5 Things to Do in the San Jacinto Valley
For many people, November to March means having to bundle up every time you leave the house. It means shoveling your sidewalk, scraping ice off your car, and having to change out your summer wardrobe for bulky sweaters. Enter Southern California. Particularly the San Jacinto Valley. Where average winter temps hover around 70 degrees making the San Jacinto Valley your ideal winter escape!
I was recently invited to visit the San Jacinto Valley courtesty of their tourism board and I can’t wait to share five things to do that make this your perfect winter escape.
As with most of my posts, this post may contain affiliate or referral links.
Diamond Valley Lake
On our trip we spent an incredibly relaxing morning out on this man made lake that was dedicated in March of 2000. Diamond Valley is a drinking water reservoir that suppies water to much of Southern California. But it’s more than just an hour glass shaped drinking water reservoir! It’s a great spot for fishing and boating. Water sports are not permitted (no human contact is allowed with the water) but there are 50 boats available for rental and if you’re escaping winter weather a gorgeous afternoon out on the lake is the perfect way to soak up the sun!
La Michoacana 100% Natural
Y’all know how much I love cupcakes! But if this trip is your winter escape, what better way to celebrate winter in the sun, than with ice cream?!? Enter La Michoacana. Where the Mexican ice cream is made on-site…with real fruit! I enjoyed a Mango Mangonada and…WOW!! Such a yummy treat that is perfect after an afternoon on the lake!
Golden Village Palms RV Resort
If you’re going to take a winter escape, you need a place to stay! And I would highly recommend this five-star resort. Whether you’re bringing your own RV or staying in a cottage it won’t take long to call Golden Village home. When you’re not out exploring all the San Jacinto Valley has to offer, you can relax by the pool, take in a game of shuffleboard, hit the gym, and so much more.
Western Science Center
Confession time y’all! I’m a closet nerd. I LOVE learning. As much as I love healthy, active travel, I also secretly love visiting new museums where I get to learn. And the Western Science Center does not disappoint! When Diamond Valley Lake was built they uncovered a treasure trove of fossils so they decided to build a museum by the lake to house the findings. Including Max the Mastodon! Not only are there a variety of rotating exhibits in addition to the permanent exhibits but there are also 3 digs on site. There are 2 archeological and 1 paleontological digs students use to help them with the study of everything left behind by past cultures and of extinct animals. Y’all…I nerded out big time in the Western Science Center and can’t wait to return!
Simpson Park
Simpson Park offer gorgeous views of the sun setting over the lake and 15 miles of well-groomed trails. You’ll find hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers out on these trails which have been built and maintained largely by volunteers. The trails are set up so that it is difficult to get lost which is great news for travelers!
Bottom line y’all…if you’re looking for a winter esacpe head to the San Jacinto Valley in Southern California. And as an added bonus, once you’re there you’re only a quick drive from LA, Orange County (beaches, Disneyland!), San Diego and so much more!
What is your favorite winter escape?
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23 Comments
Sara Broers
Hey~ I think I recognize the lady in the pink shirt on the boat! Great recap and now I want a strawberry/kiwi ice cream treat, like now.
Julie - "Girl on the Move"
Right?!? I want to go back there like now! And the lady wasn’t too bad 😉
Terri Steffes
I don’t know if I have a favorite winter escape, but we are going to Disney World in December and I think it will be a blast.
Allison
This looks like an amazing place! I have never been but I want to after reading this!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt
This looks like so much fun. I’ve got the travel bug and would love to go out to California again, it’s so beautiful!
Debra
This looks great! I love California – especially the nice weather all year round, we will have to check this out sometime.
Taylor Mobley
I love California!! It is so much fun! There is always something to do and the weather is beautiful. I can’t say the same for Idaho. I will have to check this out.
Angie Rose
This looks like so much fun! I’m actually traveling to California this upcoming April, so I may just have to visit this area 🙂
Julie - "Girl on the Move"
You should definitely check it out in April! Their annual Ramona Bowl is every April and is a must-see!
Jeanine
Oh how I would love to visit San Jacinto Valley! Looks like a great place to visit and explore!
Kristin
My husband and I live in Forida so we dont really need a winter escpe per say but San Jacinto Valley looks beautiful. I am also a huge nerd when it comes to museums, we visit one pretty much whereever we go. This one looks awesome!
Julie - "Girl on the Move"
I’m glad I’m not the only one who nerds out at museums!
Suzanne Spiegoski
San Jacinto Valley looks like a great place to visit and have amazing adventures on! I always like to travel to new places.
Kiwi
Boy do i need a winter vacation. If I could get up and go to California right now I totally would!
Roxanne
I would love the chance to go anywhere in California! So different than the East Coast and it looks so beautiful!
Rebecca Bryant
What a wonderful place to visit. I am definitly adding this to my must visit list of travel. So much wonderful.
Toughcookiemommy
San Jacinto Valley looks like such a beautiful vacation destination. I love that there is so much to see and so many delicious treats to sample.
Reesa Lewandowski
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit!!! I hope one day to get to Cali with my family! Its hard from NJ!
Kristin
Simpson Park looks like it’s right up my family’s alley! We’re all about hiking and love hitting a good trail on vacation!
CourtneyLynne
Omg how fun!!! California is filled with so many fun attractions!! Now I’m craving a Cali trip!!
Rachel Catherine
My husband and I were just talking about getting away and I will have to bring this place up to him. It looks like a lot of fun.
Debbie-jean Lemonte
My favorite winter escape is Palm Springs. It’s absolutely stunning!
Christina Aliperti
This seems like a great place for a getaway. So much to do and I think I would really have a good time.