This Southern California region offers diverse points of interest with impressive alpine destinations in the San Bernardino Mountain Range, such as Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, as well as the inviting Temecula Valley wine region and university town, Riverside, on the sunny eastern side. San Bernardino, the region’s second-largest city, has museums and impressive shopping, while Fontana has NASCAR racing.
Major Takeaways
- Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona is home to Club Mud, California’s only therapeutic red clay mud bath.
- Idyllwild finds a perfect balance between art in nature in a quaint mountain hamlet, backed by mountain wilderness and filled with galleries.
- San Bernardino National Forest is the largest urban forest in the United States, encouraging adventurous travelers to explore the limitless area.
- Temecula Valley’s signature event, the Temecula Valley Wine & Balloon Festival, attracts 40,000 attendees over three days to enjoy dramatic hot air balloon ascents.
- Route 66 reaches the Inland Empire in Victorville, where the California Route 66 Museum tells the story of the iconic road through rare artifacts.
Inland Empire tourism industry research
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Counties, Major Cities and Attractions
Counties
There are two counties in the Central Valley region of California:
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
Major Cities
Inland Empire is a densely populated region, with the university town of Riverside as its largest city and San Bernardino as its second-largest city.
- Big Bear
- Ontario
- Rancho Cucamonga
- San Bernardino
- Temecula
Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture
Riverside
Big Bear Mountains
Major Attractions
With its inviting destinations and uncrowded wilderness, this region feels like an insider’s secret amid the bustling excitement of Southern California.
- Auto Club Speedway: This two-mile, low-banked speedway in Fontana has hosted NASCAR races annually since 1997 and enables visitors to book unforgettable racing classes and experiences
- Big Bear Lake: Tucked away in the mountains of Southern California, Big Bear Lake is ideal for fishing, hiking and the popular Snow Summit ski resort
- Lake Arrowhead: In the San Bernardino Mountains, this lake is an outdoor paradise known for its deep-blue waters, picturesque lakefront homes and water recreation
- Temecula Valley Wine Country: For 50 years, winegrowers in the Temecula Valley have welcomed visitors with delicious wines, incredible tasting events and hospitable tasting rooms
Destination Marketing Organizations
Weather
The Inland Empire experiences a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters. The region is known for high summer temperatures, though with somewhat low humidity.
Dec-Feb
68°F/20°C
High
42°F/6°C
Low
Mar-May
76°F/24°C
High
49°F/9°C
Low
Jun-Aug
94°F/34°C
High
62°F/17°C
Low
Sept-Nov
82°F/28°C
High
53°F/12°C
Low
California Welcome Centers
The Inland Empire region has one California Welcome Center: