By Angela Serratore New York Times
Idyllwild
A 1991 chalet-style retreat with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, on a 1.3-acre lot
This house is less than 10 minutes from a brewpub, a bakery, a grocery store and a number of restaurants and inns at the center of this small mountain community. But the location’s big draw is its proximity to Mount San Jacinto State Park, where hiking trails wind up Mount San Jacinto, offering views of the forest on one side and the desert on the other.
The property is about an hour from Palm Springs and an hour and a quarter from San Bernardino. Driving to Los Angeles or San Diego takes about two hours, making this area a popular weekend destination.
Size: 3,175 square feet
Price per square foot: $343
Indoors: The house sits at the top of a steep driveway.
Behind the front door, stairs lead up to the main level. At the top of the stairs is a small sitting area. The living room, to the right, has a fireplace set in a rock wall. The dining area, opposite, has large windows with a view of the mountain landscape.
The adjacent kitchen has gray-and-white cabinetry and a breakfast bar with room for three bar stools. (All of the furnishings come with the house.)
Two bedrooms are off a short hallway extending from the sitting area. The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom and shares access to a long, covered balcony with the bedroom next door. At the far end of the hall is another full bathroom.
The other three bedrooms are on the entry level. One holds two sets of bunk beds, and another is currently used as a home office; all three share a full bathroom. A living room with a red Danish-style stove and a yoga studio with cork floors are also on this level, along with a door that offers access to a deck.
Outdoor space: The lower-level deck is spacious, with a wood-clad hot tub and plenty of room for entertaining. There is also a covered balcony off the main floor that has enough space for a dining table and a grill. The driveway is wide enough to hold five parked cars.