Visiting California's Inland Empire

East of Los Angeles, southern California’s Inland Empire is considered by many to be part of the Greater Los Angeles Area. Commercial and cultural centers of Ontario, Riverside and San Bernardino are hubs of activity for residents and visitors. San Bernardino’s historic California Theater of Performing Arts, hosts music and theater in the beautifully preserved and restored Spanish – Moorish influenced theater building. In Riverside, the University of California, Riverside ARTSblock covers a gamut of arts with the Barbara and Art Culver Center for the Arts, The California Museum of Photography and Sweeney Art Gallery. There is plenty of fun to keep visitors in the Inland Empire.

Ontario’s Citizens Business Bank Arena has a full schedule of events from sports to entertainment. The Ontario Reign lights up the ice for hockey fans with regular season play through March. Catch the Reign’s last 2012 home games against the Alaska Aces March 24 and 31.

March 2012 brings the newest American Indoor Football team to the field at Citizens Business Bank Arena. 2012 marks the inaugural season for the Ontario Warriors, with the first home game on March 4. Regular season play includes six home games in Ontario. Be sure to catch a season-1 Ontario Warriors game – the last home game is May 20 against Sacramento.

San Bernardino County’s Auto Club Speedway is located 10 miles east of Ontario in Fontana. Conveniently reached by I-10 and I-15, ACS offers racing fans the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience each month. Take the wheel of a real stock car and drive the track with a real NASCAR champion. NASCAR fans head for the track March 23 through the 25 for the Auto Club 400, Southern California’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Spring and summer in southern California is an ideal time to visit the Temecula Valley. Sixty miles south of Ontario on Instate 15, travelers reach Temecula and Southern California’s wine country. Winterfest events end in February, but March brings the start of Temecula’s Springfest. Spring events begin with World of Wine 2012, March 3 and 4. Make an early spring visit and enjoy a tour of more than 30 Temecula wineries.

Have some good ol’ fashioned fun at Old Town Temecula Western Days in May. 2012 Western Days are May 19 and 20. Set in historic Old Town Temecula, festivities include live country music, Western performances and a Chili Cook-Off. Bring friends and family to enjoy the High Noon Shoot Out and have some fun learning calf roping. A great summer getaway, join the fun in Temecula.

Spring and summer mean baseball; the San Diego Padres affiliate Lake Elsinore Storm open the 2012 season April 4. Take a short drive 15-miles north of Temecula to Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium. Enjoy baseball, America’s quintessential summer activity, into September in the Temecula Valley.

California's Inland Empire Hotel Map