Freda
One dog, one horse, one cat - all delightful.
Reviews 
(7)
Best outdoor spot in Idyllwild
Cafe AromaTook my dog to Idyllwild for two days for his birthday. We ate at Cafe Aroma for dinner and loved the outdoor space. Comfortable, warm in the midst of cold rain, and enclosed! Great food also. Dog thought so too.
Mar. 18, 2020
Ernie Maxwell Trail
Humber ParkRight below the Humber Park trailhead is the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail on the right. There's a very small parking turnoff and a sign that proclaims "Scenic Trail". If you don't feel like hiking the tougher trails, this is a beautiful easy trail, basically about 5 miles total if you do it as an out-and-back. Very enjoyable.
Mar. 18, 2020
nice small forested park
Idyllwild Nature CenterKid-friendly visitor center with a small museum. Nice for a few short easy trails through woodland.
Mar. 18, 2020
Lovely place to stay
Silver Pines LodgeI chose the Silver Pines Lodge for my 75 lb dog's two-night birthday outing, because some of the cabins are right next to Strawberry Creek. The facility itself has a wonderful koi pond, if you stay in the cabins comprising Silver Pines Lodge. When we were there in mid-March, the second day had rain, which filled the creek and produced the wonderful sound of running river water that i wanted. We stayed in Cat Nap, right on the creek's banks. A very charming small unit, nicely redecorated. Be aware that the cabins are old, so be ready for less than 5 star modern facilities. However, everything was clean and adequate, and a very good value for the money. The owner Chris couldn't be nicer or more accommodating. All the art work in this cabin are cat-oriented and delightful. Also, the Lodge is perfectly located for walking into the heart of Idyllwild, shopping and eating. Only used the car to get out to trailheads. Very dog-friendly town and very dog-friendly lodge. Looking forward to coming here again!
Mar. 18, 2020
No heat outdoors in March
Mile High CafeThe outdoor space is uninspiring and there was no propane for the heaters. This was mid-March and very cold! Check before you go. The breakfast was very good - hunks of real corned beef that my dog and i both enjoyed, and soft poached eggs. The waitperson there the morning we went was not particularly friendly.
Mar. 18, 2020
Beautiful Park - needs better dog owners!
Arroyo Verde ParkThis park has a large grassy areas when you first enter, that is the off-leash area. When my dog and i visited, it was our first time and we didn't know it was off-leash. Unfortunately, dog owners already there were less than considerate and allowed their pack of dogs to come running over. I had to scramble to get my large 75 pounder away. Luckily, there's also a trail immediately at the entrance which we escaped to. Once on the trails, every dog we met was on-leash and owners told me all dogs on trails and in the back area are supposed to be on-leash. The trails themselves are gradual grades and the land is currently (May 2019) in profuse bloom, with many wildflowers and mustard. Overall, we had a good hike and would recommend the park - just not the inconsiderate dog owners.
May. 10, 2019
Craftsman gem with beautiful gardens
The Pierpont InnI stayed overnight for a short getaway with my big 75 lb dog and could not have had a more wonderful time. The hotel's grounds are beautifully maintained, with a profusion of roses at this time of year. They are a delight to walk through, to sit on the benches discreetly scattered around the lawns. Best of all, they are free of dog poop despite the fact that this is a dog-friendly hotel, because dogs are given their own bit of lawn to pee and poop on! The front desk, Gary and Stefan, were welcoming and cheerful, going out of their way to be helpful. Breakfast (free with a BringFido booking) at the hotel's in-house restaurant, Austen's, was unexpectedly delicious, many cuts above standard breakfast buffet quality. The soft scrambled eggs were done to perfection, with sausages that were closer to fat bratwurst than hard skinny link sausages. The outdoor patio where guests with dogs can dine is covered, has a lovely view of lawn and roses, and looks out upon Anacapa Island. The waitress Diane, like the front desk, gave outstanding service, accommodating a change of items on my plate with ease and good humor. The room itself was nicely updated, clean and well-outfitted with amenities, upscale linens and a very comfortable firm mattress. Finally, the location of the hotel was perfect for me - right by a section of dog-friendly beach and a short walk to the Ventura Pier which my dog loved exploring. The only caveat: ask for a hotel room that does NOT have an ocean view. The reason is that the ocean view comes with noise from the busy roadway that runs along the beach. My first room was on the second floor facing the ocean, and i knew immediately I wouldn't be able to sleep there. Stefan graciously and immediately changed my room to one facing the pool on the first floor, away from the highway. Since the pool closes at 9 pm and this was a Tuesday night, I knew I would not be bothered by pool parties. I was right - I had a wonderful sleep and so did my dog! If you enjoy walking, go out the short roadway by the Rose Cottage, and turn right on the next road. It curves off below tall trees, above the tennis courts and alongside private homes. Lovely. I you like hiking, take the ten-minute drive to Arroyo Verde Park. The first large grassy area is off-leash but all the trails are on-leash, as is the back area. Beautiful trails going on gentle upgrades through profusions of wild flowers. I live in Los Angeles, so this is an easy hour and a half getaway with my dog, and I look forward to coming again. Pricing is best mid-week and off-season, of course.
May. 10, 2019
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