Visiting California's Inland Empire

California’s Inland Empire lies east of downtown Los Angeles encompassing the cities and communities surrounding Interstate-15 and Interstate-10, as well as regions of the San Bernardino Mountains. From Phelan and Big Bear Lake in the north of the region, south to Lake Elsinore and Temecula, the Inland Empire is one of California’s most productive and populated areas. The Inland Empire region is easy for travelers to overlook as they speed along freeways headed for coastal Southern California, however, the Ontario Mills Outlets sees more visitors than Disneyland and San Bernardino’s end of summer Route 66 Rendezvous is the US’ largest classic car show.

Visitors to Rancho Cucamonga with a free evening, check the calendar at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. The Lewis Family Playhouse at the gardens offers a full schedule of theater, concerts and comedy performances. Fall in Rancho Cucamonga brings Pinkalicious the Musical to the stage, followed by To Kill a Mockingbird in November.

The city of Rancho Cucamonga owns and operates Victoria Gardens and offers a wonderful mix of holiday events at the Lewis Family Playhouse to get you into the spirit of the season. Catch a performance of the Nutcracker December 8th or 9th. In mid-December, Hiroshima performs their Spirit of the Season concert and the Moscow Boys Choir performs just before Christmas.

East of Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino, the California Theatre of the Performing Arts offers another 2012-2013 calendar of top-notch performances. The Woman in Black plays just in time for Halloween, October 26th through the 28th. November offers a diversity of events, including The French Connection with the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, featuring Ester Keel on piano. The Inland Dance Theatre brings The Nutcracker to the stage in December, followed by a night of Mariachi music at Merri-achi Christmas with Sol de Mexico.

The ECHL Ontario Reign dominates the calendar at Ontario’s Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Reign open home play on October 5th, launching the 2012-2013 season running through fall and winter. CBBA sneaks in performances of Cirque du Soleil: Dralion, October 24th through the 28th – an amazing show for the entire family. Citizens Business Bank Arena is across I-10 from Ontario International Airport, next to one of Ontario’s two Best Western hotels.

An hour south of San Bernardino County travelers find themselves in the Temecula Valley, Southern California’s wine county. Temecula celebrates fall with Temecula Autumnfest, from early September through November 25th. Check out The Temecula Farmer’s Market during fall when fresh produce is at its peak – the market is Saturday mornings in Fallbrook, south of Temecula. Popular activities in the area include horseback riding and hot air ballooning, both offering spectacular views of Temecula Valley Wine Country.

California's Inland Empire Hotel Map