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Spring Break Guide - Inland Empire

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(credit: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images)

As the weather warms up, we are reminded that Spring Break is right around the corner. Most people think of hitting the beach during the week off from school and work; however the Inland Empire has plenty of activities to keep your family entertained. Here are some fun ideas to help you enjoy your Spring Break.

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(credit: livingdesert.org)

The Living Desert

47900 Portola Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260
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Take a journey through the Deserts of the world and discover the wildlife that call the desert home. This 1200 acre zoo and botanical garden is home to mountain lions, wolves, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, leopards and much more. Animal interactions and live shows allow you to get up close and personal with the magnificent animals. Camel rides are only $5!

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(credit: Aracely Worley)

Planes of Fame Air Museum

7000 Merrill Ave., #17
Chino, CA 91710
(909) 597-3722
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The museum adjacent to the Chino Airport is a hidden gem. Dedicated to preserving WWII aircraft and artifacts, the Planes of Fame Air Museum is a "living history" museum, where the aircraft are not only preserved, they are also kept flying. On the first Saturday of every month, the museum holds a mini air show around a certain theme. Each show starts with one or more talks or seminars given by people involved with the featured, followed by a flight demonstration of two or three aircraft.

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(credit: State of CA Dept of Water)

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Highway 138, 11 miles east of I-15
or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138.
Silverwood Lake, CA
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Silverwood Lake, formed by the 249-foot Cedar Springs Dam, is the perfect place to spend a day enjoying the outdoors. The park features hiking trails, swimming beaches and designated areas for boating, water-skiing and fishing. Rent a boat from the marina or bring your fishing equipment and spend an afternoon in search of trout or catfish. Several picnic areas surround the lake. Three are accessible only by boat. Hike one of the many trails or take a nature walk led by a park ranger.

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(credit: State of CA)

California Citrus State Historical Park

1879 Jackson Street
Riverside, CA 92504
(951) 780-6222
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This 377-acre park tells the story of the citrus industry and its role in the history and development of Southern California. The park is home to several working orchards and a variety of oranges. Hike one of the many trails surrounding the grove and enjoy the amazing views. Stop at the visitor center and explore the only museum dedicated to citrus history. But don't eat the fruit - it's just for show!

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(credit: westerncentermuseum.org)

Western Science Center

2345 Searl Parkway
Hemet CA, 92543
(951) 791-0033
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The Western Center for Archaeology and Paleontology was founded 10 years ago when the Metropolitan Water District started drilling 270-feet below the earth's surface to build Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet. The new state of the art museum is home to 33,000 square feet of permanent and special exhibits. Learn about the people and creatures that inhabited the Diamond Valley Lake area thousands of years ago, or discover how scientists uncovered evidence of their existence. The museum is also home to a full-scale simulated archaeology and paleontology dig site.

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Pennypickle's Workshop

Temecula Children's Museum
42081 Main Street
Old Town Temecula, CA 92590
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This children's museum located in the picturesque, Old Town Temecula centers around Professor Pennypickle and his workshop. Explore each of the themed rooms, hands-on exhibits and gadgets. Visit the library and learn about travel and time, or gather around the kitchen to learn about physics and chemistry.

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Tom's Farms

23900 Temescal Canyon Road
Corona, CA 92883
(951) 277-4422
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Nestled in Temescal Canyon, this popular destination started out as a small produce stand more than 30 years ago. Take a train ride on Tom's Farms 1800′s steam-propelled train, or mine for real fossils and gems including emeralds, rubies and others in Tom's Mining Company. Younger children will be tickled by pony rides and a good sized petting zoo.

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(credit: Aracely Worley)

Moonridge Animal Park

43285 Goldmine Drive
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 878-4200
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Open year-round, the Moonridge Animal Park is a wildlife sanctuary and rehab center. It is the only zoo in the United States specializing in Alpine wildlife. The zoo is home to 160 orphaned and injured animals representing over 89 species, including grizzly and black bears, mountain lions, snow leopards, bobcats, wolves, raccoons, foxes, bison and a pair of bald eagles.

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Big Bear Snow Play

42825 Big Bear Blvd
Big Bear Lake, Ca 92315
(909) 585-0075
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Why not spend spring break floating on an inner tube as it zooms down a snow-covered mountain? Big Bear Snow Play makes snow throughout April, so you can go tubing up until Easter weekend. Unlimited rides for only $25.00 per person.

Aracely Worley takes her kids on daily adventures, blogging about them at Daytripping Mom.

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