Blue Dot Tours · VIP Experience
Terry's Mountain &
Heritage Explorer
A curated 2-day journey from the alpine heights of Big Bear Lake to the cultural treasures of the Inland Empire.
Prepared Exclusively For
Terry Hancock
2
Days
8+
Curated Stops
6,752'
Peak Elevation
150+
Years of History
Day One — Mountain Escape
SkyPark RV → Rim of the World → Big Bear Lake
Depart SkyPark RV Park
Near Lake Arrowhead
Begin your mountain adventure from SkyPark at Santa's Village area. Head east on Hwy 18 — the legendary Rim of the World Scenic Byway. This is one of the most spectacular mountain drives in Southern California, winding along the crest of the San Bernardino Mountains with sweeping views of the valley below.
💡 Robert's Tip: Fill up on gas before departing — stations are sparse along the Rim of the World.
Scenic Stops Along Hwy 18
Rim of the World Scenic Byway
The drive from Lake Arrowhead to Big Bear is approximately 30 miles of winding mountain road with several pull-off viewpoints. Stop at the Red Rock Scenic Overlook for sweeping valley views, and consider the short detour to Keller Peak Fire Lookout (7,800 ft elevation) for 360-degree panoramas of the entire San Bernardino National Forest.
- ◆Red Rock Scenic Overlook — valley panorama
- ◆Keller Peak Fire Lookout — 360° views at 7,800 ft (short detour)
- ◆Cloudland Vista Point — mountain ridgeline views
- ◆Green Valley Lake — peaceful alpine village (optional detour)
💡 Robert's Tip: Keller Peak requires a 2-mile paved road detour but the views are extraordinary on a clear day.
Big Bear Lake
Alpine Paradise at 6,752 Feet
Arrive in Big Bear Village — a charming mountain town centered around the pristine 7-mile lake. The village offers boutique shopping along Pine Knot Avenue, lakeside strolls, and a relaxed alpine atmosphere that feels worlds away from the desert below.
Robert's Lunch Picks
Big Bear Village
Big Bear has evolved beyond basic mountain fare. Here are three excellent options for a memorable lunch:
Teddy Bear Restaurant
American Comfort · Since 1944
A Big Bear institution for 80+ years. Classic mountain breakfast and lunch with generous portions and cozy lodge atmosphere.
📍 583 Pine Knot Blvd, Big Bear Lake
Visit Website →Peppercorn Grille
California Cuisine · Pine Knot
Upscale mountain dining with creative seasonal dishes, excellent wine list, and a warm fireplace ambiance.
📍 553 Pine Knot Ave, Big Bear Lake
Visit Website →Tropicali
Hawaiian Poke · Casual
Fresh, healthy Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and açaí — a surprisingly excellent find in the mountains.
📍 40771 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake
Visit Website →
Castle Rock Trail
Easy Hike · 1.1 Miles Round Trip
After lunch, stretch your legs on the iconic Castle Rock Trail — a short but rewarding hike to a dramatic granite formation overlooking Big Bear Lake. The trail is well-maintained and offers one of the best panoramic views in the area. At the summit, the 'castle' shaped boulders create a natural viewing platform with 180-degree lake views.
Visit Website →Hidden Gems Near Big Bear
Off the Beaten Path
These are the spots most visitors miss — local favorites that add depth to your Big Bear experience:
- ◆Big Bear Alpine Zoo — Rescued wildlife sanctuary at 7,000 ft (42801 Moonridge Rd)
- ◆Pebble Plain Ecological Reserve — Ice Age-era plants found nowhere else on Earth
- ◆Time Bandits Pirate Ship — Quirky lakeside attraction (398 Edgemoor Rd)
- ◆Artisans Etc Gallery — Local mountain artists and handcrafted goods (40729 Village Dr)
Day Two — Heritage & Culture
Big Bear → BAPS Mandir → Inland Empire Historic Sites
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Architectural Marvel · Chino Hills
This extraordinary Hindu temple is one of the most breathtaking architectural achievements in Southern California. Built with 35,000 pieces of hand-carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian pink sandstone, the Mandir features 5 ornate pinnacles, 2 grand domes, and 122 intricately carved pillars. Every piece was hand-carved in India by over 2,000 artisans, then shipped and assembled in California. The temple sits on a seismic base isolation system — an engineering marvel that allows it to withstand earthquakes. Visitors of all faiths are welcome.
Visit Website →Visitor Information
Address: 15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Admission: Free
Dress Code: Shoulders and knees must be covered
Note: Remove shoes before entering. Photography of exterior only.
Duration: Allow 45–60 minutes
The Original McDonald's Museum
Where Fast Food Was Born · San Bernardino
In 1940, brothers Dick and Mac McDonald opened a small barbecue restaurant at 14th and E Street in San Bernardino. By 1948, they had revolutionized the restaurant industry with their 'Speedee Service System' — the assembly-line approach that became the blueprint for all modern fast food. Today, the site at 1398 N E Street houses the Unofficial McDonald's Museum with vintage memorabilia, the original golden arches sign, Route 66 murals, and pre-Ray Kroc artifacts. This is where a $0.15 hamburger changed the world.
Visit Website →Visitor Information
Address: 1398 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92405
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Don't Miss: The vintage ketchup dispensing gun, exterior Route 66 murals, and Hamburglar jail photo op
Lunch — Route 66 Heritage Dining
San Bernardino & Redlands
Two legendary options that connect you to the deep history of this region:
Mitla Cafe
Mexican · Route 66 · Since 1937
One of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the Inland Empire. Legend has it that Glen Bell (founder of Taco Bell) learned to make his hard-shell tacos here. The enchiladas and chile rellenos are legendary — unchanged recipes for nearly 90 years.
