Day Trips from Hemet and San Jacinto, CA

San Jacinto Valley’s location in the center of Southern California makes it the perfect place to live for people who enjoy being surrounded by a seemingly endless amount of day trip possibilities. From Joshua Tree’s desert to Big Bear’s ski slopes to Catalina Island’s ocean coves, San Jacinto Valley residents have a short distance to travel to discover someplace new.

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Oak Glen Preserve

39611 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa

30 minute drive

The Oak Glen Preserve is managed by The Wildlands Conservancy and located in Oak Glen’s Los Rios Rancho. Open on most Saturdays and Sundays, the preserve has a short trail that winds around apple orchards, patches of old-growth trees, streams and ponds teaming with life. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome along the trails. The preserve shares Los Rios Rancho’s parking lot, and both the preserve and Los Rios Rancho have a few picnic tables. Los Rios Rancho also includes a small restaurant/deli, gift store, and a wonderful bakery. Getting to the Oak Glen Preserve from San Jacinto Valley could not be easier; take Lambs Canyon Road all the way there.

Idyllwild Nature Center

25225 Highway 243, Idyllwild

30 minute drive

The Idyllwild Nature Center is a nice place to have a picnic with a view of San Jacinto Valley, take a walk on a family-friendly trail, or visit with the reptiles kept inside the nature center. The nature center has a modest entrance fee and is a dog-friendly destination. On weekends, they often have thematic events such as a butterfly day (where kids and adults can sit in a tent with butterflies) and a wildflower day (where you will be treated to live music while looking at flower specimens). The grounds are always well-kept and the people who work here are always very nice.

Cabazon’s Outlet Malls

Seminole Drive, Cabazon

20 minute drive

Cabazon (located just east of Banning) is home to the Morongo Casino, Hadley Fruit Orchards, and over 140 outlet stores in two outlet malls. The largest outlet mall, Desert Hills Premium Outlets, boasts over 130 businesses divided into two distinct shopping areas. A smaller mall, Cabazon Outlets, adds over a dozen more stores. The three shopping areas run seamlessly into each other making for an ultimate shopping experience. Cabazon’s outlet malls are modern and clean.

Mt. Rubidoux

Mt. Rubidoux Drive & 9th St, Riverside

45 minute drive

Mt. Rubidoux is a ten-minute walk from downtown Riverside. Two paved walkways take visitors to the top of Mt. Rubidoux. From the trails, you will see wildlife, flora, and incredible views of Riverside. Five miles of trials lead to the Peace Tower and large cross (for Father Serra) pictured above. Dogs on leashes frequent the park; in fact, the beautiful Carlson Dog Park can be seen from the trail. The park is most famous for its Sunrise Easter Service. The mountain is 1300 feet above sea level and two kilometers by one kilometer wide.