A Day Trip to Redlands, CA

Why Redlands is worth a day trip

Redlands sits at the east end of the Inland Empire, below the San Bernardino Mountains, about an hour east of downtown Los Angeles when traffic is kind. The city's own History & Landmarks page says it was founded in 1881, incorporated in 1888, and was known around 1900 as "The City of Millionaires." For much of its history it was the "Washington Navel Orange Growing Capital of the World."

That history is still easy to see. In one day you can walk tree-lined State Street, visit a free Lincoln museum, tour an 1897 French chateau-style mansion, walk through orange groves, hike a canyon trail, and end with dinner downtown. Visit California calls out the citrus, history and small-town feel, and the local AboutRedlands self-guided itineraries are another good planning source.

Getting to Redlands: car and Metrolink Arrow train

By car

From Los Angeles, Orange County and the rest of the Inland Empire, most people take I-10 east. Downtown Redlands exits are Orange St and 6th St. For El Carmelo Retreat House, the retreat house's own directions page says to exit at Ford Street. Check live traffic on Caltrans QuickMap before you leave, because I-10 can be slow at rush hour.

Downtown has street parking and public parking, and the Redlands Public Market site points to free parking on the street and in the public structure on Stuart Ave.

By train: the Metrolink Arrow

You can do this trip without a car. Metrolink's Arrow service runs between San Bernardino and Redlands with stops at Redlands–Esri, Redlands–Downtown (351 N Orange St) and Redlands–University. Per Metrolink:

• Arrow trains normally run from about 3:30 AM to midnight on weekdays and about 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM on weekends.
• From Los Angeles, take the San Bernardino Line to San Bernardino–Downtown and transfer to the Arrow. One ticket covers the whole trip.
• There is also one weekday San Bernardino Line round trip between Redlands–Downtown and L.A. Union Station. It uses a separate platform from the Arrow.

The Redlands–Downtown station is a short walk from State Street, the Redlands Public Market and the restaurants in our best restaurants in Redlands guide. Local buses are run by Omnitrans.

Morning: coffee, the market and historic downtown

8:00 AM: Coffee

Redlands has a strong local coffee scene. Downtown and close by you can pick from Landmark Coffee Roasters (404 E Redlands Blvd), RoadRunner Coffee (204 E State St), Moxie's Cafe (409 E Palm Ave), Slow Bloom Coffee Cooperative (420 W Colton Ave) and Fireproof Coffee (721 Nevada St). A bit farther out are Wild Goose Coffee Roasters, Stell Coffee and Tea and Hooray Coffee. Hours, ratings and what to order are in our best coffee shops in Redlands guide.

8:30 AM: Downtown Morning Market (Saturdays)

On Saturdays, the City of Redlands runs the Downtown Morning Market from 7 to 11 AM in the municipal lot off Redlands Blvd between 5th and 6th streets, next to Ed Hales Park. The city lists the 2026 season as March 7 to November 21 (excluding July 4), with local farmers, food vendors and artisans. The old Thursday Market Night was replaced by this Saturday market, per the Redlands Chamber of Commerce.

9:30 AM: Walk State Street

The city describes tree-lined State Street as mostly historic buildings with locally owned shops. Walk it end to end and make time for the vintage and thrift shops in our thrift and vintage stores guide. If you would rather sit down, the Redlands Public Market (330 3rd St) is a food hall with 20+ eateries and bars plus an arcade, per its site. Its site says only breakfast is served before 11 AM.

Midday: the Lincoln Shrine, Smiley Library and lunch

11:30 AM: Lunch downtown

Good lunch picks within a few blocks: The State (22 E State St), Don Orange (14 E State St), Copehouse Bar & Bistro (19 E Citrus Ave), Finney's Crafthouse (4 W Redlands Blvd), vegan tacos at BZ Taco (414 Orange St) or takeout from Little Cuca's (527 E State St). For more, see our restaurant guide and our best Mexican food in Redlands guide.

1:00 PM: Lincoln Memorial Shrine

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine at 125 W Vine St is a free museum about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. The City says its Smiley Park home holds the largest collection of Lincoln memorabilia west of the Mississippi. The Shrine's hours page lists Tuesday to Sunday, 1 to 5 PM, closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free.

2:00 PM: A.K. Smiley Public Library

Next door is the A.K. Smiley Public Library, a Moorish-style library built in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, per the city's landmark page. Step inside to see the building. History fans can ask about the Heritage Room archives. The Redlands Bowl sits in the same park, so walk past the bandstand on your way out.

Afternoon: Kimberly Crest, Prospect Park and El Carmelo

2:45 PM: Kimberly Crest House & Gardens

Drive about two miles south to Kimberly Crest House & Gardens (1325 Prospect Dr), the 1897 French chateau-style house museum that the city notes was featured on A&E's "America's Castles." Per its visit page (checked Oct 20, 2026):

• The grounds are open Monday to Friday and Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM, at no charge. It is closed Saturdays for private events.
• Docent-guided house tours run Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 1 to 4 PM. They last 45 minutes and start on the half hour. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors 65+, veterans and active military; and $8 for students and kids 9+. Children must be at least 9.
• Expect lots of stairs through the Italian gardens. The estate asks for no spiked heels.
• House tours are closed in August. See its closures page for other dates.

