Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember

Photo gallery for Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember

Look Out Lodge main Entrance
Terrace/patio
Hot tub located on among the trees on the one acre property.
Outdoor dining
View of the moon above the clouds from the main deck

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Hot tub
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA
  • San Jacinto Mountains
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Idyllwild Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Idyllwild Nature Center
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Palm Springs, CA (PSP-Palm Springs Intl.)
    ‪79 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Queen Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember

Lookout Lodge sits high above the world on an acre of land commanding spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and national forest. You can wake up to the sunrise or drink a glass of wine while watching the sunset – catching a glint of the sea in the distance if the conditions are right.
Inside, the 4,000 square foot home boasts four bedrooms (two masters), three bathrooms, a fully outfitted kitchen, a dedicated dining room, a common room with river rock fireplace and a media room filled with hundreds of DVDs and games. The house is decorated with original art courtesy of owners (and internationally renowned artists) Jim and Kathleen Keifer, which you can buy at a discount. The Layout of the home is as follows:

Main floor: Front door leads to large living room. This floor has a full bathroom, a bedroom with two queen beds, a kitchen, a laundry room, and the big decks (facing east and south) accessed by kitchen and living room glass doors. No stairs on this floor. Please watch the drone video posted on to experience the views off these decks.

Upstairs: two very large bedrooms, both with Cal king beds, each room also has a chaise lounge. There is also a full bathroom with two sinks. There is also a sitting area and small library outside of the bedrooms.

Downstairs: A large media room, full bath, and a bedroom with two queen beds. The media room has a door with access to the back gardens.

The spacious gardens are landscaped with wildflowers, pine, oak, Manzanita trees, and are filled with intimate clusters of outdoor furniture arranged to take in stunning views. The property also features a pond, waterfall, and rock formations decorated with Native American acorn-mortar bowls. The grass lawn is perfect for corn hole, croquet or bocce ball – the gear is included. Lounge on the outdoor daybed and wraparound craftsman-style decks. Put on a production in the Puppet Theater. At night, soak in the hot tub while watching shooting stars, or have a barbecue on the top-of-the-line grill.
This location is extremely private, perfect for family gatherings, small retreats and mountain weddings (up to 15 guests). It sleeps twelve and the bottom level can be closed off from the other two as an easy way to separate groups. Former guest have left the reviews: “Easily the prettiest house we have ever stayed at,” “Don’t know what was more relaxing – the views, the hikes, or the convenience,” “The most beautiful home in Idyllwild,” “A truly magical experience” and “We’ll absolutely be coming back next year!” A private home garden studio tour is available upon request.



Property manager

James Keifer

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 4 total
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 18
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number RVC- 287 771-255

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Idyllwild

Located in Idyllwild, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. While the natural beauty of Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Travelling with kids? Consider Idyllwild Nature Center and Camelot Park Family Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA

What's nearby

  • San Jacinto Mountains - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Idyllwild Park - 5 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Mount San Jacinto State Park - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Idyllwild Nature Center - 6 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - 66 min drive - 81.3 km

Getting around

  • Palm Springs Station - 58 min drive
  • Palm Springs, CA (PSP-Palm Springs Intl.) - 79 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mountain Center Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Idyllwild Brewpub - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Idyllwild Pizza Co. - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Red Kettle - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Lumber Mill Bar & Grill - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 4 total).

What time is check-in at Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lookout Lodge: Mountain Moments to Remember located?

This family-friendly Idyllwild holiday home is located in the mountains, within 2 mi (3 km) of San Jacinto Mountains and Idyllwild Park. Idyllwild Nature Center and Mount San Jacinto State Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 60 out of 67 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 67 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 67 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 67 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 67 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jessica F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing home, stunning views!!

This place is amazing and perfect for families. The outdoor space was spectacular, the kids ages 6 to 11 spent hours playing and exploring. The views are absolutely stunning, we can't wait to come back at least twice a year!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Eliza Z.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Nice property but needed more attention to details

The property was nice with great view. However, not as organized and clean as expected. the kitchen condiments and plates very unorganized and run down. Bathrooms and towels were very old and no shampoo or conditioner left to be used. Downstairs bedroom very cold. Property had big rooms and bathrooms and overall comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shawn Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good getaway for a group of friends

10 of us easily fit in the cabin, we had a great time, no complaints!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Views!

This property has AMAZING views! Equipped with everything you’ll need. The hosts are very easy to reach if you have any issues.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Catherine E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Views!

We really enjoyed our stay! The house had plenty of room for us and the dogs! The property is large and feels very private! Kathleen was very responsive which we appreciated.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laurie J., Monona

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful place

Thank you for letting us rent your beautiful mountain home. We’d love to rent it again. It’s perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lookout Lodge

The house is spacious, well stocked except for table knives (only one), has wonderful views, close to the town, pleasant neighborhood, large interesting multi level property and very hot water. Had a very pleasant time there with another couple and our pets.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great view

This is a great place to have a little family getaway with a great view in idyllwild.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful cabin

We had an amazing stay. The cabin was even better than expected. We can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Guenevier Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy yet spacious

We had a great family getaway in the pines! Positives: spacious, comfortable beds, very clean, inviting living room with fireplace, sooooo many board games, movie room with extensive dvd collection, quiet area, responsive host, spectacular views! Cons: the only con I can think of is that the kitchen is not super well organized or stocked- but that might be because we are a family of cooks. It does have all the basics one would need to cook a great meal, just don’t expect a gourmet kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

