Mayor Max Yes, our town’s mayor is a dog. He’s famous and would love to meet you and show you how friendly Idyllwild is. If you have a special event or gathering you would like Mayor Max to attend, please contact his staff. The mayor is in town most every Thursday – Friday – Saturday & Sunday. Thursday & Fridays at 4:00 PM and Saturday & Sundays at 2:00. He is usually parked in front of Woolly’s a few doors down from the Rustic Theater. Just look for the line of people at the Mayor Max Mobile. To see his most recent appearances, visit his Facebook page.

Background on how we got a dog as a mayor…

In 2012, ARF Animal Rescue Friends sponsored a fundraising event where anyone in Idyllwild could nominate their dog or cat as unofficial mayor of Idyllwild. Being an unincorporated area of Riverside County, Idyllwild has no official mayor, nor any other politician or public representative. So residents nominated their pets to be mayor. Voting was based on a $1 contribution and Mayor Max the first won hands down. Max and his staff took his job very seriously and when Max died unexpectedly just 9 months into his term, ARF agreed that there should be another Mayor Max to carry on the legacy. Max’s staff, Phyliss & Glen and the deputy mayors Mitsy & Mikey (who were related to Mayor Max) did such a phenomenal job of representing Idyllwild that the town wanted them to continue. Mayor Max the 2nd assumed office.

Max represented Idyllwild for 9 years, doing numerous guest appearances including The Today Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, & To Tell The Truth. jPacific Crest Trail hikers who often stopped off in Idyllwild on their 2700+ mile trek from Mexico to Canada often made meeting Mayor Max one of their first requests while visiting Idyllwild. Max’s staff and owners, Phyllis & Glen, have made Mayor Max an icon and spend their life and their money promoting the town of Idyllwild via Mayor Max. They spread love, good will & positive thoughts through daily appearances in town, attending special events, and showing up at private gatherings, all by just being asked.

In July of 2022, Mayor Max the 2nd unexpectedly died and in December of 2022, Mayor Max the 3rd took office, accompanied by his sister and Deputy Mayor, Meadow. You can meet Max & Meadow most days in the center of town, usually near Wooley’s

Wooley’s is a few doors down from the movie theater and easy to identify with its giant cowboy hat sign. This is the Mayor’s official parking spot and when he’s in town, they are parked out front of Wolley’s.