The Inland Empire, tucked where Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties meet, showcases the diversity of the Southern California region.
The Ontario area and the cities of Riverside and Temecula are three locations that highlight this diversity. Ontario is easily accessible from downtown Los Angeles via Interstate 10 and from outside the region via its international airport. Riverside, which was the wealthiest city per capita in the U.S. in 1895 due to the boom in the citrus industry, offers a unique and rich history visible today through its architecture, historical districts and Victorian mansions. Temecula, with over 30 wineries, allows groups to get “away from it all” while still offering venues and spaces for meetings and events.
Ontario & Rancho Cucamonga
With its convention center offering over 225,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, more than 6,000 hotel rooms and an international airport, Ontario is the hub of the Inland Empire.
The Greater Ontario CVB, which includes the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week with the opening of the California Welcome Center at Ontario Mills on May 4 of this year. This new 1,500-square-foot space will greet visitors, including over 700 tour buses annually, offering information about California, the Greater Ontario area and the entire Inland Empire. The welcome center will be a resource for the local community in addition to visitors, to gather information on events, entertainment and happenings in the region.
“We are the Inland Empire area experts with local destination experience, and with the support of the state of California, our Ambassadors are ready to provide visitors to the California Welcome Center with information, directions, services, souvenirs and guidance to learn more about their next adventure destination,” says Michael Krouse, president & CEO of Greater Ontario CVB.
There are currently 64 daily departures by seven air carriers at Ontario International Airport, and with Southwest adding new direct flights in August, the destination is even more accessible for those outside Southern California.
“The additional flights will fill a need for travelers,” says Sue Oxarart, director of communications for the Greater Ontario CVB. “Southwest is Ontario’s biggest carrier, accounting for more than 40 percent of passenger traffic. This is the first step in many that are expected to be seen as Ontario International Airport takes local control.”
Temecula
Located just north of San Diego and east of Orange County, Temecula is known as Southern California’s wine country. Many of the over 30 wineries in this area offer private event spaces and a few even have guest rooms.
Callaway Vineyard and Winery features two outdoor lawn spaces in addition to a 30,000-square-foot courtyard that overlooks the vineyard and is often used for cocktail receptions. Indoors, the winery has the 4,800-square-foot Barrel Room and the newly renovated 1,300-square-foot Chardonnay Room.
Groups up to 100 also have the opportunity to have private wine tours and tastings. These can be customized based on the group, but usually include a walking tour through the vineyards and winemaking facility followed by a sit-down tasting of Callaway’s wines.
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is a one-stop-shop for groups. Situated on 38 acres, the property offers more than 15,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, including the 7,200-square-foot conference center. There are spaces for groups of all sizes, ranging from private barrel rooms and banquet rooms to a 1,500-seat amphitheater and outdoor courtyards. Guests can stay on-site in one of the 74 villas or two suites. For more adventurous groups, horse and carriage rides through the vineyards or hot air balloon rides can be arranged.
Riverside
A standout in Riverside is The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Opened in 1876 as a 12-room adobe boarding house, the now-238-room Spanish Mission-style property occupies an entire city block in downtown steps from the Riverside Convention Center. In the 1890s, Riverside saw a flood of wealthy travelers from the eastern U.S. and Europe coming for the warmer weather and to invest in the citrus industry. Because of this, the first wing of the hotel opened in 1903 and three more wings were added in 1931. The hotel was closed for seven years while undergoing a complete renovation, and was reopened in 1992.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa launched its Artist in Residence Program in April 2016. A quarterly series in which the hotel welcomes a local Southern California artist to showcase their artwork for two months, the first artist is watercolor painter Bernard Stanley Hoyes.
The property offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space across unique and opulent spaces. The Grand Parisian Ballroom is remodeled after a European castle’s baronial hall and features exposed wood beams, crystal chandeliers and a balcony, and can accommodate up to 300 guests. The Spanish Art Gallery, located off the lobby with 17th century European decor, is often used for receptions and banquets for up to 150. For smaller groups and executive retreats, there are Junior and Presidential suites and, named after the hotel’s first owner, the Frank Miller Room.
The hotel offers groups activities and teambuilding options right on-site. “If These Walls Could Talk” is an interactive beverage tasting featuring cocktails inspired by famous guests such as U.S. presidents and Hollywood actors who have stayed on property. Groups can arrange for scavenger hunts and docent-led tours that explain the details and history of the iconic property. There are also wellness classes and a special spa menu that groups can incorporate into their programs
