Discover San Bernardino: History, Landscapes, and Activities
Calico is an Old West mining town whose history follows a clear timeline: it has existed since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost value. Calico was later designated a State Historical Landmark, number 782. In 2005, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared Calico California’s “Silver Rush Ghost Town.”
Calico: Mining History and Everyday Life
Calico House also evokes the town’s residents in the late 19th century: the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with simple dishes inspired by the meals of that era. These include stews, pot pies, shepherd’s pie, meatloaf, and buffalo burgers; menu details may change. The historical connection is reflected not only in the town’s past, but also in a specific culinary nod to it. Calico Ghost Town also offers mountain biking trails ranging from two to thirty miles long. This range gives you a choice of different trail lengths.
Wildlife and Landscapes
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is an important wildlife corridor with numerous trails. These include an accessible, ADA-compliant boardwalk that passes through marsh and riparian habitats. Guided tours offer the chance to spot more than 247 bird species, including at least 72 resident breeding species. Visitors can choose between different experiences: walking through the habitats on the boardwalk or birdwatching on a guided tour.
Mojave National Preserve encompasses canyons, mesas, mountains, sand dunes, seasonal lakes, cinder cones, and a large Joshua tree forest. These landforms create a varied landscape: alongside striking terrain are bodies of water that hold water only seasonally, and the extensive Joshua tree forest.
Mojave Narrows Regional Park is located along an old riverbed in the high desert. Bodies of water, cottonwoods, willows, and broad meadows define the landscape. Fishing at Pelican Lake and Horseshoe Lake, as well as non-motorized boating, is available year-round. The park also has an 18-hole disc golf course. Here, water-based activities are complemented by a distinct recreational offering.
Lakes, Trails, and Recreational Activities
At Lake Gregory Regional Park, the seasonal distinction is especially clear: non-motorized boating and fishing are available year-round, while the inflatable water park and swimming beach are open in summer. The park also has 2.3 miles of hiking trails. If you’re choosing between the water activities, summer is the time for the water park and beach; fishing and boating are available year-round.
Glen Helen Regional Park is located at the foot of the chaparral-covered hills of Cajon Pass. It offers scenic views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Bernardino Mountains. The park includes two fishing lakes and Glen Helen Amphitheater, an outdoor venue with 65,000 seats. The scenery, fishing, and concerts are distinct aspects of the park.
Moabi Regional Park is located on the banks of the Colorado River, on the state line between California and Arizona. Popular activities there include fishing, hiking, boating, and off-roading. Yucaipa Regional Park offers fishing at three lakes. Together, these offerings highlight different strengths: Moabi Regional Park has a broad range of activities, while Yucaipa focuses on fishing at several lakes.
History, Collections, and Trails
The 855-acre Wildwood Canyon State Park has welcomed day visitors since 2003. It was formally classified and named on December 17, 2025. This timeline distinguishes its long-standing use for day visits from the park’s later official designation.
The Victor Valley Museum’s High Desert collection includes geological and paleontological specimens, Indigenous artifacts, and historical objects. Natural and human history sit side by side, from geological finds to objects from various historical contexts.
A specific trail measurement also helps illustrate the region: a 3.8-mile extension of the Santa Ana River Trail opened from Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino to California Street in Redlands. The two endpoints make the route of this extension easy to follow.
Discover more destinations: Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Hesperia, Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Redlands, San Bernardino, Fontana, Yucca Valley, Needles, Twentynine Palms, Highland, Colton, Chino Hills, Rialto, Montclair, Chino, Running Springs, Upland, Parker Dam, Crestline, Joshua Tree, Wrightwood, Adelanto, Fort Irwin, Cajon Junction, Searles Valley, Big Bear City, Pioneertown, Helendale, Yermo, Phelan, Fawnskin, Blue Jay, Twin Peaks.
For the broader travel overview: California.
