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San Bernardino County
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Explore San Bernardino County for Southern California mountains, desert parks, Route 66 history, mountain lakes and wide-open road journeys.

San Bernardino County occupies an extraordinary sweep of Southern California, extending from the urbanised Inland Empire east of Los Angeles to the Nevada and Arizona borders. It is the largest county in the contiguous United States by area, and its scale is central to understanding the destination: a visit to the San Bernardino Mountains, Victor Valley, Mojave Desert or Colorado Desert can involve long drives between very different environments. The county is administered from San Bernardino, while important urban centres include Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Victorville, Hesperia, Barstow and Needles.
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The western part of the county is shaped by the foothills of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino ranges, with citrus-growing history, suburban cities and access to mountain communities such as Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake and Running Springs. Rising above the valleys, the San Bernardino Mountains offer forests of pine and fir, winter snow, hiking trails and boating around Big Bear Lake. Cajon Pass, the major corridor between the Los Angeles Basin and the High Desert, is both a dramatic natural gateway and one of California's most important transport routes.
Beyond the mountains, the landscape becomes broader and more austere. Victor Valley combines desert vegetation with expanding communities and a strong aviation and road culture, while Barstow provides a historic stopping point on the route towards Las Vegas and the Mojave National Preserve. In the far east, Needles stands beside the Colorado River and marks the county's connection with the historic transcontinental road network. Joshua Tree National Park extends into the southern part of San Bernardino County as well as neighbouring Riverside County; its granite formations and iconic trees are among the region's best-known natural features.
The county's human history reaches back thousands of years, with Indigenous communities including the Serrano, Chemehuevi and Mojave maintaining enduring cultural connections to these mountains, deserts and river corridors. Later chapters include Spanish and Mexican ranching, the Mormon settlement of San Bernardino, mining, railways, Route 66 and post-war aerospace and logistics. Visitors find historic missions and civic buildings, roadside architecture, desert ghost towns, mountain resorts and working communities rather than a single unified tourist centre. Food ranges from Mexican and Californian cooking in the Inland Empire to mountain cafés, desert diners, brewery taprooms and restaurants serving travellers along the old highways.

Getting to and around San Bernardino County

How to get there

Ontario International Airport is the principal commercial airport within San Bernardino County and is useful for the Inland Empire, mountain approaches and western desert communities. Los Angeles International Airport offers a much larger range of international connections but is outside the county and can involve heavy traffic. Palm Springs International Airport, also outside the county, may be practical for the southern desert and Joshua Tree area. Interstate 10, Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 are the main long-distance road approaches; rail access includes Metrolink services to parts of the western county and Amtrak's Southwest Chief route through the Barstow area.

Transportation

A car is generally the most practical way to explore San Bernardino County because attractions and settlements are widely dispersed, particularly in the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Metrolink and local buses serve the more urbanised western corridor, but public transport is much less useful for remote parks, mountain roads and Route 66 stops. Allow extra time for steep or winding mountain routes, winter weather and traffic through Cajon Pass. Fuel stations can be far apart in desert districts, and visitors should check road conditions before travelling to remote trailheads or mountain communities.

Best attractions in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County's attractions are defined by variety and distance. The San Bernardino Mountains offer hiking, forest scenery, winter sports and boating around Big Bear Lake, while the Inland Empire includes historic districts, museums, civic architecture and cultural venues in cities such as San Bernardino, Redlands and Ontario. In the High Desert, Route 66 remnants, the Calico Ghost Town area and the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow interpret the county's transport and mining history. The Mojave National Preserve provides vast desert scenery, Kelso Dunes, volcanic formations and opportunities for stargazing, while Mitchell Caverns lies within the preserve's eastern extension at Providence Mountains State Recreation Area. Joshua Tree National Park extends across San Bernardino and Riverside counties, combining granite boulders, desert vegetation and established hiking areas. Amboy Crater and the historic settlement of Amboy add a more remote volcanic and roadside perspective, while Needles provides access to the Colorado River environment. Distances, heat and limited services mean that these landscapes are best treated as separate excursions rather than linked casually in a single day.

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Best landmarks in San Bernardino County

The San Bernardino Mountains form the county's most prominent natural backdrop, with San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest peak in Southern California, above forested communities and high-elevation valleys. Cajon Pass is another defining landmark: a broad mountain corridor carrying railways, road traffic and a long history of movement between the Los Angeles Basin and the High Desert. In the west, the San Bernardino Asistencia preserves an adobe structure connected with the region's mission-era and Mormon-colony history. Calico's restored mining-town streets and weathered desert setting represent the county's mineral frontier, while Barstow's Route 66 landmarks embody the age of cross-country motoring. Farther east, the Kelso Dunes rise from the Mojave National Preserve in sweeping wind-shaped ridges, and Amboy Crater stands as a recognisable volcanic cone beside historic Route 66. At the county's eastern edge, Needles Bridge and the Colorado River corridor mark the transition into a riverine desert landscape. Each landmark expresses a different layer of the county: Indigenous homelands, mountain geology, settlement, extraction, transport and vast desert space.

