-taught alchemist with great handmade after shaves, colognes and other goodies.
Mountain Mike's Custom Leather
54360 N Circle DrAuthentic, hand crafted leather works. His handmade moccasins are one of a kind and spectacular. He is also a self-taught alchemist with great handmade after shaves, colognes and other goodies.
Merkaba
54210 N Circle DrGreat selection of teas.
Excellent local thrift store - check out the Shed for some amazing treasure finds!
14 locals recommend
Idyllwild Help Center
26330 CA-243Excellent local thrift store - check out the Shed for some amazing treasure finds!
Ephemera - vintage clothes, vinyl, decor, art and more! Come visit us at our shop in The Fort! We own and operate a cool vintage store in The Fort. Upstairs, #18 - right next door to the toy store. Mention you are our guest at The Fox Den for a 10% discount off any purchase!
The Fort
54225 N Circle DrEphemera - vintage clothes, vinyl, decor, art and more! Come visit us at our shop in The Fort! We own and operate a cool vintage store in The Fort. Upstairs, #18 - right next door to the toy store. Mention you are our guest at The Fox Den for a 10% discount off any purchase!
Crystals, readings, books, metaphysical events - this is the place. We love Idy Aura and know that is you are into the metaphysical, you will too!
30 locals recommend
Idyllwild Garden
North Circle DriveCrystals, readings, books, metaphysical events - this is the place. We love Idy Aura and know that is you are into the metaphysical, you will too!
Another crystal shop in town. This one is in The Fort and has crystals, crystal singing bowls, clothing and more. Come by Ephemera for a discount card before you go!
Himalayan Treasures
54225 N Circle DrAnother crystal shop in town. This one is in The Fort and has crystals, crystal singing bowls, clothing and more. Come by Ephemera for a discount card before you go!
A great spot for new clothes - all sizes avail at this local spot. Jenn loves this place and shops there regularly for cool dresses, stretchy jeans and fun, flowing tops. An eclectic selection, something for everyone. Including nightwear, robes, underwear. All for women. (Sorry guys!)
Prairie Dove
54360 N Circle DrA great spot for new clothes - all sizes avail at this local spot. Jenn loves this place and shops there regularly for cool dresses, stretchy jeans and fun, flowing tops. An eclectic selection, something for everyone. Including nightwear, robes, underwear. All for women. (Sorry guys!)
Entertainment & Activities
A fun place to go and spend an afternoon tapping into your creative juices by painting ceramics! (Kids love this!) They fire pieces almost every night but if not, do ship if needed.
16 locals recommend
Earth 'n' Fire
54225 N Circle DrA fun place to go and spend an afternoon tapping into your creative juices by painting ceramics! (Kids love this!) They fire pieces almost every night but if not, do ship if needed.
A fun shop that carries candies and other goodies from the past. Great chocolates, snow cones and hand dipped ice cream. Yummm!
20 locals recommend
Candy Cupboard
54250 N Circle DrA fun shop that carries candies and other goodies from the past. Great chocolates, snow cones and hand dipped ice cream. Yummm!
In Garner Valley, Lake Hemet is a great place to go and relax or rent boats/bikes. In the summer, they have a water park as well.
48 locals recommend
Lake Hemet
In Garner Valley, Lake Hemet is a great place to go and relax or rent boats/bikes. In the summer, they have a water park as well.
A great toy store with vintage toys, craft sodas and more! Kids and adults love this spot.
9 locals recommend
Idyllwild Soda Pop & Sweet Shop
54225 N Circle DrA great toy store with vintage toys, craft sodas and more! Kids and adults love this spot.
Let the kids play for a while in the pines. This playground is a perfect spot for the little ones to run around, have a picnic or walk along Strawberry Creek ( a short walk below the playground).
17 locals recommend
Idyllwild Community Center Kids' Playground
26184 Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic HwyLet the kids play for a while in the pines. This playground is a perfect spot for the little ones to run around, have a picnic or walk along Strawberry Creek ( a short walk below the playground).
The Rustic Theatre, Idyllwild
54290 N Circle DrYep, we have a little arcade here in town! Come to The Fort and let the kiddos have a little fun. Interesting selection of games, air hockey and prizes.
7 locals recommend
Mountain Maniacs Arcade
54225 N Circle DrYep, we have a little arcade here in town! Come to The Fort and let the kiddos have a little fun. Interesting selection of games, air hockey and prizes.
Drinks & Nightlife
This place has some amazing wine made by a local winemaker. There is always some type of art show, with tons of local artists on display and for sale. Most nights they have live music. Also, kids are welcome, but must be well-behaved.
50 locals recommend
Middle Ridge Winery
54301 N Circle DrThis place has some amazing wine made by a local winemaker. There is always some type of art show, with tons of local artists on display and for sale. Most nights they have live music. Also, kids are welcome, but must be well-behaved.
If you are in the mood for munchies, wine and beer this is a good place to go. They have an extensive selection of wine, craft beer in the bottle and always 5 or more draft beer options. 21+ only.
37 locals recommend
Idyll Awhile Wine Shoppe & Bistro
54245 N Circle DrIf you are in the mood for munchies, wine and beer this is a good place to go. They have an extensive selection of wine, craft beer in the bottle and always 5 or more draft beer options. 21+ only.
Excellent craft beer, brewed in-house. Live music most weekend nights and good munchies (Wings, Truffle Fries, Pub Salad and Fish & Chips are suggested) Kids are welcome and there is a Bacci ball area that is fun.
135 locals recommend
Idyllwild Brewpub
54423 Village Center DrExcellent craft beer, brewed in-house. Live music most weekend nights and good munchies (Wings, Truffle Fries, Pub Salad and Fish & Chips are suggested) Kids are welcome and there is a Bacci ball area that is fun.
Grocery
Amazing chocolate shakes - HIGHLY recommended.
Local grocer. Find almost anything you may need here... organic foods are better found at Sky Island, though Fairway does carry some things.
51 locals recommend
Fairway Market
54411 Village Center DrLocal grocer. Find almost anything you may need here... organic foods are better found at Sky Island, though Fairway does carry some things.
Best place in town to get groceries! Organic produce and goods for relatively decent prices.
59 locals recommend
Idyllwild Village Market
26000 CA-243Best place in town to get groceries! Organic produce and goods for relatively decent prices.
Arts & Culture
A very small museum that has info on the history of Idyllwild.
28 locals recommend
Idyllwild Area Historical Society
54470 N Circle DrA very small museum that has info on the history of Idyllwild.