Page 163 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

INLAND EMPIRE
This off-the-tourist-map region of high desert,
soaring mountain peaks and rich vineyards
showcases California’s extremes
B Y L E N O R E G R E I N E R
TOP CITIES
Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Temecula, Ontario,
San Bernardino, Riverside
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
Ontario International Airport (ONT), 35 miles (56 km)
east of downtown Los Angeles, 23 miles (37 km) west
of San Bernardino, 16 miles (26 km) west of Riverside
TOURISM WEBSITES
bigbear.com
lakearrowhead.net
temeculacvb.com
POPULATION
4.2 million
The Inland Empire’s quintessentially Californian landscape closely
reflects the state’s past, from the Golden Age of traveling Route 66 to
the old days of stagecoaches and local Indian culture. Rimmed by
the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the San Jacinto range to the
east, the region’s snow-capped granite peaks quickly descend into high
desert canyons and, finally, a thriving wine country.
In this region you can explore Spanish and Native American history, savor
scenic beauty along hiking paths or ski runs or partake in typically Cali-
fornian diversions, escaping to a quiet golf resort, taking a wine-tasting tour
or soaking in relaxing hot springs. And, with fewer crowds and lower prices
than Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley, the Inland Empire offers vacation desti-
nations high on charm and thrills and low on attitude.
INLAND
EMPIRE
The Great Outdoors
In the fresh alpine air of the San Bernardino Mountains, vacationers head
to two popular lakes. At Big Bear Lake, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy year-round
recreation, from watersports in the summer to winter’s alpine sports at Big
Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, where the skiing and snowboarding are
excellent. In summer, watersports lovers will find abundant fishing,
boating, kayaking and even parasailing on Big Bear Lake. Lake Arrowhead
offers hiking, horseback riding, biking and stream fishing. Or take in the
natural beauty and wander the Swiss Chalet-style alpine village of peaceful
Lake Arrowhead with its charming shops and year-round ice-skating rink.
2014 T R AV E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 161