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Historic, scenic, fun… The Pass Area has both fast-paced casino entertainments and uncrowded, serene natural settings. The communities of the Pass Area lie at the rim of the desert between the two highest mountains in Southern California, Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio. In the late 1800s, The Pass served as a stagecoach and railroad stop between the Arizona territories and Los Angeles. Today, it is the IE’s major east-west corridor. The Pass has attractions ranging from Vegas-style gaming to life-size dinosaur sculptures, antique stores to designer outlets, and museums to community festivals, where the past comes alive. In the foothills, above the desert floor but below the snowline, the climate is temperate year-round. In Cabazon, the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa looms 23-stories tall and is packed with excitement, fine dining and top name entertainers. The casino rises high above nearby massive outlet malls. Browse for incredible bargains at designer and name-brand outlets at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets and the Cabazon Outlets. Morongo’s neighbor is Hadley Fruit Orchard, famous since 1931 for high quality fruits, dates and nuts—try the incredible date shake. Further west on the I-10 is the Dinosaur Museum, which claims the world’s biggest dinosaur sculptures: “Mr. Rex,” a six-story Tyrannosaurus Rex, and “Dinny,” a three-story Apatosaur. Kids love the museum’s dinosaur exhibits— located inside Dinny’s belly! The Gilman Historic Ranch & Wagon Museum in Banning is the site of the old stage stop. Gilman Ranch faithfully preserves the history of the San Gorgonio Pass. That history is celebrated during Banning’s big annual event, Stagecoach Days, with parades, contests, and a BBQ feast. For more than a century, Highland Springs Resort in Beaumont has been serving up home-style comfort among majestic oaks, towering cedars, rose and cactus gardens—perfect for retreats and conferences. Beaumont has a budding art district and antique stores that have been around several decades. The Beaumont Cherry Festival in Cherry Valley features arts & crafts, music, and—of course, cherry pancakes. Also in Cherry Valley is one of the IE’s treasure troves of art: The Edward-Dean Museum. The museum, on 16 acres of lush grounds with dancing fountains, features late 16th to early 19th century European & Asian Decorative Arts inside a replica of an Italian villa. Best known for its apple orchards, Oak Glen is high in the hills above Beaumont. At some ranches you can pick your own fruit. Taste mountain-fresh apples and cider and enjoy hot apple pie in one of Southern California’s most scenic spots. Between the towering peaks of Old Greyback and Mt. San Jacinto sits the Morongo Indian Reservation. The Malki Museum in Banning displays art, artifacts and historical materials of the Indians of The Pass Area and hosts major cultural events. Golfers: The Pass has two of the IE’s finest courses—Sun Lakes in Banning and the PGA of Southern California Golf Club at Oak Valley in Beaumont. More than 100 years ago, weary stagecoach and train passengers were glad to stop at The Pass for rest and relaxation. The Pass is still a great place to stop!
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