14 Best Things To Do In Redlands, California

1. Eureka!

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Eureka! is a favored spot among the locals, so why not join in? Get your hands around greasy burgers or extra loaded tacos with a side of sweet potato or classic fries. Wolf everything down while sipping a premium cocktail or a local craft beer from their wide rotating menu. With over 20 locations “scattered” across the country, Eureka! has become a hip place to go for a comforting, delicious all-American meal.

Eureka!

Address: 345 W. Pearl Avenue, Redlands, CA 92374

Website: Eureka!

Opening hours: 11pm - 9pm (daily)

Price: From 5 USD

2. San Bernardino National Forest

The biggest attraction that Redlands has to offer lies just 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the city. A short 20 minute drive away lies the San Bernardino National Forest which will leave you spoilt for choice for fun outdoor activities, whether it is a big family trip or a romantic getaway, the San Bernardino National Forest has everything. In the summer you can go on a horseback ride through the pinewood forests, or go on a beautiful hike to Heart Rock and see the spectacular views of the other mountains within the national forest.

For the more adventurous types, go check out Aztec Falls to go for a dip and even go waterfall diving into the beautiful clear water below. Many of the recreation activities require an Adventure Pass which comes at the bargain price of 5 USD daily or 30 USD annually.

San Bernardino National Forest

Address: San Bernardino, CA 92408

Website: San Bernardino National Forest

3. Redlands Market Night

Established in 1988, the Redlands Market Night is one of the most successful farmer’s market in Southern California. With over 150 food, produce and merchandise booths, this haven is surrounded by the beautiful, historic buildings of Downtown Redlands. If you’re not looking to go far outside the city, this place will fill your night with delicious foods and interesting little trinkets! At night the place lights up, so it can also prove to be a very romantic date on your weekend getaways!

Market Night

Address: Orange St & E State St, Redlands, CA 92373

Opening Hours: Thursday: 6pm-9pm

Phone: +1 9097987629

Website: Market Night

4. Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival

Those wondering what to do in Redlands in summer can consider attending Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival. Founded in 1924, the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival has held the title of the oldest, continuously running summer music festival in the United States, with free admission. In 1923 a woman named Grace Stewart Mullen believed that the performing arts should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay admission.

Since then, every summer at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, The Redlands Performing Arts has put on countless shows, ranging from orchestras to jazz bands, ballet to theatre plays. Being family-friendly, this timeless tradition literally has something for everyone! Regardless of your age or race, the diversity of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival will have something for you! Some of this shows on this summer include a musical based on Tarzan, an opera featuring the San Bernardino Orchestra, the Santa Barbara Ballet, playing Cinderella and more!

Redlands Bowl

Address: 25 Grant St, Redlands, CA 92373

Opening Hours: June-August

Phone: +1 9097937316

Website: Redlands Bowl

The following content is contributed by Trip101 writer, Kenrick

5. Historical Glass Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Sometimes, you stumble across a place and find something wonderful inside it. That is the case for Redlands’s Historical Glass Museum. Located in a Victorian-style house on North Orange Street, you’ll find dozens of glass artifacts inside the museum. Its founders built it to preserve glass artifacts from defunct glass-making companies and to showcase different glassworks by artists. The museum is actually a must-visit spot since it houses the largest collection of glass artifacts on the west coast. There’s a memorabilia shop inside too, so you can buy a souvenir before heading out.

Historical Glass Museum

Address: 1157 Orange St, Redlands, CA 92374, United States

Website: Historical Glass Museum

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

6. Kimberly Crest House & Gardens

Kimberly Crest House & Gardens is one of the most popular Redlands tourist attractions. Located on Prospect Drive is a Victorian chateau-style mansion that served as the house of John Alfred Kimberly, the founder of Kimberly-Clark paper company. The house is almost as old as the city itself. It was built in 1897 for Cornelia Hill, one of the city’s pioneers. The Kimberly family eventually acquired it. In 1979, Mary Kimberly-Shirk gave away the house and its surrounding property to the city. Today, Kimberly Crest House & Gardens opens its doors to visitors who want to tour the property’s gardens and museum. Plus, visitors can also reserve the place for events or photo ops.

Kimberly Crest House & Gardens

Address: 1325 Prospect Dr, Redlands, US 92373-7049

Website: Kimberly Crest House & Gardens

Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 1pm - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon, Tue, Wed & Sat)

Price: 10 USD

7. San Bernardino County Museum

San Bernardino County Museum is a regional museum located in Redlands, California. This museum caters to people of all ages - children, adults, and seniors. If you love learning about the natural and cultural history of the region, this museum is the best way to go. Special exhibits, extensive research collections, and public programs await curious visitors upon arrival. The two-level museum houses permanent exhibits such as Hall of History, Hall of Biodiversity, and ever-changing ones such at Schuiling Gallery. After satisfying your curiosity with the splendid exhibits, you can drop by the store to purchase a memento before heading out.

