Need an adrenaline-filled getaway or peaceful lake escape in Southern California? Head to Perris! Located in Riverside County, Perris is known for its outdoor recreation, skydiving thrills, historic trains, and proximity to mountains and lakes. Whether you’re gliding through the air, paddling at the lake, or stepping back in time, Perris offers adventurous and family-friendly fun just 75 miles from Los Angeles.
Perris, CA Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Go skydiving at Skydive Perris – One of the world’s top drop zones, offering tandem jumps and indoor wind tunnel experiences.
- For History Buffs: Explore the Southern California Railway Museum – Ride vintage trains and trolleys while learning about regional rail history.
- For Shoppers: Visit Perris Crossings – A convenient shopping center with national retailers and casual dining options.
- For Couples: Enjoy a sunset picnic at Lake Perris State Recreation Area – Paddle, hike, or just relax with scenic mountain views and tranquil water.
- For Families: Play at Big League Dreams Sports Park – Mini replica stadiums, batting cages, and playgrounds for active kids and sports fans.
Best Time to Visit Perris, CA
The best time to visit Perris is from October through April, when temperatures are cooler and ideal for outdoor activities. Summers can be hot, but the lake and shaded trails offer great ways to cool off. Spring brings wildflowers and great hiking conditions, while fall is perfect for camping and exploring local parks.
How to Get to Perris, CA
- If you are traveling by car: Perris is located off I-215, about 30 minutes south of Riverside and 75 minutes from Los Angeles.
- By Train: The Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line offers service between Perris and Los Angeles Union Station.
- By Air: The nearest major airports are Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), both about an hour away.
Where to Stay in Perris, CA
- Recommended for Families: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Perris – Clean, comfortable, and close to the lake with a pool and free breakfast.
- For Couples: Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley – Upscale option nearby with elegant rooms and relaxing spa services.
- For a Budget Stay: Red Lion Inn & Suites Perris – Affordable, convenient lodging close to downtown and major attractions.
Best Things to Do in Perris, CA
1. Southern California Railway Museum
★★★★★
If you’ve got a passion for trains and all things locomotive, the Southern California Railway Museum is bound to impress you. The museum is home to the West’s largest and most expansive collection of railway related artifacts, with some of their items dating back to the 1870’s. Explore collections of railway locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, interurban electric cars and more, or hop on the working streetcars, trains and electric cars on the museum’s railway. With over 200 streetcars and railway vehicles to explore and discover, there’s no doubt that visitors will get transported back in time to experience the early days of diesel, steam and electric railway travel.
2201 S. A Street, Perris, California 92570, Phone: 951-943-3020
2. Perris Auto Speedway
You don’t have to look further than Perris to visit a state-of-the-art racetrack. Built in 1996, the Perris Auto Speedway is a half-mile clay oval track with a raised back to allow all spectators a chance to catch all the action. A multitude of races take place at the Perris Auto Speedway with race cars of all kinds speeding down its tracks. From USAC and CRA Sprint Cars to more affordable American Factory Stocks, each race fills the speedway with a vibe that can only be described as electric. The speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds and is just an hour’s drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego.
Perris Auto Speedway, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, CA 92571, Phone: 951-940-0134
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
3. Lake Perris State Recreation Area
Open seven days a week, the Lake Perris State Recreation Area is an incredible place to visit in Perris for outdoor activities and the use of recreational facilities. Those who want a day frolicking in the water can head to Bernasconi Beach, while individuals who want to test their strength and mettle can spend some time at the Big Rock climbing area. Boating is another fun activity to participate in as the lake’s surface can accommodate roughly 450 vessels. Don’t forget to spot as many of the endemic wildlife as you can and to explore the many trails that wind around the Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
4. Perris Valley Historical Museum
Dedicated to gathering, protecting and preserving the history of the Perris Valley, the Perris Valley Historical Museuma maintains a collection of artifacts, historical art, cultural art and natural science within their beautiful brick home on West 4th Street. Guests are welcome to peruse the museum’s exhibit at their own time and pace or participate in guided tours that offer inside information about many of the objects in the museum’s permanent collection. In addition to well curated exhibits, visitors to the Perris Valley Historical Museum can also participate in events that foster community building and partnership with other art and history loving individuals.
Perris Valley Historical Museuma, 120 West 4th Street, Perris, California, Phone: 951-657-0274
5. Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum
Known in English as the “Home of the Wind”, the Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum is one establishment in a series of state-funded regional museums in California with a focus on Native American History. At the heart of the museum’s exhibits is a comprehensive interpretation and showcase of the cultures of southern California’s native tribes. Ya’i Heki’ also provides visitors with an educational look into indigenous cultures. As a bonus, the museum also displays southern California’s endemic fauna and flora and recreates the bio-region that early Spanish explorers would have encountered when they first arrived on American shores. Standard tours at the museum include a full round through the Regional Indian Museum, a Natural Sciences program, and a Native American craft making activity or game.
Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum, 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, California 92571, Phone: 951-940-5657
6. Skydive Perris
Home to one of the world’s largest skydiving centers, Skydive Perris is the place to go for skydiving when you’re in California. For over 40 years and counting, the center remains a family owned and operated business and you can bet your bottom dollar that every person working here has the adrenaline from skydiving flowing in their veins. Skydive Perris boasts fantastic people, awesome airplanes, incredible drop zones and spectacular skydives, and welcomes visitors of all jump levels. Even spectators are welcome to come and see the jumps take place. For those who want to know a bit of what they’re in for, Skydive Perris is also one of the only two skydiving centers on the globe with an indoor skydiving simulator inside the premises.
Skydive Perris, 2091 Goets Road, Perris, California 92570-9315, Phone: 800-832-8818
7. Perris Indoor Skydiving
Some people aren’t quite ready to hurl themselves out of an aircraft soaring through the skies, and that’s totally okay. If this is you but you still want to get a feel of what skydiving is like, the Perris Indoor Skydiving Facilities has got you covered. The facility allows you to experience what a free fall is like without jumping out of a plane through a massive vertical wind tunnel. The tunnel creates a wall-to-wall cushion of air that nearly perfectly recreates a plane jump. Perris Indoor Skydiving is ideal for beginners but can accommodate all skill levels from the age of 3 and up.
Perris Indoor Skydiving, 2091 Goets Road, Perris, California 92570-9315, Phone: 800-832-8818
Where to Eat:
8. Corky’s Kitchen and Bakery
Tuck into mouthwatering home-style cooked meals and baked goods at Corky’s Kitchen and Bakery. Corky’s was opened way back in 1999 when Mike and Jennifer Towles were inspired by their Grandma Corky’s passion for cooking and feeding others. Today, the restaurant does things just the way Gradnma Corky did them, making everything from scratch with only the best ingredients available and a whole lot of love. Meals at Corky’s won’t just fill your tummy, they’ll warm your heart too, as each dish that leaves the kitchen is filled with the love and care that Grandma Corky passed on to the next generations of her family. Relax, enjoy a great meal, and stay as long as you like.
Corky’s Kitchen and Bakery, 3150 Case Road, Unit 1, Perris, California 92570, Phone: 951-928-0040
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