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šŸ’„Where to go, What to do, and What to see in the Inland Empire since 2010. As seen on PBS.
šŸŽÆ[email protected]
For the best of the IE and more!šŸ‘‡
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Who else grew up coming here?

A visit to Castle Park in Riverside brought back so many childhood memories. I remember coming here as a kid, and I know I’m not the only one.

For more than 50 years, Castle Park has been a place where Inland Empire families have celebrated birthdays, ridden rides, played mini golf, and made memories together.

It’s also home to one of the oldest operating carousels in the country, making it a true local landmark.

Some places aren’t just attractions; they are a part of our story. 

What’s your favorite Castle Park memory?

You can find Castle Park at 3500 Polk St., Riverside, CA 92505 by @ieexplorer
1
7 minutes ago
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Don’t sleep on this hidden spot...

Our next stop on our Greater Ontario Restaurant Month tour took us to a coffee shop most people would drive right past.

Tucked inside an office building in Rancho Cucamonga, Steve’s Coffee is one of those hidden gems that’s built a loyal following for a reason.

After one sip of their famous Spanish Latte, I completely understood why. Rich, incredibly smooth, perfectly balanced, and packed with flavor, it’s the kind of coffee that makes you rethink your usual coffee run.

If you’re looking for a new coffee spot that blows the big chain coffee shops away, this is it.

šŸŽ Bonus: Show your FREE Greater Ontario Restaurant Month digital passport through July 31 and receive Steve’s Coffee’s exclusive Restaurant Month offer: Buy one drink, get one FREE!

Want to turn your summer dining into the ultimate prize? When you sign up for your FREE digital passport, you’ll be entered to win:

šŸ† Grand Prize: Visit 10 or more participating restaurants for a chance to win tickets to every event at Toyota Arena for an entire year—including concerts, Ontario Reign hockey, Empire Strykers soccer, and family shows.

šŸŽŸļø Suite Life Prize: Visit 3–9 participating restaurants for a chance to win a private suite experience at a local professional sports game.

šŸš— Route 66 Bonus Prize: Check in at a participating Foothill Blvd. location for a chance to win VIP Hospitality passes to the 2026 Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion.

Here’s how to participate:
āœ… Sign up for your FREE digital passport (link in my bio).
āœ… Check in when you visit Steve’s Coffee and other participating restaurants through July 31.
āœ… Unlock exclusive offers and earn your way to those prizes!

Support local, discover your new favorites, and win while you’re at it.

You can find @stevescoffee_ at 8599 Haven Ave., Suite 306 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 by @ieexplorer
100
3 days ago
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This is a must

Every time an L.A. food creator talked about the best burgers, Mr. J’s Char Burger was on the list. So I had to find out if it lived up to the hype.

And it definitely did. 

The Triple Burger was thick, juicy, messy, and dripping with flavor. It’s the kind of burger that has you comparing every other burger to it.

And the pastrami fries? WOW. 

Don’t even think about skipping them.

Now I understand why people drive all the way from L.A. for this place.

Make sure you don’t sleep on it like I was.  Head over there now! 

You can find Mr. J'S Burgers at 16471 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335 by @ieexplorer
131
4 days ago
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Hole #6 – Stone House ā›³ļø

One of the toughest tests at Temecula Creek Golf Club, this uphill par 3 plays up to 212 yards with bunkers protecting the green. Club selection is key—aim for the center and take your par. Named after the historic 1885 Stone House, this signature hole blends strategy with a piece of Temecula history.

Golf Course | @tcreekgolfclub 

#visittemecula #golftemecula #socalgolf taken in Temecula, California by @ieexplorer
10
4 days ago
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This isn’t what you think..

Our next stop on our Greater Ontario Restaurant Month tour took us to the brand-new Vampire Penguin in Ontario. 

Don’t make the mistake of calling this shaved ice.

The Strawberry Horchata Shaved Snow is something completely different. It’s unbelievably soft, pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth shaved snow that’s packed with sweet strawberry and creamy horchata flavor in every bite.

It’s light, refreshing, perfectly sweet, and exactly what you want on a hot day like today. 

If you’ve never experienced shaved snow before, this is the place to change that.

