Visiting California's Inland Empire

A popular gateway to Southern California, the LA/Ontario International Airport puts California travelers minutes from shopping at Ontario Mills Mall, performances at Citizens Business Bank Arena and events at Ontario Civic Center. For summer visitors, the Ontario Convention Center, just across the street from the Ontario Airport, hosts the 2012 Inland Empire Home Show June 15th through the 17th, and the Southern California Coin, Currency & Jewelry Show July 19th through the 21st. With the Inland Empire’s great summer weather, it is the season to enjoy outdoor activities. Get your fill of water recreation at Lake Perris State Recreation Area or Lake Elsinore, or head up the San Bernardino Mountains for a hike or mountain bike adventure in cool pine forests.

East of Ontario, the Auto Club Speedway delivers the excitement of car racing to the Inland Empire. The 2012 Southern California Historic Sports Car Festival hits the track Jun 22nd through the 24th, with the track featuring motorcycle racing June 29th through July 1st, at Fastrack Riders motorcycle racing school. Thrill seekers check the calendar at Fontana’s Auto Club Speedway to have your own NASCAR experience behind the wheel. The speedway hosts the Richard Petty Driving Experience, the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience and the NASCAR Racing Experience.

It is the season for America’s favorite pastime – baseball. California’s Inland Empire is home to the Inland Empire 66ERs that make San Bernardino’s San Manuel Stadium home field, and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The Quakes play home games at the Epicenter, west of Interstate 15, in Rancho Cucamonga. Baseball season lasts through Labor Day, however don’t miss the fourth of July fireworks on the field and in the sky, when the Quakes meet the 66ERs on the field.

Cyclists mark Saturday, August 4th on your training calendar for the 2012 Tour de Big Bear. New for 2012, is a 100-mile course challenging racers, In addition to 25, 50 and 70-mile courses, the 2012 race features a new 100-mile distance. The start and finish for the Tour de Big Bear is The Village at Big Bear Lake. Family and friends take advantage of August, at Big Bear Lake to cheer on your racer, shop the village or cruise Big Bear Lake on the Miss Liberty tour boat.

Temecula, to the south in the Inland Empire region, is located just past the intersection of Interstate 15 and Interstate 215. Temecula makes a wonderful summer destination, as a gateway to water recreation at Lake Elsinore, Lake Skinner and Vail Lake Recreation Area. Grab your fishing pole and load up the family to spend some time at the lake.

Lake Elsinore makes a great stop for boaters, water skiers and wakeboarding. Also a great spot to relax, enjoy the beach and Southern California’s great weather. The Lake Elsinore Outlets keep shoppers busy, along with shops in Old Town Temecula and historic downtown Lake Elsinore. Evenings in the Temecula area are ideal for an outing to Diamond Stadium for hot dogs and beer while you watch the Lake Elsinore Storm on the field.

California's Inland Empire Hotel Map