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Explore San Bernardino County on the map

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Best restaurants in San Bernardino County

Dining reflects the county's geography and its position within Southern California. The Inland Empire has a broad choice of Mexican cooking, including regional specialities, tacos, tamales and family-run restaurants, alongside Asian cuisines, Californian cooking and the everyday café and bakery culture of its diverse urban communities. Older agricultural districts around Redlands, Ontario and neighbouring foothill cities retain connections with citrus-growing history, while mountain communities offer diners, cafés, pizzerias and restaurants oriented towards visitors and residents around Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead. In Victor Valley and Barstow, roadside grills, casual restaurants and classic American diner traditions remain part of the travel landscape, with Route 66 heritage influencing the atmosphere more than a single fixed cuisine. Craft breweries and contemporary restaurants are more numerous in the western cities than in remote desert settlements. In isolated areas, food options may be limited and widely spaced, so carrying provisions is sensible when visiting preserves, monuments and long stretches of historic highway.

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Best bars in San Bernardino County

Evening life varies sharply across the county. San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and nearby western cities have the broadest selection of breweries, cocktail bars, restaurants with late service, live-music venues and occasional club nights. In the foothills and around Big Bear Lake, the evening scene centres on pubs, lodge-style bars, breweries, casual restaurants and live entertainment, with activity changing by season and weekend demand. Victorville and other High Desert communities offer local bars, sports-oriented venues and restaurants rather than a concentrated nightlife district. Barstow, Needles and remote desert settlements are primarily overnight stopping points, where historic inns, diners and a small number of bars provide a quieter evening. Night-time desert travel requires extra care because distances, lighting and mobile coverage are limited; plan a designated driver and do not assume that a remote venue will offer late transport.

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Best nightclubs in San Bernardino County

Evening life varies sharply across the county. San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and nearby western cities have the broadest selection of breweries, cocktail bars, restaurants with late service, live-music venues and occasional club nights. In the foothills and around Big Bear Lake, the evening scene centres on pubs, lodge-style bars, breweries, casual restaurants and live entertainment, with activity changing by season and weekend demand. Victorville and other High Desert communities offer local bars, sports-oriented venues and restaurants rather than a concentrated nightlife district. Barstow, Needles and remote desert settlements are primarily overnight stopping points, where historic inns, diners and a small number of bars provide a quieter evening. Night-time desert travel requires extra care because distances, lighting and mobile coverage are limited; plan a designated driver and do not assume that a remote venue will offer late transport.

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Best shops in San Bernardino County

Shopping is most varied in the western cities, where Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga offer modern retail, while older centres such as San Bernardino and Redlands provide independent shops, cafés, antiques, galleries and local services. Farmers' markets and seasonal produce stalls are the best places to look for Inland Empire-grown citrus and other Californian products when operating. In mountain communities, shops around Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead focus on outdoor equipment, resort clothing, gifts, art and locally themed souvenirs. Victorville and Barstow combine ordinary regional retail with roadside memorabilia, vintage goods and Route 66 merchandise, particularly around historic motoring sites and museums. Desert communities tend to have fewer shops and more practical services, so provisions should be bought before entering remote public lands. Useful regional purchases include locally made art, desert photography, handmade goods, books on Route 66 and park maps; visitors should avoid buying archaeological objects, protected plants or items presented as Indigenous cultural material without clear and respectful provenance.

