Travel America

Looking for a different kind of day trip?  Nestled quietly in the valley between Orange County and the San Jacinto Mountains sits Lake Elsinore, a natural wonder often overlooked despite its abundance of water sports, world renowned hang gliding and skydiving, historic architecture dating back over 100 years and a Major League Baseball Class A affiliate.  Located just seventy miles from both Los Angeles and San Diego, Lake Elsinore offers the outdoor enthusiast their choice of water, land or air sports, followed up by fine dining at some of the Inland Empire’s best restaurants. 

The 3,500 acre lake is home to bass, catfish, carp and blue gill.  Supported by a recently completed $2 million diffused aeration system, the lake maintains a healthy balance that keeps fish levels stable.   Fishermen from throughout the Southern California region have come to recognize Lake Elsinore as the best of the local lakes, and the largest natural body of water in the southern half of the state.

Boats, jet skis and wake boards are welcome on the lake as well and can access the water from the City’s Seaport Boat Launch as well as a few private ramps.   Because of the lake’s large size, boaters enjoy the freedom of the high speed zone in the center of the lake, while recreational boaters and fishing trawlers ply the waters of the lake’s perimeter.   The inlet channel serving the lake is home to some of the country’s best wake board water, and has hosted several state and national competitions.  Day use passes for using the lake are $10 per vessel plus launch fees.  Launch fees vary by boat ramp.  Fees from the Seaport Launch are $8.  There is no charge to visit the city owned beaches and picnic areas.

But fun in Lake Elsinore isn’t limited to the lake.  The area is also known for its “world-class air” and Skydive Elsinore is one of the busiest skydiving drop zones in the country.  The Army’s Golden Knight’s Parachute Team has trained there, as well as the national teams from Great Britain and Israel.    Hang gliders enjoy this same good air and can often be seen wafting across the valley to their drop zone at the base of the Ortega Highway on the west side of the lake.   Skydive Elsinore can be reached at (951) 245-9939 or toll free at (877) 843-5867.

For the off-road enthusiast, Lake Elsinore is home to a motorcycle track, numerous bike and hiking trails around the lake and surrounding areas, as well as one of the only off-road vehicle parks in Southern California. Whether your off-road adventure consists of two wheels or four, on foot, bicycle, motorcycle or four-wheel drive, Lake Elsinore is the place to be.Looking for spectator sports?  Lake Elsinore is home to the California League Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball Team, the San Diego Padres Class A affiliate.  Playing at the Diamond, the Storm has won numerous California League post-season titles and games