"The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle
to be found anywhere on earth." 
-- John Muir 

The majestic 10,800-foot Mt. San Jacinto towers above the beautiful San Jacinto Valley. During the Ice Age, mastodons and wooly mammoths roamed here—they’re dramatically shown big-as-life at Hemet’s Western Center Museum. Native Americans lived here for thousands of years. Their influence, and that of the early 19^th century Spanish settlers, still resonates in The Valley’s culture.  

The San Jacinto Valley is ideally located for short trips to Southern California’s most popular attractions—Palm Springs, mountain ski resorts and sunny beaches.

But The Valley is a major tourist destination in itself, fast becoming the Southland’s premier outdoor recreation area. There’s plenty to do—hiking, riding horses, camping, rock-climbing, fishing, cross-country skiing, sailing, hunting, biking, skydiving, golfing, and hot-air ballooning.  Add to that exploring historic downtowns and fascinating museums, exciting casino action and fine dining. The Valley is growing in popularity for budget-priced vacations and weekend getaways.

The Valley’s crown jewel is Diamond Valley Lake, Southern California's largest freshwater reservoir. Completed in 1999 in the largest earthworks project ever constructed in the US, the reservoir’s deep depth makes it an ideal cold-water fish lake, perhaps the best in the West. Besides world-class fishing, the trails around the lake are absolute Nirvana for bikers, hikers, and equestrians.

During the massive dig to create Diamond Valley Lake, workers unearthed an enthralling collection of Native American artifacts and Ice Age fossils, now exhibited at the Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology, a state-of-the-art museum just east of the reservoir.

Those of us with a cultural bent will enjoy art, music and poetry festivals in Idyllwild, a tranquil resort village secluded high in mountains. The Ramona Pageant, America's oldest outdoor drama, features a cast of 400 in a romantic tale of Old California performed in a natural amphitheater in the foothills above Hemet.

Lake Perris State Recreation Area is excellent for every type of water recreation, even scuba diving! The area is also popular with hikers, bikers, equestrians and rock climbers. Be sure to visit the park’s Ya' Heki' Regional Indian Museum.

Each fall, Lake Perris Fairgrounds hosts the Southern California Fair. Year-round, there’s action at the fairgrounds’ auto speedway, motocross and BMX tracks.

The Valley’s Soboba Casino has 2,000 slots and 30 gaming tables, fine dining, and top-flight entertainment.Don’t forget shopping and golf! Hemet and San Jacinto have upscale shopping centers, and their historic downtowns have charming boutiques and intriguing antique stores. Golfers will enjoy The Country Club at Soboba Springs in San Jacinto and Colonial, Diamond Valley, Echo Hills, and Seven Hills golf clubs in Hemet.

Come to The Valley and not only learn about California's cultural heritage from its first page when Native Americans arrived, but also find serenity in its awe-inspiring natural wonder and excitement in a host of recreational opportunities.