Page 74 - 2024/2025 Travel Guide to CALIFORNIA
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INLAND EMPIRE
Discover this often-overlooked region of deserts, soaring mountain ranges and abundant vineyards and orchards
TOP CITIES
Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Temecula, Ontario,
San Bernardino, Riverside, Redlands, Claremont, Menifee
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 lakearrowheadchamber.com visittemeculavalley.com riversidecvb.com
GOcvb.org discoverclaremont.com exploremenifee.com
POPULATION
4,600,000
INLAND EMPIRE
BY LENORE GREINER
The vast 27,000 square miles of the Inland Empire deftly capture Cal- ifornia’s Spanish and Native American origins, the stagecoach era and the Golden Age of traveling Route 66. The perennially sunny, scenic landscape and historic sites here reflect Golden State extremes: snow- capped granite peaks of the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the San Jacinto range to the east fast descend into arid high deserts and, finally, to verdant vineyards and groves.
In the birthplace of California’s citrus industry, discover tranquil, scenic beauty among vineyards, hiking paths or ski runs. Or partake in distinctly Californian pursuits: wine tasting, escaping to a quiet golf resort, or soaking in steamy hot springs. The crowds are fewer and the prices are lower than Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley, yet you’ll find the same thrills and diversions in the Inland Empire.
The Great Outdoors
For year-round recreation, travelers can head into the San Bernardino Mountains, to two popular alpine lakes. At Big Bear Lake, outdoor enthu- siasts find winter alpine sports at Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit for excellent skiing and snowboarding. Come summertime, the lake offers watersport lovers abundant fishing, boating, kayaking and even para- sailing. Lake Arrowhead offers hiking, lake tours on the Lake Arrowhead
72 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
LISA TOP/SHUTTERSTOCK. OPPOSITE: LARISA GRIB/SHUTTERSTOCK
