Fun Things to Do in Idyllwild
Over a hundred local services & activities for your enjoyment, & more all the time

Want a hard copy? Go to the Acrobat version, save it and print it out:

A. Enjoy our breathtaking mountain scenery 
     [if you didn’t bring a camera, buy one!  Also, be sure to check with the Ranger Station for wilderness permits and your Adventure Pass]

  1. Try an easy hike along the famous Ernie Maxwell Trail, starting in Humber Park

  2. Walk along the shore of nearby Lake Hemet and have a picnic in your own wooded cove

  3. Discover the night forest on a group Moonlight Walk with guide Robert Peek, 659-6042

  4. Hike up Deer Springs Trail past manzanita forests and waterfalls up to breathtaking Suicide Rock

  5. Backpack deep into the Wilderness for a weekend or a week; visit Nomad Ventures 659-4853

  6. Try rock climbing with expert guide, Ernie Ale 659-6088

  7. Take an aerial tour of Idyllwild, Garner Valley, & Anza with BlackJack Aviation 659-8670

  8. Gaze at all the stars in the Milky Way in a jet-black sky at Inspiration Point [bring your telescope!]

  9. Rent a horse, and ride the many trails, starting from Hay Dude Ranch, 659-0383

  10. Bird Watchers, bring your binoculars, and even help count the eagles! Forest Service 659-2117

  11. Bring your RV to camp at 1000 Trails campground, Idyllwild County Park, or Hurkey Creek

  12. Mountain bike on our many trails or along nearby scenic Lake Hemet, The Bike Route 659-2038

  13. Relax and fish at serene Lake Fulmor, or massive nearby Lake Hemet [boats for rent!] 659-2680

  14. Visit our Nature Center to learn amazing things about this wilderness area 659-3850

  15. Take an easy hike through a lush forest and picnic under a waterfall at Fuller Mill Creek trail

  16. Take an easy hike by a mountain stream at North Fork San Jacinto creek

  17. Take your four-wheel drive truck out on the many miles of rugged off-roads in our hills

  18. Do the South Ridge trail hike for one of the most majestic, memorable views

  19. Take a rewarding hike to the top of Tahquitz Rock by Devil’s Slide trail, starting at Humbert Park

  20. Picnic in the forest by a mountain stream and waterfalls at Fuller Mill Creek

  21. Have a quiet walk around romantic, serene Lake Fulmor

  22. Explore the surprisingly beautiful high desert along the Pacific Crest Trail in nearby Garner Valley

  23. Kayak or boat on the glassy waters of nearby Lake Hemet [prior certification required] 659-2680

  24. Take a morning group hike in the beautiful fresh minty mountain air with Tara Dutton 659-4232

B. For the Younger Folks [for visitors, locals, & extended stays]

  1. Enjoy Idyllwild’s own Skate Park on Hwy 243, [rentals available]; video games, too!

  2. Video games and pizza are waiting at Idyllwild Pizza 659-5900

  3. Mountain Play Group [for toddlers] 10AM-Noon 659-9515

  4. Baby Play Group [4 yr old] Fridays 2-3 hours Wendy Reed 659-2819

  5. AYSO Soccer -organized teams  Wendy Reed 659-2819

  6. Boy Scout Troop #96   call 659-2819

  7. Budding artist? Paint your choice of figures and pottery at Earth N' Fire [nice gifts!]. 659-4481

  8. Chess Clubs meet at JavaLounge 659-5282 and Café Aroma 659-5212

  9. Got your wi-fi laptop? Go online at JavaLounge 659-5282, Nature’s Wisdom 659-4300, Idyllwild Pizza 659-5900, and Café Aroma 659-5212

  10. Forgot your laptop? Go to the Idyllwild Library, computers are free! Or get a really good book!  659-2300

  11. See the new top rated movies at Idyllwild’s own Rustic Theater [and video store!] 659-2747

  12. Rent videos and video games at Showtime Video 659-5781

  13. Join one of the many sports activities sponsored by Idyllwild School 659-0750

  14. Sign up for a fun and interesting astronomy and space flight program at Astro Camp 659-6062

  15. Join in the fun with AWANA, ages 3 to fifth-graders, at Idyllwild Bible Church 659-4775

  16. Take summer classes in music, theater, fine arts, or film at Idyllwild Arts Academy 659-2171

C. Live Performances  [Check the Community Calendar for  schedules]

  1. Café Aroma has top notch music almost every day: Jazz on Tuesday, Classical Guitar for Sunday brunch, and through the week: rock, R&B, country, folk and flamenco 659-5212 [cafearoma.org]
  2. JoAnn’s has live music outside in the summer, dancing, Karaoke, and a full sports bar 659-0295
  3. JavaLounge has frequent musical performances by impressive local artists 659-5282
  4. Skye at Night features live Jazz on the first Friday, Amazing musical and dramatic performances, variety shows, all amid an art gallery. 659-9821 [skyegallery.com]
  5. The Gazebo in the Village Center [54245 N Circle Dr.] often has live music performances.
  6. Idyllwild Arts Academy has many outstanding free music, dance, and theater performances by extraordinarily talented teens and guest presentations by famous adult performers [If you can see one of these, do yourself a big favor and attend it] 659-2171
  7. Idyllwild Poets' Society performs monthly at Café Aroma, enjoy theirs & share yours! 659-6140
  8. The Rustic Theater has special live performances on occasion 659-2747

