Idyllwild, CA - Girls Trip with Archer the Pup

My friend Melissa and I spent two and a half days in the mountain town of Idyllwild, CA, which was just a 2.5 hour road trip outside of Los Angeles. This trip was a relaxing staycation at an Airbnb cabin rental with Melissa's 11-year old doggy, Archer. This place really was like being in a Disney fairytale with birds chirping, squirrels running by, and overall being immersed in nature. Here are some trip highlights and travel tips for visiting Idyllwild, CA. 

Idyllwild, CA Travel Tips

Plan Your Visit: 

Research Idyllwild's attractions, accommodations, and dining options in advance to create an itinerary tailored to your interests.

Enjoy Outdoor Activities: 

Take advantage of hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and nature walks in the nearby San Jacinto Mountains and Idyllwild Nature Center.

Visit Artsy Boutiques: 

Explore the downtown area of Idyllwild, known for its art galleries, boutique shops, and unique local crafts.

Attend Festivals:

Check Idyllwild's event calendar for festivals, art shows, and music events celebrating the town's vibrant arts and culture scene.

Explore Idyllwild Arts Academy: 

Visit the Idyllwild Arts Academy campus to see student artwork, attend performances, and explore the beautiful grounds.

Relax in Nature: 

Spend leisurely days picnicking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the serene beauty of Idyllwild's forests, meadows, and streams.

Dine at Local Restaurants: 

Sample local cuisine at restaurants, cafes, and bakeries in Idyllwild, offering everything from gourmet dining to casual fare.

Stay in Cozy Cabins: 

Consider renting a cabin or staying at a bed and breakfast in Idyllwild for a cozy and secluded lodging experience.

Attend Workshops and Classes: 

Participate in workshops, classes, and retreats offered by local artists, musicians, and wellness practitioners in Idyllwild.

Check for Wildlife: 

Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as deer, squirrels, and birds while exploring Idyllwild's natural surroundings, but remember to observe from a distance and avoid feeding or disturbing animals.

Trip Recap

During this short trip, I ate vegan breakfast burritos two days in a row from a restaurant called, Mama’s Egg House. 🌯 

Although dogs were not allowed on the furniture, it was funny that Archer discovered the huge CordaRoy's dog bed (as seen on Shark Tank S4 E19). 🤣 Makes you wonder if the host knew the bean bag was for dogs. 

This trip was definitely more mellow with the majority of the trip at the cabin since Archer's hip dysplasia prevented any strenuous activity. Not to worry, as I picked up drinks and snacks from the Idyllwild Village Market. I got us tropical mimosas, Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc, wasabi peas, glazed pecans, dill pickle Kettle chips, clementines, guacamole, tortilla chips, and salsa. Since we weren't sure if we'd leave the cabin, I also opted for some Sweet Earth frozen meals and charcuterie pre-set meals for our wine. Not sure if it was the elevation, but I was always hungry, parched, and bloated. Both the guacamole and salsa I bought turned out to be way too spicy and had me crying lol. 🌶🥑

The highlight of the trip was not only the daily hot tub sessions on the deck, but watching Archer and Melissa’s dynamics. It was my first time seeing Archer and Melissa bond. Archer cracked me up since he was vocal and made sure Melissa knew when he was hungry, thirsty, and when he had to go out for walks. Reminded me of when my doggy Corona would demand treats, playtime, and walks.

During Archer's walk around the neighborhood, we came across a squirrel crossing sign.

Days at the rustic cabin were quiet, peaceful, and it took some getting used to not having the TV on and it made me feel a bit restless. I'm so used to my screen time as that's my main form of escapism, but luckily I found technological refuge once in my room so I could catch up on my favorite shows, Youtube videos, and morning news. (I'm like an old lady watching Good Day LA and ABC Eyewitness news every morning on my iPad). 🤣

Anyway, I enjoyed watching bats fly around at dusk but I wish more of the appliances worked and that the place was better maintained. Keeping it real, for paying $695 from Saturday-Monday, the front yard area for Archer should have been fully enclosed as advertised. We barricaded the front gate but didn’t trust Archer to roam freely fearing he’d escape. Melissa was Archer’s constant bodyguard.

Regardless, it was a fun trip and I’ll have to go back to explore the little village. We kept passing by a shaved ice place that I want to try sometime. The village looked like it had lots of cool shops.

I’m convinced every cabin or house should have a hot tub. It’s such a great way to relax at the end of the day. 

Monday morning, I woke up at 6am since I brought my work laptop to curate the Trending on Social, New This Month, and Set Your Cloud DVR carousels on DIRECTV Stream. I felt like I just got back from North Carolina and  I didn’t want my teammate covering for me again since I have new duties, thanks to the reorg at work. I made it back home around 1pm and took the longest nap.