Page 80 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to California

GREATER ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA
Where Urban Energy Meets Nature
B Y I L O N A K A U R E M S Z K Y
HIKE,
SHOP, DINE,
BE ENTERTAINED
Greater Ontario,
California
Visitor Information
GO-CAL.org
A HIKING TRAIL in Greater Ontario, above;
Maloof Residence, below; There are plenty of art
murals around Greater Ontario, opposite top;
A couple enjoy one of the local wineries, opposite
center; DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Ontario
Airport, opposite bottom.
Check off the top must-haves for the
ultimate getaway—value and versa-
tility. Regardless of age, budget or
preferred level of adventure, there is some-
thing for everyone because Greater Ontario,
California is quite simply, magical.
Situated in the heart of Southern Cali-
fornia, there is so much to see and
experience in the Greater Ontario region.
Start your adventure at the California Wel-
come Center, located in Fashion Alley at
Ontario Mills. Expert guides can point you
in the direction to dip your toes in the
Pacific Ocean, fish in the Big Bear alpine
lakes, or view the massive Mojave Desert.
All that adventure is simple to do. How
so? Plane loads of vacationers arrive at the
conveniently situated Ontario Interna-
tional Airport. This air strip is a gateway for
major destinations throughout the U.S.,
Central America, Mexico and Asia. When
visitors arrive they’ll have their choice of
accommodations (over 6,000 hotel rooms)
to serve as a temporary abode. In addition,
the central location also presents easy
access for mountain and desert escapes,
beaches and loads of entertainment. On the
other hand, iconic locations such as Holly-
wood, Palm Springs, or the happiest place
on Earth (a.k.a. Disneyland), are all within
an hour’s drive from the home base of
Greater Ontario.
Go for the Arts and Vintage Finds
History is alive and well with a variety of
ways to take it in. Stroll down Euclid Avenue
in the downtown arts district and stop at the
Ontario Museum of History & Art (OMHA)
to learn about the local history and cultural
heritage. Next door, you’ll find the Chaffey
Community Museum of Art (CCMA) where
visual artists display their talent.
Go for the Great Outdoors
The San Gabriel Mountains are the back-
drop to this valley of riches that has
snagged the attention of hikers from begin-
ners to intense work-out types. If you head
north, you can explore the historical Pacific
Electric Trail. This 21-mile multi-purpose
78 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA