Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park-- Chino,CA

This place is so cool. Totally geared toward nature lovers. Imagine a place that FEELS secluded and natural but is right down the street. This is that place.

The Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park is at the Inland Empire Utility off El Prado Rd and Kimball at 6075 Kimball Avenue Chino, CA 91708. It is easily 20 minutes from ONT off the 71 freeway, just south of the Chino Prison (Yup, it's here). You can find a link to the CCWEP here --> http://chinocreekwetlandsandeducationalpark.blogspot.com

OK first things first. I have driven past here many many times and never bothered to stop. From the street, it looks like a small path for slow pokes or school trips. Finally, i had the dog with me and i figured we would check it out together. WAY MORE THAN A SMALL PATH. On the north side of the park is a Pipe Garden. There are placards that talk about water conservation and the natural areas in the Inland Empire. Nerd stuff (Being a super nerd on the inside, I was interested). The middle and south sides of the park create and arboretum. It is a large area with native plants and meandering walking paths. There were alcoves, bridges, lakes, ducks, more placards and everything conducive to creating a relaxing experience. I felt instantly at peace.

Let me tell you about one place in particular that really resonated with me. Follow the path south and east. It will take you to a crystal clear pond filled with water grasses, lazy fish, and friendly blue-billed ducks. The south corner of the pond has a bridge situated on it. It is covered and has the most perfect breeze flow through and around it.  Sitting on the bridge, i was wrapped up in heaven. The birds were singing their melodies to the ducks. The ducks were lazily paddling along in the water. Bobbing for fish that seemed naturally subservient to the inevitable. The grass in the water was still and calm and you could see every blade, every leave, every living soul amidst it. Transported to a mellow, comforting corner of my own little world, all the stress and depression of real life melted away.  This was heaven.

But i digress...

This would be a wonderful place to take a small group of active adults, college kids, science groups. This is great for all ages and all fitness abilities.
Go ANY time of year. I went on a stormy summer day.
Take your dog or not.
Go to relax!!! or to work out.

Need to know:
Spend an hour or two
Parking is free
Entry is free

Need to BRING:
Use mosquito repellent
Use sun screen

Julian, CA

Julian,ca is in the mountain just East of San Diego. Julian is a former mining town that now capitalizes in it's rich history and Apple orchards. The end of summer brings about Apple Days (or something along those lines) where you can go out for the end of season apple picking and apple pie galore!

The weather is beautiful here all year. Bring your family and your dogs. Kids love seeing the horse drawn carriages go up and down the main 1/2 mile drag, gold panning or wandering through the toy shop or candy store. Adults live the olde timey feel. The shops are eclectic mountain shops selling stones, clothing, jewelry, art, books, and food. Stop at the visitor center for local info on mine tours, rafting outings, apple picking, numerous camp grounds and local Indian traditions.

Two must stops: Julian Pie Company and the book store at the north side of town. The pie company has amazing desserts, cookies and pies. The book store reminds one's sole why books should be in print. The smell and texture of the printed word overcomes you. I remember the first book i bought here. You will too! And if you want your kids to find a love of books too, share this experience with them too.

This is a no expense destination. You don't have to pay for parking and you never feel obligated to buy anything. Bring a sack lunch and you are good.

Now, there are three main ways to get here from the inland empire, google it and take a different route to and from. All of the drives are beautiful and offer different views. Going through temecula on the 79 will take you through rolling pastures and along the Pacific Crest Trail. Through Rainbow, CA and Pala, you see mountain ruggedness and mysterious trails. Most impressive, are the orange groves. Stop at a stand and grab fresh fruit in your way up too. The other direct route is by taking the 15 to the 8 to the 79n. Coming in through this route, you see open forest and drive hair pin turns and switch backs but the vistas a beautiful. One will also pass lake cuiyamaca (i know hat spelling in wayyyyy off). You can stop here and paddle boat, fish or camp.

Necessities: sack lunch, sun screen, sun glasses, $ for gold panning or apple picking.

Tom's Farm--corona,CA

Tom's farm is a great place to take the kids and old folks alike. Dogs are welcome in the grounds but not in stores. There is a fruit and candy store, a cheese and wine store, an antique and furniture store, and two restaurants. During the summer they have carnival games and year round they have train rides, pond, and magic shows.

We usually spend an hour here, so keep it as a stop on a longer trip to San Diego or Julian, CA.

We always stop here in road trips for: a loaf of fresh baked French bread, a block of cheese and two coke bottles. Under ten bucks and we now have the best road snacks.  One can expect to spend between 5 and 50 bucks here per stop. The fruit stand offers many local fresh fruit options, so if you live in the area , make this your weekly or by weekly stop for fruits and veggies and support your local traditions.

For a "no expense" trip, bring a sleeve of saltines and sit by the pond and feed ducks. There is a sign that asks you to NOT do this but no one cares and no one abides by it. The kids can run around and look at the different games around the train track. Take a stroll through the furniture store and let the kids play on the sofas. If you aren't here to load up on snacks and supplies, you will really see eveythig here is to see in 20 minutes.

Best time to go would be Saturdays through our the year, bikes come on Saturdays and they are a good bunch. Sometimes the random car show will appear. Summer nights are always alive here too. Want quiet time? Winter mornings with a tall hit chocolate by the pond is heavenly.

Necessities: $ for good or games, 

Instagram is now up

To help document some of the road-trips, good and bad, i now have an Instagram feed. Please check it out while i (FINALY) start working on my trip reviews.  I have been working on a format that works for reviewing these and  other places that can give a fair description and can give one a better understanding of who would enjoy these places.

Anyways, Instagram is at #onetankroadtrip more to come and reviews will begone very soon