With 3,000 acres of water and more than 14 miles of shoreline, Lake Elsinore is defined by its lake. At the same time, Historic Downtown adds its own historical character: a bathhouse dating from 1887 and a preserved train depot are among its distinct landmarks. This gives you different options for planning your trip—time by the water, a visit to town, or activities at a venue. Plan your stay around what you want to experience, rather than trying to fit every option into a single itinerary.
Water, Beaches and Outdoor Activities
At Lake Elsinore, you can fish, and hiking is another possible activity. A four-mile dam trail is available for this. The public beaches offer picnic and shaded areas. The options by the lake are therefore distinct: the dam trail is a hiking route, while the beaches provide areas for a stay with picnicking and shade.
For vehicles with trailers, the Lake Elsinore Recreation Area has 153 parking spaces. There is also a public boat facility at Launch Pointe, with a six-lane boat ramp and redesigned boat slips. Use is on a first come, first served basis. If you plan around the boat facility, it is worth checking the current conditions before setting out.
Historic Sites and Historic Downtown
The Crescent Bath House, also known as The Chimes, was built in 1887, still stands in Historic Downtown, and is registered as a National Historic Site. The Sante Fe train depot is located at the corner of Graham Avenue and Spring Street. Both sites provide tangible points of reference for the city’s history, without implying a shared itinerary for visiting them.
Historic Downtown offers restaurants as well as antique and boutique shops. Alongside historic sites, a visit to town can therefore focus on dining or shopping. The offerings of individual businesses may change. Tours are available by prior arrangement through the Lake Elsinore Historical Society. If you would like to plan a tour, arrange a time in advance.
Stadium, Raceway and Tandem Skydiving
Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium has room for 5,000 spectators and features fixed seating, luxury suites, and a grass area along the right-field line. The stadium can be converted for concerts, car races, motocross races, and boxing and combat sports events. If a particular event is the reason for your trip, check the date before planning your stay around it.
Tandem jumps at Skydive Elsinore use tandem instructors certified by the United States Parachute Association. The jump offers a bird’s-eye view of Lake Elsinore. At Lake Elsinore Raceway, the Beginner Track is intended for children up to and including six years old. The raceway track is designed for beginner, intermediate, and experienced riders. Two different details are relevant when choosing where to ride: the Beginner Track’s age limit and the divisions by experience level.
Discover more destinations: Indian Wells, Thousand Palms, Indio, Beaumont, Bermuda Dunes, San Jacinto, Blythe, Palm Springs.
For the broader travel overview: Riverside.
