Even though it has been featured in many movies, the charming mountain retreat called Idyllwild remains one of Southern California's best kept secrets. As a  weekend getaway, it can't be beat as a mountain retreat close to Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. And as a mountain vacation, this is one of many options to sweep you off your feet. Over the hill from Idyllwild in the Palm Desert sits a better known neighbor, Palm Springs. For Idyllwild residents, it boggles the mind why folks would prefer the 100+ degree heat to their treasured, cooler mountain retreat. When one stands in the desert and looks to the white snow peaks of the San Jacinto's, the glistening snow offers a tantalizing reminder that just across that mountain top and down its slopes there sits a scenic pine forest and beautiful mountain escape, the beloved Idyllwild.

Located in the San Jacinto Mountains, east of Los Angeles, the village & its neighboring San Bernardino National Forest have been featured in the Elvis Presley-Charles Bronson musical, "Kid Galahad," Dean Martin's "The Wrecking Crew," "Walter Matthau's "Kotch," Peter Fonda's "The Wild Angels," Albert Brooks, "Modern Romance," and recently even Darryl Hannah filmed a movie at nearby Garner Ranch.

It's a mystery why more people haven't found out about this friendly place with friendly people, great restaurants, a World Class Jazz Festival and the sensational Idyllwild Arts Academy (where "The Music Man's" Meredith Wilson taught. Even Lucille Ball and best-selling author Raymond Chandler had cabins in Idyllwild.

Part of the spectacular area's charm is that Idyllwild really does live up to its name, whether you escape there to be "idle" (relax, rejuvenate and do nothing) or to explore the "wild" (experience the lush forest & wildlife while hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking or horseback riding.)

Bob Smith of the Idyllwild Historical Society (where you can learn more about Elvis and the movies filmed there, the incredible Native Americans who lived there and more) said: "We specialize in 'slow foods,' not 'fast foods' here." You'll discover several fine bistros while wandering though the scenic downtown where you'll notice the absence of chain restaurants.

Richard Cadieux of Cedar Street Inn, a popular bed and breakfast, said Idyllwild is "the ideal place to get
reintroduced to nature--the incredible sights, sounds and aromas." Especially if you're from an urban city, you'll learn to appreciate "the quiet" that's so special and needed to rejuvenate "life."

Psychotherapist Olivia Redwine, a veteran mountain hiker, loves the forest. She raised her three children to appreciate the pristine beauty and unspoiled, serene nature that Idyllwild offers.

Lon and John of Rainbow Inn, 54420 So. Circle Drive, left the "hustle and bustle" of Palm Springs for this serenity and "peace of mind." They love running a 5 room bed and breakfast among the pines in what is one of SoCal's most picturesque spots. There are many cabins, lodges and hotels, but if Lon & John still run the Rainbow Inn, you really should check it out as one of the best choices for a sweet suite.

Capt. Dennis Rhein, owner of BlackJack Aviation, flies charters all over the country for clients like Steven Spielberg, but always returns to his home in Idyllwild. "There's no place like home," said the affable chap, who along with his wife, Georgie, have a daughter attending Idyllwild Arts Academy.

Musicians, singers and composers include: pianists Van Cliburn, Nelson Freire and Paul Posnak; composers Robert Ashley and John Luther Adams; violinists Joshua Bell, James Ehnes and Hilary Hahn; flutist Richard Adeney; and opera singers Juliana Gondek and Sumi Jo.

The Academy is a boarding school for talented high school students specializing in arts and entertainment. (Summer arts and entertainment courses offer public enrollment in a variety programs.)  Notable attendees of either The Academy or the Summer Program include: