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Idyllwild
Gateway to San Jacinto State Park, this small resort town fills up each
weekend with flatlanders who want a breath of crisp alpine air, a whiff
of pines, a stay in a homey bed-and-breakfast inn, and perhaps a challenging
day hike or overnight backpacking trip into the wilderness. In town, you'll
find numerous small curio and gift shops oriented to the tourist trade,
as well as several fine galleries. If you enjoy picnicking head up to
Humber Park at the northeastern end of Fern Valley Road. Hikers use densely
forested Humber Park as their jump-off point for either a day hike up
Devil's Slide Trail (great views) or longer expeditions toward the summit
of MOUNT SAN JACINTO (elevation 10,804 feet), TAHQUITZ PEAK (Southern
California's premier rock-climbing site for long-pitch climbs on vertical
granite faces), and the beautiful backpacker campsites in TAHQUITZ MEADOW.
The IDYLLWILD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (54295 Village Center Drive, downstairs
from the Idyllwild Town Crier; 888/659-3259; www. idyllwild. org) can
help with trip planning. For backcountry permits and information, stop
in at the IDYLLWILD RANGER STATION (San Jacinto Ranger District; 909/659-2117;
comer Highway 243 and Upper Pine Crest
in the village). For information on ROCK CLIMBING instruction and guide
services, drop by Nomad Ventures (54415 N Circle Drive; 909/659-4853).
INLAND EMPIRE THREE-DAY TOUR
While the Inland Empire is generally not a preferred California
destination, should you find yourself in the area for a few days,
there are plenty of areas worth exploring.
DAY ONE. Drive to Riverside for a morning of
antique shopping in the downtown mall area on Mission Inn Avenue,
or a little poking around the old Craftsman-house dominated neighborhoods
at the base of Mount Rubidoux and Little Rubidoux. Check in to
the Mission Inn and get an immediate feel for this architectural
fantasyland by taking a guided tour. Spend the afternoon relaxing
by the pool before dining that evening at the inn, either in the
courtyard Mission Inn Restaurant or inside in the swankier Duane's
Prime Steaks & Seafood.
DAY TWO. Rise with the sun for a brisk hike up
Mount Rubidoux. Return to the inn for breakfast in the courtyard,
then take Interstate 215 north to Interstate 10 and go easttotheSan
Bemardino County Museum.Afteratour, drive further east on Interstate
I OtoYucaipa Boulevard. Goeasttothe OakGten Road loop through
apple country, stopping for a piece of fresh apple pie at any
of the apple stands and gift shops. Return to Riverside for dinner
at Table for TWo, or Gay and Larry's if you feel like Mexican
food, before a nightcap back at the inn and a soak in the courtyard
spa before bed.
DAY THREE. A long day awaits. Start off with
breakfast at the inn, then check out and drive southwest on Highway
91 to the California Citrus State Historic Park for a brief tour.
Return to Highway 91, continue southwest to Interstate 15, and
drive south to Temecula. Spend the day touring wineries, stopping
for lunch at Cafe Champagne, before checking into theTemecula
Creek Inn for the night and dining at Temet Grill.
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