Upland is a city located in the San Bernardino County at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains offers a host of different activities to keep you busy for a short stay. From hiking to shopping we’re sure that there is something for everyone so let’s have a look at our top ten best list below and start planning your trip.
1. Drink, eat, tour and be merry at Last Name Brewing
Formerly known as Dale Bros Brewery this fantastic, small brewery in the heart of Upland is the perfect place to stop by for one of their well known beers. Not only do they offer great beer though but also a whole host of activities and events year round to keep you occupied. Be sure to go on a tour of the brewery to really understand how it is made and you can check online for their regular events.
Last Name Brewing
Address: 2120 Porterfield Way, Upland, CA 91786
Website: Last Name Brewing
2. Run amok at Boomers
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
Now we may just have included this as one listing but really with all that it offers it could easily take up a few on this list. Boomers is a slice of everything plus extra all under one roof. Not sure you know what we mean, well at Boomers there is mini golf, most family fun centers would have maybe an outdoor mini fun golf course, which yes, Boomers do have but they also have an indoor mini golf game, and a Cosmic mini golf (it all glows in the dark). Get the gist now? Other favourites include the rock wall, bumper boats and the go karts. To be honest; kids or not, this is a great day out!
Boomers Upland
Address: 1500 W 7th St, Upland, CA 91786
Price: 49.99 USD
Website: Boomers Upland
3. Practice bouldering at Hangar 18 Indoor Climbing Gym
From beginner, intermediate and advanced climbers there is fun to be had here for all levels. Hangar 18 is part of Southern California’s largest chain of indoor climbing gyms and there is a reason for that. Their climbing walls are well created with various exciting pathways to explore so doing the same wall twice doesn’t feel repetitive and that is exactly what makes a good indoor climbing gym!
Hangar 18 Indoor Climbing Gym
Address: 256 E Stowell St, Upland, CA 91786
Price: From 18 USD
Website: Hangar 18 Indoor Climbing Gym
4. Catch a show at the Grove Theatre
We like this theatre because everything that plays out on its stage is local and we love supporting local acts. The theatre is only small so you don’t need to worry about which seats are the best to take in order to have a perfect view of the stage. There is also a cinema in the theatre which plays a range of movie titles and is always popular by those people wanting to support the local community. It is definitely worth seeing what is on at the theatre if you find yourself in Upland.
Grove Theatre
Address: 276 E 9th St, Upland, CA 91786
Website: Grove Theatre
5. Can you solve the clues, beat the timer and escape to freedom?
Something completely different for our list now, an escape room, Trapped! If you haven’t tried one of these before then we recommend that you give this a whirl. As a group of you are locked in a room with clues and puzzles to solve in order to secure your escape before 60 minutes are up and you’re locked in forever! Well, maybe not forever. This escape room complex has three rooms to choose from: The Puzzlemaster where you play the role of federal agents, Sector 13 which is a governmental testing site and you’re searching for an antidote, and Down The Rabbit Hole room.
Trapped Escape Rooms
Address: 600 N Mountain Ave. Suite B204, Upland, CA 91786,
Price: 29 USD
Website: Trapped Escape Rooms
6. Relax at On Cloud Nine Day Spa
This small but cute day spa could be the perfect place to relax and unwind, we recommend ringing in advance to book your place. There are a number of services and deals on offer from full body scrubs, couples massages, speciality massages such as hot stone, cleansing facials and waxing. This is a great local alternative to some of the mainstream spas in the region.
On Cloud Nine Day Spa
Address: 561 N Central Ave, Upland, CA 91786
Facebook page: On Cloud Nine Day Spa
7. Vintage shopping at Scavengers Treasures
This our little gem hidden in Upland, if you’re interested in vintage pieces then this is a must stop for you. Spend time perusing the rows of collectible toys, crockery, furniture, and records, we’re sure that with owner Lucy’s help you’ll find something that you absolutely adore! The shop itself is fairly big but it is filled to the brim with goodies in a way that you can still easily peruse the shelves.
Scavengers Treasures
Address: 220 N 2nd Ave, Upland, CA 91786
Website: Scavengers Treasures
8. Free bird walking at Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden
A fourteen minute drive from Upland will take you straight to this calming area which is dedicated to conserving California’s native plants and also offers a bevy of fun education activities such as free bird watching, guided tours that take in the flora and fauna of the gardens and year round workshops; medicinal planting, botany and much more. Of course you could avoid all of that and instead choose to stroll through the gardens in your own way; exploring all the different nooks and zones that have each been lovingly cared for.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden
Address: 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
Price: 9 USD
Website: Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden
9. Coopers Regional History Museum
If you’re interested in learning about the history of Upland and the surrounding area then this is one stop-off that you don’t want to miss. If you’re not interested in learning about the history then this will still be a good spot to stop on by because of their regular live music events which always pull in a crowd.
Coopers Regional History Museum
Address: 217 A St, Upland, CA 91786
Website: Coopers Regional History Museum
10. Madonna of the Trail
This unique trail consists of a series of 12 monuments, each of which are dedicated to pioneering women of the US. There is a monument in all of the 12 states along the National Old Trail Road, which start in Pennsylvania and ends in Upland with the Madonna statue that was dedicated in 1929.
Madonna of the Trail
Address: 1010 N Euclid Ave, Upland, CA 91786
Facebook page: Madonna of the Trail
That's it...
You’ve reached the end of our list of top ten activities in Upland. Hopefully we’ve mentioned something that tempts you into exploring Upland. With the mountainous backdrop we seriously recommend packing your hiking shoes, even if you’re not much of a walker once you’re in Upland we’re sure that you’ll want to discover its beautiful sights and fit in as many activities as you can.