Dina Romero

Experience California:

Parks and Recreation in Rancho Cucamonga

California’s Inland Empire is known for its scenic beauty; the welcoming climate of the San Bernardino Valley region invites visitors and residents alike to explore our parks and wildlife preserves, enjoying the classic Californian splendor at any of the county’s 35 officially designated wilderness areas that are maintained through the National Wilderness Preservation System. Ecological education centers regularly schedule community events so that all may learn about what the delicate, unique ecosystem of the place we call our home. Our sunny climate makes most outdoor activities enjoyable and available throughout the seasons: from horseback and ATV riding, hiking, biking and rock climbing to fishing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and canoeing at nearby bodies of water, there’s an adventure awaiting you by land or by water. Equestrian activities, camping, nature watching, windsheild touring, and picnicking are available at most area parks, as well as skiing areas at Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, or Mountain High, conveniently located to most of San Bernardino County in nearby Los Angeles County. Whatever you’re looking do during your “California Experience,” you can be sure to find it waiting for you in Rancho Cucamonga!

The Mojave National Preserve

Calico Ghost Town  (located northeast of Barstow, via Interstate 15)

Desert Studies Center  (formerly Zzyzx)

Joshua Tree National Park

San Bernardino National Forest  (home to Big Bear Lake outdoor activities)

Angeles National Forest

Death Valley National Park

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex

Rancho Cucamonga Parks and Community Services

San Bernardino County Parks and Recreation

California National Historic Parks

Historic Sites and Landmarks of California

State of California State Parks and Beaches

National Park Service Index of California Parks

United States Forest Service

The Rancho Cucamonga Lifestyle—

The Best of California Living!

In 2006, Rancho Cucamonga was ranked #42 by Money Magazine in their annual “America’s Best Places to Live” list, and we have consistently stayed on top—and it’s easy to see why!   With three major lifelines Interstate 15, the 210 Freeway, and historic U.S. Route 66) connecting the bedroom communities of San Bernardino Valley to Los Angeles, Ventura and other metropolitan centers of the area, Rancho Cucamonga offers residents a safe and quiet, semi-rural quality of life with the conveniences and attractions of a large cosmopolitan area. Rancho Cucamonga offers easy access to everything from beaches and theme parks to upscale shopping and dining destinations, as well as a diverse choice of entertainment opportunities. With everything from nightclubs and spas to world-class art galleries available, Rancho Cucamonga residents have a busy calendar to choose from. Musical performances, theater events, dance recitals, art exhibits, festivals, and crafts shows are available daily. For sports and events, Rancho Cucamonga residents head over to The Epicenter, the city’s minor-league baseball stadium, home of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes! Here, in addition to other scheduled sporting events and community activities, Rancho Cucamonga area baseball fans join our city’s mascot, Tremor the “Rallysaurus,” cheer the Quakes on to victory! Or, if you’ve got a “need for speed,” spend a day at the track watching the NASCAR races at the Auto Club Speedway, a convenient five minute’s distance away! However, Rancho Cucamonga’s community crown jewel is undoubtedly the Victoria Gardens Lifestyle and Cultural Center, located on the city’s eastern end, at the intersection of Foothill and Day Creek Boulevards. Unlike our neighboring communities Upland or Ontario, when Rancho Cucamonga was originally developed, the city’s plans did not include a traditional commercial downtown. Recognizing the need for a convenient location for commerce, leisure, business, entertainment and community activity, Victoria Gardens was designed with the intent of bringing together elements of more traditional and urban town stylings into an area that had historically been planned and developed as a suburban community. Victoria Gardens is structured with many traditional shopping mall characteristics, the smaller, locally owned businesses of the city center are organized into city blocks, complete with gridded two-lane streets that feature meticulously manicured landscaping and metered "teaser parking" in front of the storefronts, which open onto the pedestrian-friendly walkways. While Victoria Gardens offers visitors traditional mall conveniences such as nationally regarded anchor store retailers, a spacious food court, and ample parking in both secure lots and garages, the center is equally balanced in its “Hometown, U.S.A.” feel with two distinct "Main Street" drags, running from west to east across the center. Each of Victoria Gardens’ “Main Streets” are divided by the north-south pedestrian walkway, connecting the anchors stores to the Cultural Center by way of the "town square," situated between mixed-use office buildings. The Victoria Gardens Cultural Center is an attraction in itself, housing the 570-seat Victoria Gardens performance theater, a 12-screen AMC Theatre, and Rancho Cucamonga’s Paul A. Biane Public Library. Throughout the Victoria Gardens Lifestyle Center, visitors will find no shortage of restaurants to enjoy, offering everything from well-known national chains to unique locally owned eateries and bistros. Johnny Rockets, California Pizza Kitchen, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Harry's Pacific Grill, Lucille's BBQ, T.G.I. Friday's, Yard House, Richie's Diner, Fleming's, and King's Fish House are just the beginning of the list of places to sample on your family’s next dinner out. Other Rancho Cucamonga shopping and dining destinations include the Terra Vista Town Center, the Ontario Mills Mall, Foothills Crossing, and Southern California's singular Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World superstore, located directly across the street from Victoria Gardens.

Victoria Gardens Lifestyle Center

Victoria Gardens Cultural Center

Terra Vista Town Center

Ontario Mills

The Epicenter at Rancho Cucamonga

Auto Club Speedway

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

Index of Museums and Cultural Attractions in California’s Inland Empire

San Bernardino Valley

Community Festivals and Events

Convenient to the greater metropolitan Los Angeles area and offering many community events ranging from cultural arts to sports, there’s always something to do in Rancho Cucamonga, or any of the neighboring communities of the San Bernardino Valley, where a number of venues host events across a wide variety of interests. Boxing matches, ice shows, circuses, conventions, and live music concerts are scheduled daily in conveniently accessible locations, as well as area sports venues, which rotate football, baseball and basketball games seasonally. Whether you prefer to have fun with your neighbors at Ranch Cucamonga’s annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration, flex your muscles “walking it, riding it, or hoofing it” at the Annual Cucamonga Challenge, watch the dazzling fireworks display on the 4^th of July, or enjoy the sounds and scenes of the community-sponsored concerts and movies in the park series, there’s a sporting, historic, cultural or ecological event that’s just right for you and the family, right here in Rancho Cucamonga, part of California’s majestic Inland Empire! Call me today—let’s get you moved in! For more information on area festivals and special events, visit:

Rancho Cucamonga Events Calendar