A Note To Our Visitors

Idyllwild is precious to us who live here; we do ask that you respect our homes, town, forest, animals, wildlife, and people. Please, when coming to our home, use trash receptacles, or take it back home with you, it’s a good idea to bring a trash bag with you if necessary. Leave no trace on trails and in camp sites. Please don’t play on people’s property without permission, it is trespassing.
Our water comes from our mountain only and is limited, please use sparingly and responsibly.
We often go into stage 3 water rationing and need all we have.
Do not clog roads and Hwy’s by parking in them; it can stop emergency vehicles from getting to an incident such as a child whos life is in immediate need of emergency care and transport.

All of these respectful practices help us to want to help you have a wonderful visit!

Idyllwild is centrally located in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California.  We are an hour (or less) from Hemet, Temecula and Riverside to the West and Palm Springs and the Cochella Valley to the East.  Just two hours from San Diego to the South and Los Angeles to the North West.  A mile high above our neighboring desert communities, we offer a welcomed respite from the summer heat, and a cool, snowy wonderland in Winter.  The highways to Idyllwild are State Scenic By-ways, which provide stunning views, diverse terrain from the deserts below up to our towering pines, all on well maintained, easy mountain roads.

From Los Angeles/Riverside/Ontario Airport/Banning:
Take Hwy 10 East (or 60 to I-10).  Exit Ave 8 (Hwy 243) in Banning.  Follow the signs to Hwy 243 (Right off exit, left at first stop sign, Right onto Hwy 243).  Continue 25 miles up the mountain to first stop sign at the beginning of Idyllwild proper.

From Palm Springs (and Phoenix):
Take Hwy 10 West. Exit Hargrave.  Follow signs to Hwy 243 (Left off exit, Right at first stop sign, Left onto Hwy 243)  Continue 25 miles up the mountain to first stop sign at the beginning of Idyllwild proper.

From Palm Desert (Hwy 111 & 74):
Take SR 74 West (Palms to Pines Hwy). At Mountain Center, veer right onto Hwy 243.  Continue 5 miles to Idyllwild.

From Hemet:
Take SR 74 East(Palms to Pines Hwy).  At Mountain Center, veer left onto Hwy 243.  Continue 5 miles to Idyllwild.

From San Diego:
Take I-15 North to Temecula to SR 79 South.  Go East (about 20 mins) to SR 371 (stop sign).  Turn Left onto Sr 371 towards Anza.
Turn Left onto SR 74 (stop sign) toward Idyllwild/Hemet.  At Mountain Center, veer right onto Hwy 243.  Continue 5 miles to Idyllwild.

Center of town is located on North Circle Drive across from the Chevron Station on Hwy 243.