Category: Travel & Events

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Daytrip out of Los Angeles: The Inland Empire

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Billed by many Angelenos as the armpit of Southern California, the Inland Empire admittedly has a reputation for rednecks, and rampant drug usage. However, being a sometimes resident of the area, I've learned to see the positive side to the I.E. I've found that there are a lot of different activities and places to enjoy once you begin to realize that this is not LA. For example:

Gambling

After hundreds of years of broken treaties and a brutal genocidal regime against the red man, Native Americans have finally decided to give the USA a little payback in the form of Indian casinos. 

Look, Look, You Better Fold!

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All in, Mephistocles. The power of Jesus’ poker face (and my quad A’s) shall smite thee!

Get Outdoors

Unlike the greater Los Angeles area, the Inland Empire has a lot of undeveloped land.  And what better way to take advantage of this fact than to rape Mother Nature with outdoor sports activities?!  The true American way.  Hey, don’t get mad at me for being patriotic.

Perris Sky Diving

2091 Goetz Road, Perris, CA 92570

Despite my extremely nerve wracking experience here (main chute failed, leaving only my backup to spare my miserable existence) Perris Sky Diving is well known in the area for offering safe and reasonably priced dives. Just be sure to tune out a little when signing the multiple disclaimers and responsibility waivers.

Despite my extremely nerve wracking experience here (main chute failed, leaving only my backup to spare my miserable existence) Perris Sky Diving is well known in the area for offering safe and reasonably priced dives. Just be sure to tune out a little when signing the multiple disclaimers and responsibility waivers.

Skydiving in a Gorilla Suit

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Somehow it just makes sense.

Chaparral Motorsports

555 S H St, San Bernardino, CA 92410

A wide range of selection and personable sales staff makes this place a no-brainer when it comes to buying your toys. Tell them John from Miyagi Sushi sent you. No, seriously…

A wide range of selection and personable sales staff makes this place a no-brainer when it comes to buying your toys. Tell them John from Miyagi Sushi sent you. No, seriously…

Good Old Fashioned Fun

Despite the countless meth labs and the unchecked pockets of poverty, in essence the Inland Empire is a simpler place that hearkens back to a time of whitewashed America, before the ethnics came in and ruined it all.  People out here are still overwhelmingly polite and they indulge in a lot of old-time activities.

Mission Tiki Drive-in Theater

4407 State St. Montclair, CA 91763

With escalating real estate prices in the last few decades, we have seen the gradual extinction of Drive-In Movie Theaters across the Southland. Mission Tiki Drive-In brings the nostalgia back with a great selection of movies, a finely stocked concession stand and a lot of summertime shows and activities, usually adhering to their Polynesian theme. Plus, making out in the car always makes for fun times.

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Eat and Drinks

It’s definitely not in the same caliber as LA when it comes to dining establishments, but the I.E. has a lot of interesting and low-key places to get your eat and drink on.  Plus, it’s nice to get away from the Hollywood types once in a while that continuously talk on their stupid bluetooth headsets about the latest business dish. 

Miyagi Sushi

228 E Base Line Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410

OK, so a little self-serving never hurt anybody. As a former waiter, sushi chef, manager and owner of this joint, it was fun getting to know all of the customers that came into our spot. My parents still own the place and do their best to make things fun and keep the food fresh. People seem to agree. Reviews

OK, so a little self-serving never hurt anybody. As a former waiter, sushi chef, manager and owner of this joint, it was fun getting to know all of the customers that came into our spot. My parents still own the place and do their best to make things fun and keep the food fresh. People seem to agree. Reviews

Mr. Miyagi's Words of Wisdom

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“Miyagi… berry hungry from affecting Japanese accent, even though I… born in the States and played Arnold in Happy Days

 

Inland Empire

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

49500 Seminole Dr., Cabazon, CA 92230

One of the new mega-resort Indian casinos in California, Morongo offers Vegas style amenities such as a spa, multiple buffets, and sleek and stylish hotel rooms. Plus I always seem to do pretty well here.

One of the new mega-resort Indian casinos in California, Morongo offers Vegas style amenities such as a spa, multiple buffets, and sleek and stylish hotel rooms. Plus I always seem to do pretty well here.

Pechanga Resort & Casino

45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592

Situated in the heart of Temecula’s wine country, Pechanga is also another Indian casino that has recently renovated itself into a mega resort. Unfortunately for me, I’ve had nothing but terrible luck here. The Great Spirit is displeased.

Situated in the heart of Temecula’s wine country, Pechanga is also another Indian casino that has recently renovated itself into a mega resort. Unfortunately for me, I’ve had nothing but terrible luck here. The Great Spirit is displeased.

The Only Exciting Part of NASCAR

Makes you say, “GYADDDAMN!”

California Speedway

9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335

One of my friends is a Japanese national that speaks three languages, was a Rhodes scholar at Cambridge and is currently working on his PhD thesis on evolutionary Economics. But shortly after he moved to the IE, he became this rabid racing fan… such is the power of NASCAR, and the California Speedway is one of the sports major tracks.

One of my friends is a Japanese national that speaks three languages, was a Rhodes scholar at Cambridge and is currently working on his PhD thesis on evolutionary Economics. But shortly after he moved to the IE, he became this rabid racing fan… such is the power of NASCAR, and the California Speedway is one of the sports major tracks.

Celebrities Jet Skiing

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Seating position is proof positive of Tom Cruise’s “alleged” homersexuality. “It takes one to know one”, says you, reader? ...touche.

Lake Arrowhead Community

28200 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

Located only 30 minutes from downtown San Bernardino, the Lake is just a nice, nice place.

Located only 30 minutes from downtown San Bernardino, the Lake is just a nice, nice place.

Glen Ivy

25000 Glen Ivy Road, Corona, CA 92883

The Glen Ivy is famous for their hot springs and spa treatments. Which makes me oddly suspicious that my mom chose to buy a house five minutes from here and is on a first name basis with the staff.

The Glen Ivy is famous for their hot springs and spa treatments. Which makes me oddly suspicious that my mom chose to buy a house five minutes from here and is on a first name basis with the staff.

U-Pick Blueberries

39700 Cantrell Road Temecula, CA 92591

Not only is this a fun way to spend a day with a date, but it also gives you great understanding on the plight of migrant farmworkers. Vive le resistance!

Cesar Chavez

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Si se puede!

Casa Maya

1839 Mentone Boulevard, Mentone, CA 92359

Mentone is admittedly a wasteland of trailer parks and homelessness but Casa Maya is the one bright spot in an otherwise wretched place. Famous for their cochinita pibil, this establishment caters to many of the Southern Mexican farmers that live nearby with their Oaxacan style vittles. Not coincidentally, the food is also admirably priced at third world levels.

Mentone is admittedly a wasteland of trailer parks and homelessness but Casa Maya is the one bright spot in an otherwise wretched place. Famous for their cochinita pibil, this establishment caters to many of the Southern Mexican farmers that live nearby with their Oaxacan style vittles. Not coincidentally, the food is also admirably priced at third world levels.

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