Fontana: Culture, Nature, and Family Experiences

Fontana combines nature experiences in an urban landscape with historic sites, art, and activities for different age groups. When planning a trip, you can focus on peaceful paths by the water, cultural history, or shared discoveries. This mix also helps you choose a suitable vacation rental or holiday home according to your preferred travel pace.

Nature at the Foot of the Jurupa Hills

The Mary Vagle Nature Center lies at the foot of the Jurupa Hills and is a natural retreat amid an urban landscape. A nature trail leads around a pond there. Anyone planning a manageable nature outing during a trip to Fontana will find a different focus here than with a purely cultural program. Schools, scout groups, and educational groups can also access various environmentally focused special programs.

The Pacific Electric Trail also adds movement to trip planning. The multi-use trail is 18 miles long and follows the former Pacific Electric Railway from Claremont to Rialto. In Fontana, it is used by cyclists, runners, and pedestrians. You can therefore consider this trail as a separate focus for an active trip, without equating it with the city's historic and cultural attractions.

Historic Sites and Art

The Art Depot Gallery was originally built as a freight station in 1915. It is located next to the Pacific Electric Trail at the Helen Putman Historical Plaza. The building thus combines a historic origin with a present-day art venue. At the gallery, the Featured Artist Showcase program gives artists the opportunity to present their work.

The Pepper Street House currently serves as a museum of the Fontana Historical Society. In 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Together with the Art Depot Gallery, it shows how varied Fontana's historic points of interest are: One house is now used as a museum, while the former freight station is connected with an art program.

Another distinctive site is the Pagliuso Family Chapel. The chapel was built by the Pagliuso family in 1925 as a place of worship. In 2005, it was moved from the family's vineyards near the Jurupa Hills to its current location west of the Art Depot Gallery. This history makes the chapel a destination in its own right for anyone who also wants to learn about family and regional history during their trip.

Shared Experiences for Different Age Groups

At the Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center, the Garner Holt Animaker Space offers programs to the public for children, teenagers, and adults. Among other things, participants can operate 3D printers and learn to program animatronics. This gives families a technical and creative complement to nature trails and historic sightseeing.

The Center Stage Theater offers residents professional opportunities for the performing arts, including dinner theater, cabarets, and comedy mysteries. Local theater culture is therefore also part of Fontana's diverse character. Depending on whether you are looking for peaceful nature, history, exercise, or creative activities, you can shape your stay in different ways. When choosing accommodation, it makes sense to determine your preferred travel focus in advance rather than judging Fontana solely by a single attraction.

More Destinations for Trip Planning

For further orientation, you can also view Highland, Pioneertown, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Barstow, Yermo, Apple Valley and Redlands.

For the overarching travel overview: San Bernardino.