Rancho Cucamonga, California is probably a place you have not heard of before. It is located in the foothills of the mountains, between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. It was once a huge wine-producing region but is now a growing metropolis. Rancho Cucamonga is the perfect place to take a break when driving between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. The following is a list of 12 things to do in Rancho Cucamonga.
1. Haven City Market
Cost: $-$$
The newest attraction in Rancho Cucamonga is the Haven City Market. This food hall contains over 20 food vendors. It has a ton of areas to sit and chill after grabbing some food and drink. The Ibasa Tacos & Elotes is one of my favorite stops. There are also several arcade games available to play.
2. Visit the Local Breweries
Cost: $
Rancho Cucamonga has a ton of local craft breweries! It is unofficially called the brew mile. It is possible to walk between most of the breweries if you want to stretch your legs in between the breweries.
Hamilton Family Brewery
Hamilton is Rancho Cucamonga’s first craft brewery. One of their most popular beers is the Double Mango. Hamilton is usually the most crowded of the breweries.
King’s Brewery Company
King’s is my favorite brewery in Rancho. They have some of the most unique beers and always have at least 20 different beers on tap at one time. I always like any sour they produce.
No Clue Craft Brewery
No Clue is one of the smaller breweries, but I enjoy all of their beers. Although they do not have an extensive tap list, all of the beers they have are of great quality and taste amazing.
Rowdy’s Brew Co
Rowdy’s is the most family-friendly brewery in Rancho. They have some toys and games for children to play with. Rowdy’s also tends to have more unique beers such as an apple pie beer.
Solorio Brewing Company
I visit Solorio when I just want a place to chill. It is one of the larger facilities and has plenty of space for visitors. There Blueberry Blonde is perfect for a hot summer day.
Sour Cellars Brewery
Sour Cellars is the place to go if you love sours. They have over 10 different sour beers on tap. The Bellywiggens, a Berliner-weisse style, is one of my favorites. I also like that Sour Cellars has a ton of comfy couches and chairs to relax in.
3. Take a Hike at the Etiwanda Preserve
Cost: Free
The Etiwanda Fall Trails is a 3.4-mile trail that leads up to a waterfall. The trail going up is a bit steep and rocky, but it is worth it once you get to the falls. If you are up for a longer hike, there is a loop trail to do there as well.
4. Go Wine Tasting at the Local Winery
Cost: $
Rancho Cucamonga used to be mostly vineyards. Although many of those vineyards now do not exist, there are still a few left in the area. Joseph Filippi Winery and Vineyards is the largest winery in the area. They offer a wine tasting for $10 and on Tuesdays, they have a local taco truck.
5. Eat at a Local Restaurant
Cost: $$
Rancho Cucamonga has a ton of restaurants that are unique to Rancho or originally started in Rancho. The following are some of my favorites (and many have great happy hours).
Cask ‘n Cleaver
Cask ‘n Cleaver is another local steak joint. They have been around since 1967. They also have a superb happy hour.
Magic Lamp
The Magic Lamp has fantastic steak dishes. On certain nights, they also have live bands or karaoke. This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion.
Steer N’ Stein
Steer N Stein serves steaks and beer. All of the beers are served in steins. The steak entrees and inexpensive but delicious and good quality. Make sure to load your baked potato (it is worth the extra dollar)!
Sycamore Inn
Sycamore Inn is one of my favorites! They have an amazing happy hour and have what they call prime time dinner plates. These are budget-friendly entrees that are delicious.
Vince’s Spaghetti
Vince’s is the perfect place to go with a family. The dishes are inexpensive and they have some family-style options. Do not forget to order some of the garlic bread!
6. Victoria Gardens
Cost: Free to walk around, Stores range from $ to $$
Victoria Gardens is a beautiful mall located in Rancho. It contains a variety of shops. During the wintertime, there is a gigantic tree in the middle of the plaza and you can also meet Santa. There is also a speakeasy hidden in the mall if you are savvy enough to find it. During the summer months, they offer a weekly “movie on the quad.” The Lewis Family Playhouse puts on several productions throughout the year. There is also a train that goes around the mall younger children may enjoy riding.
7. Hang out at one of the many parks in the city.
Cost: Free
Rancho has a huge network of parks throughout the city. The two largest are Red Hill Park and Central Park. Red Hill Park contains an outdoor stage and a gorgeous water feature. There are fantastic trails to ride your bike or walk your dog. Central Park is a 57,000 square foot facility. It contains event rooms for rent. Central Park also hosts a Senior Center with a gym and community activities. There are also many walking paths around the area.
8. Visit a local museum
Cost: Free to $5
Rancho Cucamonga has two museums: John Rains House and the Cucamonga Service Station.
The John Rains House is on the National Register for Historic Places. This house was built in the 1860s where elaborate parties for the elite used to take place. Present-day, it contains a museum and is considered part of the San Bernardino County Museum. It is open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. It costs $5 to tour the home.
The Cucamonga Service station was built in 1915 along Route 66. It currently houses a museum about the area and Route 66. The service station is one of the few original buildings left in Rancho from that time period. It is now part of the Register of National Historic Places and is free to visit.
9. Drive on Route 66
Cost: Free
The historic Route 66 runs through Rancho Cucamonga on its way to the end of the route in Santa Monica. Near the intersection of Foothill and Baker, you can find a fantastic mural of Route 66. If you search for “Public Art Route 66 America’s Main Street” on google maps, you can find the exact location.
10. Attend a Quakes Game at the Epicenter
Cost: Starting at $10
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team that feeds into the Los Angeles Dodgers. They moved to Rancho Cucamonga in 1993. Every once in a while, you will see actual Dodger players at the games. Make sure to take a picture with the mascots Tremor and Aftershock. The facility also has baseball fields for use by the public. Games usually run from April to October.
11. Visit the local Farmer’s Market
Cost: Free to walk around, goods are a variety of prices.
Every Saturday from 9am to 2pm at the Terra Vista Town Center, is a local farmers market. They have a ton of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as homemade preserves and dips.
12. Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail
Cost: Free
If you enjoy a bike ride, jogging, or walking, this is the perfect trail to go on. It stretches 18.4 miles from Claremont to Fontana. Several miles of it pass through Rancho Cucamonga. It is also pet-friendly, so you are able to walk your dog along the trail.
Rancho Cucamonga is an exciting place to stop on a trip between Palm Springs and Los Angeles. It can also be the perfect place to base yourself to explore the Southern California area that is a little more budget-friendly! Let me know what are some things in Rancho Cucamonga you enjoy doing.
Visiting California? Check out these other posts to plan your trip!
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This sounds like such a unique area of California to visit! My mom lives near San Francisco, so I visit the state pretty often! 🙂
It definitely is!
I remember when I was moving back to Iowa from California I saw a sign for Rancho Cucamongo. I laughed at the name, but looks like I should have stopped. It looks like a cute town.
Haha that’s funny!
It’s true I had not heard of it. Sounds lovely though, especially the hike you mentioned, and the palm trees make everything look so photogenic!
The hike is a nice hike. Good views!
Oh woow, never heard of it! Looks like the perfect getaway for a chill weekend
Definitely or a good stop between Los Angeles and Palm Springs
I haven’t been to California before but would love to make a stop in Rancho Cucamonga some day! Looks like a such a lovely place to visit and explore for a few days.
It’s a cute little city.