From Citrus Groves to Alpine Peaks: Day Trips from Riverside to the Mountains

My engineering background always draws me to the marvel that is Southern California's water infrastructure—the very system that transformed this semi-arid region into an agricultural powerhouse. Begin your mountain adventure by connecting with Riverside's citrus heritage at California Citrus State Historic Park. This living museum showcases the industry that shaped the region's identity, with groves you can wander through while sampling seasonal fruits.

From there, head to the historic Mission Inn for a quick architectural tour. While the full tour might test younger kids' patience, the exterior exploration provides a perfect opportunity to discuss how building styles adapted to the local climate before air conditioning—a sustainability lesson wrapped in a treasure hunt for cool architectural details.

Before hitting the mountain roads, stop by the Riverside Farmers Market (if your timing aligns with Saturday mornings) to stock up on local provisions. I've found that picking up fresh fruit, artisanal bread, and local honey makes for better picnicking than any roadside convenience store. Plus, it's a chance to let kids select healthy snacks for the journey ahead.

As an environmental engineer, the 30-mile stretch of Highway 18 known as the 'Rim of the World Highway' never fails to impress me. This marvel of mountain road engineering climbs nearly 6,000 feet from San Bernardino to Running Springs, offering families a perfect opportunity to discuss how humans have adapted to challenging terrain.

The drive itself becomes an educational experience as you pass through distinct ecological zones. I always play a game with my visiting friends' children: spot the changing vegetation as we climb. From chaparral scrubland to oak woodlands to coniferous forests, it's like traveling from Mexico to Canada in under an hour.

Make your first stop at Arrowhead Lake Vista Point about 20 minutes up the mountain. The heart-shaped lake below is naturally formed (though many locals will insist it's man-made), and the vista point offers informational plaques about the region's water systems—something this water conservation engineer particularly appreciates.

Before continuing higher, ensure your vehicle is ready for mountain driving. I learned the hard way that mountain roads demand more from your car than city streets. Now I always keep a portable tire inflator in my trunk, as proper tire pressure is crucial for both safety and fuel efficiency at varying elevations.

Lake Arrowhead Village offers the perfect mid-day respite with its Swiss-inspired architecture and lakefront dining options. While technically a private lake, the village area provides public access to stunning views and family-friendly activities. During summer months, the free weekend concert series turns the center lawn into an impromptu dance floor—I've seen more parent-child dance-offs here than I can count!

For lunch, skip the chain restaurants and head to Belgian Waffle Works for their legendary potato waffles and lakefront views. If you're visiting between May and October, consider splurging on the Lake Arrowhead Queen paddlewheel boat tour. The 50-minute narrated journey provides fascinating insights into the lake's history, including how it serves as part of Southern California's complex water management system.

After lunch, let the kids burn energy at Lollipop Park, a small amusement area with rides scaled perfectly for the 3-10 age group. For families with older children, the nearby Wildhaven Ranch offers wildlife rehabilitation tours where kids can learn about local species conservation—book in advance as spaces fill quickly.

If you're staying into the evening, I highly recommend bringing a portable telescope to take advantage of the mountain's reduced light pollution. The difference in stargazing quality between Riverside and Lake Arrowhead is truly remarkable, and introducing children to astronomy in such conditions creates memorable learning moments.

Continuing another 30 minutes east brings you to Big Bear Lake, the region's adventure capital. While many visitors focus solely on winter skiing or summer watersports, this four-season destination offers family activities year-round. The Big Bear Discovery Center serves as an excellent first stop, with interactive exhibits about local ecology and free guided nature walks on weekends.

For families with elementary-aged children, the Alpine Pedal Path offers a flat, paved 3.5-mile trail along the lake's north shore—perfect for bikes, strollers, or little legs that tire easily. You can rent bikes at several lakeside outfitters, but I prefer Paddles and Pedals for their selection of child trailer attachments that allow even toddlers to join the cycling adventure safely.

The Village area provides charming shopping opportunities, but for a truly unique Big Bear experience, time your visit to coincide with the Big Bear Farmers Market (Tuesdays, April-September). Here, mountain-grown produce creates distinctly different flavors from what you'll find in Riverside's markets—an excellent opportunity to discuss how elevation affects agriculture.

If you're visiting during winter months, Snow Play areas offer family sledding without requiring full ski resort admission. Magic Mountain Recreation Area provides both summer alpine slides and winter tubing—proving that gravity-powered fun works in any season. Just remember that winter visits require carrying tire chains in your vehicle from November through April, even if forecasts look clear. Mountain weather can change rapidly, as I discovered during an unexpected April snowstorm!

As an environmental engineer, I can't help but view these mountain escapes through a sustainability lens. The San Bernardino Mountains face significant challenges from climate change, with bark beetle infestations, increasing wildfire threats, and water resource pressures all threatening this fragile ecosystem.

Fortunately, several organizations are working to protect the region, and family visitors can contribute positively to these efforts. The Southern California Mountains Foundation runs excellent Junior Forest Ranger programs where kids can earn badges while learning conservation principles. Their website lists upcoming events, many free or low-cost.

When hiking any mountain trail, I always bring a reusable trash bag and practice 'leave it better than you found it' by collecting any litter we encounter. This simple act becomes a powerful teaching moment for children about environmental stewardship.

Water conservation remains critical in this drought-prone region. Many mountain businesses display 'Save Our Water' materials highlighting the connection between mountain snowpack and valley water supplies. These create perfect conversation starters about resource connectivity—something my engineer brain finds fascinating and children seem to grasp intuitively.

By patronizing local businesses that demonstrate environmental commitment, we can help ensure these mountain communities remain viable while protecting their natural assets. The Big Bear Visitors Bureau now offers an eco-tourism guide highlighting businesses with sustainable practices—from lodges with water recycling systems to restaurants sourcing ingredients locally to reduce transportation emissions.