The following post is by a special guest blogger: Sharlene Earnshaw, Trekaroo’s Blog Editor.

Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga aren’t your typical Southern California vacation destinations. In fact, most people know Ontario only for its airport and Rancho Cucamonga for being referenced by Bugs Bunny on more than one occasion.

But this area offers much more than a runway and rental car stand. Shopping, entertainment and sporting adventure await you in this, the heart of California’s Inland Empire. So before you hop on the interstate and head for Palm Spring, Orange County or Los Angeles, spend a few days in the Ontarioand Rancho Cucamonga area; it’ll be worth your while.

Kid fun at Victoria Gardens. Courtesy of Sharlene Earnshaw.

Celebrate fashion and culture at Victoria Gardens: Victoria Gardens is one part cultural center and one part mall. The complex was designed to bring the community together in an aesthetically pleasing yet practical shopping district. It features lovely streets perfect for strolling and a large fountain ideal for splashing. One of the more unique aspects of Victoria Gardens is the Lewis Family Playhouse, which is located in the Community Center. In addition, the vibrant MainStreet Theater Company puts on wonderful performances regularly, many of which are great for introducing kids to live theater.

Got snow in LA? Courtesy of flickr user trey78.

Hurl yourself down a snow-covered hill: Rancho Cucamonga sits at the base of the 10,068-foot Mt Baldy, which means winter fun is always a short drive away. In under an hour, you can go tubing, skiing or snowboarding at either Mt Baldy or Wrightwood. Big Bear, a popular Southern California ski destination, is less than two hours away. It is always fun to be able to spend the day playing in the cold snow and then come back down closer to sea level and enjoy the mild weather Southern California is famous for.

Enjoy the Thrill of NASCAR at Auto Club Speedway: Auto Club Speedway is Southern California’s only NASCAR venue and it’s just a few minutes away from the heart of Rancho Cucamonga. Drag races, car shows and special events are held year round so families have multiple opportunities to experience the sights, sounds and thrills of car racing. There are even days where adults are welcome to race their own cars around the track while the kids cheer them on from the safety of the stands!

Enjoy shopping, fun, and games at Ontario Mills: One of the biggest tourist draws in the Inland Empire is Ontario Mills, a large indoor designer outlet mall. What sets the Mills apart from the average strip of outlet shops is that it also offers some fun non-shopping entertainment options. Dave and Busters, a large restaurant and arcade, is a great place to spend a few hours playing games and acquiring tickets that can used to shop for prizes in their “store.” A 30-screen movie theater offers plenty of options for families to choose from. The Rainforest Café is also onsite and very popular with kids of all ages. The Amazonian décor and regularly occurring “thunderstorms” help entertain even antsy little guests.

Where to Stay: Homewood Suites Rancho Cucamonga is centrally located and very family-friendly. It is down the street from Ontario Mills and countless dining options. Victoria Gardens, Auto Club Speedway, and the Ontario Airport are all a quick ten-minute drive away. A full complimentary breakfast is served daily and dinner is complimentary during the week. Families will enjoy the suite style rooms with full kitchens, pool and spa, and the outdoor basketball court.

For more kid-friendly activities in the Greater LA area.

Sharlene Earnshaw is a lifelong California girl who loves nothing more than to hike, travel, write, and then travel some more. Her 3-year old boy/girl twins and loving husband provide all the inspiration she needs to plan one new adventure after another. She is a self proclaimed National Parks nerd and has made it her goal to see every single National Park with her children. She is a dedicated road tripper and spent last summer on a 24 day road trip across the Western US and Canada. Her favorite travel memory is being greeted by cheers at the top of Inspiration Point in Grand Teton after being told that her toddlers wouldn’t be able to do it. She graduated from University of California at Davis with a degree in Communications.