📍 602 N Mount Vernon Ave, San Bernardino
Visit Website →The Tartan of Redlands
American · Classic · Since 1964
A beloved Redlands institution for 60+ years. Known for prime rib, steaks, and an old-school cocktail lounge atmosphere. The kind of place where regulars have been coming for decades.
📍 24 E Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA
Visit Website →
Historic Downtown Redlands
Victorian Charm · Orange Grove Heritage
Redlands is one of Southern California's best-preserved Victorian-era towns, founded during the citrus boom of the 1880s. The tree-lined streets, historic brick buildings, and grand estates tell the story of when this region was the wealthiest agricultural community in America. Stroll State Street for boutique shopping, visit the Umbrella Alley for photos, and pick up a walking tour map at the Visitor Center.
Visit Website →
Kimberly Crest House & Gardens
Victorian Estate · National Historic Landmark
This stunning 6-acre estate features a French Chateau-style mansion built in 1897, surrounded by Italian Renaissance gardens with fountains, rose gardens, and panoramic mountain views. The house tours explore life during Redlands' gilded age, when citrus barons built grand estates rivaling those of Newport and the Hamptons. The gardens alone are worth the visit — terraced hillside with mature palms, citrus groves, and sweeping valley vistas.
Visit Website →Visitor Information
Address: 1325 Prospect Drive, Redlands, CA 92373
Grounds: Mon–Fri & Sun 10 AM – 4 PM (Free)
House Tours: Thu, Fri & Sun 1 PM – 4 PM
Tip: Wear flat shoes (no spiked heels). Arrive 20 min early — considerable uphill walk through gardens to reach the house.
Inland Empire Hidden Gems
History & Culture
If time allows, these additional stops round out a rich cultural day:
- ◆Lincoln Memorial Shrine — 125 W Vine St, Redlands. The only museum west of the Mississippi dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. Octagonal building with Civil War artifacts. (Tue–Sun 1–5 PM, Free)
- ◆A.K. Smiley Public Library — 125 W Vine St, Redlands. Moorish-style architecture from 1898, National Register of Historic Places. Beautiful reading rooms and restored tower.
- ◆UCR Botanic Gardens — 1 Botanic Gardens Dr, Riverside. 40 acres of gardens with plants from around the world. Peaceful trails through desert, subtropical, and woodland zones.
- ◆Prospect Park & Orange Groves — 1352 Prospect Dr, Redlands. Walk through preserved citrus groves that recall Redlands' golden era. Adjacent to Kimberly Crest.
Dinner — Magic Lamp Inn
CONFIRMED RESERVATION · 6:00 PM
A Route 66 landmark since 1955, the Magic Lamp Inn is one of Southern California's most iconic steakhouses. Tucked along historic Foothill Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga, this elegant supper club features prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature cocktails, and a timeless ambiance with plush booths, candlelit tables, and live music. The Magic Lamp has been serving generations of families — a fitting finale to a day exploring the Inland Empire's heritage.
- ◆Prime cuts aged in-house, fresh seafood flown in daily
- ◆Signature cocktails and extensive wine list
- ◆Live music and classic supper club atmosphere
- ◆Dress code: Smart casual (no shorts or flip-flops)
💡 Robert's Tip: Ask for a booth in the back room for the most intimate experience. The Lamp Burger at the bar is legendary if you want something more casual.
Reservation Confirmed
Restaurant: Magic Lamp Inn
Date: Tomorrow Evening
Time: 6:00 PM
Guest: Terry Hancock
Address: 8189 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 981-8659
Website: magiclamprestaurant.com
A Brief History of the Inland Empire
The Inland Empire's story begins with the Serrano and Cahuilla peoples who inhabited these valleys for thousands of years. In 1810, Father Francisco Dumetz named the area "San Bernardino" after the patron saint of the day. The first permanent European settlement came in 1851 when Mormon pioneers established a colony, laying out the street grid that still defines downtown San Bernardino today.
The region transformed dramatically in 1857 when the first orange trees were planted. By the 1880s, the "Citrus Belt" had made this one of the wealthiest agricultural regions in America. Redlands, Riverside, and San Bernardino became home to grand Victorian estates built by citrus barons — many of which still stand today.
The 20th century brought Route 66 through San Bernardino, making it a gateway to California for millions of Americans heading west. This era gave birth to the drive-in restaurant culture that culminated in the McDonald brothers' revolutionary "Speedee Service System" in 1948 — literally inventing modern fast food on the corner of 14th and E Street.
Today, the Inland Empire preserves this layered history while evolving into a diverse, dynamic region. From Victorian mansions to Route 66 roadside Americana to one of the most extraordinary Hindu temples in the Western Hemisphere, this area rewards the curious traveler who looks beyond the freeways.
🗺Optimized Route Plans
Day 1 — Mountain Route
SkyPark RV → Rim of the World → Big Bear Lake
Estimated drive time: 45 min (not counting stops)
Day 2 — Heritage & Culture Route
Big Bear → BAPS Mandir → San Bernardino → Redlands → Magic Lamp Inn
Estimated total drive time: 2 hrs 15 min (not counting stops) · Route optimized to minimize backtracking
💡 Route Optimization Notes
- • Day 1: Hwy 18 east is the only practical route from Lake Arrowhead to Big Bear — scenic and direct. Keller Peak adds 15 min but is worth it on clear days.
- • Day 2: Route descends via Hwy 330 to I-210 west → BAPS Mandir first (furthest west), then loops back east through San Bernardino → Redlands → ends at Magic Lamp in Rancho Cucamonga (on the way home via I-10/I-15). This eliminates all backtracking.
- • Timing: Depart Big Bear by 8:30 AM to comfortably hit all stops and arrive at Magic Lamp by 6 PM.
Blue Dot Tours
Curated exclusively for Terry Hancock
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