Idyllwild — Our One-Hour Escape From the Desert Floor
Sometimes the best Palm Springs day trip isn't in the desert at all.
Our experience
Roughly an hour up the mountain, Idyllwild swaps cactus for pine trees, a 20-degree temperature drop, and a tiny walkable town with a great bookstore, a few good restaurants, and short woodsy trails. We'll often do it as a half-day in summer when we just need cold air, or a full day in fall when the light gets perfect. It's the contrast that makes it work.
Try it
Read up on the town on Tripadvisor, find a mountain cabin overnight through Klook, or browse cabins on HomeExchange using referral code roderick-15918.