Discover Colton: History and Trails along the Santa Ana River

Colton combines early settlement history with a diverse urban experience: Historic sites tell the story of Agua Mansa and the railroad era, while the Santa Ana River Trail provides space for active days. When choosing a vacation rental in Colton, you can therefore weigh a cultural and historical stay, cycling tours, or a mix of both.

Agua Mansa and Colton’s History

An important starting point for local history is Agua Mansa. The settlement was established in 1845, when Don Juan Bandini, owner of Jurupa Rancho, granted parts of his ranch to a group of colonists from New Mexico. A major flood in 1862 swept away the adobe village. The Agua Mansa Cemetery is one of the few remaining physical links to this early settlement in Colton.

The cityscape also preserves traces of history. Downtown Colton and the southern district feature a traditional street grid that dates back to the city’s layout during the railroad era of 1875. The Earp House connects this development with local and Western American history. Those interested in the city’s past can thus gain several different perspectives: early settlement, the railroad era, and the history of the American frontier.

Cemetery, Museum, and Historic Sites

Hermosa Gardens Cemetery was established in 1887 and designated Historical Landmark No. 31 in 1993. American frontier lawman Morgan Earp was reinterred there on November 29, 1892. The gate hours are important for planning your day: They are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and are locked at closing time for security reasons.

The Colton Area Museum promotes awareness of the region’s history by displaying historical artifacts and offering outreach programs. Together with the historic sites mentioned above, it creates a cultural program that you can prioritize differently depending on your interests. When traveling with children, individual discoveries and explanations can be combined well with time outdoors later on, without every travel day having to focus on the same theme.

Active Days on the Santa Ana River Trail

The Santa Ana River Trail runs through Colton for more than six miles. It extends between the border with Riverside County to the west and the city of San Bernardino to the east. The trail is fully paved and designated as a Class 1 bike path for cyclists of all ages. This gives Colton, alongside its historical attractions, a clearly defined option for days spent cycling.

Access to the Santa Ana River Trail is available from the Colton Staging Area at the corner of La Cadena Drive and Tropica Rancho Road, immediately south of the Santa Ana River. The route and access point can help you choose accommodation based on your preferred daily itinerary: Are you planning mostly historical discoveries, an active outing, or a trip in which both interests alternate?

City Life and Suitable Trip Planning

The Downtown Colton Paseo serves as a pedestrian connection and gathering place. It is intended to promote walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation. For planning a trip with varied daily rhythms, this urban connection can be just as interesting as the longer course of the Santa Ana River Trail. Colton’s Parks Division also maintains 12 city parks covering a total area of 49.56 acres.

Special event applications for events at the Downtown Colton Paseo are available at the Gonzales Community Center. When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, your choice should primarily suit your desired mix of city history, museums, walks, and cycling days. Colton offers several distinct points of interest for this, without requiring you to commit to just one type of trip.

Discover More Places in the Area

For further trip planning, you can also include Victorville, Crestline, Montclair, Searles Valley, Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino, Barstow, and Apple Valley in your search.

Return to the overarching travel overview: San Bernardino.