Spontaneity and Adventure in Idyllwild
After a few nonstop work-filled weeks, Scott and I desperately needed to spend a weekend together, communing with nature. It’s often difficult to find an open camping site anywhere near San Diego during the summer months. Since it was almost the end of September, we took a chance and headed out early on a Saturday morning to Idyllwild; a two hour drive from where we live.
I’ve heard good things about camping and hiking in Idyllwild, but mostly from people who visit in the winter when the landscape turns into a fluffy white dream. On this particular day, we were enveloped by extreme weather of the other kind; 100 degree temperatures.
We passed through the inland heat with the A/C blowing full blast, but as soon as we started climbing the mountains on Hwy 243, we noticed a 15 degree drop in temperature.
We passed the cute and tiny town of Idyllwild and made an immediate left once we saw the first camping sign. After proceeding past a few country houses, we made our way down this short, paved road to the ranger station in Idyllwild County Park.
Surprisingly enough, they had plenty of open camping spots! The friendly ranger suggested site number 16 because it was more secluded and away from the noisy group sites.
It was perfect…
The area surrounding Idyllwild County Park has a number of hiking trails where we rarely saw fellow hikers and took in some amazing views. Grab a map from the ranger station and explore!
Do you ever take spontaneous, last-minute trips?
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