Photo by M.P. Wilie
How did our town get named Idyllwild?
After the Cahuilla lived in these mountains for about 2000 years, European settlers began to come through after the Civil War homesteading the west. The first Europeans were ranchers grazing their cattle in the cooler mountains and miners during the California Gold Rush looking for Gold (there was none here). They referred to this area as “Strawberry Valley” and that is what it was called when loggers set up shop in the 1870’s & 1880’s to provide wood for the budding railroads being built across the country. People from the hotter flat-lands began making their way up to the cooler altitudes using the crude logging roads. One sawmill owner who came from Michigan named George Hannahs started one of the first tourist camps built entirely from tents in 1890. He named it “Camp Idlewilde”. Back in Michigan where George came from, the word Idlewilde, in its many iterations, was getting a lot of use to describe an idyllic area of natural beauty. Many people named their camps, summer cottages, and rural estates Idlewild, Idylwild, Idylwood, and Idylwilde. It’s even used to describe a beautiful, secret, wild spot in “Anne of Green Gables”.
George Hannahs’ Camp Idlewilde was right about where the Idyllwild Inn and Harmony monument are today. When the Sanitarium was built in 1901 in what is now the very center of town where the park is, the owners had purchased George’s tent hotel and named their newly built sanitarium “Idyllwild Sanitarium”. The spelling evolved, but everyone started using the name and soon after, the post office that was originally down near Idyllwild Arts Academy, moved into the Sanitarium and the name was changed from Rayneta Post Office (named after George’s first son Ray) to Idyllwild Post Office. The name stuck, the spelling was standardized, and we were officially known as Idyllwild since 1901.
The name is still used throughout the U.S. as a term to describe “a beautiful wilderness paradise”.
The year is half over…
July 2nd is the half way
point of the year!
Weather: Highs of 74 – 86 – Lows of 49 – 61
Idyllwild Sun/Moon (Rise/Set) Calendar
Next Full Moon: Wednesday July 29th
What Restaurants are open or closed today?
Where can I get a quick snack?
Live Music Around Town This Week
Click Below
Hotel Information
This Weekend + 2 More
www.IdyLodging.com
Thursday July 2nd
First Summer Concert
Butterfield Amphitheater
Cassie B and the SD Padres Band
7:00 pm
Opening Band
Sarah K & the Aris-Trio-Cats
6:05
Cassie B and her group perform a high-energy mix of covers spanning pop, rock, 80’s & 90’s dance hits, Motown, & country.
Next Thursday 7/9 “The Tokens” (Lion Sleeps Tonight)
Friday July 3rd
Family Movie Afternoon
“National Treasure”
Idyllwild Library
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Bring the family for a thrilling, fast-paced adventure as a treasure hunter follows a trail of secret codes and historical clues to steal the Declaration of Independence!
Friday July 3rd
Cat Adoption Event
Mountain Paws
54380 North Circle
4 pm – 8 pm
Friday July 3rd
First Friday
Middle Ridge Winery
54301 North Circle
Live Music
Artists
4 pm – 8 pm
Friday July 3rd
David Salk Event
Bliss Salon
5 pm – 8 pm
Part of the First Friday events at Forest Haven
54425 North Circle
Please join us for a very special, one night only, presentation of never before shown artwork by Idyllwild’s own, David Salk. On July 3rd he will be present in person with his clay baskets and his other ceramic works – the full range of what this man creates – all available to purchase directly from him.
Friday July 3rd
First Friday Sunset Party
Forest Haven
54425 North Circle
5 pm – 8 pm
Friday July 3rd
First Friday Special
Idy Hot Yoga
54960 Pine Crest #3
5:30 Yoga Level 1
7:00 Yoga Nidra
8:00 Card Reading
Saturday July 4th
Saturday July 4th
4th of July Town Parade
10:00 am – 12 Noon
Bring a Chair or stand along the Parade Route.
Parade route starts at North Circle & Pine Crest (Fern Valley Corners) all the way down to Village Center Drive, exiting at South Circle.
Please be aware of road closures so you don’t get trapped or frustrated by Parade Route Closures the morning of the parade. After 9 am
• 8:00 AM Staging/line up of entries from Fern Valley Corners on South Circle down Tahquitz, Middle Pine Crest, Upper Pine Crest, Jameson (non-parade traffic will be curbed)
• 9:00 AM All through traffic will be blocked coming up North Circle, Village Center Drive, Lower & Upper Pine Crest, Jameson, & Tahquitz up to South Circle and at Pine Crest & South Circle.
• IMPORTANT: Resident access to staging area streets will be limited until 9:00 AM, then blocked. Please plan accordingly.
• 10:00 AM-12:00 THE PARADE BEGINS & RUNS!
