Where to Stay in the Inland Empire (Best Places in 2023)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in the Inland Empire

The Inland Empire comprises nearly 40 cities in the eastern valley just outside of Los Angeles. This area hugs mountain bases, flourishes on either side of the Santa Ana River, extends all the way to the low California desert and rests in the belly of the Southern California basin.

Big Bear Lake

👉 Best Area For Family Entertainment | ✨ Best Big Bear Lake Hotels: Auld Fern • Johan’s Village Haus • Fox Farm Villa

With so many outdoorsy things to do in Big Bear Lake, it’s easily one of the most visited cities in the Inland Empire.

There’s something for everyone in Big Bear Lake including couples spas, hiking trails, downtown shopping, mountain biking trails, lake kayaking, skiing and snowboarding, and more! Big Bear is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in California with kids due to the sheer number of fun activities available.

Affordable Big Bear Lake hotels are a great option but I prefer to rent a cozy cabin on the mountain for a true outdoorsy experience.

Pros of Staying in Big Bear Lake:

• Plenty of outdoorsy activities are available
• Many restaurant and bar options
• Affordable accommodation

Cons of Staying in Big Bear Lake:

• Hotels can be pricey during peak season
• There can be traffic on the weekends
• Downtown can be noisy at night

Riverside

👉 Best Area For City Amenities | ✨ Best Riverside Hotels: Straight From the Vine • The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa • LuxHome Suites

Only 50 miles east of Los Angeles, Riverside is the biggest city in the Inland Empire. This is the best place to stay if you’re traveling with children or like to be near major city amenities and entertainment. 

Riverside was industrialized during the California citrus industry era and today hosts historic sites and landmarks. This famous Southern California city is home to a bounty of museums, restaurants, bars, and the like.

Riverside is conveniently located near top Inland Empire activities like Castle Park, UC Riverside Botanical Gardens, and Mount Rubidoux Park.

Pros of Staying in Riverside:

• Near many entertaining activities
• Plenty of accommodation options are available
• Public transportation is easy to navigate 

Cons of Staying in Riverside:

• The downtown area can be busy at night
• Not many rural activities or accommodations are available
• Rideshares can be pricey

Lake Arrowhead

👉 Best Area For Fresh Mountain Air | ✨ Best Lake Arrowhead Hotels: Garden in the Sky • UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge • Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa

Lake Arrowhead is one of my personal favorite places to stay in the Inland Empire. Nestled in the carved-out San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead offers adventurous travelers the luxurious yet solitary escape they didn’t know they needed.

I love to rent a tiny cabin, ignite the fireplace, and settle down during the winter with a good book and a sharp glass of cabernet sauvignon. 

The inviting downtown Lake Arrowhead Village hosts frequent live music performances on the outdoor stage. Dogs aren’t allowed in the venue area so I recommend snagging an outdoor spot at The Grapevine wine bar to listen to the live music, one of the coolest things to do in San Bernardino County.

Pros of Staying in Lake Arrowhead:

• Many cozy cabin rentals are available
• Live music weekly in the downtown village
• A quiet atmosphere and a peaceful night’s rest

Cons of Staying in Lake Arrowhead:

• Restaurants and bars can be pricey, even compared to Big Bear
• Accommodation can be expensive
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Redlands

👉 Best Area For Varying Activities | ✨ Best Redlands Hotels: Ayres Hotel Redlands • Dynasty Suites Redlands • French Chateau Style Home

Redlands is a good place to stay for travelers who prefer a city experience. This IE city is one of the most family-friendly things to do in the Inland Empire with fun activities like weekend farmers markets, the San Bernardino County Museum, the Redlands Bowl, and many craft California breweries (for family members over 21).

Settled on the outskirts of San Bernardino, Redlands is the gateway city to many mountain towns like Crestline, Running Springs, and Lake Arrowhead. Redlands is a great place to stay if you prefer to day trip into the mountains rather than staying overnight in the forest environment.

Pros of Staying in Redlands:

• Close to mountain towns and hikes
• Affordable accommodation is available
• Many restaurants and bars in the area

Cons of Staying in Redlands:

• Not many attractions in town
• Far from hiking trails
• Not the greatest nightlife scene

Temecula

👉 Best Area For Wine Tasting | ✨ Best Temecula Hotels: Creek Water • South Coast Winery Resort & Spa • Temecula Creek Inn

Welcome to Southern California wine country. Comparable with top Napa Valley wineries, Temecula, California produces some of the region’s best wines.

The rolling hills and plains-sweeping vineyards set Temecula apart from most other towns in California. Stay at a winery villa or rent a mansion in Temecula for the whole family without breaking the bank.

Get planning with our guides to things to do in Temecula and where to stay in Temecula.

Pros of Staying in Temecula:

• Many opportunities to go wine tasting
• The town caters to couples
• Lavish accommodation for reasonable prices

Cons of Staying in Temecula:

• The town isn’t very kid-friendly
• There aren’t many entertainment options
• You will need a rental car to get around

Tips for Staying in the Inland Empire

Figure Out What Activities You Want to Do

Where you stay in the Inland Empire depends on what activities you want to do. If you want cheaper accommodation but still want to be close to LA, I recommend staying in Riverside.

If your main priority is hiking and being immersed in nature while you’re in the IE, I recommend staying in either Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead.

Rent a Car

It’s almost impossible to explore California without a rental car. Rent a car from Discover Cars to navigate through the Inland Empire with ease. 

This way, you don’t have to wait around for public transportation and you may end up saving on a vehicle in the long run. 

Know Where to Go According to the Season

Although all of the Inland Empire cities are relatively close to each other, they still vary slightly in climate. If visiting the IE during the summer, you may want to steer clear of the high desert areas like Apple Valley, as temperatures frequently surpass 100 degrees.

Similarly, the IE mountain areas experience below-freezing temperatures in the winter months. Unless you like colder temps, you may want to avoid these areas at this time.

For more, see our guide to when to visit California.

FAQs About Where to Stay in the Inland Empire

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You made it to the end of my complete guide on where to stay in the Inland Empire! For more insider tips on all things California, also check out my best things to do in California guide before your upcoming trip.