For a dog-friendly weekend getaway, Idyllwild hits all the marks. Read on to find out why.

1. The Mayor of Idyllwild is a Dog

What started as a fundraiser for ARF (Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends) has turned into one of Idyllwild’s most unique qualities. The mayor of Idyllwild is a dog!

Back in 2012, Idyllwild elected Mayor Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller (Max for short) as the town’s first canine mayor, otherwise known as the friendliest politician around. Nine months into his term, he sadly passed away. His successor, Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller, II, arrived in 2013 and served for nine years. Mayor Max II unexpectedly passed due to an unforeseen medical issue in 2022. The whole village mourned the loss of such a vibrant and happy mayor.

Mayor Max III and Vice Mayor Meadow took over the office in December of 2022. Even as puppies, they take their duties seriously. Meet them with their Chief of Staff Phyllis outside of Wooley’s smack in the middle of town on most weekends. Their security detail, Deputy Mayors Mitzi and Mikey, are often at their side. The majority of shops and restaurants in the village have a “Mayor Max” policy and welcome well-behaved dogs with treats and water.

2. The Perfect Location for a Dog-Friendly Weekend Getaway

Idyllwild is located in the San Jacinto Mountains in Riverside County, California. It is a little over 2 hours coming from Los Angeles or Orange County and only an hour away from the Coachella Valley. If you are planning a trip to Palm Springs, a couple of days in Idyllwild is the perfect add-on to your vacation. Play in the snow in the winter or escape the heat in the summer. It’s always fun in Idyllwild.

3. Cozy Cabins and Cute Motels for a Dog-Friendly Weekend Getaway

Find big cabins, small cabins, hipster cabins and a variety of hotel options in dog-friendly Idyllwild. Being a bit on the frugal side, I am always looking for a deal, and a flexible cancellation policy is a plus. The Cozy Cabin in the Forest on Airbnb meets all my requirements.

Just a mile walk from the village and close to many hiking trails, the location is ideal. The one bedroom/one bathroom cabin provides a kitchen area, living room, indoor fireplace and onsite parking. Although situated behind the main house, it feels private and has a lovely view of the mountain trees from the back porch. The yard is fenced in, so pups are free to roam as they please.

Cooper and I also frequented the pleasant Idyllwild Bunkhouse. Located just a 2-minute drive from the center of town, this boutique motel fit our needs perfectly. Accommodations include a kitchenette, private balcony, free Wi-Fi and cable television. Select rooms are dog-friendly and parking is complimentary. Our room was decorated in a camping theme with knotty, pine walls.

Built in 1948, sound does travel through the walls, but earplugs are thoughtfully provided. I did not need to use them though. Each morning, breakfast is delivered in a cute, wicker creel (fisherman’s basket) and left on your door knob. Find fresh scones, instant oatmeal, fruit and juice inside. The staff is beyond friendly and helpful.

4. Dining for Your Perfect Dog-Friendly Weekend Getaway

There are an abundance of delicious dining spots in Idyllwild that allow dogs on their patios. Three of our favorites are:

Café Aroma

Café Aroma is well-known in Idyllwild for their Italian Fusion Cuisine. Popular dinner entrees include Stew’s Ragu, Duck a l’Orange and the Ribeye. For brunch, a selection of benedicts, waffles, salads and sandwiches are on the menu. On our adventure, I savored the Cajun Salmon Sandwich which was tasty. Coop devoured a side of chicken. Service is wonderful and dogs are allowed on their rustic patio. Reservations are highly recommended especially for dinner.

La Casita

For authentic Mexican food in the mountains, La Casita it is. One of my favorites is the Chile Verde dish with pork simmered in a green tomatillo sauce. It’s served with a crisp green salad, rice, beans and tortillas. Yummy! The patio is dog friendly, but bring a jacket if it is chilly outside. Service is quick and efficient. It’s first come, first serve, but we got a table right away.

The Lumber Mill Bar & Grill

For a hearty lunch, you must try The Lumber Mill Bar & Grill. Dogs are allowed on their covered patio and make sure to ask for a puppy patty. Cooper gulped his down. With over 20 different burgers, a variety of salads, sandwiches and Mexican dishes, there is something for everyone. I sampled the BTLA, an enormous double decker sandwich with bacon, tomato, lettuce and avocado, served with your choice of side. I picked potato salad. It did not disappoint.

