As every Valley veteran knows, triple digit temperatures can often last until early October. That actually affords a great opportunity for getaways to our surrounding mountain communities when temperatures fall to the low 70s and the summer crowds return to the flatlands. Check out Desert Magazine’s Quick Guide to the High Life.
The Tramway to Mt. San Jacinto
This is the ultimate day trip…it can literally save your skin and your sanity when the mercury tops 118 degrees. It’s a short ride up to the Tramway station, and then fifteen minutes to clean, pine-scented air at 8500’.
Courtesy Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One of the best ways to enjoy the day is ride up early in the morning, have a little breakfast at Peaks Restaurant and let your lungs get used to the altitude. The rest of the morning can be spent hiking the San Jacinto Peak trail. It’s a touch over ten miles and will definitely have you breathing hard by the time you return to the station. Also popular is Suicide Rock via the Deer Springs Trail. Almost every trail will provide amazing views of the valley below. Take a picnic, take a nap, take another stroll, and then just make sure you get back to the tramway station in time for sunset, so you can imbibe a cocktail at the Lookout Lounge. Don’t hurry, the last tram won’t leave until well into the evening.
Lake Arrowhead
I have a soft spot for this little lake. My great-aunt Myrtle built a cabin on Hook Creek in 1932. I have one of the early photographs. It shows a platform of half-split logs cantilevered over the creek with a large army surplus tent on top. Supposedly, the cool air from the creek was like primitive air conditioning.
These days, Lake Arrowhead is not quite so free and easy. Though the village is fun enough for a day trip and there is plenty of good hiking around, lake access is limited to homeowners in the Arrowhead Woods neighborhoods of the lake. The way around this is to book in to the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa or the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge. The Lodge also offers a number of activities and packages to help get you the most out of your trip. Though touristy, the lakefront Cadillac Cowboy serves up strong drinks and tasty Texas-style barbecue.
Big Bear Lake
One of the great advantages of taking the family out of the desert and up to Big Bear Lake are the number of safe (some lifeguard patrolled) beaches on the lake that allow swimming. Boulder Bay Park, Big Bear Dam, Garstin Island (aka, China Island), McDill swim beach, and Meadow Park are all great places to access the lake. On the other hand, if you’re not keen on hanging around the village (it can get crowded on the weekends every season of the year), head to Fawnskin on the other side of the lake.
Courtesy: bigbeargetaway.com
Big Bear Lake
Driving on Highway 38, you’ll notice turn offs every so often, marked by other beach goers. If you get there earlier enough, you can find a good stretch of sand to yourself. Not recommended for families with little kids, it’s a good place to throw down your beach chair, read a book, jump in the water to cool off, and maybe even throw out a fishing line (make sure your license is current).
Idyllwild
It’s a curious thing, but Idyllwild has always had its own vibe, completely different from any other mountain community. Maybe it’s the presence of the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy or maybe because its been magnet for LA hipsters for the last two or three generations. Post-Covid seemed to intensify this propensity. Idy Sushi Rolls, Lumber Mill Bar & Grill, and the Idyllwild Bar & Grill are all excellent spots to hang out. I lost count of the hip coffee joints the last time I passed through town. I spent some time caffeinating at Café Aroma where a woman introduced me to her dog, Max, who also happened to be the mayor of the town. That pretty much says all you need to know about the vibe of Idyllwild.
Courtesy: mayormax.com
Idyllwild Mayor Max III
If you’re looking for some lake time, there is Lake Fulmor on Highway 243 in the San Bernardino National Forest. It can be a pretty popular spot on the weekends, so picknickers are advised to arrive early to stake out your spot. There is a fishing pier, which makes a perfect spot to teach kids the sport and if you feel like stretching your legs, there is a trail that loops around the lake.
If you choose to stay a few days, I recommend the Idyllwild Bunkhouse. Against all odds, it has retained the mountain cabin flavor from its 1950a heyday. The owner, Raj, is an awesome guy and will happily fill you in on local activities.
