Once you have had your fill of the great outdoors (if you ever do, that is), take your pick of the region’s cities. Not looking to be too active? Who could be faulted for taking it easy and enjoying an idle picnic near the natural beauty of Angeles National Forest? Those inclined toward leisure will of course find even more to enjoy here beyond lunchtime, like lazing in shallow pools of the San Gabriel River beneath the almost ever-present California sun. Take a hike beneath old-growth pines or climb and canyoneer among the parks’ craggy natural features. That’s not to say the region doesn’t also make for a spectacular summertime destination: Those same mountain ranges attract both nature lovers and thrill-seekers. Likewise, the heights of the San Gabriel Mountains located just north of Ontario/LA are ripe for racing down, but those that prefer to take in the valley vistas at a more comfortable pace will find plenty of runs that are to their liking among the area’s resorts. The San Bernardino Mountains that lie just beyond the city of the same name offer attractive options for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels among the peaks that surround the blue waters of Big Bear Lake. Those looking to take a wintertime trip slope-side will be spoiled for choice. Situated roughly at the halfway mark between downtown Los Angeles and San Bernardino against a backdrop of stunning snowcapped peaks, Ontario International Airport offers travelers convenient access to both bustling cities and breathtaking wilderness.

Ontario california