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Elvis in Big Bear Lake
Elvis in Big Bear Lake
See the mountain setting that hosted hillbillies, Mounties, and the King
The verdant San Bernardino Mountains and valleys around Big Bear Lake, and its neighbour Cedar Lake, frequently stood in for those of the Ozarks, Appalachians, and Canadian Rockies in early filmdom. Examples include 1936’s The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, 1941’s The Shepherd of the Hills, and Elvis Presley’s 1964 Kissin’ Cousins—all classic stories of mountain feuds and moonshine.
The sawmill featured in the Presley film is still standing, and you can see it at the Cedar Lake Camp, which was part of the area’s “back lot” (some of it originally built for movies) and is now rented out to groups. To reach further back into the area’s history, a cluster of vintage cabins and barns marks the Big Bear Historical Museum, which outlines the growth of the area from its early Gold Rush days.
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Mountain biking in Big Bear Lake
Southern California
Southern California
Discover the Inland Empire
With its inviting destinations and uncrowded wilderness, this region feels like an insider’s secret amid the bustling excitement of Southern California.
Mount San Gorgonio—nicknamed “Old Grayback”—is the tallest peak in Southern California, at 11,502 feet/3,506 metres.
Surprising alpine scenery around Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear beckons, with pine-scented trails in summer and winter sports when the snow flies. If you’re into action, get the adrenaline rush of seeing the world’s best NASCAR racers compete at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. For a dreamier escape, float in a hot-air balloon above rolling Temecula Valley wine country.
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Spotlight: Temecula Valley
The Inland Empire area offers under-the-radar wine finds, locavore cuisine and rolling scenery
A historic town square surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, with mountains rising in the distance: the...
Chon Kit Leong/Alamy
Road Trip: Inland Empire's Rim of the World
Drive this picturesque route through the Inland Empire
A short drive from the surf and sand of Southern California, an entirely different landscape emerges: the mountains, lakes, and scenery of the...
John Bilous/Alamy
Riverside
Visit this Inland Empire city to learn about its citrus past, stay in a world-famous inn, and tour gardens and galleries
95 kilometres east of Los Angeles, Riverside boasts a number of firsts, including...
SPECIAL FEATURE
There are tons of reasons why you might plan a winter trip to Big Bear. Here are some you might not have thought of
With plenty of carefully looked-after runs and terrain parks at Big Bear Lake’s two alpine resorts,...
Courtesy of Big Bear Mountain Resorts
Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona is home to Club Mud, California’s only therapeutic red clay mud bath.
Ron Thomas/Getty Images
Temecula Valley Wine Country
Taste your way through Southern California's leading wine region
For many visitors, the Temecula Valley Wine Country is a surprise. After...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Kid-friendly fun zones, special kids' menus & amazing wine for the grownups
Sure wine country is romantic, but now it’s a surprisingly great destination for families too, with a growing number of vineyards trading in elegant tasting rooms for kid-friendly fun zones that...
John/ Flickr
Temecula Valley is known for its variety, growing and producing over 50 different varietals of wine; from Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot to Mourvedre, Viognier to Chardonnay.
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Big Bear Lake
Escape to Southern California’s mountain wonderland
Just two hours from Los Angeles, the San Bernardino Mountains offer a cool, pine-scented escape. At an altitude of 2,060 metres, Big Bear Lake is...
Dave Lauridsen
Route 66
Get your kicks on America’s legendary highway
Back in its glory days, Route 66 began in Chicago and ended along the bluffs overlooking the Pacific, a 2,451-mile/3,945-km journey through...
Courtesy of Auto Club Speedway
May/June
Hot-air ballooning is a popular activity in Temecula year-round—but every June, it becomes just a...
Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
The first Balloon and Wine Festival was launched in the spring of 1984 and was a monumental success for a town of only 9,000 residents. More than 4,000 people attended, as 35 balloons were launched from the Rancho California Plaza.
Harriot Manley/ Sunset Publishing
Inland Empire Outlets
Find bargains on brand names at major outlet centres
The only thing better than scoring the perfect outfit or designer shoes is to get them for a bargain price. That’s why shopping in the Inland...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Where to release your inner fashionista
Shopping is an art form in California. Whether you're in search of the perfect cocktail dress or an authentic Mexican piñata, you'll find it here. Want to sample fresh produce? Try our farmers...
South Coast Plaza
May 11 - May 20
May
America's largest and most prestigious cycling event brings many of the world’s top riders to the Golden State. The 8-stage race changes it up every year, with new courses connecting cities and...
Amgen Tour of California
Courtesy of Mission Inn
Mission Inn & Riverside
Old world romance, contemporary comforts
Lavish and elegant, Riverside’s Mission Inn Hotel & Spa combines Old World romance with the splendour of Southern California’s citrus-growing...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Where to save on Gucci, Versace, and other big-name brands
With bucket-list magnets like Rodeo Drive and Union Square, California has undeniable star power when it comes to shopping. But all those fashion finds and gifts for everyone back home don’t have...
Robert Sheie/Flickr
Brian Stevens
San Bernardino Museums
Discover local and natural history and see art from around the world at area museums
Two local museums let you experience everything from the natural side of the Inland Empire to the treasures of ancient Egypt.
The San...
Brian Stevens
Idyllwild
Nature and the arts find a perfect balance in this quaint mountain hamlet
Backed by mountain wilderness and filled with galleries, Idyllwild is a haven for both outdoor recreation and the arts.
Steep forested...
San Bernardino National Forest is the largest urban forest in the United States.
Alex Farnum
Lake Arrowhead
Escape to an exclusive mountain haven
The drive from San Bernardino to Lake Arrowhead is a quick one—just 23 miles/37 km. But as you twist and climb from the busy valley and into the...
Spotlight: Greater Palm Springs
Palm Springs is the best kind of party town, always evolving and never resting on its laurels. The cool crowd heads to the desert region for hip hotels with poolside...
Spotlight: San Diego Zoo
Getting decked out for the holidays has become a full-on extravaganza at San Diego’s world-class zoo, in Balboa Park. Get into the spirit with a ride on the Polar Express...
Discover the Central Valley
For a kickback day on a river—all within driving distance from downtown Los Angeles—you can’t beat the Kern and Kaweah Rivers. Southern Californians love to leave the city...