In Mira Loma, discovery ranges from aviation and the history of the Earth to trails along the Santa Ana River. The Tom Wathen Center connects aviation with hands-on learning and the goal of promoting lifelong learning. At the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center, educational programs in geology, paleontology, and archaeology are offered alongside dinosaur sculptures and fossil digs. There are also exhibits at the Museum of Discoveries and a park by the river. So when planning, it’s worth considering which kind of discovery appeals to you most: an approach focused on learning, Earth’s history to explore, or time on the trails.
Discover Aviation Through Experience
At the Tom Wathen Center, hands-on learning is designed to foster enthusiasm for aviation and lifelong learning. This brings together a specific subject area and a distinctive way of learning. If, when traveling, you like to consider not only the subject but also how it is presented, this focus offers a different approach from a visit centered primarily on individual exhibits. Aviation and learning are the shared focus here.
Geology, Paleontology, and Archaeology
The Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center offers hands-on educational programs in geology, paleontology, and archaeology. These three fields provide a broad range of topics for your visit: you can focus on the subjects that interest you most rather than limiting your stay to just one scientific perspective. Compared with the aviation focus at the Tom Wathen Center, the emphasis here is on several fields and their educational programs. This can help you decide what kind of knowledge you’d like to prioritize on your journey of discovery.
The offerings also include life-size dinosaur sculptures for visitors to explore, as well as the opportunity to take part in fossil digs. The two activities differ in format: you can explore the sculptures, while the digs offer the chance to participate actively. So within the subject of Earth’s history, you can choose between exploring representations and taking part in a dig.
Discoveries on Display at the Museum of Discoveries
The Museum of Discoveries displays a Columbian mammoth, Tyrannosaurus rex skulls, and remains of a saber-toothed cat. These specific exhibits give a museum visit a different focus from the educational programs and activities at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center: here, named exhibits take center stage. If you’re especially interested in prehistoric animals and their remains, this selection offers clear points of interest. The mammoth, dinosaur skulls, and saber-toothed cat remains bring together different exhibits rather than focusing on just one group of finds.
Park and Trails Along the Santa Ana River
Spending time outdoors is another option. Rancho Jurupa Regional Park is located along the Santa Ana River. Jurupa Valley also offers direct access to the Santa Ana River Trail network. This gives you a choice of different options: a park by the river and a network of trails for anyone interested in hiking and trails. Outdoor activities complement the educational offerings and exhibits with another way to spend your time. When planning, you can weigh aviation, scientific subjects, specific exhibits, and time by the river without combining these different interests into a single focus for your visit.
Explore more destinations: Norco, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Corona, Yucaipa, Lake Elsinore.
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