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TRAVEL FEBRUARY 2006 5 Winter Favorites Find the warmth, even in the snow If the gloom of an Inland Empire winter is getting you down, take heart. There are places in our own back yards where we can find the crisp, snowy magic that winter at its best has to offer. Our five are the mountain towns of Julian and Idyllwild, the winter resorts at Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, and the high-country splendor at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. Julian is located in the Cuyamaca Mountains of central San Diego County just a little more than an hour’s drive south of Temecula. The town sprang to life in the late 1860s during San Diego County’s one and only gold rush. The gold rush did not last long, but the settlers found the area to be ideal for farming, especially apples. Visitors can explore the town’s history at the Julian Pioneer Museum or take in a skit by the Julian Doves & Desperados, a western re-enactment troupe that performs comedy and gunfights every Sunday. Julian is also home to the California Wolf Center. Programs are held there every Saturday to teach visitors about the North American Gray Wolf. Idyllwild is located high in the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County south of the city of Banning. Whether you are seeking relaxation in the middle of nature’s majesty or more adventurous outdoor activities, you should be able to find what you are looking for in Idyllwild. The town is known for its music and art festivals in the spring and summer. That cultural spirit is available to winter visitors, as well, as they browse the town’s many art galleries or take in a theatrical production. Idyllwild averages about 3-4 feet of snow per year, so it’s a good idea to have the tire chains ready if you are planning a winter visit. If you want to experience the snowy grandeur of the San Jacintos without putting the chains on, consider a visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. Convenient to the mild weather of the Coachella Valley, the adventure begins at Valley Station where you get on the tram for a 10-minute, 6,000-foot climb to Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet and gateway to the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area. The Winter Adventure Center rents the equipment and offers the information you need to explore the area on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Visitors can also take in the Natural History Museum or enjoy a meal with a spectacular view at one of Mountain Station’s two restaurants. If you are in the San Bernardino area, take Waterman Avenue north out of the city, and a few miles of twists and turns on Highway 18 brings you to the mountain resort of Lake Arrowhead. The shopping, dining and entertainment center of Lake Arrowhead Village, located right on the shore of the brilliant blue lake, is open 365 days a year. Besides the shops, restaurants and art galleries, Lake Arrowhead Village is also home to the Lake Arrowhead Children’s Museum and the Lakeside Playground for kids ages 2-12. The Village Fun Park features a toddler bounce house, a train ride and a 30-horse antique carousel. A little more than 20 miles east of Lake Arrowhead is Big Bear Lake. Winter enjoyment of Big Bear does not begin and end with the fabulous ski resorts of Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Any visitor’s list of things to do in Big Bear should include visits to the Big Bear Discovery Center and the Moonridge Zoo. The U.S. Forest Service and the San Bernardino National Forest Association jointly operate the Discovery Center. It offers visitors regularly changing exhibits and naturalist-led interpretive programs. The Moonridge Zoo is a unique facility that takes care of animals injured in the wilderness. The zoo treats about 200 animals annually and most are released back into the wild. Both facilities are open year-round. As you can see, even in the Inland Empire, it does not take too much effort to find yourself in a nearby winter wonderland. IF YOU GO: Julian Website: www.julianca.com Chamber of Commerce: 760.765.1857 Idyllwild Website: www.idyllwild.com Chamber of Commerce: 888.659.3259 Palm Springs Aerial Tram Website: www.pstramway.com Information: 760.325.1391 Lake Arrowhead Website: www.lakearrowhead.net or www.lakearrowheadvillage.com Chamber of Commerce: 909.337.3715 Big Bear Lake Website: www.bigbearchamber.com Chamber of Commerce: 909.866.4607 |
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