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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Lake
Perris Riverside California
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By Matthew
Martz |
Located
in the mountain-rimmed valley between Moreno Valley, and
city of Perris, Perris Recreation area is one of California’s
most popular outdoor recreation destinations, providing
a great place to escape the heat of the summer and the
bustle of city life all year round.
Built in the early 1970's as the last reservoir in the
California Water Project, an average of 1.1 million visitors
come to the lake each year to enjoy a myriad of recreational
activities that takes place in and along the lakes nearly
10 miles of accessible shoreline.
The banks have nearly 300 picnic areas, some with grilling
features, and two beaches to go swimming, wading, and
windsurfing. Each beach has lifeguards on duty from spring
until fall, and there are changing rooms, showers, and
restrooms available.
Around the lake visitors will find miles of paved and
unpaved trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding,
including a nine-mile paved trail that encompasses the
entire lake. Another hiking trail leads to the scenic
overlook at Terri Peak, while an equestrian trail veins
off to a more underdeveloped area of the Lake Perris State
Recreation Area that is a perennial spot for springtime
wildflowers.
Ranger-led hikes are conducted during the spring and early
summer months.
For adrenaline junkies there is Big Rock, a popular rock
climbing spot with a giant granite rock approximately
180 feet high. It's popular with mostly beginning and
intermediate climbers, but provides some aggressive opportunities
for that more advanced climber. A route map is provided
at the base of the rock.
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Lake Perris Recreation Area |
For campers
there are 167 sites for tent camping and 264 paved sites
which offer full electrical, water and sewer hookups for
your recreational vehicle up to 31 feet long. Each site
has a table, fire ring with a grill and water access. It’s
a perfect location if you like to stray from the city without
leaving too many of its creature comforts behind.
Showers and restrooms are nearby. If you plan to extend
your stay a little longer than a weekend, there is a camp
store, which carries ice, firewood, and other general merchandise
in case you left something behind on your vacation.
Unique to Perris Lake SRA is its primitive
Horse Camp that's separate from the regular family camping
area. All outfitted with corrals, water troughs, picnic
tables and campfire rings. Bring your own horses or rent
them from Lake Perris Stables.
The lake elevation is 1,560 feet and the temperature ranges
from the 60s in the fall and spring to well into the 100s
in the summers. The water temperature averages about 70
degrees, perfect for year-round water activities including
boating and fishing.
Lake Perris boasts a variety of fish which continue to
bite throughout the year. The Department of Fish and Game
regularly stocks Lake Perris with Rainbow Trout during
the winter months, however, during normal years the lake
supports large populations of Largemouth Bass, the rare
Spotted Bass, Bluegill, Red Ear Sunfish, Black Crappie,
Carp, Channel Catfish and Bull Catfish. "Accidental"
lake residents include green sunfish, crayfish and shrimp
that arrive via the aqueduct.
The limit for all species is five fish per person per
day and anglers 16 years of age and older must purchase
a California Department of Fish and Game fishing license,
which can be obtained from the Perris Lake Marina store.
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Lake Perris Aerial View |
On the water Lake Perris |
Visitors can fish off the
marina dock for a small fee or during store hours or they
can rent a fishing or pontoon boat.
The Perris Marina also provides 200 monthly wet slips and
70 dry storage spaces as well as 35 overnight slip rentals
for boat owners or they can be launch their water craft
from two paved boat ramps. The Marina is open year round.
Bait and tackle are sold onsite if you forget anything.
Besides the Lake itself there is plenty to do in the area,
including the Ya'i Hek'i Regional Indian Museum, an interpretive
center displaying the history and cultural aspects of the
native groups who call this region home. It is open on weekends
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m..
Finally for wildlife enthusiasts, they will enjoy more than
a hundred species of birds that have been spotted at Lake
Perris. Many are migratory, while others make their permanent
residence here.
Lake Perris Park is located about 65 miles south of Los
Angeles; located 11 miles south of Riverside off Highway
60 or the I-215. |
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Big
Bear Lake resorts
offers year round fun for the whole family. |
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Lake
Cachuma in the Santa Ynez Valley of
Santa Barbara County |
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