If you are looking for the perfect place to get back to nature or to partake in exciting adrenaline-inducing outdoor activities, then Wrightwood California is perfect for you.
Known for its adventurous outdoor activities and picturesque green spaces, Wrightwood is located in San Bernardino County, California.
With many activities available all year round, including fishing, skiing and snowboarding, there is something to do for everyone.
In this article, we have created our top-10 guide to the very best activities in Wrightwood, the best places to eat, drink, stay and how to get to this beautiful part of the world.
1. Enjoy Your Time In Mountain High Resort
If you are visiting Wrightwood, CA during the winter months, then visiting the Mountain High Resort has to be at the top of your itinerary.
From tubing to sledding, you can also learn how to ski and snowboard. And for the laid-back days, you can look down upon all of Wrightwood as you take a scenic sky chair ride and view the resort at 8,200 feet.
The resort also hosts a legendary Taco Thursday, with amazing food, a long-running happy hour and live music.
2. Ziplines at Pacific Crest
Perhaps you are visiting Wrightwood in the summer rather than the winter, and you are still looking for your adrenaline fix.
Don’t worry, summer activities are also available within Wrightwood, CA. Ziplines at Pacific Crest offers you three separate zip lining experiences with their canopy tour, mountain view tour and the quest tour.
Whether you are simply looking to walk amongst the treetops or take the daring leap of faith, visiting Ziplines at Pacific Crest is a fun-filled day out.
3. Browse Wrightwood’s Acclaimed Farmers Market
Open all-year-round, the Wrightwood Farmers Market runs from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm every Friday and brings together a variety of vendors that sell locally sourced and seasonally appropriate goods to the local community.
The initial idea behind the Farmers Market was to provide an event for the local community that can bring everyone together once a week.
And with the products being sold at the market, there was hope to provide an economic and health benefit for the local community.
Of course, travelers and tourists are most welcome at Wrightwood Farmers Market. It provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to integrate and embrace the local lifestyle.
With fresh produce, music, a revolving artist corner, artisan products and massages all on offer, there is a bit of everything at Wrightwood’s Farmers Market.
4. Visit Wrightwood’s Historical Society And Museum
Often whenever you visit any new area for the first time, you wish to learn more about the history and heritage of the place and its local community.
Only open on Saturdays, Wrightwood’s Historical Society and Museum is free to the public and exhibits information about the history of Wrightwood and artifacts that have been discovered in the local area.
The historical society hosts meetings on the first Friday of every month, where they get historians and guest speakers to join in at the meetings.
The society is also free for anyone to join, whether they are from the local area or simply visiting.
5. Relax Around The Jackson Lake
Created by the San Andreas fault line, Jackson Lake is one of the most popular places to visit (especially during the summer months).
This is mostly because the lake is the only place that you fish during the summer, and the picturesque waterside location is the backdrop to many campsites in Wrightwood.
You can visit Jackson Lake between 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, and have the perfect day out as the grounds have a sizable amount of picnic tables, green area and public toilets that you can use.
Besides fishing, you can also go lake swimming, boating and kayaking on the water of Lake Jackson.
6. Traveling To The Calico Ghost Town Is The Perfect Day Out
If you are looking to adventure outside of Wrightwood for a day, then why not travel an hour and thirty minutes away to Calico Ghost Town.
Now a state historical landmark, Calico Ghost Town has been abandoned since the mid-1890’s when the old bustling mining town lost its value.
Now you can visit Calico to learn all about its rich historical past and visit the on-site restaurants and shops. You can even camp in the old ghost town.
With civil war reenactments, Halloween celebrations, ghost tours and its own festival, there always appears to be some kind of event happening in Calico.
So, if you coincide your trip with one of these exciting events, you will get even more out of your visit to the Calico Ghost Town.
7. Shop Until You Drop In Wrightwood Village
Wrightwood Village has its own bustling center with a whole host of shops that will cater to your every need.
The village center is full of independent shops including Beverly’s Books, Crafting Hearts and Maple Boutique, so we are confident that you will find the perfect souvenir to remind you of Wrightwood, CA.
The village center also has a host of cafes, restaurants and accommodation options which we will explore further below.
8. Explore The Big Horn Mine
Charles Vincent discovered the Big Horn Mine in 1859, but it was not until he sold the mine that it turned high profits. The mine ran dry in the early 1900s and has been abandoned since.
Now, The Big Horn Mine features as part of a very popular 6.0-kilometer hiking trail that allows visitors to take in the beautiful sights of Wrightwood.
Of course, you can also explore the once-bustling mine, as you can climb the mine shaft itself as well as visit numerous caves along the trail.
It is advised to arrive early in the morning, as the trail can get busy towards mid-day.
9. For Those That Love Hiking – Why Not Follow The Blue Ridge Trail
If exploring the local mine is not your idea of a good time, and you would prefer an easier hike, then The Blue Ridge Trail may be perfect for you.
Adventure over creeks and bridges, through oak and pine trees as you reach the end of this one-way, 2-mile trail when you arrive at the Blue Ridge Campground.
Hikers that have used the trail previously noted that it is an extremely pleasant walk, with the path being mostly sheltered by trees and you can also see the Mountain High Resort from the trail.
10. If Walking Is Not Your Thing, Why Not Go On An e-Bike Adventure Tour
Of course hiking does not appeal to everyone, but perhaps you still wish to take in the natural wonders of this beautiful area.
You may enjoy taking part in one of Wrightwood’s e-Bikes, biking tours. If you still seek that off-road excitement then their Big Pines/Inspiration Point Mountain Bike tour may be perfect for you.
