As the stress of classes, clubs, and exams piles up, Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) students need to reset and recharge. Luckily, weekend road trip escapes lie just around the corner without the fuss of airports or faraway hotels. This guide covers top nearby getaways — all within two hours of campus — to feed students’ adventure cravings with a quick change of scenery.
Ontario
Just under an hour away from campus, Ontario is home to several activities that can be done within a day. Head to Ontario Mills for some serious retail therapy. This massive outlet mall boasts over 200 stores to help you score serious savings on all your favorites.
But Ontario doesn’t just offer shop-till-you-drop action. It also features awesome attractions like Top Golf, a high-tech driving range and a lounge with games, drinks, and food to refuel between rounds.
Image via topgolf.com
Or discover a world where fantasy meets reality at Imaginarium Ontario, the mall’s most luminous, all-ages event. This interactive exhibit features installations like an otherworldly LED rose garden with 35,000 artificial blooms. The imaginative spaces let you get lost in whimsical environments far from the hustle and bustle of the mall outside.
Image via dailybulletin.com
Pasadena
For a cultured quick trip, head to Pasadena just 30 minutes away from campus. Art enthusiasts can spend hours wandering the exquisite collections at the Norton Simon Museum, home to European masterworks, Asian art, and a peerless impressionist gallery. The Huntington Library and Gardens provides another oasis with 120 acres of themed gardens, a world-class art collection, and a library of rare books and manuscripts.
Image via southpasadenan.com
Old Town Pasadena offers prime strolling with block after block of shops, restaurants, and restored 19th-century buildings. Pop into antique stores, boutiques, and art galleries while soaking up the historic architecture. Refuel with a coffee or meal alfresco along the cobblestone walkways.
Image via visitpasadena.com
With acclaimed museums, vibrant shopping, romantic gardens, and historic architecture, Pasadena offers a sophisticated day trip brimming with culture, art, cuisine, and entertainment. It’s the perfect destination.
Lake Elsinore
Just 25 minutes south of Cal Poly Pomona lies Lake Elsinore, a landscape photographer’s paradise. During spring’s Bloom Season, visitors can explore the wildflower valleys as they burst with color, and snap photos of waterfalls cascading down rock faces. Rent kayaks to paddle the lake’s pristine blue waters for an afternoon escaping urban life.
Image via www.elsinoresmile.com
The area also features Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, where motorcross enthusiasts can ride tracks catering to all skill levels and feel the thrill of off-roading. For nonriders, it’s exciting to watch the pros catch big air on the jumps.
When the seasonal Ortega Falls are flowing after a good rain, you can take a short hike to this natural wonder and scenic rock climbing spot that attracts outdoor enthusiasts. During drier times, the rocks still make an excellent playground for climbers of all ages to scale the short cliffs and take in panoramic views.
Image via www.onlyinyourstate.com
Oak Glen
Indulge your sweet tooth by apple picking in Oak Glen, an idyllic town just 45 minutes away from CPP. Sample freshly pressed ciders and pile up bags of juicy apples from Snowline Orchard, a family-owned farm offering wine tastings and berry picking.
Image via www.oakglenorchard.com
For family fun, head to Oak Tree Mountain, which spans 14 acres of game and attractions. Grab a giant 5-pound mile-high apple pie or caramel apple before visiting their petting zoo.
Image via oaktreemountain.com
Oak Glen provides a taste of simpler living, with crisp mountain air and seasonal beauty. It’s a hidden gem for families to create lasting memories while picking apples straight from the tree and enjoying classic fall flavors that embody the changing seasons.
Mount Baldy
Get your workout fix by summiting Mount Baldy, about an hour’s drive away. Feel the burn while climbing six steep miles up the Devil’s Backbone Trail to the top. Once you conquer this challenging yet rewarding trek, gaze out over the sprawling valley below and take in the sweeping views. After working up an appetite, stop for a hearty meal at one of the local restaurants in the charming Mount Baldy village.
Image via www.larimer.gov
The area also offers skiing and snowboarding during the winter months at Mt. Baldy Ski Resort. With 2,100 feet of vertical on 26 trails serviced by four lifts, it’s a great local spot for shredding powder. If skiing isn’t your thing, zip down the mountainside on inner tubes instead at its seven-lane snow tubing park. Located at 7,800 feet above sea level, the Top of the Notch Restaurant provides a scenic dining experience overlooking stunning vistas of Southern California. It’s the perfect place to unwind and refuel after a day hitting the slopes.
Image via www.mtbaldylodge.com
With exams looming and responsibilities piling up, quick weekend road trips can provide the perfect escape and reset for burnt-out Cal Poly Pomona students. Satisfy shopaholic cravings at Ontario Mills or cultivate your artistic spirit wandering Pasadena’s acclaimed museums, all less than two hours away. Nearby nature beckons from Lake Elsinore to Mount Baldy, offering adventures to rejuvenate the mind, move the body, and stir the soul. So rally your crew, cue up a playlist, toss some snacks in a bag, and hit the open road to these epic yet lesser-known SoCal destinations.
Which nearby escape you’re most excited to explore from this guide? Let us know on our social media @ASICPP on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok!
