San Bernardino is a good example of a place where the best itinerary combines the city with its surroundings. Local history gives you a reason to explore the urban area, while the mountains immediately to the north open up a much larger range of experiences.
Follow the Route 66 story
Historic Route 66 is one of the strongest themes for visitors. The famous highway passed through San Bernardino on its way across Southern California, and the wider area still contains reminders of the era of roadside motels, diners and automobile travel.
Discover local history
The San Bernardino area has a story shaped by Indigenous history, Spanish and Mexican California, Mormon settlers, railroads and waves of migration. Local museums and historic sites can help put the modern Inland Empire into context.
Head into the mountains
If you have a car, I would make the San Bernardino Mountains part of the visit. The landscape changes quickly as roads climb away from the valley. Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake are among the best-known mountain destinations, while San Bernardino National Forest offers hiking, scenery and outdoor recreation.
Make it part of a road trip
San Bernardino’s location is one of its biggest advantages. You can combine the city with Route 66, mountain communities and other Inland Empire destinations without constantly returning towards central Los Angeles.
My approach would be simple: spend part of a day discovering San Bernardino itself, then give the surrounding mountains their own day. The contrast between city streets, historic highways and forested peaks is what makes this part of Southern California worth exploring.