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San Bernardino County essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD), as throughout California and the wider United States. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, mountain resorts, hotels and established restaurants, although a small amount of cash remains useful for rural businesses, roadside stops, parking facilities and occasional vending machines. Desert travel requires more planning than an urban visit: do not assume that every remote service station, market or attraction has reliable card connectivity.
Safety
Normal urban precautions apply in busy centres, car parks and transport areas. The most important regional hazards are environmental: extreme heat and dehydration in the deserts, sudden cold or snow in the mountains, flash flooding during storms, unstable ground around abandoned mines and limited services on remote roads. Stay on marked routes, obey park and forest warnings, avoid entering mine workings, and never rely solely on a mobile phone for navigation. In winter, check chain controls and weather before driving to Big Bear and other high-elevation communities.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance emergencies anywhere in San Bernardino County. The same national number applies in California rather than being unique to the county. In national parks and wilderness areas, describe your location using a trail name, road number, landmark or downloaded map reference, since a precise address may not exist. For a mental-health crisis, call or text 988 in the United States. Follow instructions from park, forest and county authorities during wildfires, flash floods, extreme heat or other emergency conditions.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect posted rules on public lands, keep to designated trails, pack out rubbish and give wildlife plenty of space. Do slow down around mountain communities and leave room for emergency and maintenance vehicles. Do not remove rocks, plants, fossils or cultural objects, and never enter abandoned mines or restricted military areas. At historic sites, follow photography and access rules. Tipping is customary in American restaurants and for many personal services, while sales tax is normally added at the till rather than included in displayed prices.
Local Tips
Use the county's major highways as travel spines but build in time for scenic detours and changing elevations. Sunrise and late afternoon are generally more comfortable for desert walks, whereas mountain conditions can change quickly in winter. Barstow is a useful practical base for parts of the Mojave, while Ontario, San Bernardino and the foothill cities provide broader services in the west. Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve are separate public-land destinations with different access patterns, so check which entrance and route best suits your itinerary.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHey[Hey]
GoodbyeSee ya[See ya]
YesYeah[Yeah]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomeNo problem[No problem]
Thank youThanks[Thanks]
Excuse me/SorrySorry[Sorry]
How are you?How's it going?[How's it going?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[Good. You?]
Do you speak English?You speak English?[You speak English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the menu?]
I don't eat meatI'm vegetarian[I'm vegetarian]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the check?[Can I get the check?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Get lost![Get lost!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I'm lostI'm totally lost[I'm totally lost]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[I'm not feeling well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I'm looking to buy...[I'm looking to buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[Just browsing]
How much is it?What’s the price?[What’s the price?]
That's too expensiveThat's pricey[That's pricey]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a discount?[Can you give me a discount?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time?[What time?]
It's one o'clockIt's 1 o'clock[It's 1 o'clock]
Half past (10)10:30[10:30]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[Where's the...?]
What's the address?What’s the address?[What’s the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me on the map?[Can you show me on the map?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...?[A ticket to...?]

History of San Bernardino County

Indigenous Homelands and Desert Trade Routes

Long before American settlement, the region was home to Indigenous peoples whose territories and travel networks crossed the mountains, valleys and deserts. The Serrano were closely associated with the San Bernardino Mountains and surrounding valleys, while the Chemehuevi and Mojave maintained deep connections with the eastern deserts and Colorado River corridor. Trade, seasonal movement, hunting, gathering and stewardship shaped the landscape. Petroglyphs, village locations, trails and continuing community traditions provide evidence of this long history, although many cultural sites are sensitive and should not be treated as recreational objects.

Spanish and Mexican Ranching Eras

Spanish missions and later Mexican land grants altered patterns of land ownership and settlement in the inland valleys. Rancho San Bernardino became the basis for a major nineteenth-century settlement, while ranching and agriculture developed around springs, rivers and other dependable water sources. The region was part of Alta California before the United States acquired California after the Mexican-American War. Surviving adobe structures and historic place names reflect these layered Spanish, Mexican and Indigenous histories, even though much of the county's later urban form developed long afterwards.

The Mormon Colony at San Bernardino, 1851

In 1851, settlers associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established a planned colony in the San Bernardino Valley. They developed farms, roads and civic institutions, helping to establish the foundations of the modern city of San Bernardino. The settlement was sold in 1857 after political and financial changes within the church, but its influence remained visible in the area's early agricultural development and architecture. The San Bernardino Asistencia, a mission-era adobe site associated with the colony's later history, is one of the most tangible reminders of this period.

Mining, Railways and the Growth of Barstow

Nineteenth-century mining brought prospectors and commercial activity into the county's deserts, where silver, gold and other minerals were extracted in districts such as Calico. Railways then transformed the region by linking inland settlements with coastal markets and the wider national network. Barstow grew as a railway and transport centre, while Needles became an important crossing and service point beside the Colorado River. The desert economy remained challenging and cyclical, but mining camps, railway towns and supply routes established patterns that still shape heritage travel today.

Agriculture, Citrus and Inland Urbanisation

Irrigation and rail access encouraged citrus, vineyards and other forms of commercial agriculture in the warmer western valleys during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Packing houses, ranches and agricultural communities supported the growth of San Bernardino, Redlands, Colton, Ontario and neighbouring cities. As Southern California expanded after the Second World War, orchards and open land were progressively replaced by housing, industry and transport infrastructure. Historic citrus landscapes and civic buildings survive most clearly in older Inland Empire communities, providing context for the county's transition from rural production to metropolitan life.

Route 66, Aviation and the Modern Desert

The twentieth century brought new forms of mobility and technology. U.S. Route 66 crossed the county through towns including Barstow, Amboy and Needles, creating a ribbon of diners, service stations and roadside businesses that became part of American travel culture. Military aviation and aerospace activity also expanded around the High Desert, with Edwards Air Force Base nearby in Kern County influencing the wider regional economy and culture. More recently, logistics, warehousing and distribution have grown rapidly in the Inland Empire, while desert communities continue to balance heritage tourism with renewable energy, conservation and growth.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to San Bernardino County

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