San Bernardino County Museum

Address: 2024 Orange Tree Ln, Redlands, CA 92374, United States

Website: San Bernardino County Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 5 USD onwards

8. Ed Hales Park

There’s a little park located near Fifth Street - Ed Hales Park. It is a place where families and individuals of all ages can walk around and relax after dining or shopping at one of the various establishments located nearby. Visitors can also find numerous art installations there, such as Sister Cities Clock Tower. Those who wish to simply unwind can do so on several benches scattered across the park. There’s a lot of activities and programs that take place in the park too. One can watch a public production in the park or sing along to the live music on Market Night.

Ed Hales Park

Address: N 5th St, Redlands, CA 92373

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

9. Splash Kingdom Waterpark

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Redlands with your entire family, visit Splash Kingdom Waterpark. When summer comes to Redlands, there is nothing better to do than to go to Splash Kingdom Waterpark. This sprawling 20-acre Egyptian-themed entertainment complex has all the amenities that a visitor can expect from a water park. Kids will have the time of their lives as they try the water park’s numerous water slides and play structures. Adults don’t have to miss out on the fun too. With its wave pool and lazy river, adults can enjoy time off from stressful lives and just let go. Visitors of all ages should try The Anileator, the world’s tallest enclosed water slide at almost nine stories tall. Tired of swimming and splashing about in the water? Splash Kingdom Waterpark has a sports bar and restaurant to recharge you.

Splash Kingdom Waterpark

Address: 1101 California St, Redlands, CA 92374, United States

10. Open Door Escape Games

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Want an exciting indoor adventure? Then try out Open Door Escape Games. It had been offering a one-of-a-kind experience in Redlands for years, and adventure-seekers are highly encouraged to try out their games. There are two locations in the city, and you have to make a reservation in advance. Regardless of the location, you will need to use your wit and strength to escape the room with your teammates. Depending on the location, you can embark on a whimsical-themed escape game or a horror-themed one. Whatever you choose, you need to solve puzzles and successfully escape the room before the time runs out!

Open Door Escape Games

Address: 370 Alabama Suite B, Redlands, CA 92373

Website: Open Door Escape Games

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 3pm - 10pm; Fri: 3pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 11pm (closed Mon - Tue)

Price: 30 USD

11. Prospect Park

Prospect Park has a past as colorful as the city of Redlands itself. The park is located adjacent to Kimberly Crest, a French chateau-style mansion. Mary Kimberly Shirk, daughter of the founder of Kimberly-Clark paper company, gave the house and the surrounding property to the city before her death. Today, the park houses the outdoor Avice Meeker Sewall amphitheater that can accommodate 400 people and has been the site of the annual Redlands Summer Theater Festival for years. If you’re looking for family-friendly stuff to do in Redlands, this park has various trails and picnic facilities for visitors.

Prospect Park

Address: 1352 Prospect Dr, Redlands, CA 92373, United States

Website: Prospect Park

Opening hours: 5am - 9pm (daily)

12. Lincoln Memorial Shrine

There’s a memorial shrine dedicated to Abraham Lincoln in Redlands, California. The shrine prides itself on showcasing collections that fight social injustice and promote equality. More than that, the shrine dedicates itself to the life and works of the former president whose legacy remains alive even today. The museum houses artifacts and manuscripts that celebrate the life of one of America’s greatest statesmen, Abraham Lincoln. History truly comes alive at this shrine, and visitors can also take a peek at various memorabilia that commemorate the American Civil War.

Lincoln Memorial Shrine

Address: 125 W Vine St, Redlands, CA 92373, United States

Website: Lincoln Memorial Shrine

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: free

13. Redlands California Temple

Redlands California Temple is a marvelous piece of architecture that serves the Mormon community in the area. Visitors can actually go inside the temple to admire its beauty and spend some time in reflection. This temple is relatively new, built in 2001, to serve the bustling religious community that has long been a part in the city’s history. It is also the fifth Latter-Day Saints temple to be built in California. Now, it serves almost 70,000 adherents in the area. One of the temple’s attractions are the beautiful grounds surrounding it and visiting families can take a quick stroll through them.

Redlands California Temple

Address: 1761 Fifth Ave, Redlands CA 92374-5503, United States

Website: Redlands California Temple

14. San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary

Bikers, hikers, equestrians, and adventure-seekers are all welcome to visit San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary. This sprawling 160-acre (65-hectare) nature sanctuary is home to a lot of wildlife scattered across three distinct habitats in the area. There’s more to see at the sanctuary’s grassland, hillside chaparral, and riparian habitats. Hikers and adventure-seekers can explore the sanctuary through one of the many trails located here. These trails include the historic Carriage Trail, Cocomaricopa Trail, and Overlook Trail. The trails are fairly easy to access. A pond in the sanctuary is a great place to observe various migratory and local birds.

San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary

Address: Carriage Trail, Redlands, CA 92373, United States

Take your pick!

One of the things I love most about the United States, is that no state is the same. Different weather, different lands and different people, you can find unknown places wherever you go. Redlands, California is one of those places that not a lot of people know about, so if you’re looking for an amazing tourist destination, without all the tourists, this is one of the best places in the West!