Rancho Cucamonga

Rancho Cucamonga lies at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, with Mount Baldy rising above the northern edge of town. Long before the suburbs arrived, this was vineyard and citrus country, and the Cucamonga Valley wine region still shapes the city's image. Foothill Boulevard follows the old Route 66 alignment, so a few roadside landmarks remain beside modern shopping centers. Today the city is clean, planned and car-friendly, with parks, trails and a calm pace. It suits travelers who want a comfortable base rather than a big-city rush, with the mountains close at hand.

Victoria Gardens is the open-air shopping and dining district, built around Chaffey Town Square, with shops, restaurants and public events.Route 66 fans should visit the Cucamonga Service Station and Route 66 Museum on Foothill Boulevard, a restored roadside station set up as a small museum. Casa de Rancho Cucamonga, a restored home from the rancho years, tells the valley's early story. Morongo Field at The Epicenter is the home of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a minor league baseball team. The Pacific Electric Trail and the North Etiwanda Preserve give walkers and cyclists a route into the foothills.

Rancho Cucamonga's wine history gives it a drinking edge. Joseph Filippi Winery, in the old Regina Winery building on Base Line Road, carries on the valley's wine tradition. Victoria Gardens holds the biggest group of restaurants, from casual chains to sit-down dining, and Old Town along Foothill Boulevard has smaller cafes and local spots. Nightlife is relaxed. A ballgame, dinner and a drink at the Town Square is the usual evening, and the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Old Town Park draws a lively crowd in spring. Dinner outdoors is pleasant in mild weather.

Victoria Gardens is the easiest base for walkers, with hotels, restaurants and shopping within a few blocks. Old Town suits Route 66 fans who want a quieter, more historic setting, and the streets near Interstate 15 and Interstate 10 have chain hotels with easy parking. The Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink station on the San Bernardino Line links the city with Los Angeles and San Bernardino, and an Omnitrans bus meets trains and connects toward Ontario International Airport. A car is still the most flexible choice, and parking is easy at the shopping areas, parks and ballpark.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with mild days and clear air. Summer is hot and dry, so schedule outdoor time early. Autumn can bring dry winds, and winter is cool with occasional rain, when snow often covers Mount Baldy and the high peaks. One full day covers the Route 66 station, a winery visit and an evening at Victoria Gardens. A second day adds the Pacific Electric Trail, the Epicenter or a drive into the national forest, and a third works if you want to use Rancho Cucamonga as a base for Los Angeles or Big Bear.

Rancho Cucamonga sits between Los Angeles and the high desert and mountain country, which makes it a clean midpoint on a loop. Interstate 10 leads west to Los Angeles and east to Palm Springs, and Interstate 15 runs north over the Cajon Pass to Barstow and Las Vegas. The Angeles National Forest and Mount Baldy are close, and Highways 18 and 330 from San Bernardino lead to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake. Combine a night here with Ontario for the airport and Fontana or San Bernardino for more Route 66 sights.