Americans and Canadians alike escape to Palm Springs for its warm, dry desert climate, mid-century modern architecture and, of course, its super LGBTQ2S+-friendly soul.
But where do people from Palm Springs escape to?
When the desert heat is too much, they’ll make the hour-ish drive to Idyllwild, a resort town known as “Mile-high Idyllwild,” where the 1,650-metre altitude creates a very pleasant Mediterranean-like climate and provides views of San Jacinto Peak, Southern California’s second highest mountain. It’s about two hours from Los Angeles through Mount San Jacinto State Park.
The residents—there are fewer than 3,000 of them—tend to be quirky, artsy and queer—humans in pursuit of their most creative selves, which visitors can witness in the colourful boutiques, restaurants and art spaces. Just how quirky? Because the three neighbouring communities here—Idyllwild, Pine Cove and Fern Valley—are unincorporated, residents decided to appoint Max, a nine-year-old golden retriever, as the mayor/mascot. Lucille Ball, Michael J. Fox, Dolly Parton, Sean Connery and Doris Day, among other celebrities, have owned homes here.
So when, in 2020, Niels Kosman and Jeremy Taylor, partners in life and in the Palm Springs-based interior design showroom PS HomeBoys, realized that Idyllwild had no Pride festival, they saw it as a problem to be fixed. Partnering with Gail and Graham Sutherland, South African expats and owners of Idyllwild’s Rustic Theatre and Entertainment Center, they launched Pride Under the Pines, which hosts its third annual Pride on Saturday, October 7. As a fresh new Pride, Kosman and Taylor are keen to be both political as well as stylish—it might be way up in the mountains, but this is California, after all.
“There are a lot of people who are part of the community in Idyllwild, but there are also a lot of people in Idyllwild, and across the U.S., who are pushing back against our rights,” says Kosman. “We really wanted to spread awareness and tell the people in the woods that we are here, even on the mountain.”
The inaugural pandemic-time event in 2021 drew 800 people, but this year Pride attendees might very well outnumber the locals. While the general admission ticket is just $15, there’s a $100 “party bus” ticket that includes transportation from Palm Springs, a journey that comes with drinks for sale and drag performances. (Other upgraded ticket options include a film screening, open bar benefiting the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and a meet-and-greet with performers.)
On arrival, attendees get to experience performances by headliner Dev, an electro-pop performer known for her song “Like a G6” (with Far East Movement and The Cataracs), Palm Springs-based drag star Anita Rose O’Hara and queer comedy from Jason Stuart and Shann Carr. Rustic Theatre will screen the Liberace campfest Behind the Candelabra, while sets by San Diego lesbian DJ Alex D and Palm Springs gay DJ Galaxy will close the party. Kosman and Taylor expect as many as 30 vendors selling LGBTQ2S+ merch.
“The cool thing is that it’s all outdoors, but connected to a theatre for the screening, so people will feel very connected to the natural beauty,” says Kosman.
For festival-goers who stay an extra day or two, Idyllwild has lots of outdoorsy stuff to do. Most of the accommodations are independent and lean into the rustic vibe of the region. Strawberry Creek Inn (26370 CA-243, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California) is a gay-friendly option with guest rooms and a cottage.
For a nice meal, Kosman and Taylor recommend the Idyllwild Brewpub (54423 Village Center Dr., Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California), which has a cool eco-friendly design high up on the mountain.
Rock climbers will want to get themselves up Suicide Rock. Hikers have an infinite number of options around the San Jacinto mountains, including hiking back to Palm Springs. That 15.4-km trail usually takes less than six hours to hike, ending at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which has an elevation of 2,596 metres.
