The Inland Empire

We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Inland Empire - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Big Bear Discovery Center

    Exhibits here explain the area's flora and fauna, and staffers provide maps and camping and hiking information. You can sign up for canoe and kayak tours of Big Bear Lake or naturalist-led tours of the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve in spring and summer or snowshoe excursions in winter. The center is also the starting point for Cougar Crest Trail and the paved Alpine Pedal Path Trail. 

    40971 N. Shore Dr. (Hwy. 38), Fawnskin, California, 92333, USA
    909-382–2790

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Tues. and Wed.
  • 2. California Botanic Garden

    Founded in 1927 by Susanna Bixby Bryant, a wealthy landowner and conservationist, the garden is dedicated to the preservation of native California plant species. You can meander here for hours enjoying the shade of an oak tree canopy or take a guided tour of the grounds, whose 86 acres of ponds and greenery shelter California wild lilacs, big berry manzanitas, four-needled piñons, and other specimens. Countless bird species also live here.  Guided tram tours are offered the third Sunday of the month (reserve by the 15th of the preceding month).

    1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, California, 91711, USA
    909-625–8767

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Garden $10, tram tour or 1-hr guided walking tour $15 (includes garden admission)
  • 3. Mission Inn Museum

    The crown jewel of Riverside is the Mission Inn, a Spanish-Revival hotel whose elaborate turrets, clock tower, mission bells, and flying buttresses rise above downtown. Taking his cues from the Spanish missions in San Gabriel and Carmel, architect Arthur B. Benton designed the initial wing, which opened in 1903. Locals G. Stanley Wilson and Peter Weber are credited with the grand fourth section, the Rotunda Wing, completed in 1931. You can climb to the top of its five-story spiral stairway, or linger in the Courtyard of the Birds, where a tinkling fountain and shady trees invite meditation. If a wedding isn't taking place, you can also peek inside the St. Francis Chapel, where celebrities such as Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, and Richard and Pat Nixon tied the knot before the Mexican cedar altar. Ten U.S. presidents have patronized the Presidential Lounge, a bright, wood-panel bar. Docents of the Mission Inn Foundation, whose museum contains displays depicting the building's illustrious history, lead guided tours. On occasion, Friends of the Mission Inn ( www.friendsofthemissioninn.com) host silent movie nights with music played by the pipe organ in the Ball Room. 

    3696 Main St., Riverside, California, 92501, USA
    951-788–9556

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Admission tour $20
  • 4. Oak Tree Mountain

    What started as an apple shed has become a 14-acre fun park and plaza with eateries, a petting zoo, a candy store, a creamery, train rides, shops, trout fishing, gold panning, local artisans, archery, a cider mill, and more. Be sure to grab a fresh-baked apple pie from Apple Annie’s Bakery. Some activities are seasonal.

    38480 Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, California, 92399, USA
    909-797–4420

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs. in low season
  • 5. Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

    In summer, beat the heat by slipping down the dual waterslide or breezing down the twisting Olympic-style bobsled course. The facility also has an 18-hole miniature golf course, a mountain coaster, and go-karts. The arcade and snack shack make this the type of place families can spend an entire day.  Winter highlights include inner tubing down the hill, which is lit up at night, and taking the Magic Carpet lift back up.

    800 Wildrose La., Big Bear Lake, California, 92315, USA
    909-866–4626

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Alpine Slide $9 single rides, $40 5-ride pass; $40 all-day snow-play pass; coaster $20, Tubing available Nov.–Easter
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  • 6. Asistencia Mission de San Gabriel

    Franciscan Fathers built the mission in 1819, but it functioned as one for only a few years. In 1834 it became part of a rancho and later served as a school and a factory. The current mission is a replica. The landscaped courtyard contains an old Spanish mission bell, and one building holds a small museum.

    26930 Barton Rd., Redlands, California, 92373, USA
    909-793–5402

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $5, Closed Sun. and Mon. (sometimes closed other days; call before visiting)
  • 7. Benton Museum of Art Pomona College

    This teaching museum exhibits contemporary art, works by old masters, and American Indian art and artifacts. The new building, opened in 2021, is its own work of art designed by Machado Silvetti. Among the 18,000 items spanning 22 centuries are a mural by Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco, first-edition Goya etchings, and 15th- and 16th-century Italian panel paintings. 

    120 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont, California, 91711, USA
    909-621–8283

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Museum closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 8. Big Bear Alpine Zoo

    This rescue and rehabilitation center specializes in animals native to the San Bernardino Mountains. Its residents may include black and (non-native) grizzly bears, bald eagles, coyotes, mountain lions, wolves, snow leopards, and bobcats.

    42801 Moonridge Rd., Big Bear Lake, California, 92315, USA
    909-584–1299

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $15, On snowy days, zoo may open later or not at all for snow removal
  • 9. Big Bear Marina

    The 25-passenger paddle wheeler Big Bear Cruzer departs from here on 90-minute lake tours ($22). The marina also rents fishing boats, Jet Skis, kayaks, and paddleboards.

    500 Paine Ct., Big Bear Lake, California, 92315, USA
    909-866–3218

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr.
  • 10. California Polytechnic University at Pomona

    The university occupies 1,438 rolling acres of the Kellogg Ranch, originally the winter home of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. Cal Poly specializes in teaching agriculture, and you can find rose gardens, avocado groves, many farm animals, and a working Arabian horse ranch. The Farm Store (4102 S. University Dr.;909/869–4906) sells deli and gourmet foods, meat and produce from campus farms, and plants grown in the university nursery.