Want to turn your summer dining into the ultimate prize? When you sign up for your FREE digital passport, you’ll be entered to win:

šŸ† Grand Prize: Visit 10 or more participating restaurants for a chance to win tickets to every event at Toyota Arena for an entire year—including concerts, Ontario Reign hockey, Empire Strykers soccer, and family shows.

šŸŽŸļø Suite Life Prize: Visit 3–9 participating restaurants for a chance to win a private suite experience at a local professional sports game.

šŸš— Route 66 Bonus Prize: Check in at a participating Foothill Blvd. location for a chance to win VIP Hospitality passes to the 2026 Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion.

Here’s how to participate:
āœ… Sign up for your FREE digital passport (link in my bio).
āœ… Check in when you visit Vampire Penguin and other participating restaurants throughout July.
āœ… Unlock exclusive offers and earn your way to those prizes!

Support local, discover your new favorites, and win while you’re at it.

You can find @vampirepenguinont at 960 Ontario Mills Dr C, Ontario, CA 91764 by @ieexplorer
39
7 days ago
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Here’s where to find itā¬‡ļø

Home of the Ontario @towerbuzzers , the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate, ONT Field is one of the most impressive ballparks I’ve ever visited.

This brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium is so much more than a place to watch baseball.

From the incredible food options and awesome kid zones to the electric atmosphere.

There’s something to love around every corner.
Whether you’re a die-hard Dodgers fan, a baseball lover, or just looking for a fun family night out, this place delivers.

I’ve been here several times now, and every visit reminds me why I keep coming back.

If you haven’t caught a game at @ontfield yet, this is your sign.

You can find ONT Field at
9375 E. Riverside Dr. Ontario, CA 91761 by @ieexplorer
71
8 days ago
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You’d never guess this was here

Our next stop on our Greater Ontario Restaurant Month tour took us to El Balcón Rooftop, Ontario’s only open-air rooftop bat and restaurant, and it completely exceeded my expectations.

We started with the beef & cheese empanadas and the pork bao buns, and both were absolutely delicious. 

Pair that with handcrafted cocktails, an incredible breeze blowing through the restaurant, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile, and you’ve got one of the coolest spots in the city.

Whether you’re planning a date night, meeting friends, or just looking for a new place to unwind, El Balcón Rooftop is definitely worth adding to your list.

šŸŽ Bonus: Show your FREE Greater Ontario Restaurant Month digital passport during July and take advantage of El Balcón’s exclusive Restaurant Month special.

Want to turn your summer dining into the ultimate prize? When you sign up for your FREE digital passport, you’ll be entered to win:

šŸ† Grand Prize: Visit 10 or more participating restaurants for a chance to win tickets to every event at Toyota Arena for an entire year, including concerts, Ontario Reign hockey, Empire Strykers soccer, and family shows.

šŸŽŸļø Suite Life Prize: Visit 3–9 participating restaurants for a chance to win a private suite experience at a local professional sports game.

šŸš— Route 66 Bonus Prize: Check in at a participating Foothill Blvd. location for a chance to win VIP Hospitality passes to the 2026 Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion.

Here’s how to participate:
āœ… Sign up for your FREE digital passport (link in my bio).
āœ… Check in when you visit El Balcón Rooftop and other participating restaurants throughout July.
āœ… Unlock exclusive offers and earn your way to those prizes!

Support local, discover your new favorites, and win while you’re at it.

You can find El Balcon Rooftop at 200 North Euclid Avenue, Unit C, Ontario, CA by @ieexplorer
106
10 days ago
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Thank you to @ieexplorer and @doghausdogs for stopping by and feeding us this morning! @gorestaurantwk is celebrating Restaurant Month! šŸ½ļø

Greater Ontario Restaurant Month is happening NOW-July 31st. Explore local favorites, hidden gems, and more across Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga - all while earning entries for incredible pizes! Visit go-cal.org for more information and to find out how to get your digital passport! by @ieexplorer
6
11 days ago
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Save this for laterā¬‡ļø

Before you even walk into Redlands Ranch Market, you’ll spot Kemet Egyptian Street Food under the blue awning.

