12 Best Things to Do in Lake Elsinore, California

By VI Staff on June 18, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of Nozyer - Fotolia.com

If you have a bucket list full of items such as air ballooning, swimming under a waterfall, skydiving over the Ortega Mountain Range, or watching a game of baseball at the renowned Storm Stadium, you can cross all of them off with a trip to Lake Elsinore, California. The small resort town is filled with a number of sights and attractions that are fun for visitors of all ages.

1.Lake Elsinore Diamond-Storm Stadium

Lake Elsinore Diamond, often called ‘Storm Stadium’’ is a luxurious baseball park and venue that is considered a gem in Minor League Baseball. The stadium opened in 1994 after a two-year construction period and has the capacity to hold over 8,000 people. Additional features and amenities include twelve luxury suites, a grassy hill down the right field line, a bar, and an enclosed restaurant and patio in left field corner that is perfect for game day fun and other private events. Many notable events have taken place at Storm Stadium including the 1995 California League All-Star Game, the 2002 Throttle Sports and Music Festival, and concerts for musicians such as the Beach Boys, Snoop Dogg, and Jason Aldean.

500 Diamond Avenue, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-245-4487

2.Historic Downtown Lake Elsinore

Lake Elsinore’s historic downtown area has a rich and colorful history that dates back to 1888. During your visit there, be sure to take a walk down Main Street which is lined with several museums, novelty stores, antique shops, and fine dining establishments. It is best to go in the evenings when the vintage street lamps light up the way and take you back in time to the early 1900s. There are many historical sites right in the downtown area; some that you shouldn’t miss are the Chimes Crescent Bath House, the Grand Army of the Republic Armory Hall, the Masonic Lounge, and City Hall.

3.Ortega Falls

Situated in the Santa Ana Mountains, Ortega Falls is an idyllic and refreshing seasonal waterfall and swimming hole that is just a short walk through the woods. Many people hike miles to see such a stunning spot, but Ortega Falls is only ? of a mile round trip, making it easily accessible to visitors. Additional facilities and features include complimentary parking at the trailhead, no permit pass mandates, and that the falls is pet friendly. Keep in mind that though Ortega Falls is a refreshing spot in the spring, it often runs dry during the other seasons - and though you may not be able to have a swim then, it’s still a beautiful experience for rock climbers.

32806 Ortega Hwy, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 949-456-4126

4.Canyon Hills Community Park

Featuring the city’s very first water spray and splash pad, the Canyon Hills Community Park is a popular place for the entire family to spend the day on a warm, summer day. The popular park spans over 18 acres and also includes two combination soccer/ football fields, two baseball fields, a lighted basketball court, and two children’s playgrounds that are fitted with specialized equipment for children of all ages and abilities. Other facilities include a separate grassy play area for dogs, designated picnic areas, a concession building, and restrooms to ensure that you have a fun-filled day at the park.

34360 Canyon Hills Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA 92532, Phone: 951-674-5170

5.La Rebelde Winery and Sake' Kura

La Rebelde Winery and Sake’ Kura is a family-owned craft winery and kura that is the only one in California that has been vegan certified, ensuring that all of their wines and sake’ are free of animal products, sulfites, fillers, or additives. Their process stems from a family tradition of creating wine with as little chemical or human intervention as possible. A visit to their winery/ kura/ tasting room will show you that they truly believe in simplistic measures to produce delicious wines and sake’ that is incomparable to others. You can spend your time there trying different wines, sake’, mead, and sangria with popular options being the Falk Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, the Rebel OG Sake’, and the Rebel Rose’ Sangria.

530 Crane Street, #G, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-741-7337

6.Lake Elsinore Casino

Known for having ‘California’s friendliest card room’, Lake Elsinore Casino is an exciting gaming facility that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’re sure to have a great experience at the casino’s twenty-two table card room; you can try your hand at Three Card Poker, Texas Hold’em, Pure 21 Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Spanish 21, and much more. If Off Track Betting is more your style, head over to the gaming lounge fitted with crystal-clear flat screen televisions running throughout the day. Other aspects of the casino include a sports’ bar, restaurant, and hotel.

