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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Poway Midland Railroad & Vicinity
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Known as
the "The City in the Country,” due to its inland
geographic location, lack of urban culture and large open
spaces, Poway approximately twenty miles from downtown
San Diego.
Visitors to the areas can enjoy nearby Museums, Zoos,
Parks, Arenas, and Botanical Gardens, including the
Stuart Collection, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Pasqual
Battlefield State Historic Park, and Old Poway Park,
all within easy driving distance while taking in the
relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding wilderness areas.
A good place to start your trip would be to visit the
Poway Historical and Memorial Society, located in the
Heritage Museum at the Old Poway Park. The society serves
as a repository for many Poway historical artifacts
and memorabilia.
While touring Old Poway Park on a vintage
1907 Baldwin No. 3 Steam Locomotive, 1894 Los Angeles
Yellow Trolley Car or 1950 Fairmont Speeder, you may
want to disembark and check out the museum. Though small
in size, it offers insightful exhibits that highlight
Poway’s early history. The primary displays include
a diverse collection, including old photographs, a 19th-century
clothing display, memories of World War II Exhibit,
and much more.
Museum exhibits change frequently, so if you have visited
the museum recently, you are likely to see entirely
new displays. Poway Midland Railroad is located in Old
Poway Park. The railroad is operated by volunteers and
runs weekends except for the second Sunday of each month.
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Poway Midland Railroad |
Visitors to
the park can also tour the historic Nelson House as well
as several other historic buildings, including an operating
blacksmiths shop, enjoy a peaceful picnic or barbeque in
the Green Park picnic area, or grab lunch or dinner at the
Hamburger Factory. The museum is only open on weekends,
but special tours can be arranged by appointment.
Before you leave, check out the museum store that sells
a variety of items including books, coffee mugs, and collectible
knives. It is a great opportunity to take home a piece
of your Poway experience.
Once you’ve learned a little Poway history, it’s
time to hit the open-air experiences that the area has
to offer, and a great place to kick off the day is Poway
Lake.
Part of the city of Poway’s system of hiking and
equestrian trails that connect residential neighborhoods
with parks and open spaces, this man-made lake is a hub
to many outdoor activities. From large open fields to
run and play whatever sport you want, including playgrounds,
volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and a softball field,
to fishing in the lake to pedal boats or electric powered
boats and numerous trails to hike.
There is a large grassy area for picnicking and pits
for barbeques. Daily fishing permits and state licenses
may be purchased at the lake concession, as well as tackle
if you don’t have your own. Anglers can also rent
a boat here or launch their own.
There’s a walk-in campground near the lake’s
northwest corner, and equestrian staging area to the south.
Lake Poway also serves as a trailhead for some of San
Diego County’s best hiking trails, including the
popular Mount Woodson Trial.
This is a nicely marked trail with signs
stating how many more miles until you reach the peak,
which from the bottom of Lake Poway is three miles. There
are three other trails along the way to Mount Woodson
if you want to expand the experience. |
Maderas Golf Club |
Lake Poway |
Once atop Mount Woodson,
avid rock climbers will enjoy one of the area’s premier
climbing spots. Scattered about the flanks of this rocky
hillside are many boulders unique in quality and diversity
as well cracks of every size and shape good for face climbing.
Another hiker’s delight is the northerly route
where you can pick up the trail either to the left of
the concession store or from behind the City's workshop.
This one-mile trek drops you down behind the dam and close
to the camp leading into Blue Sky Ecological Preserve.
The Preserve boasts its own set of hiking trails and
also connects to a 1.5-mile up a steady but never too
steep incline, to beautiful Lake Ramona.
Another way to spend the day enjoying Poway’s open-air
lifestyle is a day on the greens, and one of the newest
golf courses in San Diego, Maderas Golf Club, is the place
to do it. Voted San Diego's #1 golf course by Zagat Guide
for five consecutive years, this 18-hole regulation length
golf course features a championship layout including six
sets of tee boxes for the enjoyment of golfers of all
skill levels. This course is popular, so make sure to
call ahead for tee times.
If hiking, fishing or golfing are not on your agenda,
Poway offers a series of professional performances including
dance, theatre, concerts, comedy, drama, and family programming
at the luxurious 800-seat Poway Center for the Performing
Arts. The center also hosts its annual presentation of
the Missoula Children's Theatre, a touring company that
hosts a one-week, all-inclusive theater camp for children.
The perfect experience for rising young thespians.
Finally, if you’re looking for to turn your day
trip into an extended stay, there are plenty of overnight
accommodations including hotels, motels, RV parks, and
campgrounds
The Skyline Ranch R V Park & Campground is a good
choice with its spacious sites located on 42 hilltop acres.
Skyline Ranch provides a relaxing atmosphere with oak
trees, pines, hiking, campfires, and picnicking. Article
by Matthew Martz
Poway is located just 2-3 hours depending
on traffic from Los Angeles, and approximately 90 miles
from the center of Orange County. |
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Amtrak
Coastliner ride the coast from San
Luis Obispo to San Diego on double decker train |
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Angels
Flight located
downtown Los Angeles Angels flight is over 100 years
old. |
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Goat
Hill Junction open
for free rides every third weekend. Miles of track
in Costa Mesa, Ca |
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