Chef Mina, who is from Alexandria, Egypt, is serving authentic Egyptian street food that’s unlike anything I’ve had in the Inland Empire.

The Kebda and Soujouk sandwiches are bursting with rich, authentic flavors and served on fresh, made-from-scratch fino bread that’s truly next-level.

Every bite showcases the kind of authenticity and flavor you just won’t find anywhere else in the Inland Empire.

This is no ordinary food cart. It’s a chance to experience authentic Egyptian street food made by someone who grew up with these recipes and has brought those incredible flavors to Redlands.

It’s a must-try.

You can find Kemet Egyptian Street Food
Under the blue awning at Redlands Ranch Market
800 E. Lugonia Ave.
Redlands, CA 92374 by @ieexplorer
37
12 days ago
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šŸŽ‰ If you missed us LIVE this morning, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Catch the replay of our Good Day LA feature right here! šŸ“ŗšŸ¤

A huge THANK YOU to Greater Ontario Restaurant Week for including Fishhook Seafood in this incredible celebration of our local restaurants, and a special thank you to Good Day LA for coming out to showcase what we do best—serving fresh, flavorful Southern seafood made with love.

We’re truly grateful for the opportunity to share our story, our food, and our passion with the community. If you haven’t stopped by yet, there’s still time to experience Restaurant Week! We can’t wait to serve you the Fishhook Way! ā¤ļøšŸŸ

#FishhookSeafood #GoodDayLA #OntarioRestaurantWeek #SupportLocalRestaurants #TheFishhookWay 

Get your Passport Here:

https://go-cal.org/greater-ontario-restaurant-month/ by @ieexplorer
52
12 days ago
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Add this to your list!

My next stop for the Greater Ontario Restaurant Month tour is at a unique, must-try spot, Fishhook Seafood Restaurant in Ontario.

Fishhook is serving up incredible southern seafood that is sure to capture your taste buds.  And this deep-fried lobster proves that.  I can see why this dish went viral.  It’s so delicious!  Truly, all the food here is delicious.

And not only is the food bomb, but the owners and staff are too.  Each dish is prepared and served with love.

Fishhook Seafood is one of 20+ restaurants featured in the restaurant month digital passport.

Want to turn your summer dining into the ultimate prize? When you sign up for your free digital passport, you’re entered to win big:

šŸ† Grand Prize:Ā Visit 10 or more locations for a chance to win tickets to every event at Toyota Arena for an entire year, including concerts, Ontario Reign hockey, Empire Strykers soccer, and exclusive family shows!

šŸŽŸļø Suite Life Prize:Ā Visit 3–9 locations for a chance to win a private suite experience at a local professional sports game.

šŸš— Route 66 Bonus Prize:Ā Check in at a participating Foothill Blvd. location for a chance to win VIP Hospitality passes to 2026 Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion.

How to participate:

Sign up for your FREE digital passport at the link in my bio.

Check in when you visit Fishhook and other participating restaurants throughout July.

Unlock exclusive offers and earn your way to those prizes!

Support local, discover your new favorites, and win while you’re at it.

Visit. Check-in. Win. And don’t skip the chicken parm and your free tiramisu at Pinwheel Pasta.

No purchase necessary to participate.

You can find Fishhook at 980 Ontario Mills Dr, Ontario, CA 91764 by @ieexplorer
44
14 days ago
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I can’t stop thinking about this

This Picanha Steak Sandwich completely blew me away.

Picanha Steak Restaurant isn’t your typical steakhouse. It’s more of a fast-casual spot, serving up steak like nothing I’ve had before.

The charbroiled picanha is incredibly juicy and flavorful, topped with fresh chimichurri and smoky chipotle aioli, all served on a buttery roll. This isn’t just another steak sandwich.

It’s honestly one of the best I’ve ever had.

And whatever you do, don’t sleep on the arepitas. Swap them for the fries.

You can thank me later.

I think I’ve found one of my new favorite restaurants in the Inland Empire. With near-perfect reviews, I have a feeling it’ll become one of yours too.

You can find Picanha Steak Restaurant
at 3410 Ontario Ranch Rd. #5
Ontario, CA 91761 by @ieexplorer
103
15 days ago
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