Attractions and Places To See around Redlands - Top 20

Redlands offers several beautiful natural spaces. Caroline Park is a local favorite, known for its hiking trails, native wildflowers, and opportunities for bird watching, offering scenic views. Prospect Park features an amphitheater, an orange grove, walking trails, and panoramic views of the San Bernardino Mountains. Sylvan Park is ideal for picnics and walks, while Ford Park provides two ponds for fishing, tennis courts, and playgrounds. For a more rugged experience, San Timoteo Canyon offers diverse hiking trails and wildlife viewing.

Redlands is rich in history and culture. The A.K. Smiley Public Library is an architectural gem and a California Historical Landmark. Nearby, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine is the only memorial honoring Abraham Lincoln west of the Mississippi. The Kimberly Crest House and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, features a Victorian Chateau and Italian Renaissance gardens. You can also explore the San Bernardino de Sena Estancia, a historic outpost showcasing Native American and early pioneer life, or visit the Redlands Historical Glass Museum, the only museum west of the Mississippi dedicated to American glassware.

Yes, Redlands has several family-friendly options. Caroline Park is great for easy walks and wildlife spotting. Ford Park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, and fishing ponds. While not directly in Redlands, the nearby Yucaipa Regional Park provides fishing, a swim complex with water slides, and camping, making it a popular choice for families.

Redlands and its surroundings offer a variety of hiking experiences. Caroline Park has accessible trails with scenic views. For more challenging climbs, consider the ascent to Onyx Summit in the San Bernardino Mountains, which offers stunning vistas. The San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary within San Timoteo Canyon features trails like the Cocomaricopa Trail and Carriage Trail. You can find more detailed routes, including easy, moderate, and difficult options, in the Running Trails around Redlands guide.

Absolutely. The Orange Blossom Trail, an abandoned rail bed, has been converted into a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly path through the city. For more adventurous rides, the San Bernardino Mountains offer challenging routes. You can explore various cycling and mountain biking trails, including those around Yucaipa Regional Park, by checking the Cycling around Redlands and MTB Trails around Redlands guides.

For breathtaking views, head to Box Springs Mountain Peak, which overlooks the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. Caroline Park also offers dramatic 180-degree views of the mountains. The challenging climb to Onyx Summit provides stunning vistas of dense forests, rugged mountain terrain, and expansive valleys, leading towards Big Bear Lake.

The Redlands Bowl is a historic amphitheater built in 1930, famous for hosting the oldest continuously free outdoor concert series in the United States. It offers a diverse program of free music and theatrical performances, including the Redlands Shakespeare Festival and the Summer Music Festival, making it a vibrant cultural hub.

Beyond the main attractions, Caroline Park is considered a hidden gem by locals, offering a peaceful natural escape. The Orange Street Alley, also known as "Umbrella Alley," is a charming year-round attraction in the historic district, featuring colorful umbrellas, murals, and trellises. The Redlands Historical Glass Museum is also a unique, specialized museum that might be overlooked by some visitors.

Downtown Redlands offers a charming blend of small-town appeal and modern amenities. It features tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and a variety of local shops, boutiques, and diverse dining options. It's a great area for a leisurely stroll, exploring unique stores, and enjoying a meal.

Redlands experiences hot summers and mild winters. Spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities, with comfortable temperatures for hiking and cycling. During these seasons, you can also enjoy native wildflowers in parks like Caroline Park. Winter can also be suitable for outdoor pursuits, though mountain areas like Onyx Summit may experience colder, stormy conditions.

The San Bernardino County Museum features extensive exhibits on both cultural and natural history, with halls dedicated to the region's past and biodiversity. It also includes restored native gardens showcasing California's plant life. For specific local history, the A.K. Smiley Public Library houses extensive research archives on local history and California's native tribes.