D. Special Events  [Check the Community Calendar for schedules]

  1. Music in the Pines in April
  2. Memorial Day BBQ in May
  3. Auction in the Pines in June
  4. 4th of July Parade and Festival in July
  5. Renaissance Faire and Shakespeare Festival in July
  6. Jazz in the Pines in August
  7. Art & Wine Walk in September
  8. Oktoberfest in October
  9. Halloween Parade and Festival in October
  10. Harvest Festival in November
  11. Dickens Festival in December

E. Roaming About Town

  1. Take the Gallery Tour of the many and varied arts and styles in the alpine art colony
  2. Visit the Artist Exhibits at the Parks Exhibition Center at Idyllwild Arts Academy 659-2171
  3. Meet and talk with a Visiting Artist you will meet in the Art Galleries around town
  4. Film Noir fans! Wednesday 7PM Café Cinema [at Green Café] 650-6000 [cafecinema.org]
  5. Rustic Theater has top movies, performances, gigantic-screen TV events and more! 659-2747
  6. Wi-Fi Internet is available at JavaLounge 659-5282 and Café Aroma 659-5212, if the urge arises
  7. Visit our Historical Society to learn about Idyllwild's colorful history, 659-2717
  8. Shop the many beautiful stores for unique clothes, antiques, art, crafts, and gifts
  9. Stop in for a quiet meditation at the Spirit Mountain Retreat, 659-2523
  10. Release your hidden artistic skills, painting pottery and figurines at Earth N' Fire 659-4481
  11. Match wits with anonymous chess players at Java Lounge Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM 659-5282 and at Café Aroma on Sundays at 11 AM 659-5212
  12. Walk over to Strawberry Creek and just enjoy its peaceful babbling and the smell of a quiet forest
  13. Stop in for a back massage at Nature's Wisdom [15 mins. in the massage chair] 659-4300
  14. Watch your dog have some fun at the Idyllwild Dog Park
  15. Take a ride [Summer] in a Victorian Carriage around town! 763-9725 [victoriancarriages.com]

F. In Your Mountain Cabin 

  1. Enjoy a crackling fireplace with your favorite wine, apples, cheese, French bread in the silent forest
  2. Hire local musicians to play just for you and your guests [See the Directory on idy-ca.org]
  3. Pizza, a movie, & snuggling up. Idyllwild Pizza [delivery!] 659-5900 and Showtime Video 659-5781
  4. Get a massage to wipe away those city tensions [See the Health Services Directory on idy-ca.org]

G. For Locals, Cabin Owners and Extended Stays

  1. Take a  rescued Dog for a walk, play with the Cats and enjoy the serene beauty of Living Free Animal Sanctuary in nearby Mountain Center. 659-4687
  2. Love to Sing? Join the Idyllwild Master Chorale and rediscover the voice inside you 659-2826
  3. Had a great idea for a movie? Write it! Take a screenwriting class with Pam Pierce, 659-1170
  4. Tune up your writing skills with the Writing Group at the Idyllwild Library. Barbara Reese 659-0492
  5. Become a regular on the Dave Burgess Mountain Bike Ride [Sat 8AM] 659-2038
  6. Become a Quilter by joining the Mountain Quilters’ Group Deanna Collins 659-8104
  7. Bridge fanatic? Meet your match! Thursdays and Sundays. Angie Banks 659-4910
  8. Love a good book? Share it with others in the Idyllwild Reading Group. Erin O’Neill 659-2668
  9. Green Thumbs Unite! Join the Idyllwild Garden Club. Angie Banks 659-4910
  10. Get buff. Join the gym where your friends go, at Idyllwild Chiropractic & Fitness 659-4663
  11. Exercise is fun! Become a regular at the Jazzercise group at Town Hall. 659-9071
  12. Get that body back in shape like it used to be! Healthy is happy! Meant to Be Fit. Kate 659-4223
  13. Poker -No money, just for fun (or humiliation)! Java Lounge Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM
  14. Take a Tai Chi class with Trudy Levy 659-9548 [trudylevy.net]
  15. Get into Yoga. at Om Sweet Aum Yoga Studio 659-4705
  16. Learn Karate with American Tiger Karate, from Sensei John King 659-2711
  17. Enjoy the camaraderie in one of the many organizations in Idyllwild and do something good for our community [See Directory at idy-ca.org]
  18. Cribbage players -meet Mondays 6:30PM at Java Lounge 659-5282