Originally home to the Morongo and Aguas Calientes tribes, Redlands is a bustling city on the edge of San Bernardino. It was once at the heart of the world’s largest navel orange-growing region, with the city producing more than 5,500 railcars of oranges in a single season. Today, Redlands is renowned for its elaborate 19th-century architecture and legendary live music venue.
Things to do in Redlands
Delve into the local history at the San Bernardino County Museum, a hands-on space where you’ll find exhibits dedicated to local culture and natural history. Get up close to a Mexican carreta that crossed the Mojave Desert and come face-to-face with a giant ground sloth, then learn about the geology of Southern California. In addition to a cactus garden, the museum’s outdoor exhibits include a historic water wheel and a Southern Pacific locomotive.
Several of Redlands’ buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Mission Revival-style A.K. Smiley Public Library and the arcaded U.S. Post Office. Built in an ornate French Châteauesque style is Kimberly Crest House, which is surrounded by Italian-style gardens dotted with statues and koi ponds.
Coincide your visit with a live show or theatrical performance at the Redlands Bowl, a 1920s amphitheatre commissioned by Florence and Clarence White as a gift to the city. It hosts community events, educational workshops and the Redlands Shakespeare Festival, as well as the longest-running free summer music concert series in the United States.
Getting around Redlands
Redlands is a 15-minute drive from San Bernardino International Airport, which has regular flights to San Francisco, while Los Angeles International Airport is 1.5 hours away. Amtrak trains connect to the nearby San Bernardino Depot and buses travel throughout Redlands.