Riverside, CA

Riverside anchors the Inland Empire about an hour east of LA via the 91 or 60 freeways. Interstate 215 cuts right through town, making it a natural stop between San Bernardino and San Diego. The area stays warm and dry most of the year, with those classic SoCal mountain views on clear days. Ontario Airport is your closest bet for flying in, about 30 minutes northwest. The original navel orange tree that started California's citrus boom still grows in a little downtown park.