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San Bernardino sits in a broad valley at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, where a natural arrowhead shape on the mountainside has long been a local landmark. Spanish missionaries set up an outpost here in the early 1800s, and in 1851 a group of Mormon settlers bought the old Rancho San Bernardino and laid out a town. It was incorporated in 1854 and became the seat of San Bernardino County, the largest county by area in the United States.
Railroads and citrus groves brought growth, and later Route 66 ran through town. In 1940 the McDonald brothers opened a small barbecue stand here, and in 1948 they turned it into the fast food restaurant that started a worldwide chain. A museum now stands at the original site. Downtown keeps the ornate 1928 California Theatre, where Will Rogers gave his final performance, and the classical county courthouse.
San Bernardino is the gateway to the mountains. The Rim of the World Scenic Byway climbs to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, Glen Helen Regional Park hosts concerts and lakeside picnics, and summer evenings bring minor league baseball with the Inland Empire 66ers.
A 1928 Spanish Colonial movie palace downtown, where Will Rogers gave his last stage performance. Restored with its original Wurlitzer organ, it now hosts touring Broadway shows, symphony concerts and community events. Check the schedule and look at the ornate lobby before the show.
The minor league baseball team of San Bernardino plays at San Manuel Stadium downtown, with affordable tickets, family promotions and fireworks nights. Mountain views frame the field at sunset. Summer evenings are the best time, and parking at the stadium is easy and inexpensive.
The site of the first McDonald's restaurant, opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1940 on E Street. An unofficial museum here displays decades of McDonald's memorabilia, toys and signs, plus Route 66 items. It is a quirky, quick stop; check opening times and bring cash for donations.
Historic Route 66 passes through San Bernardino along Foothill Boulevard and Mount Vernon Avenue before heading toward the Cajon Pass. Look for vintage motels, old signs and murals along the way. Drive the route slowly and stop at the McDonald's museum, which also covers Route 66 history.
A grand neoclassical courthouse built in 1926 with tall columns and a marble interior, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still in use. It anchors the civic center downtown. Visitors can admire the exterior; entering means passing security as for any working court.
A huge natural arrowhead-shaped mark on the mountainside above the city, formed by soil and vegetation differences and visible for miles. It has been a symbol of San Bernardino for centuries and is tied to local legends. The best views are from the north end of town on a clear day.
A large Mission Revival railroad station built in 1918, once one of the biggest depots in the West, now restored as a Metrolink and Amtrak station. It houses the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, run by volunteers on limited days. Admire its domes and arcades outside.
An art museum on the Cal State San Bernardino campus with a strong collection of Egyptian antiquities, Italian ceramics and contemporary art, plus changing exhibitions. Admission is free, but there is a campus parking fee. Check opening days, as it follows the university calendar.
A winding mountain highway that climbs from San Bernardino into the San Bernardino Mountains toward Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, with sweeping views over the valley from many turnouts. Allow extra time for curves and traffic, carry chains in winter and check road conditions first.
A county park in the Cajon Pass area north of the city with fishing lakes, a swim area with water slides in summer, picnic areas and shaded lawns. The nearby Glen Helen Amphitheater hosts big outdoor concerts. A vehicle entry fee applies, and summer days can be very hot.
A large hilltop city park in San Bernardino with views across the valley, a historic outdoor bowl for concerts, sports fields, tennis courts, a pool and picnic areas among mature trees. It is a long-standing community gathering place. Visit in the morning or evening in summer.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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