Sky Island Retreats, is a boutique branding, design, and property management company that specializes in unique vacation rentals and experiences in Idyllwild, Ca.
The story of Idyllwild first began in the summer, as the home for bands of Cahuilla Indians, who migrated to the area to escape the heat of lower elevation deserts. Settled around bleak desert springs and oases, they treasured the variety of plants and animals here for the taking. Curiosity followed by 19th century pioneers who first made the efforts to explore this mountain wilderness. After the first public road to Strawberry Valley opened in 1888, a trickle of campers following the wave of loggers became a flood. Logging dominated the landscape over the next quarter century, especially in Strawberry Valley, the future site of Idyllwild. Precipitated by the construction of the transcontinental Rail line through San Gorgonio Pass in 1875, primitive wagon roads for logging crews snaked into the mountains from Cabazon and San Jacinto.
By the start of the 20th century, the tide of land use in the San Jacintos had begun to shift from exploitation to recreation. Commercial and public campgrounds multiplied. Riding and hiking expeditions blossomed. Fishing and hunting thrived. Rock climbers discovered the most amazing granite walls. Swimming holes became a summer attraction, snow-covered slopes a winter lure. In addition to public campgrounds like the state and county parks, more then 20 privately organized camps came into existence. The die was cast for Idyllwild’s future as an outdoor recreational mecca, its basic asset the forest itself.
By 1920 the tree cutting industry was in the face of public backlash. President Grover Cleveland, during his last week in office, created by proclamation, the San Jacinto Forest Reserve. Since 1871, essentially half the mountain range had belonged to the Southern Pacific Railroad as part of its Congressional land grant for building the southern transcontinental line. Under the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, Cleveland’s proclamation required all as yet unsold railroad land in the new reserve to revert to the federal government. While most of what is now Idyllwild had already been marketed and remained in private hands, the surrounding terrain became public property.
Welcome, to our Sky Island, the special mountain town of Idyllwild.
FAQs
Why have a Management company?
Because sometimes its easier to have a liason between you and the customer. Depending on your lifestyle maybe you just don’t want to be bothered.
How do we keep your home safe?
We require Ring doorbell cameras and digital door locks on all our client’s homes. We are local and available 24/7.
What makes us special?
Unlike the other corporate management companies out there, we are a boutique company focused on you, we’re dedicated to your needs and overall quality rather than quantity.
Who takes care of your home?
We do! Our dedicated staff will personally walk through your home before each arrival to ensure the guests’ experience is as you intended it.
How do we advertise your home?
Along with our own site, your home will be listed on VRBO, Airbnb, Expedia, Kayak, Booking.com, Travelocity, Orbitz and more!
How do you sign up?
Call us at (951) 438 -6199, email us at www.SkyIslandRetreats@gmail.com or message us through our contact page.