74 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
RIVERSIDE DICKENS FESTIVAL Costumed Dickens characters descend upon downtown
Riverside. Festivities include a fashion show, parade, street entertainment and Oliver's
Alley for children. Feb. 24–25, dickensfest.com
RIVERSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RIFF) Enjoy the best of comedy,
mystery, science fiction and horror. Filmmakers and actors attend to present their films,
interact with audiences and participate in workshops and forums. April 19–23,
riversidefilmfestival.org
RAMONA OUTDOOR PLAY Playing since 1923, this tragic romance about the Ponca
Indians is America's longest running drama and California's Official Outdoor Play.
April 20,21,27,28, May 4 and 5, ramonabowl.com
TEMECULA ROD RUN Roaring hot rods descend upon Old Town Temecula. May 3–4,
temeculaca.gov/991/temecula-rod-run
TEMECULA VALLEY BALLOON & WINE FESTIVAL This festival features hot-air balloon
rides, wine and craft beer tastings, gourmet food, live music and more on Lake Skinner.
May 17–19, tvbwf.com
ROUTE 66 CRUISIN' REUNION Classic 20
th
-century cars roam Ontario's historic down-
town in a tribute to the legendary Mother Road, which runs through Rancho Cucamonga
just to the north. Contests, live entertainment, fabulous food and revelry make it a
fun-filled jamboree. Sept. 20–21, gocvb.org/route-66-cruisin-reunion
BIG BEAR LAKE & LAKE ARROWHEAD OKTOBERFESTS These events
feature bands, beer and brats at a 7,000-foot elevation. Weekends, Sept. 7–Nov. 2 at Big
Bear Lake, Sept. 14–28 at Lake Arrowhead Village. bigbearevents.com/Oktoberfest,
lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com
NIKTHEMECHANIC/SHUTTERSTOCK
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OPPOSITE:
JACK
YONN/ONTARIO
CVB
Beautiful Homes," and its opulent Victor-
ians and Arts and Crafts-style homes of
yesteryear.
North of Temecula, play in the mud or
soak in the soothing mineral waters of the
160-year-old Glen Ivy Hot Springs, dating
from early stagecoach days. Get in on the
action of the gaming tables at the Pechanga
Resort Casino. Or soar in a hot air balloon
over Temecula Valley's 35,000-acre wine
country, dotted with B&Bs and luxury
resorts amid vines and citrus groves. After-
wards, relax with a glass of local wine on a
winery portico or play golf in this quiet
oasis.
Heritage & Culture
Riverside harbors a wealth of California his-
tory. On Magnolia Avenue, the state's first
and oldest navel orange tree, planted in
1873, stands on the spot where California's
multi-million-dollar citrus industry began.
Since 1880, the iconic Mission Inn has
hosted U.S. presidents and delighted trav-
elers with a Hearst Castle-like eclectic mix
SPECIAL EVENTS 2024