As you start from the rental point and travel the 6,000ft elevation change to base camp.
Or, if you wish to take the laid-back approach, they also do a tour of Wrightwood Town so you explore and learn about the town itself as you roam its quiet streets.
Restaurants In Wrightwood, CA
During your stay in Wrightwood, CA, you will only want to eat in the very best restaurants and cafes. Below we have listed our top three picks of places to eat in Wrightwood, CA.
1. The Perfect Place For Breakfast – Evergreen Cafe & Racoon Salon
If you are looking for the perfect place to integrate with the local population and get a genuine sense of what life is like in Wrightwood, then look no further than Evergreen Cafe and Racoon Salon.
With a solid 4.0/5 rating on Tripadvisor, many recommend this unique green and red cafe for those searching for the perfect breakfast spot.
At Evergreen Cafe, you will find all the standard favorite breakfast dishes on the menu that are served in sizable portions and are reasonably priced. You cannot go wrong with this local favorite.
2. An All-Rounder – The Yodeler
With alfresco dining in the summer and a cozy place to wind down in the winter, The Yodeler serves both lunch and dinner, and is known for being one of the livelier places in town with live music and TV entertainment.
If you are looking for the perfect pub or bar in town, then The Yodeler (rated 4.0/5 on Tripadvisor) is the place to be.
3. For A Fancier Meal – The Blue Ridge Inn
One of the highest-rated restaurants in all of Wrightwood, The Blue Ridge Inn rates 4.5/5 on Trip Advisor and is commended for its tasty food and brilliant table service.
If you are looking for a place where you can treat yourself to an enjoyable meal, especially if you are a fan of steakhouses, then look no further than The Blue Ridge Inn.
Accommodation In Wrightwood, CA
There is an abundance of accommodation options available in Wrightwood, CA, that will cater to everyone depending on their tastes and preferences.
Below, we have listed three different Wrightwood cabins that are available in Wrightwood, which will each offer a different type of experience during your stay.
1. Grand Pine Cabins
Perfectly located for those wishing to take advantage of the activities on offer at the Mountain High resort, The Grand Pine Cabins provides the full hotel service, with a cabin-like atmosphere.
Set amongst Wrightwood’s forest, the Grand Pine Cabins are just a short walk away from Wrightwood’s bustling town center and are finished with luxurious touches.
After a long day of exploring, you can curl up near the wood-burning fireplace and rest for the days to follow.
2. Canyon Creek Inn
Perhaps you are seeking the authentic small-town experience, and wish to be amongst it all. In which case, Canyon Creek Inn will provide everything you are looking for with its town center location.
The Inn comes highly rated by previous visitors of Wrightwood, with its cabin-chic styling and clean, spacious rooms.
3. Mountain Oak Campground
If you are looking for the cheapest accommodation option available, then Wrightwood has many campsites for you to choose from.
The Mountain Oak Campground gets a special recommendation in this guide as it has the only flush-able bathrooms out of all the campsites in Wrightwood.
The campground is also located close to the beautiful Jackson Lake, with handy routes to the Big Horn Mine.
But you must book early, as it is a relatively small campsite and places get booked up quickly.
Ways To Get To Wrightwood, CA
Considering the rural location of Wrightwood, the easiest way to travel to the town is by using a car. But we have also included other ways of transportation for you.
Closest Airport To Wrightwood, CA
The closest airport to Wrightwood, CA is Ontario International Airport. Although it is the closest, Ontario Airport is still 21.2 miles away from Wrightwood.
If you are traveling into California via airplane, you will still need to consider one of the methods below to get into Wrightwood.
Primary Road Routes Into Wrightwood, CA
As mentioned above, the most advisable way to travel into Wrightwood is via car.
There are two main roads that travel into the town center. The first being the California State Route 2, which runs from the Los Angeles basin to Victor Valley.
The other road is the Lone Pine Canyon Road, which is connected to the California State Route 138 (which is connected to Interstate 15).
Main Bus Line Into Wrightwood, CA
Due to the mountainous terrain that Wrightwood is situated in, traveling to the town via bus can be very inconvenient.
The primary bus route to Wrightwood is from Victor Valley and is the B-V link, which will take you to Wrightwood’s Community Center.
Top Travel Tips
We have collated three top travel tips for when you are planning your trip to Wrightwood, CA. These are based on the experiences of previous visitors to the town, and what they learned whilst they were there.
Tip No.1: Pack Lightly
A rather obvious one, but pack as light as you can.
Wrightwood is set in a mountainous area and you will find traveling there a much more enjoyable experience if you do not have an extensive amount of luggage.
Tip No.2: Bring Clothes For All Eventualities
Of course, if you are traveling to Wrightwood during the winter months, you need to have enough layers to keep warm on those winter nights.
In the summer, however, it also gets quite cool in the evenings and early mornings.
So if you plan to be out and about, especially for those early morning hikes, then make sure you bring clothes you can layer to ensure that you will stay warm.
Tip No.3: Pre-book Your Activities
While there is an abundance of activities to partake in Wrightwood, you must remember that everyone else traveling into the area is wishing to do the same thing.
To ensure that you get to do everything on your wishlist, make sure that you pre-book your activities before you travel. So you can have the best stay imaginable.
Conclusion
That concludes our guide to the top 10 things to do in Wrightwood, CA. We hope that you have found our guide helpful and have found activities that appeal to you in this beautiful town.
From the relaxing to the exciting, Wrightwood has something to offer for everyone.
And with a vast variety of accommodation and restaurant options available to appease everyone, you will have a very enjoyable stay in this picturesque forest and mountainous town.