Saturday July 4th
Reds, Whites & Beers
Alpenglow Lounge
Upstairs in the Fort
10 am – Noon Specials
12 pm – ? Bicentennial Sing-Along
Saturday July 4th
Sunday July 5th
Blues Festival
Tribute to Riki Hendrix
Rustic Theatre
1 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday July 4th
BBQ & Concert
American Legion
54360 Marian View Dr.
BBQ: 3:00 pm
Music: 6:00 pm
Saturday July 4th
“Heroes, Hounds & Hooves”
Quiet 4th of July
McCall Park – Mountain Center
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FREE
Looking for a quieter way to celebrate the Fourth of July?
Join RivCoParks for the Heroes, Hounds, and Hooves Celebration at McCall Memorial Park! This special event offers a safe, peaceful space to enjoy festive lights without the loud fireworks, making it perfect for veterans, first responders, service animals, family pets, and horses. If you are a veteran, you can also receive special discounted perks for camping!
Come celebrate Independence Day in a calm and welcoming environment for our heroes and their four-legged companions.
Saturday July 4th
FREE Concert
“1969 The Tribute”
Butterfield Amphitheater
7:00 pm
Bring a blanket or chair.
Picnics welcome
Some food available for purchase
Sundays
Farmer’s Market
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
9am – 2pm
Sunday July 5th
250th Independence Day Activities
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
11 am – 1:00 pm
Next Food Distribution July 9th
Don’t forget to order your box!
Order any time prior to
Monday July 6th by noon!
Mon-Tue-Wed
July 6-7-8
Onboarding Event
Amelia’s Donuts
9 am – 11 am
Local App Developer Daniel Ong developer of the new community Garage Sale app is holding an onboarding event for 3 mornings at your convenience at Amelia’s Donuts. Stop by and talk to Daniel and learn how his new app can help the community and also clean out your “garage”.
Monday July 6th
Beat Nite
With Brendan Constantine
Middle Ridge Winery
6:30 – 8:30 pm
The Beats will read, followed by Brendan Constantine, who will close the show with 20-30 minutes of his humor, wit, and brilliance.
Tuesday July 7th
FEEDING AMERICA Food Distribution
Town Hall
25925 Cedar St.
10:30 am – 12 Noon
Wednesday, July 8th
Summer Reading Adventure
Singing your way to Reading
With Sandii Castleberry
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
An interactive high-energy musical literacy program.
Wednesday July 8th
“Bad Art” Workshop
For Teens & Adults
Idyllwild Library
3:00 pm
Join us for a hilariously low-stakes workshop where the goal is to create the absolute worst art piece possible. Awful supplies provided; zero talent required.
Wednesday July 8th
Men’t Book Club
“Hail Mary”
Idyllwild Library
6:00 pm
This month’s discussion will be on Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary.” An amnesiac astronaut and a lone alien engineer must work together aboard a starship to save Earth from a sun-eating microbe, after waking up from a coma million miles from earth. Books are available at the library, new members always welcome.
Garden of the Month
Month of July – Open to the public.
Idyllwild Garden Club
52810 Oak Glen Dr.
Pine Cove
Home of Vicky & Steve
Garden open sun-up to sun-down.
Don’t miss the stroll around the retaining wall to the back of the house where a lovely custom-designed she shed and greenhouse are tucked away among lovely decks, seating areas and water
features. What’s most remarkable is their use of a fallen,
hallow oak tree in the form of a “stump garden.” Plants
are thriving in these carbon-based “pots” and the native
wildlife has found an organic paradise. What an
innovative, natural way to landscape a hillside to
minimize erosion, retain moisture while ensuring years-
long compost and nutrients for the soil.
If you know or have an Idyllwild garden that you’d like to be featured, please contact Stephen Sutton at stepheninidy@gmail.com or (562) 254-6721
Thursdays thru Sept. 3rd
Summer Concert Series
Butterfield Amphitheater
Opening Band: 6:00 pm
Feature Group: 7:00
Bring a blanket or chair. Bring a picnic dinner if you want. Some food and drink available for purchase.
Sign Up Now for the 5/10 K Race & Fun Run
Home Tour Tickets
Now on Sale
Saturday September 19th
Volunteer Needed…
…to teach classes to seniors.
Email us if you can help.
idyllwildseniorconnections@gmail.com
FREE Idyllwild Shuttle
Weekend Service now available.
951-426-9688
Mon/Tue/Wed
July 6-7-8
New App Onboarding Event
Amelia’s Donuts
9 am – 11 am
Local App designer Daniel Ong will walk you through onboarding his new “Garage Sale” app. at Amelia’s Donuts. Join him to learn a fun way to clean out your clutter plus support our community.
