Idyllwild, California: An Oasis in the Heart of Southern California's San Jacinto Mountains

Situated in a beautiful pine forest in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California, the town of Idyllwild is a popular destination for many. Noted for its small-town atmosphere, crisp, clean air, and laid-back lifestyle, Idyllwild is a welcome respite for world-weary urbanites seeking to escape the rigors and stresses of city life. Located roughly a two-hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, Idyllwild is a popular locale that is within easy reach of all areas of Southern California. With a population of just over 3,000 people, Idyllwild exudes a rustic and rural ambiance that is lacking in many other local resort areas. Adding to this small-town ambiance is the fact that there is not one stop light in Idyllwild; there are plenty of stop signs, but you will find not one stop light. And that's a rare thing indeed, especially in populous Southern California!

Located at 5,303 feet on the western slopes of Mt. San Jacinto, Idyllwild is in the San Bernardino National Forest, an area which includes Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Running Springs. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and jagged ridges and ravines, Idyllwild receives an average of 26 inches of rainfall annually, and abundant snowfall is common between December and March. Situated in heavily-forested Strawberry Valley, an area that also includes nearby Humber Park and Fern Valley, Idyllwild is famous for the size and lushness of many of its pine and oak trees. The lushness of the forest surrounding Idyllwild is somewhat surprising when you consider that Palm Springs and Palm Desert - two well-known desert communities that are some of the driest areas in the entire country - are a mere 35 miles away! The temperature variations between Idyllwild and the nearby desert locales are just as extreme. In the heart of summer, it's not uncommon for Idyllwild to be in the mid-80's, while the nearby desert communities are sweltering in triple-digit heat! Needless to say, many desert inhabitants routinely flock to Idyllwild and the surrounding mountains to escape the torrid summer heat.

For the outdoorsman or the adventure-seeker, Idyllwild is a superb place for hiking and rock climbing. Numerous trails traverse the mountainsides surrounding Idyllwild, many of which culminate atop Mt. San Jacinto - the second-highest mountain in Southern California at 10,804ft. Having climbed this mountain a few years ago, a climb that is not well-suited for those in less than stellar shape, I can attest to the magnificent panoramic view that is afforded from standing atop the summit of Mt. San Jacinto. It was the legendary naturalist John Muir who described the view atop Mt. San Jacinto as "the most sublime experience. There are trails of varying difficulty levels in the Idyllwild area, and all of the trails in the area are well-marked and well-maintained. Depending on the time of year, many trails traverse running streams and creeks, and it's not uncommon to spy a lone deer or coyote taking a cool sip of water at a creek bed.

For the rock climbing enthusiast, Idyllwild is a popular training area. Tahquitz Rock, which is a huge, oblong piece of sheer granite jutting out from the mountain side above Idyllwild, is well-known in the world of rock climbing. Also known as Lily Rock, Tahquitz Rock closely resembles Half Dome in Yosemite. Many rock climbers venture to Idyllwild to hone their skills and improve their technique before moving onto bigger, more technically-demanding climbs in other parts of the country. It's common for trail hikers ascending the Devil's Slide Trail - a trail that begins at the foot of Tahquitz Rock - to spy tiny figures clinging to the sides of Tahquitz Rock, scaling the massive rock outcropping several thousand feet above the trail head.

Idyllwild is a place that has far-ranging appeal to many people. Whether you are an avid hiker, outdoorsman, rock climber, or are just looking for a beautiful place to spend some "down time," Idyllwild is the perfect location. With a diverse collection of small restaurants, inns, art galleries, and mom and pop stores, Idyllwild is a unique destination that should be experienced by all.