Top 10 Things to Do in San Bernardino, California

The city of San Bernardino is situated in the center of Southern California and celebrates various cultures while welcoming academic endeavors. In this blog, we will be exploring some of the best attractions in San Bernardino that captivate tourists with a variety of sights and fun things to do.

Hike through San Bernardino National Forest:

One of the best activities in San Bernardino is to hike through this serene forest, which gives off a wide range of environments likewise arid deserts and alpine mountain scenery. There are hundreds of hiking pathways in this national forest in Southern California. If you're a hiking person then San Gorgonio, Anderson Peak, Jepson Peak, and San Bernardino Peak are some must-visit places for you to hike in California, which combine into an all-day hike, it will keep you occupied for several days, and don't forget to pack your hiking gear, to facilitate your hiking experience.

Moreover, San Bernardino National Forest offers a true sense of being in nature to the visitors, it also includes camping areas, hiking routes, and spectacular views of lakes and mountains.

Visit the Original McDonald's Site and Museum:

The original McDonald's is located here, however, not many people are aware of it. One of the most fun activities in San Bernardino is to go down memory lane, where McDonald's a globally renowned restaurant company today, has played a significant role in San Bernardino's history.

The history dates back to 1940 when Mac and Dick were the first ones who opened a McDonald’s Barbeque Restaurant in San Bernardino, CA which had 25 dishes on the menu including, BBQ items, pork sandwiches, ribs, and beef after serving for some time, they took some big decisions and decided to cut down some of the dishes from their menu and added cheeseburgers, shakes, and hamburgers to their specialty, which is why they are still known for their flavorful burgers.

Location: 1398 N E St, San Bernardino, CA.

Biking in Angeles National Forest:

The Angeles National Forest has lots of biking routes and that's one of the most exciting things to do in San Bernardino. The route descends to the bottom of the Canyon, allowing you to either hike through the mountains or enjoy bike riding here. This place is ideal for adventure seekers who look forward to adventurous stuff to experience thrill, where Mt. Wilson and El Prieto are popular biking tracks.

Stroll at Glen Helen Regional Park:

It's a nature aesthetic place, offering a large lush green area with serene lakes picnic spaces, and hiking trails which are the top-most attractions for the visitors. The Glen Helen Regional Park proves to be a great source of vacationing at a peaceful place, soaking in the tranquil sounds and aesthetic views that bring peace to the mind, and is an ideal spot for going on nature walks, unwinding, or enjoying a picnic with family.

Hike Through San Bernardino Peak:

One of the best things to do in San Bernardino California is to visit the beautiful San Bernardino Peak which towers from above more than 10,000 feet and is known for being one of the top-most hiking treks for tourists. To hike through it, you must need approval from the Mill Creek Visitors Center or online.

It offers a camping site too, after 5.7 miles of trekking, many hikers like to camp at the Limber Pine or Manzanita Flats campground. In 2020, a very unfortunate incident occurred, a wildfire took over the San Bernardino Peak which took a while to recover, but the other portion which wasn't affected, brings beauty to the scene.

Visit the Joshua Tree National Park:

It is known as one of the treasures of the city. Moreover, among the best San Bernardino things to do here are to hike through and observe nature. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most well-known national parks in California where people from all over the country come to climb rocks to ascend some of the park's well-known climbs.

The park offers both challenging mountains and gentle loop trek routes to facilitate hikers of all kinds’ skill levels, where the highlight of the park is to get a chance to observe wildlife closely and keep an eye out for mountain lions, rattlesnakes, road runners, and jackrabbits and capture the beautiful hues of sunset.

Kayaking at Big Bear Lake:

A highly favored activity is to explore Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, renowned for its tranquil setting, making it a cherished tourist destination for an extended period. It happens to be on a Pacific Crest Trail known for being a popular hiking trek offering a boardwalk near this serene lake or you can hike through the Bertha Peak which is about 7.5 miles and witness the stunning views of the lake from up above. At the same time, the Big Bear cruises are a great way to enjoy summers, moreover, at Big Bear Lake tourists can swim around, indulge in fishing, and kayaking while enjoying their weekend getaway.

Visit Mt Gorgonio Mountains:

At 11,503 feet, this breathtakingly beautiful Mount San Gorgonio is present, which is one of the tallest mountains in San Bernardino CA, having two primary hiking trails that are South Fork Trail and Vivian Creek Trail, 21.3 miles and 19-mile respectively. After hiking through these trails you must stargaze from up above and fantasize about the beautiful constellations.

When there is snow happening in the area, the majestic San Gorgonio Mountain becomes an excellent destination for Backcountry skiing and winter mountaineering.

Boating at Silverwood Lake:

Silverwood Lake is situated near the 1-15 highway, and welcomes a high influx of tourists every year, popular for being an ideal spot to cool off in summer heat, it is the very reason for being crowded from April till October as people try to find escape from hot summers. This is a serene recreation area where tourists can enjoy fishing, boating, and other water sports while they camp near the lake.

Explore San Bernardino County Museum:

One of the best things to do in San Bernardino is to visit this museum which has lots of exciting things to showcase from a live animal center to a cactus garden and exhibitions on natural science and cultural values.

The San Bernardino County Museum was established in 1957 to demonstrate its admiration for regional characteristics in the area and to explore a little more about the historical richness of San Bernardino.

Wrapping up, San Bernardino provides a unique combination of entertainment, cultural activities, and scenic views, as this city has something for everyone whether your interests vary from exploring the historical treasures to hiking through the adventure spots, or just strolling through a park, this city serves it all.