Redlands

Midway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, the city of Redlands prospered on America’s appetite for citrus, specifically the navel orange. In the late 1800s, these zesty fruits flourished in the region’s red soil, and soon Redlands became known as the “City of Millionaires.”

The groves are mostly gone now, but Redlands remains a jewel of the Inland Empire. The city’s splendid Victorian-era architecture shows off the wealth that oranges made, and historic landmarks are beautifully preserved. Today more than 70,000 residents and thousands of visitors enjoy Redlands’ walkable downtown, welcoming eateries and attractions, and dependable year-round sunshine.

What to See and Do in Redlands

On a 6-acre estate decked out in Italian Renaissance–style gardens, the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens serves as a glorious reminder of Redlands’ gilded past. Enter the Old World–styled gates and you might forget you’re in Southern California—this 7,000-square-foot, 1897 “castle” was modeled after a chateau in France’s Loire Valley. Take a 45-minute guided tour of the rooms, then stroll the terraced gardens by following curved stone stairways past pools, fountains, pergolas, koi ponds, and plantings from around the globe.

Find more Victorian-era history at Redlands’ Historical Glass Museum, home to the largest collection of American-made glass west of the Rocky Mountains. Six rooms of a 1905 Victorian house are stuffed with colorful antique glassware, dishes, goblets, paperweights, and even cut-glass bowls that were owned by Liberace.

Explore Redlands’ contemporary side in Orange Street Alley, where more than 400 colorful umbrellas form a canopy over the pedestrian alley—rain or shine. Located in a pedestrian alley between Orange and Fifth Streets, the camera-ready art installation adds a whimsical touch to downtown’s arched trellises, raised planters, and vibrant murals painted on brick walls.

Attend the West’s oldest free music festival at Redlands Bowl, a 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater in beautiful Smiley Park. From June to August, free concerts take place weekly on the red-tiled bandstand, showcasing music for every kind of listener—jazz, big band, mariachi, Americana folk, classical, bluegrass, country, and more. Show up early to nab a bench seat, or bring a blanket and spread out on the grass.

Where to Eat and Drink in Redlands

Redlands’ foodie zone is centered near Citrus Street, Orange Street Alley, and State Street—a neighborhood filled with historic brick buildings, vintage clocks, street lights, and epicurean eateries. Choose a seat at cozy Copehouse Bar & Bistro and start with a negroni or paloma, then follow up with seared barramundi or a Wagyu burger. Or pop into Don Orange, an upscale Mexican eatery serving lobster enchiladas and portobello mushroom tacos. Fans of distilled spirits head for The State, where a 20-year-old whiskey pairs perfectly with a filet mignon sandwich. 

Beer drinkers find their tribe at Redlands’ half-dozen breweries, including cult-favorite Ritual Brewing, aviation-focused Hangar 24, and the game-player’s pick, Escape Craft Brewery’s Nevada Street Barrelhouse. Along with IPAs, lagers, stouts, and sours, this warehouse-style space offers pinball and arcade games, giant Jenga, cornhole, and foosball. Escape’s second location, Downtown Oasis, doubles down with a calorie-clocking menu of Detroit-style pizza, double-patty smashburgers, and piled-high sandwiches.

Redlands loves breakfast, too. It’s served all day at Carolyn’s Café, where the pro move is to order cinnamon-topped coffeecake with whatever egg dish suits your fancy. If you’re more inclined to three-hour brunches, head to Batter Rebellion. The kitchen staff whips up decadent short rib hash, bacon-and-egg cheeseburgers, chilaquiles, and a staggering array of cocktails. For a minimalist morning start, score an espresso drink and a flaky scone at Olive Avenue Market, a beloved Redlands institution for more than a century.

Hiking and Biking in Redlands

Redlands’ San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary, a 200-acre preserve, has 5 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Many visitors head out-and-back on Carriage Trail or Cocomaricopa Trail, but you can combine the two for a longer loop.

The Redlands Conservancy manages Redlands’ popular Creekside Trail, a 1.5-mile round-trip path that leads to a high point overlooking San Timoteo Canyon. In neighboring Yucaipa, the Crafton Hills Preserve offers 22 miles of multi-use trails including the challenging ascent to Zanja Peak (3,543 feet in elevation). 

Explore Nearby Attractions

Thirty miles west of Redlands, the city of Claremont is home to the Claremont Colleges, the California Botanic Garden, and a walkable downtown filled with eclectic shops and delicious dining. A short drive southwest, Riverside boasts the architecturally marvelous Mission Inn Hotel and Spa and fascinating museums, including the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture. If you’re willing to explore farther, you’ll find swimming pools and swaying palm trees one hour east in Palm Springs, and cooler temps and mountain-fresh air in the alpine town of Big Bear Lake.