Wednesday July 8th
Memory Mapping
With Ari Simone
Spirit Mountain & Speakeasy Books
Workshop at “The Collective”
Next to Town Crier
6:00 – 7:30
Fri – Sun July 10 – 12
Magic Under Our Skin Workshop
Spirit Mountain Retreat
25661 Oakwood
Registration Required
951-634-4048
Saturday July 18th
Home Studios Tour
SElf-Guided
Get Map at Mountain Pottery
54240 Pine Crest
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturday July 18th
Frank Sinatra Tribute
The Peak
Tahquitz Pines Retreat
55251 S. Circle
6 pm – 9 pm
$10
Tuesday July 21st
Birthday Cupcake & Soundbath
Idy Hot Yoga
54960 Pine Crest #3
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Fri – Sun July 24 – 26
“Drop the Rock”
Healing Retreat for Men
Spirit Mountain Retreat
25661 Oakwood
6:30 pm Friday Start
Info: 270-925-7112 Sandy
Saturday July 25th
Author’s Fair
Idyllwild Library
11 am – 3 pm
Saturday July 25th
“Boots In The Park”
Tahquitz Pines
55251 South Circle Dr.
12 Noon – 5:00 pm
What’s happening at the Rustic Theatre?
$15 ADULTS & $12.50 SENIOR/ CHILDREN
Matinee $12.50 (12:00 Show)
Mon – Thur $10
Tuesday is Closed Captions
Minions & Monsters
Rated PG
Runs: 1 hr. 30 min.
Thursday @ 6:00
Friday @ 6:00
Saturday @ 12:00, 3:00 & 6:00
Sunday @ 12:00 & 3:00
Monday @ 6:00
Tuesday @ 6:00
Wednesday @ 6:00
Saturday July 4th
Sunday July 5th
Blues Festival
Tribute to Riki Hendrix
Rustic Theatre
Outside concert area
1 pm – 6:30 pm
The Idyllwild Library – 951-659-2300
Thursday 10 am – 6 pm
Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday CLOSED
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday 11 am – 7 pm
Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm
This week, we officially ordered our 100th NEW BOOK for Idyllwild Readers – made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Idyllwild Library. The 100th NEW BOOK arrives in early August – a “much anticipated” summer book; watch this spot to learn when it’s available for checkout. Meanwhile, please visit the library to discover a world of NEW BOOKS available in our three SPOTLIGHT displays—from celebrated new fiction and biographies to art, photography and memoirs.
Grab a NEW BOOK and celebrate the best of summer reading with us!
Featured photos: Friends of the Idyllwild Library Board 2026
President: Lorie De Marco; Vice President: Chris Perrault; Secretary: Molly Coyner Cozens; Corresponding Secretary: Position Open; Treasurer: Steve Perreault; Publicity: Arthur Connor Book Shop: Chris Perreault; Technical Advisor: Jaime Mas, Membership: Jeri John Programs: Devona Maillard; Children’s Programs Liaison: Luanne Galizio; Social Media & Newsletter: Chris Perreault; Liaisons to FOL; Library Liaison, James Wyatt, Branch Manager; Legal Advisor: Jill Ryther
Thursday July 2nd
Yarn Cub
Idyllwild Library
10 am – 12 Noon
Friday July 3rd
Family Movie Afternoon
“National Treasure”
Idyllwild Library
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Bring the family for a thrilling, fast-paced adventure as a treasure hunter follows a trail of secret codes and historical clues to steal the Declaration of Independence!
Tuesdays
Mah Jongg
12:00 am – 3:30 pm
Calling all Mah Jong players!! Do you enjoy the game of Mah Jong? The Mah Jong game group meets every Tuesday in the library Community Room. All players are welcome.
Wednesday, July 8th
Summer Reading Adventure
Singing your way to Reading
With Sandii Castleberry
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
An interactive high-energy musical literacy program.
Wednesday July 8th
“Bad Art” Workshop
For Teens & Adults
Idyllwild Library
3:00 pm
Join us for a hilariously low-stakes workshop where the goal is to create the absolute worst art piece possible. Awful supplies provided; zero talent required.
Wednesday July 8th
Men’t Book Club
“Hail Mary”
Idyllwild Library
6:00 pm
This month’s discussion will be on Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary.” An amnesiac astronaut and a lone alien engineer must work together aboard a starship to save Earth from a sun-eating microbe, after waking up from a coma million miles from earth. Books are available at the library, new members always welcome.
Summer Newsletter
We’ve got KITTENS!!!! These sweet boys and girls need forever homes.
Call ARF to schedule a visit. 951-659-1122.
Body & Soul
Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.
San Jacinto Trail Report
Snow, weather, & trail conditions for the San Jacinto Mountains
Next Food Distribution July 9th
Don’t forget to order your box!
Order any time prior to
Monday July 6th by noon!
