Outdoor Recreation and Adventures

The Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, and High Desert offer some of Southern California’s most diverse outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, golfing, fishing, boating, rock climbing, off-roading, skiing, stargazing, and other year-round adventures.

Biking

From paved community trails to challenging mountain-bike routes, cyclists have plenty of places to explore.

Popular cities and areas:

• Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Fontana and Rialto: Paved trails and neighborhood cycling routes, including sections of the Pacific Electric Trail.
• Redlands and Riverside: Recreational trails, urban cycling routes and access to foothill riding.
• Azusa, Duarte, Irwindale and El Monte: Access to trails along the San Gabriel River and Rio Hondo.
• Monrovia, Arcadia, Sierra Madre and Pasadena: Foothill roads and nearby mountain trails.
• San Dimas: Hiking and biking around Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park and Puddingstone Reservoir.
• Big Bear Lake: Forest roads, mountain-bike trails and downhill riding.
• Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia: High Desert paths, open landscapes and nearby desert riding areas.

Camping

Camp beneath the stars in the mountains, forests, deserts or beside a lake.

Popular cities and areas:

• Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City: Mountain campgrounds, forest recreation and lakeside activities.
• Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead: Forest camping and mountain retreats.
• Wrightwood: Campgrounds and recreation in the San Gabriel Mountains.
• Idyllwild: Pine forest camping, hiking and access to the San Jacinto Mountains.
• Lytle Creek: Mountain and creekside camping near the Cajon Pass.
• Yucaipa: Family camping and fishing at Yucaipa Regional Park.
• Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms: Desert camping, stargazing, hiking and rock formations. Joshua Tree National Park offers several developed campgrounds and is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree National Park
• Temecula and Winchester: Camping and outdoor recreation near Lake Skinner.

Golfing

Southern California’s climate makes golfing available during much of the year.

Popular cities and areas:

• Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and La Quinta: Resort courses and internationally recognized desert golf.
• Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indio and Coachella: Additional Greater Palm Springs golfing and resort experiences. Greater Palm Springs includes nine desert cities, each offering its own selection of recreation and attractions. Greater Palm Springs
• Temecula and Murrieta: Golf courses surrounded by rolling hills and wine-country scenery.
• Riverside, Corona and Redlands: Public, private and championship-style courses.
• San Dimas, Diamond Bar, Walnut and the City of Industry: Convenient golf destinations serving the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys.
• Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia: High Desert courses with wide-open scenery and mountain views.

Hang Gliding, Hot-Air Ballooning and Aerial Adventures

Experience Southern California from above through balloon rides, hang gliding, paragliding and other aerial adventures.

Popular cities and areas:

• Temecula: Known for sunrise hot-air balloon flights over Temecula Valley Wine Country. Flights are generally available year-round, weather permitting. Visit Temecula Valley
• San Bernardino and Crestline: Access to popular hang-gliding and paragliding launch areas near the San Bernardino Mountains.
• Perris: Known for skydiving and other aviation-related adventures.
• Palm Springs: Home to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and panoramic mountain views.
• Big Bear Lake and Lake Elsinore: Boating, wakeboarding and seasonal tow-sport activities are available. Visitors should contact local operators to confirm whether parasailing is currently offered.

Rock Climbing and Hiking

The region offers everything from peaceful nature walks to demanding mountain climbs.

Popular cities and areas:

• Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms: World-famous rock climbing, bouldering and desert hiking. Joshua Tree National Park has more than 8,000 climbing routes and 2,000 boulder problems. National Park Service climbing guide
• Idyllwild: Access to Tahquitz Rock, Suicide Rock and scenic San Jacinto Mountain trails.
• Big Bear Lake: Forest hiking, mountain trails and seasonal outdoor recreation.
• Mt. Baldy: Mountain hiking and access to some of the region’s most challenging trails.
• Wrightwood: Trails in the San Gabriel Mountains, including access to portions of the Pacific Crest Trail.
• Azusa and Glendora: Foothill hiking and access to the San Gabriel Mountains.
• Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Pasadena and Altadena: Popular foothill trails, canyon hikes and wilderness access.
• Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga: Local wilderness parks and foothill hiking areas.

Marinas and Water Activities

Enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming and other water recreation.

Popular cities and areas:

• Big Bear Lake: Marinas offer seasonal rentals that may include pontoon boats, fishing boats, kayaks, paddleboards and personal watercraft. Big Bear Lake water activities
• Lake Arrowhead: Boating and lake recreation are available, although much of the lake is private and access may require residency, membership or guest privileges.
• Perris and Moreno Valley: Lake Perris offers boating, fishing, swimming, camping and hiking.
• Lake Elsinore: Boating, fishing, jet skiing and other water sports.
• Hemet: Diamond Valley Lake is known for fishing, boating and scenic trails.
• Winchester and Temecula: Lake Skinner offers fishing, boating, camping and community events.
• San Dimas: Puddingstone Reservoir at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park offers boating, fishing, kayaking and seasonal swimming.
• Irwindale: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area provides fishing, nonmotorized watercraft, cycling and seasonal swimming.
• Hesperia: Silverwood Lake, located north of the city, offers boating, fishing, swimming and camping.

ATV and Off-Road Adventures

The High Desert and surrounding mountain areas provide numerous designated routes for ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles and four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Popular cities and communities:

• Barstow: Access to Stoddard Valley and other major desert riding areas.
• Lucerne Valley and Johnson Valley: Open desert terrain and popular off-highway vehicle recreation.
• Phelan: Access to the Baldy Mesa off-highway vehicle area.
• Apple Valley and Hesperia: Nearby desert trails and staging areas.
• Adelanto: Convenient access to surrounding High Desert off-road areas.
• Baker: Gateway to Dumont Dunes and challenging sand-dune recreation.
• Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City: Designated forest roads and four-wheel-drive routes in the San Bernardino National Forest.
• Cajon Pass: Access to designated mountain and desert routes near the San Bernardino National Forest.
• Ocotillo Wells: A major Southern California off-highway vehicle destination offering more than 85,000 acres of desert recreation. California State Parks OHV areas

Riders should remain on designated routes, carry required safety equipment and confirm current permits, fire restrictions and trail closures before leaving home.

Ski Resorts and Winter Recreation

Nearby mountain communities provide skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding and snow play during the winter season.

Popular cities and areas:

• Big Bear Lake: Home to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain for skiing, snowboarding and winter recreation.
• Running Springs: Home to Snow Valley Mountain Resort.
• Wrightwood: Home to Mountain High Resort and nearby snow-play areas.
• Mt. Baldy: Skiing, scenic chairlift rides and mountain recreation when weather and snow conditions permit.
• Lake Arrowhead and Crestline: Popular mountain communities for winter getaways and nearby snow play.

Operating dates, road requirements, lift availability and snow conditions change throughout the season. Visitors should check official resort and transportation information before traveling.

From relaxing lakeside activities to rugged mountain and desert adventures, the Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley and High Desert offer outdoor experiences for families, groups, visitors and serious adventure seekers.