Between San Diego And Riverside Is A Laid-Back City With Lake Fun, Skydiving, & Train Rides

If you're looking for a low-key town with plenty of charm, Perris, California, is just the spot. It's a historic town with roots in the railway industry and still preserves some of its old architecture. This destination is one of several in the Inland Empire that stand out for their proximity to water — a large lake that was built in 1973 specifically for leisure and recreation. Today, Lake Perris draws big crowds, especially in the summer months, and is a great place to cool off and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Lake Perris has hundreds of campsites available for visitors who want to stay overnight. Several hiking routes in the area by the lake offer viewpoints overlooking the water and surrounding mountains for people on foot, horseback, and bike.

Some of the historic sites around town make a great itinerary for a day trip, such as the Bank of Perris building built in 1918, the Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum, named after a formerly enslaved woman who settled in Perris, although the museum is currently closed, the Art Deco Perris Theatre built in the '40s, and Kirkpatrick's Market, more a community cornerstone than a mere grocery store. Stop by to admire its retro style and to pick up ingredients for a picnic by the lake.

For a deeper look into the city's railway past, the Southern California Railway Museum is another worthwhile stop. It has an impressive collection of historic locomotives, railcars, and trolleys. Visitors can even take a ride on a vintage train or trolley. And, if you're after something less traditional, Perris has an adventurous side, too. It's home to one of Southern California's best-known skydiving centers, where visitors can experience a tandem jump or try indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel. Perris sits a 1.5-hour drive north of San Diego's world-renowned beaches and just 30 minutes south of Riverside, California.

One of the biggest draws in Perris is its large man-made lake. The northern part of the city sits on the edge of Lake Perris State Recreation Area, which covers more than 8,800 acres and offers opportunities for water sports, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and learning about the cultural heritage of the land. Most people come here for water recreation, and during the summer it can get very crowded. There is a sandy beach area for swimmers, and it's recommended that visitors arrive early to stake out a spot. It's also a popular place for boating, jet skis, and fishing, with a maximum of 400 vessels allowed to launch each day. To avoid the noise and trash the crowds tend to leave behind, it's probably best to pay a visit to Lake Perris during a shoulder season.

If you're interested in hiking around the lake, check out the Lake Perris Area Trail. This moderate 4-mile trek with significant elevation gain takes you up Terri Peak and offers stunning views of the shimmering water and rugged Southern California scenery below. The trailhead is just next to the Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum. The museum is a fantastic stop for diving into the history of the area, with permanent exhibitions on the Native American people who have called this place home for thousands of years. It's open Fridays through Sundays.

Perris is the perfect destination to take the big leap. Skydive Perris was established in the 1970s by a plane-loving couple who made friends with a locally based crew of people crazy about jumping from planes. Today, the business is home to one of the largest drop zones in the world and one of the largest airplane fleets for skydiving. Folks of all levels are welcome. The most popular package is the tandem dive at 14,000 feet, attached to an instructor. You'll freefall for 60 seconds before your instructor deploys the parachute, which will support you as you glide over spectacular views of Perris the rest of the way down. The tandem dives for first-timers start at $199 per person.

Skydive Perris offers options for folks who aren't quite ready to hop in or out of a plane. They have a 96-foot-tall indoor wind tunnel that can simulate the feeling of dropping 14,000 feet. A package for two one-minute flights starts at $95 per person and includes some training and gear. If you enjoy staying on the ground, you can always hang out at the facility's highly rated restaurant. The Bombshelter is a cozy hangout with a grill that serves up casual fare and is decked out in skydiving-related decor. The walls are covered in photos of famous and amateur flyers, and the floor-to-ceiling windows face the drop zone where divers land.

For the land-bound folks, another great stop in Perris is the Southern California Railway Museum. It houses the largest collection of railway artifacts in the West. On the weekends, the museum offers short rides on old-school trolleys and locomotives. During the holidays, The Polar Express ride offers a heartwarming experience. Although it's hard to compare with the most scenic routes within the Golden State on Amtrak, the experience does come complete with golden tickets, hot chocolate, and sleigh bells for every visitor, starting at $56.25 per adult.