LeAnn J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun & Funky

We were a group of long time friends ~all women. Great location, quiet neighborhood. Large house with good sleeping arrangements. The place is old and things a little tired, but overall quite accommodating & comfortable. The host is a terrific communicator! Thanks! We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen W., San Diego, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for a family reunion

Great location; spacious with enough seating areas to allow for privacy and also for entire family activities. We loved the view from the deck and enjoyed bird watching.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Erin H., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pleasant Stay at Lookout Lodge

We were a group of 8 women for annual women's retreat. The views are beautiful and plenty of space. The house was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed the hot tub. The kitchen layout is great for group meals but there definitely needs to be some updated pans in the kitchen and some of the cupboards are falling apart. The stove is pretty old and one of the main burners only worked on high. We did a lot of cooking so this was somewhat of an issue. Not major flaws but should be addressed for a rental that caters to larger groups. The owner James was very nice in our communication.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rita G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great House and Views

Beautiful house, gorgeous views, amazing property! Cannot believe what we got for the money-so worth it! Will definitely be looking at this listing again if we return to the area!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

4/10 Poor

misty m.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Good Property

The Location of and view from this property is amazing! The only issues we had were lack of cleanliness of the interior of the home and yard. Inside is In need of a deep cleaning. Every plate, glass, utensil we tried to use needed to be washed before use. Bath towels were stained and smelled so musty we washed those prior to use also. The exterior/yard has the potential to be incredible but it is cluttered with old potted plants and is very overgrown, in need of a good yard cleanup. there were also numerous bottle caps, straws, ribbons etc all over the yard. Took my kids and grandkids on this trip and we had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Taro T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just incredible!

The Lookout Lodge blew us away, exceeded our expectations on how grand, serene, comfortable, and clean it was. We had a wonderful time. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jason C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Memorial weekend

Very enjoyable stay and scenic! Great space with a nice relaxing jacuzzi. Love every bit of it!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ann S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house and views!

The house was beautiful and you can't beat the location. Amazing views, comfortable beds and a wonderful experience. Will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful lodge in Idyllwild

Our family had a great stay at Lookout Lodge. It was a big beautiful lodge with huge property and great views. It snowed while we were there, so we got everything we wanted out of the trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paul R., Los Angeles, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house

Loved it
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Eric P., Desert Hot Springs

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property for a group of couples looking to get away. The property is huge!

Our group consisted of 4 couples, a single and two kids and the place was more than spacious both inside and out. Plenty of deck space overlooking the valley for afternoon cocktails. The dining room area and table was a little small for our group but we didn’t have a formal sit down meal. The hot tub is hidden down below the main house and is worth the trek. Secluded on the hillside you feel like you are on a separate property. I wouldn’t recommend this property to people with toddlers or walking issues. There are stairs and uneven ground throughout the property but if you don’t have an issue with that it’s easily doable, even after having our fill of the local brewery. We brought our own grill(traeger snobs) but they had two grills on site except they are on the bottom floor below the kitchen which would have made for a bit of a hike. Overall, a great place and we would definitely come back again. Communication was great and check in and out was a breeze. The location was right outside of town but far enough to feel secluded. Can’t wait for our next get together here.

10/10 Excellent

Christopher C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Absolutely loved my experience with the property. 😃
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

joanna g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Snowy wonderland

This is the 2nd time we have stayed at this special property. It had been over 5 years ago and so happy we were able to stay again. The home is beautiful inside and love the outside areas too (so much to explore) We came up for three midweek days and enjoyed our stay. My favorite room is the living room with the welcoming furniture, amazing views from every window, and great fireplace(thanks for all the available wood). Sunset brings a beautiful glow into the room. I also had a chance to walk to Inspiration Point and catch the sunset coming through the trees and views of the mountain. We all loved our stay and plan on returning soon for great meals, relaxation and family time. Thank you to Kathleen for being there to answer any questions or requests. Can't wait for our next visit!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jeff R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway for large family

We really enjoyed the weekend we spent at the lodge. There was ample space for everyone. We enjoyed the deck and the grass area outside. The lodge is spacious and has a full bathroom on each level, the kitchen is big and has everything you need for cooking. However as noted in previous post, there are not big pots. We brought our own to boil some lobsters. The lodge was clean and it’s a Good distance other residents. I used the Jacuzzi and it was really relaxing. Overall we really enjoyed the weekend getaway and would recommend this lodge to others.

10/10 Excellent

Randy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Gathering

Great place for a family get together. Lots of activities including games, puzzles, a spa, and croquet. Enjoyed wonderful views while watching the kids and grandkids having fun. Had one small issue with the garbage disposal and someone was there and had it fixed literally within minutes!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

About the host

Hosted by James Keifer

Host profile image
Kathleen Keifer is a California-based internationally collected artist. She is the leading force of the New California Realism. Born and raised in Chicago, Kathleen Keifer is a second-generation artist. Her mother, also a fine artist, exposed Keifer to the world of art and supervised her training from a very early age. This legacy continues today as Keifer closely nurtures the development of the artistic leaning in each of her three daughters, inspiring a third generation of female artists.

Why they chose this property

Amazing views, very private, accommodates large groups. Five minute drive to Idyllwild village. This mountain neighborhood is very serene. No loud music is permitted.

What makes this property unique

House can easily divide into two areas for different families or Kids / Adults. Two master bedrooms on top floor, one family suite on main floor with great room and kitchen/dining area. Bottom floor has one bedroom and Media/Game room. Bathrooms on all floors.