Originally Posted by
colorado_rob
You've identified the two best options, here's my experience with both:
The highway 74 option is better know as the Paradise Cafe option, it's about a mile from the actual PCT to the cafe, DEFINITELY worth a stop. They even accept resupply boxes. When I stopped there 2 years ago, our table was asked if anyone needed a lift into Idyllwild, basically there seem to be lots of locals that like doing that, so I partook, then got a ride back to the cafe after town, easy to do, and hiked on.
The other option, the Devil's slide trail down to Humbar park also seems to have easy hitch options, according to everything I heard. When I stayed in Idyllwild, during checkout, my hotel lady asked if I needed a ride to either Humbar park or to Idyllwild (edit: woops meant to say Paradise Cafe).
Worst case, like if you hike down from the PCT to Humbar late in the day or something, is that you have to walk the 2.7 downhill to town, guaranteed someone will give you a ride back to Humbar after town stay the next day.
ALL above comments, needless to say, are pre-CV19 days, for example, if you plan on hitting the trail this late spring/early summer, those rides might be much tougher to get.