5. Plenty of Activities for Your Dog-Friendly Weekend Getaway

From hiking to shopping to painting pottery, there are plenty of dog-friendly activities to keep you busy.

Hiking

There are many dog-friendly hiking trails. Your best bet for finding the perfect one is to check in at the Idyllwild Ranger Station in downtown. You can also purchase a Wilderness Permit at the station which is required for parking at many of the sites.

Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail

The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is an easy hike with great scenery, and dogs on leashes are allowed. The trail has two ends, one in Humber Park and the other is on Tahquitz View Drive. It is a 2.6 mile hike from end to end, so 5.2 miles round trip. Where should you start?

• Humber Park’s parking lot is paved for easier parking, but requires a Wilderness Pass. Tahquitz View Drive turns into a dirt road before you hit the trail head. Parking is along the side of the road and is a bit narrow in spots. A Wilderness Pass is not required on Tahquitz.
• Although the elevation gain is slight, it is uphill from Tahquitz View Drive to Humber Park, and downhill coming back. If you like to get the hard part of the hike done first, then Tahquitz is the place to start.

Idyllwild Nature Center

With shade and a variety of trails, Idyllwild Nature Center is another dog-friendly, easy hiking option. Visit the Nature Center for information on the trails and the surrounding areas. While there are signs to help guide you as you walk along, they are not always clear. Coop and I found ourselves a bit lost at times. No reason to worry though, we did find out way back to the car with assistance from some fellow hikers. The area is well-traveled.

A small fee for parking applies which helps to support the Nature Center’s programs and exhibits.

Paint Your Own Pottery at Earth N Fire Studio

Upstairs in the Fort Shopping Market is Earth N Fire, a paint your own pottery studio. Dogs are more than welcome to hang out while you channel your inner Picasso. Choose from over 2000 designs, everything from cups, bowls, figurines and even Star Wars themed pottery. Pay a flat fee per person plus the cost of the pottery to paint. Pick your piece up the next day after it has been fired or have it shipped. Delivery to Palm Desert is also available. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine. Earth N Fire has you covered with glasses and a corkscrew. I created my masterpiece above in about two hours.

Shopping in Dog-Friendly Idyllwild

Spend a little time exploring the eccentric shops in downtown Idyllwild. Discover all sorts of treasures you didn’t know you needed. Don’t miss Hunky Dory Records for new and used vinyl, Wooley’s for a fun selection of hats (look for the large hat on the store front), and the Candy Cupboard with loads of candy, chocolate and sweet treats. Check out Idyllwild Ice Cream & Jerky for some of the best ice cream flavors around. I indulged in the lemon crumble – so, so good! Coop inhaled his pup treat of vanilla ice cream topped with a dog biscuit.

Wine Tasting for the Humans

Wine lovers rejoice! Idyllwild boasts several dog-friendly wine bars in the village for humans. Don’t worry. Your pup is more than welcome to tag along.

Middle Ridge Winery

Middle Ridge Winery owners, Chris and Melody, have created a space that not only serves award-winning wine, but brings people together. Their philosophy is simple. It’s to have a conversation with everyone who comes into contact with the winery, and they do. Chris is the winemaker and specializes in Bordeaux varietals, but you will still find other interesting reds and whites on the menu. Melody handles the day-to-day business including running the wine club and booking special events.

Sway to live music on the weekends while sipping your glass of wine. A retail area inside offers art, gifts and gadgets. Mingle with a mix of locals and tourists and talk all things wine. Their outside patio is dog friendly.

The Wine Finch

Located upstairs in the Fort Shopping Market is the Wine Finch. This intimate shop specializes in small production, organic and natural wines from around the world. Do you prefer beer? There menu includes an impressive list of craft beer and ciders. The staff is friendly and informative, and the views of Tahquitz Peak from their upstairs perch are amazing. Dogs are welcome at the Wine Finch.

Cooper and I would love to hear about your Idyllwild adventure. Tell us about it in the comment section below.

For another dog-friendly vacation in California, check out my tips on traveling to Monterey here.