Idyllwild, CA

Amid the sharp scent of pine, the craggy texture of granite rocks, and the clean mountain air, coming to the Thousand Trails Idyllwild preserve is exhilarating, yet relaxing. Discoveries unfold as you wind your way through the myriad of paths encompassing the preserve. Stunning, tall sugar pines stretch toward the sky, their blue-needled branches extended and dangling cones as big as your forearm. Around the next bend, a spectacular rock formation appears, atop which you have a marvelous view of the San Jacinto Mountains or the Hemet Valley below. Squirrels scurry through shrub-like Manzanita trees as you kick up dust in a clearing. Perhaps it's the 6,500-foot altitude or the effort of climbing, but you seem to breathe more deeply, more fully at Idyllwild.

The terrain at the preserve is hilly and rugged, so be forewarned that hiking at Idyllwild is an aerobic activity. Just walking from the pool at the back of the preserve to the lodge in the center is enough to elevate your pulse rate. Undaunted, visitors enjoy guided hikes and self-guided excursions. A tip: be sure to pick up a trail map from the ranger station to determine the appropriate trails for your ability level. Resembling a sketch of prepared spaghetti, the map identifies "spectacular view points," preserve paths, and trailheads leading into state park territory.

For those who prefer a fishing pole to a walking stick, a stocked trout pond is the focal point for a lovely day-use area in the heart of the preserve. Most of the fish weigh about two pounds, and you keep what you catch as trout don't tend to survive once caught and released. A convenient fish cleaning facility makes preparing your catch even easier.

Other outdoor amenities include basketball courts, horseshoe pits, volleyball court and shuffleboard adjacent to the meticulously-maintained pool area. The Family Lodge features adults-only space in upstairs area, large-screen TVs, and satellite access downstairs. Outside the lodge is a small picnic area that overlooks the trout pond. A beautiful wooden amphitheater draws crowds for campfires in the fire ring, evening entertainment under the stars, and Sunday worship services on select weekends.

On the other hand, doing nothing is vastly underrated. Stretching out poolside beneath an azure blue sky while watching the trees sway in the breeze, propping your feet up on the cooler while testing the limits of your fold-out chair, and taking time to get to know your neighbors are but a few ways to unwind.

The village of Idyllwild proper is fewer than three miles from the preserve, where you can find shops, restaurants, and galleries featuring works of local artists. Also nearby is Taquitz Rock – a draw for rock climbers around the globe. Whether you enjoy playing cards at the preserve’s rustic lodge, hiking the trails, or exploring the local haunts, you and your family will find plenty to do and see during your stay.