Between Anaheim And Palm Springs Is A Vibrant City With Quaint Shops, Scenic Trails, And Family Fun

If you've ever driven up Interstate 10 through Southern California's San Gorgonio Pass, then you're probably already well aware that it's among the windiest regions around. After all, the army of giant wind turbines is pretty hard to miss. But whether you were just cruising toward the Coachella Valley for a sunny desert getaway or cutting across the mountain corridor to get to the concrete jungle of the Greater Los Angeles area, you definitely may have breezed right past the city of Beaumont. 

The Riverside suburb sits right at the top of the dramatic pass, flanked by the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and San Jacinto Mountains to the south. Home to around 60,000 people and counting, Beaumont is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, according to World Population Review. The influx of new homes and master-planned developments hasn't altered the Inland Empire community's close-knit feel very much, though. As one local noted on Niche, the place still strikes "the perfect balance of small-town charm and easy access to all the adventure California has to offer."

Straddling the highway between Anaheim and Palm Springs, Beaumont makes for a great day trip with its array of cute boutiques, local shops, and surrounding farms. Aside from the community calendar that's usually chock-full of family-friendly events, the city also serves as a solid basecamp for outdoor adventures, thanks to its scattering of grassy parks and trail-laden recreation areas.

Beaumont's downtown core – centered around 6th Street and Beaumont Avenue, north of Interstate 10 — has a pretty good selection of curio shops to peruse. The Beaumont Antique Mall is pretty popular in town. Housed in a retro 1940s-era movie theater, the old-timey ambiance and seemingly endless row of vintage treasures may make you feel as if you've "stepped foot into a time machine," according to one Yelp reviewer. "Lots of cool memorabilia ... I couldn't help but to feel nostalgia kicking in as I went through different aisles and little mazes within their shop."

Generations Antiques & Gifts, steps away, is another local favorite for its knickknack-filled booths and reasonable prices. Venture about a half a mile up the street to the Rapstine's Red Barn Antique Mall for some Americana feels and Western flair. And don't miss the replica frontier ghost town out back. You can also shop local by scooping up some seasonal fruits. Once hailed as "the land of the big red apple," Beaumont's agricultural roots actually run pretty deep. Drawn by the sweet apple orchards and mountain backdrop, folks began putting down stakes around these parts in the mid-1800s. 

Today, you can find a slew of farms around Beaumont, including next door in Cherry Valley, which is known for its romantic French countryside vibes. Snag some produce at the Goodie Farm or pick up a cluster of cherries at the Guldseth Cherry Orchards. "Ended up with a full stomach of freshly picked [pesticide-free] cherries and 8 pounds to take home," one person shared of their visit to the latter online. "Staff really made my experience memorable."

There's great fun for the whole family at 123 Farm, located on the outskirts of Beaumont at the old Highland Springs Ranch and Inn. The historic property hosts a variety of lively annual festivals and events. See more than a million holiday lights twinkle during Christmas Nights, held at the end of the year, or see the purple blooms during the summer Lavender Festival. Beaumont also honors its farming past with the annual Cherry Festival, recently rebranded as the Cherry Festival & Fair. The event has been held for more than 100 years, usually in late May or early June, and features an array of vendors, live performances, carnival-style rides, and tons of tasty eats.

Spend some time roaming the scenic trails, too. Take in the mountain views on the north end of town at the Beaumont Sports Park, which has a mile-long paved path that loops around the baseball and soccer fields. The Ridge Trail at Bogart Regional Park in the neighboring Cherry Valley is the top-rated route in the area on AllTrails. The path weaves through the rugged ridges, making for a tough climb in some sections. "Definitely a good challenge and work out. The initial part of the trail is pretty steep," one rambler shared on the app. The Lake Perris State Recreation Area, a recreation haven to hike, camp, and boat, also sits about 20 minutes outside of Beaumont. And if you're looking for more to do in this part of the state, add some of these bucket list experiences to your itinerary of the best things to do in Southern California.