Idyllwild Historical Museum
Open Saturday & Sunday 11am – 4pm
54470 N Circle Dr.
Home Tour Tickets
Now on Sale
Saturday September 19th
Stop by the museum and check out all the displays about the logging era, early tourism, & rock climbing history. We would LOVE for you to join the Historical Society. Annual memberships start at just $15. Click here to join. Feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy the Museum up gardens and picnic tables.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Click here for list of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Idyllwild.
12-Step Meetings
2nd Quarter Calendar
April – June 2026
Delivery in Idyllwild
Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Everyday: 11 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.
Organization List
If you’ve ever wondered how many organizations we have here in Idyllwild that would love to have you involved, or need to contact them? Click on the button below.
Public Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm
Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.
Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com
Idyllwild Churches
All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center
Idyllwild TOWN HALL
25925 Cedar St
Chair Exercise Class
FREE
Town Hall
Monday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 12:30pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Friday
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
10:45 am – 11:45 am
Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall
Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Wednesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am
Mondays
Tai Chi Class
Free!
Town Hall
Mondays:10:30 am – 11:30 am
Fridays: 9:45 am – 10:30 am
Every 3rd Thursday
Chess League
Community Center
54201 Ridgeview Dr.
FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.
Visitor Center – Now Open
Saturdays & Sundays 11am – 4pm
The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 4 pm.
If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.
Need To Know Stuff…
Idyllwild POST OFFICE HOURS:
Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day.
Open Monday – Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Lobby open for mailbox access 7 am – 8 pm daily. Sometimes the timer doesn’t work right and the lobby is open later, so don’t hesitate to try the door.
Package pick-up only
Sat. 12 Noon – 1 PM
Mail goes off the hill once a day at 7:45 am Mon – Sat.
Mountain Center Post Office Hours:
Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day.
Open Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 12 Noon & 1:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Is the Dump Open today?
Friday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Sunday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Monday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – Yes – 8 am – 4:30 pm
Mayor Max & Deputy Meadow
We will be in our usual spot in front of Wooleys:
Friday 4:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2:00 pm
Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays – Off
Thursday 4:00 pm
Idyllwild Nature Center
Open Friday 9am – 4pm
Open Saturday 9am – 4pm
Open Sunday 9am – 4pm
Closed Monday
Closed Tuesday
Open Wednesdays 9am – 4pm
Open Thursday 9am – 4pm
Nature Center Banquet/Meeting Room available to Rent for your group activity.
951-659-3850
The Help Center is Open:
Monday 10-4
Tuesday 10-4
Wednesday 10-4
Thursday 10-4 (Donations accepted 10-1)
Friday 10-4 (Donations accepted 10-1)
Saturday 10-4 (Donations accepted 10-1)
Sunday 10-4
Call 951-659-3000 to schedule donations outside normal donation hours.
Bargin Barn
Idyllwild Community Church
Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Behind the Church at 54400 N. Circle
Donations accepted Thur/Fri/Sat 10:00 – 1:00
Idyllwild Laundry
Laundromat/Wash & Fold/Dry Cleaning
Open 8 am – 8pm EVERY DAY!
FREE Pickup & Deliver
951-659-2217
Idyllwild Shuttle
Idyllwild Shuttle Service – FREE
Monday – Palm Desert
Tuesday – Around Idyllwild
Wednesday – Hemet
Thursday – Around Idyllwild
Friday – Not in Service
Saturday – Not in Service
Sunday – Not in Service
Call for more details: 951-426-9688
The shuttle is available to rent to outside groups when available.
Idyllwild Community Center Facilities
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
Butterfield Amphitheater
54201 Ridgeview Dr.
Community Center
54201 Ridgeview Dr.
Next to Community Playground
Overlooking Butterfield Amphitheater
Available for Rentals
More info call: 951-659-2638
Idyllwild Pickleball Court
26375 Hwy. 243
Behind Skate Park
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
First come-first-serve basis
More info call: 951-659-2638
Idyllwild Community Playground
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
54195 Ridgeview Dr.
Idyllwild Dog Park
26375 Hwy. 243
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
Idyllwild Skate Park
26375 Hwy. 243
Open Daily 7 am – Dusk
Skateboard & safety gear required.
Un-supervised – Ride at your own risk.
If you run across someone and they want to find out which restaurants are open but they don’t get Good Morning Idyllwild delivered to their inbox, they can always go directly to the website http://www.GoodMorningIdyllwild.com and find the Restaurant Chart. You don’t HAVE to sign up to see the most recent newsletter or see the restaurant chart. Just go to the website.
If you would like some business cards to hand out with Good Morning Idyllwild, please message me back at the bottom of your email and I will get you some to hand out personally or at your business.
We do our best to get days and times correct but sometimes we make mistakes.
Questions: Please contact us at P.O. Box 1171 Idyllwild, CA 92549
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