Southern California Railway Museum Train and Trolley Rides
A sprawling railway museum in Perris where weekend visitors ride vintage trains and electric trolleys, including the red and yellow streetcars that once linked Southern California.
California
Riverside, Perris & Temecula
Riverside, Perris and Temecula make up the sunny heart of the Inland Empire, an hour or so inland from the Southern California coast and a world away in character.
This guide pulls together the region's best days out: vintage trains and electric trolleys at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, the arches and bells of the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside, the citrus groves that built the city, lake days at Lake Perris and a sweeping range of Temecula wine country experiences, from a luxury wine trolley to sunrise balloon flights, ghost walks and stargazing. It then matches you to a hotel, from a historic landmark in Riverside to winery resorts and good-value bases around Temecula.
Don't miss
Southern California Railway Museum Train and Trolley Rides
A sprawling railway museum in Perris where weekend visitors ride vintage trains and electric trolleys, including the red and yellow streetcars that once linked Southern California.
Mission Inn Museum Tours
Guided tours of the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside, a sprawling Mission Revival landmark of courtyards, chapels, bells and stories about the presidents and stars who stayed.
Temecula Wine Trolley Tour
A guided wine country outing aboard a luxury trolley, visiting several Temecula Valley wineries so nobody has to drive between tastings.
Temecula Hot Air Balloon Ride
A sunrise flight drifting over Temecula vineyards and rolling hills in a shared hot air balloon, one of the most memorable ways to see wine country.
Things to do in Riverside, Perris & Temecula
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Mission Inn Museum Tours
Guided tours of the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside, a sprawling Mission Revival landmark of courtyards, chapels, bells and stories about the presidents and stars who stayed.
Lake Perris State Recreation Area
A large reservoir park in the Perris Valley with swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and camping, plus a small museum of Native American culture beside the water.
California Citrus State Historic Park
A state park of working citrus groves in Riverside that celebrates the navel orange, with orchards, picnic lawns, a visitor center and views across the valley.
March Field Air Museum
A large aviation museum beside March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, with indoor galleries and an outdoor field of historic military aircraft including a Blackbird spy plane.
Mount Rubidoux
A rocky hill above downtown Riverside with a well-worn trail, a peace tower, historic landmarks and wide views over the city and the Santa Ana River valley.
1-2 hoursDetails →
Old Town Temecula
A walkable historic district of western-style storefronts, boutiques, restaurants and tasting rooms along Front Street, the town's social heart before and after a wine country day.
2-4 hoursDetails →
Temecula Wine Trolley Tour
A guided wine country outing aboard a luxury trolley, visiting several Temecula Valley wineries so nobody has to drive between tastings.
Temecula Hot Air Balloon Ride
A sunrise flight drifting over Temecula vineyards and rolling hills in a shared hot air balloon, one of the most memorable ways to see wine country.
Temecula Three-Winery Tour with Tastings
A guided day through three Temecula wineries with tastings, a good-value way to sample the valley without driving.
Temecula Hop-On Hop-Off Winery Shuttle
A flexible shuttle pass linking a dozen Temecula wineries, so you choose your own stops and pace without driving.
Europa Village Winery Tour and Tastings
A guided visit to a village-style wine estate with multiple tastings and food pairings, a one-stop alternative to hopping between wineries.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
Downtown Riverside
A block-sized Mission Revival landmark in downtown Riverside, with courtyards, a spa and restaurants, the signature place to stay in the city.
Check rates →Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center
Downtown Riverside
A full-service downtown hotel next to the Riverside Convention Center, a practical and walkable base for exploring the city on foot.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Riverside UCR Moreno Valley Area
UCR and Highgrove
A modern chain hotel close to the University of California Riverside and the freeways, a practical value base for exploring the region.
Check rates →Temecula Creek Inn
Wine Country
A relaxed golf and wine country resort on the edge of the vineyards, with creekside grounds, pools and easy access to Temecula wineries.
Check rates →South Coast Winery Resort and Spa
Wine Country
A winery resort with villa-style accommodations, a spa and restaurants among the vines, ideal for a romantic wine country weekend.
Check rates →Pechanga Resort Casino
South Temecula
A large resort and casino on the southern edge of Temecula, with pools, a spa, many restaurants and live entertainment under one roof.
Check rates →Embassy Suites by Hilton Temecula Valley Wine Country
Wine Country
An all-suite hotel near the wine country road, with spacious rooms and a family-friendly setup that makes it a smart mid-priced base.
Check rates →La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Temecula
Temecula
A budget-friendly chain hotel with a pool and easy freeway access, a practical base for a Temecula weekend on a modest budget.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Express Temecula
Temecula
A dependable mid-priced chain hotel with breakfast and a pool, handy for the freeway and a short drive from Old Town and the wine country.
Check rates →Rodeway Inn Old Town Temecula
Old Town Temecula
A simple, low-cost motel-style stay close to Old Town Temecula, useful for budget travelers who want to walk to dinner.
Check rates →Riverside, Perris & Temecula guides
Riverside, Perris and Temecula: A First-Visit Guide
A first-timer's map of the three places: what each is known for, how far apart they are, and how to combine trains, history, lakes and wine into one trip.
Temecula Wine Country: How to Taste the Valley Without Driving
How to choose between a trolley, a cable car, a shuttle pass, a VW bus, a sidecar and a self-guided route, and how to pace a day of tasting in Temecula Valley.
Trolleys and Trains: Vintage Rides and Rolling Wine Tours
A guide to the two kinds of trolley rides in the area: the museum's historic electric streetcars and trains in Perris, and the rolling wine trolleys of Temecula.
Riverside, Perris and Temecula in Three Days
A relaxed three-day plan linking Riverside history, the Perris railway museum and a Temecula wine day, with balloon and evening alternatives.
Where to Stay in Riverside and Temecula
A guide to choosing between historic downtown Riverside, wine country resorts, big resort casinos and value hotels near Old Town and the freeway.
When to Visit Riverside, Perris and Temecula
A season-by-season guide to weather, crowds, harvests, balloon flying, citrus and events across the three places.
