This is it. The winter your little sun ‘shipers become snow bunnies. The predicted El Nino rains that turn the city to a mess of mud slides and traffic snarls means that just a bit to the north there’s already a beautiful blanket of white.
So kids, meet a mysterious things called mittens and get ready for sledding, snow ball fights and chilly (runny) noses!
These spots, all an easy drive from Menifee, feature skiing and sledding and serious shredding for kids of all ages.
Idyllwild
Address: 25225 Highway 243
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Phone: (951) 659-3850
Website: www.idyllwildchamber.com
Just 56 miles from Menifee is Idyllwild. Located in the San Jacinto Mountains; the small town of Idyllwild provides a nice escape from busy mountain towns like Big Bear. Boasting everything from hiking and outdoor activities to shopping and eating, Idyllwild really has something to offer everyone. Kids can also play in the snow during the winter months.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Address: 1 Tram Way,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 325-1449
Website: www.pstramway.com
Just 67 miles from Menifee is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It is the largest rotating tramcar; you will experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon.
Begin the 10-minute ride at the Valley Station – elevation 2,643 ft. and end at the Mountain Station – elevation 8,516 ft. No matter what the season, whether you are enjoying spectacular views or hiking in a pristine wilderness, a one-of-a-kind experience can be had by all. Peaks Restaurant is at the top which overlooks Palm Springs. There is also snow there to play in too.
Bear Mountain
Address: 43101 Goldmine Drive,
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone: 1-844-GO2-BEAR
Website: www.bearmountain.com/
Just 93 miles from Temecula is the Bear Mountain Resort. The Bear Mountain Resort has a lot of things to do in the winter. You can ski, snowboard, go tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snow play, and sledding.
Don’t forget to check out the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain which is a bobsled experience. Begin with a scenic chairlift ride to the top. From there, riders navigate their own individually controlled sleds, each with Teflon runners and ball bearing wheels, down their choice of two quarter-mile long cement tracks filled with high-banked turns and long straight ways.
Palomar Mountain State Park
Address: 9952 State Park Rd.
Palomar CA 92060
Phone: 760-742-3462
Website: www.palomarsp.org
The beautiful forest and mountain meadows of Palomar Mountain State Park are in northern San Diego County on the west side of Palomar Mountain. Large pine, fir and cedar trees make the park one of the few areas in southern California with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere.
The park features camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing (trout) in Doane Pond. Sometimes there is snow too. Coniferous forests cover much of the 1,862 acres, in contrast to the dry lowlands surrounding the mountain. Elevation within the park averages 5,000 feet above sea level, making evenings cool even during the summer. Don’t forget to stop off at the Palomar Observatory to see the stars at night.
Mount Laguna
Address: 10678 Sunrise Hwy,
Mt Laguna, CA 91948
Phone: 619-473-8630
Website: www.lagunamountain.com
Just 72 miles from Temecula is Mount Laguna. At just over six-thousand feet above sea level, Mount Laguna is one of the most popular places to see winter snow coming from San Diego.
If there is snow, chains are required and you’ll need to purchase them ahead of time. The Laguna Mountain Lodge has reasonably-priced accommodations, a Visitor Center and Adventure Passes for $5.00. It has hiking, mountain biking, camping, family activities; star gazing, general store, hotels, cabins, and shopping. There is also a lot of snow to play.
