12 Best Things to Do in Rancho Cucamonga, California

By VI Staff on June 19, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of Felipe Sanchez - Fotolia.com

Rancho Cucamonga is a wealthy city situated at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County. The city is home to several large corporations, including Coca-Cola, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Big Lots, Frito-Lay, and Southern California Edison. Recreational attractions and activities abound, ranging from galleries, museums, and theaters to hiking trails, brewing companies, and great restaurants. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Victoria Gardens

Victoria Gardens is a 147-acre mall open-air shopping mall in Rancho Cucamonga and is home to the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, which houses the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library, a performing arts center, and a multi-use reception hall. In addition to a variety of brand stores and shops, the mall offers a range of amenities and services including free wireless Internet, ATMs, copy and fax services, lost and found, postage services, stroller, and wheelchair services, safety escorts, and lottery tickets. There is also a visitor’s information center where customers can get all the information they need about the mall, the shops, and the services offered.

12505 N Mainstreet, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

2.The Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail

The Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail is an 18.4-mile commuter and recreation trail in the western San Bernadino Valley that follows the old Pacific Electric Railway, which was known for its red cars and boasts lovely panoramic views of the city. The heavily trafficked point-to-point trail features two sides - a 10-foot-wide, concrete path for bikes and decomposed granite side for hiking, jogging, running and horseback riding and is suitable for all skill levels. The track also has an asphalt section that winds through residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors in Upland and terminates in Fontana. When complete, the Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail will run 21 miles east-west between Rialto and Claremont with the possibility for connecting to a massive network of pathways that include the San Gabriel River Trail and the Santa Ana River Trail.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

3.Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter Entertainment & Adult Sports Complex

The Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter Entertainment & Adult Sports Complex is a beautiful 52-acre sports complex with superb facilities and a stunning mountain backdrop, making it an ideal venue for a wide variety of events. Facilities at the place include a premier baseball stadium, two standard size soccer fields, three adult softball fields, and a regulation Little League field. The Epicenter also features an open-air plaza and covered pavilions with seating for up to 270 people, and ample parking for visitors and its outstanding facilities and great location make it an excellent production and special event venue, ranging from baseball, soccer and softball games to concerts, classic car shows, exhibitions, filming, and festivals.

8408 Rochester Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, Phone: 909-477-2760

4.Joseph Filippi Winery

The Joseph Filippi Winery is a family-owned, fifth-generation winery that produces a variety of wines and is establishing itself among California’s finest producers, while still maintaining the family’s rich heritage of excellence in Cucamonga Valley winemaking. The Joseph Filippi Winery produces limited production releases such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Zinfandel, Grenache, and other award-winning varietals, as well as barrel select Barrel Blends. The winery also has spacious tasting areas where guests can sample reserve barrel-aged releases and award-winning bottles, as well as purchase limited edition bottles available solely at the winery.

12467 Base Line Rd, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739, Phone: 909-899-5755

5.North Etiwanda Preserve

The North Etiwanda Preserve was established in 1998 to provide refuge for several rare and endangered species and features several attractions such as the Etiwanda Falls and the Etiwanda Falls Trail. Resting in the foothills of the Cucamonga Wilderness, the Etiwanda Falls is a magical oasis of cascading water and lush greenery in the midst of Southern California’s desert landscapes and is a popular site for hikers in the Inland Empire. The Etiwanda Falls Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back trail that bypasses the Etiwanda Falls and is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and birding, while the North Etiwanda Falls and Preserve Loop is a 4.7-mile lightly trafficked loop trail that also features a waterfall and is best used from April until September.

4890 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739, Phone: 909-387-5940

6.Cucamonga Service Station

The Cucamonga Service Station is a beautifully restored service station that was built in 1915 and now stands as a house museum showcasing the history of Route 66 and the local area today. Developed by local citizen Henry Klusman during the early years of Cucamonga, the station was once a pit stop for travelers on the legendary highway running from Chicago to Santa Monica and through the Inland area is reminiscent of the typical roadside architecture of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The historical museum now boasts fresh blue and yellow paint and an original Richfield sign along with the distinctive Route 66 logo and features several exhibits and displays about the history of the station and the surrounding area.