20930 Malaga Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-674-3101

7.Skydive Elsinore

Skydive Elsinore is Southern California’s premier skydiving center and is sure to be an experience of a lifetime. Whether you’re a first-time jumper or an experienced one, the professionals at Skydive Elsinore will ensure that your entire time with them is adventurous, fun, safe, and memorable. You’ll be jumping over one of the state’s most beautiful locations and get a bird’s eye view of Lake Elsinore, the majestic Ortega Mountains, and much more. First timers can choose to go tandem skydiving or on an accelerated freefall while experienced jumpers can choose to fall free flying, wing suiting, in a formation, or as a canopy.

20701 Cereal St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-245-9939

8.Adventure Flights

Adventure Flights has been around since 1975, making it one of the oldest and most experienced full-service balloon companies in the nation. Combining state-of-the-art aerostatic technology with the rich traditions of old world ballooning, your experience is sure to be one of the most memorable aspects of your trip to Lake Elsinore. You can make your balloon adventure a truly special one as your flight will include a full breakfast complete with pastries, soft drinks, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and champagne. You’ll be able to see Lake Elsinore and its stunning surroundings from a viewpoint that can’t be experienced any other way.

19301 Jasmine Court, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-678-4778

9.Annie's Cafe

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Annie’s Cafe is everything you’ll expect it to be when you walk in: warm, friendly, and fun. They’re known in the neighborhood for being the place to go when you want a guaranteed delicious meal that will satisfy your cravings each and every single time. Their breakfast menu, which is served all day, has tons to choose from but the most popular is ‘Annie’s Special’ which includes two eggs, your choice of bacon or sausage, potatoes, homemade biscuits, gravy, and fresh fruit. If you’re there during lunch or dinner, try one of their certified Angus Beef burgers - the mushroom & cheddar cheese burger with grilled onions is sure to hit the spot.

Mission Trail Clinica Medica Familiar: 32251 Mission Trail #8, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-245-6106

10.Vincenzo's Olive Tree

Though Vincenzo’s Olive Tree did not open until 1989, Vincenzo has been serving “a little bit of homemade Sicilian heaven” to the people of Lake Elsinore since the 1960s. The Sicilian-born man would serve his delicious and authentic homemade concoctions with clients in the beauty salon he owned with his wife. The demand was so high that he would soon cater for parties and other events for many years before he finally opened up his very own restaurant. Everything on the menu is made from scratch and is prepared by Vincenzo himself to ensure that authenticity and flavor are never compromised. Popular options from the menu are the hoagie panini, the veal parmigiana, and Vincenzo’s Sausage and Peppers Dinner which is homemade Italian sausage sautéed with bell peppers and mushrooms.

31712 Casino Dr #3B, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-674-8941

11.Guadalajara Mexican Grill & Cantina

The Guadalajara Mexican Grill & Cantina was founded in 1986 by the Solano Family. Over the years, their popularity with patrons who came for the delicious, high-quality Mexican food, urged them to open up a second location. Guadalajara’s uses the finest ingredients to create flavorful foods such as a traditional Mexican shrimp cocktail, chicken enchiladas smothered in mole sauce, roasted pork burritos, and shrimp tacos with chipotle sauce. Those who prefer seafood should be sure to try the jumbo shrimps stuffed with jack cheese and wrapped in honey-cured bacon or the red snapper fillet sautéed with onions and a tangy ranchero sauce.

105 N Main St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-674-8294

12.La Unica Cocina Mexicana y Cantina

La Unica Cocina Mexicana y Cantina was established in 1974 and can be found in Lake Elsinore’s historic downtown district. A neighborhood favorite, the restaurant is known for its array of authentic Mexican food featuring a selection of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. Start off your meal with a shot of tequila or any other drink from their exquisite bar. Their appetizer choices include mini sliders, calamari rings, and wings tossed in habanero sauce, while the main menu has homemade tamales, taquitos with cotija cheese, chimichanga burritos, shredded beef tacos, and shrimp stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon.

110 N Main St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, Phone: 951-674-2233