    3801 W. Temple Ave., Pomona, California, 91768, USA
    909-869–7659

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Store daily 10–6
  • 11. Callaway Vineyard and Winery

    One of Temecula's oldest wineries is centered on a stunning steel-and-glass cube with vineyard views all around. Callaway made its reputation with Chardonnay, but these days is also known for Roussanne, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. The winery's Meritage Restaurant specializes in tapas, salads, and sandwiches.

    32720 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, California, 92591, USA
    951-676–4001

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tasting $20; tour and tasting $25, Daily 10–5; tours weekdays 11, 1, 3; weekends 11, noon, 1, 2
  • 12. Claremont Heritage

    College walking tours, architecture tours, and art tours are conducted quarterly by Claremont Heritage. The organization gives 2½-hour guided walking tours ($10) by reservation. Self-guided tour maps can be found on the group's website.

    840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, California, 91711, USA
    909-621–0848

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10, Closed weekends
  • 13. Doffo Winery

    This Italian-Argentine wine-making family with a 30-acre property at the Temecula Valley's northeastern edge takes a passionate and quirky approach. Winemaker Damian Doffo and his father, Marcelo, play music for their vines, whose grapes go into small-lot wines, among them a rich Syrah and the signature Malbec, from estate grapes. Tastings of these and other wines take place inside a refurbished garage. The family's racing and vintage motorcycles, which guests can view on free self-guided walking tours, are displayed in an open-air showroom nearby.

    36083 Summitville St., Temecula, California, 92592, USA
    951-676–6989

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tastings $20–$30, tour $65, Daily 10–5; tours weekdays 11 and 2, weekends 10, 12, 2, and 4
  • 14. Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens

    Just outside of Oak Glen, this museum features late 16th to early 19th century European, Indian, and Asian works of art. Founder Dean Stout designed the interior to resemble a home with seven historic rooms including a library with over 2,700 books from the 17th to the 19th centuries. After visiting the museum, stroll the grounds to enjoy the koi pond, garden maze, and the popular Legacy Rose Garden.

    9401 Oak Glen Rd., Cherry Valley, California, 92223, USA
    951-845–2626

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: museum $10; guided tours $10, Closed Sun.–Wed.
  • 15. Europa Village

    Though all of this luxury wine resort's dining, lodging, winery, and other components won't be completed for a few years, a pleasant tasting room here serves wines made from French, Spanish, and Italian varietals. The selections range from Vermentino, Albariño, and other light whites to reds like Syrah and Primitivo. Winemaker dinners take place in the village, which also presents live music on some weekend nights.

    33475 La Serena Way, Temecula, California, 92591, USA
    888-383–8767

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tasting $15, Daily 10–5
  • 16. Fairplex

    The site of the Los Angeles County Fair, North America's largest county fair, the Fairplex exposition center hosts open-air markets, antiques shows, roadster shows, historical train and model train exhibits, horse and dog shows, and the annual International Wine and Spirits competition. Also here is the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum(www.museum.nhra.com), which pays tribute to the history of American motor sports with exhibits of vintage racing vehicles and an amusing collection of tricked-out drag-racing cars.

    1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, California, 91768, USA
    909-623–3111

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Museum $10, Museum closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 17. Idyllwild Nature Center

    At the center you can learn about the area's Native American and natural history. Outside are several miles of hiking trails, plus biking and equestrian trails and picnic areas. The park is pet friendly.

    25225 Hwy. 243, Idyllwild, California, 92549, USA
    951-659–3850

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $4, Closed Mon. and Tues., Tues.–Sun. 9–4
  • 18. Joseph Filippi Winery

    The Filippi family continues a tradition that was started in 1922 when Giovanni Filippi began growing grapes in the Cucamonga Valley. These days his descendants make everything from sacramental, sparkling wines, and port sherry to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel. A small museum chronicles the history of Rancho Cucamonga wine making.

    12467 Base Line Rd., Rancho Cucamonga, California, 91739, USA
    909-899–5755

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tastings $7–$10, Closed Mon.
  • 19. Kimberly Crest House and Gardens

    In 1897 Cornelia A. Hill built what's now Kimberly Crest House and Gardens to mimic the châteaus of France's Loire Valley. Surrounded by orange groves, lily ponds, and terraced Italian gardens, the mansion has a French-revival parlor, a mahogany staircase, a glass-mosaic fireplace, and a bubbling fountain in the form of Venus rising from the sea. Alfred and Helen Kimberly, founders of the Kimberly-Clark Paper Company, purchased the estate in 1905, and their daughter, Mary, lived here until 1979. Most of the 22 rooms are in original condition.

    1325 Prospect Dr., Redlands, California, 92373, USA
    909-792–2111

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10, Closed Mon.–Wed. and Sat.; closed Aug., Thurs., Fri., and Sun. 1–3:30
  • 20. Lincoln Memorial Shrine

    The shrine houses the largest collection of Abraham Lincoln artifacts on the West Coast. You can view a marble bust of Lincoln by sculptor George Grey Barnard, along with more than a dozen letters and rare pamphlets. The gift shop sells many books, toys, and reproductions pertaining to the Civil War.

    125 W. Vine St., Redlands, California, 92373, USA
    909-798–7636

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon.

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