9670 E Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, Phone: 909-271-1024

7.Lewis Family Playhouse

Located in Victoria Gardens, the Lewis Family Playhouse is a vibrant contemporary community theater that presents a variety of performances throughout the year, including plays, musicals, dance, comedy and live music performances. The intimate, state-of-the-art, performing arts center features 90,000 square feet of energetic space with 560 seats on two levels and aims to foster and inspire an appreciation for cultural and performing arts within the community. A full season of dynamic stage performances and top-notch entertainment is hosted, including high-quality performances by the City's professional theatre group, the MainStreet Theatre Company, comedy shows, music and dance shows, national touring productions, and top headline artists.

12505 Cultural Center Dr, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739, Phone: 909-477-2752

8.Kings Brewing Company

Located on the corner of Arrow and Vineyard behind the Valero gas station, Kings Brewing Company is a locally owned brewery that specializes in hoppy, juicy, aromatic ales, robust barrel-aged stouts, and sours. Founded by the Cooper brother's Jeremiah and Demetrius Cooper in 2015, the Kings Brewing Company produces a variety of brews, including signature ales like Dirt Harry Pale Ale, Elote Cream Ales, Darlene Red, P-Town West Coast IPA, and Drawbridge Triple IPA. The brewery serves a small menu of light fare and snack food and patrons are welcome to bring their food. Kings Brewing Company is pet and child-friendly and is open Monday through Sunday and closed on Tuesdays.

8560 Vineyard Avenue Suite 301, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, Phone: 909-727-3333

9.Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Located in Victoria Gardens, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is a high-end steakhouse chain with several locations around the state that serves a menu of aged prime beef dishes and hand-cut steaks, including the new Dry-Aged Prime New York Strip, fresh seafood and lobster tails, pork chops and classic pasta plates. Located on Foothill Boulevard just west of the 15 Freeway, the innovative menu of cuisine is accompanied by an extensive list of 100 wines by the glass and bottle and guests can dine in an elegant, relaxed ambiance that exudes style and sophistication. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is open for dinner Monday through Sunday and brunch and lunch on Sundays only.

7905 Monet Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739, Phone: 909-463-0416

10.King's Fish House

Located in Victoria Gardens, King's Fish House is a relaxed family-friendly restaurant chain with several locations around the state that serves an extensive menu of fresh fish seafood, along with handcrafted cocktails, and craft beers. The menu features an array of seafood dishes from handmade sushi, sandwiches, salads, soups, fish platters and dishes, grilled fish and more, along with beers by the bottle and on tap and easy-drinking wines. Signature dishes include Macadamia Nut Crusted Wild Halibut with orange ginger butter sauce, Lemon-Nut Crusted Wild White Sea Bass with lemon butter sauce, Parmesan Crusted Wild Alaskan Sand Dabs with lemon butter and capers and Blackened Farmed Colombian Tilapia with mango salsa. King's Fish House is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

12427 N Main St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739, Phone: 909-803-1280

11.The Sycamore Inn Prime Steakhouse

The Sycamore Inn Prime Steakhouse is a historic landmark of hospitality on the legendary Route 66 that has been serving award-winning cuisine and fine wines for more than 170 years. Established in 1848, the Sycamore Inn Prime Steakhouse exudes an elegant and gracious ambiance in an old-timey, lodge-like setting in which diners can relax and enjoy the extensive menu of sumptuous cuisine. Signature plates on the menu include Luigi's minestrone, filet mignon, rack of lamb, Skuna Bay salmon, sake and miso caramelized Chilean sea bass, and seasonal lobster tails. The Sycamore Inn presents a comprehensive award-winning wine list, which boasts over 40 wines by the glass and bottle. The Sycamore Inn Prime Steakhouse is open for dinner, seven days a week.

8318 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, Phone: 909-982-1104

12.The Green Mango Thai Bistro

The Green Mango Thai Bistro is a relaxed, high-ceilinged restaurant with stylish indoor mezzanine and outdoor seating that serves a menu of traditional Thai cuisine and hand selected libations. Established in 2008 to bring the authentic Thai food to the Inland Empire area, Green Mango Thai Bistro serves a thoughtfully prepared menu of Thai and Southern Asian cuisine, including stir-fries, red and green curries, soups and salads, and sweet desserts. The cuisine is accompanied by specialty beers and casual wines, and the restaurant offers takeout and catering services. Located on the northwest corner of Milliken and 4th Street, Green Mango Thai Bistro is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

11226 Fourth St #102, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, Phone: 909-987-8885