3:45 PM: Prospect Park

Next door, Prospect Park (1352 Prospect Dr) is an 11.4-acre natural park with trails, picnic areas and an outdoor amphitheater that seats 400+, per the city. It is one of the best easy walks in Redlands, with orange trees, bamboo and views. The Things to Do guide has its Google rating and hours.

Weekday alternative: El Carmelo Retreat House

For a quiet, prayerful stop, visit El Carmelo Retreat House at 926 E Highland Ave, Redlands 92374. It is run by the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the California-Arizona Province and has served guests since 1952. Its site describes 29 acres of grounds and orange groves overlooking the San Bernardino Mountains.

• Visiting: its Day Retreats page welcomes the public to enjoy the grounds, pray in the chapel and rest, 6 AM to 6 PM Monday to Friday. On weekends it closes during scheduled retreats, so check the retreat schedule or call first.
• Chapel: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel is open Monday to Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM (see Facilities).
• Gift shop: open Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 3 PM and Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. It closes for lunch weekdays from 1 to 1:30 PM.
• Etiquette: this is a working retreat house. Keep your voice low and respect retreatants.
• Phone: (909) 792-1047.

Thursday or Sunday alternative: Historic Asistencia

The Asistencia at 26930 Barton Rd traces back to an 1819 outpost of Mission San Gabriel, according to the city. The buildings you see today are 1930s reproductions about a mile from the original site. The Redlands Conservancy holds free Open Gates afternoons from 1 to 4 PM, most Sundays. The city's community calendar also lists Thursday afternoons this fall, so check before you go. A self-guided QR code tour is available during Open Gates.

Nature and hiking near Redlands

If you would rather spend the afternoon outside, swap Kimberly Crest for a hike. More trails are in our Redlands hiking trails guide.

• San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary: 200 acres of creek, grassland and chaparral on Alessandro Rd. The historic Carriage Trail and the Cocomaricopa Trail form a loop. The Redlands Conservancy says it is open daily, dawn to dusk, for hikers, bikers and horses. Sign in at the wooden box when you enter.
• Creekside Trail: a short out-and-back to a bench overlooking San Timoteo Canyon. Visit California lists it at 1.3 miles round trip.
• Sylvan Park: a 23.3-acre park next to the University of Redlands, with a rose garden, picnic areas, a playground and a bandstand, per the city. It's flat and good for a picnic.
• Crafton Hills Open Space (Yucaipa): more than 20 miles of shared-use trails, including the climb toward Zanja Peak.
• Maps: download the city's trail map PDF or the Conservancy's trail and driving tour maps.

Summer afternoons in Redlands get hot, so hike in the morning from June to September and carry water.

Evening: sunset, dinner and drinks

Sunset

Locals catch sunset at Panorama Point, off Sunset Dr in the hills south of town. The AboutRedlands itinerary notes it is closed from sunset to sunrise, so get there early. Prospect Park is an easy backup.

Dinner and a drink

For craft beer, Hangar 24 has its Redlands taproom at 1710 Sessums Dr near the airport. Escape Craft Brewery's Downtown Oasis is at 440 Oriental Ave. Downtown, The State and Copehouse stay open late on Fridays and Saturdays, per their Google listings. Our Redlands date night ideas has more evening plans.

Shows

Summer evenings belong to the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival, which the city says began in 1924. Concerts are free, usually on Tuesday and Friday nights from June to August. The 2026 season ran June 19 to August 14. The Bowl's FAQ says no tickets are needed, seats are first come, first served, saving seats is not allowed, and a freewill offering is collected at intermission. Bring a blanket or low chair for the grass. Year-round, check the Redlands Symphony, Footlighters, Lifehouse Theater, and the summer Redlands Theatre Festival in Prospect Park.

Best time of year to visit Redlands

• Spring: orange blossom season and the Redlands Bicycle Classic.
• Summer: free concerts at the Redlands Bowl and theater in Prospect Park. Hike early.
• Fall: apple season in nearby Oak Glen and pumpkin patches like Live Oak Canyon.
• Winter: citrus picking at Old Grove Orange, snow on the mountains, and holiday lighting events at Kimberly Crest.

More historic stops and side trips

• San Bernardino County Museum (2024 Orange Tree Ln): regional history and natural history, open Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM, per its site. Great for kids. See our Redlands with kids guide.
• Historical Glass Museum (1157 Orange St): American-made glass in a Victorian house, open weekends noon to 4 PM, admission by donation.
• Morey Mansion (190 Terracina Blvd): the city calls it "America's Favorite Victorian House." It's a private residence, so view it from the street only.
• Oak Glen (about 30 minutes east in the Yucaipa foothills): apple country. See OakGlen.net, Los Rios Rancho apple season and Riley's Farm U-pick. Check what is in season before you drive.
• The mountains: the San Bernardino National Forest rises right behind Redlands.
• History deep dive: read our Redlands history and historic sites guide, or do the day on a budget with our free things to do in Redlands.