Redlands, California 2025

Redlands is a city located within San Bernardino County, in the southwestern region of the United States. The city had a population of 73,168 as of 2020. Redlands is situated in the Inland Empire region, which is within the larger Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city is well-known for its historic architecture and cultural attractions, such as the A.K. Smiley Public Library, a Moorish-style library built in 1898, and the Redlands Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater that is home to the Redlands Symphony Orchestra.

The local culture of Redlands has a strong sense of community, with a variety of year-round festivals and events that attract visitors from throughout Southern California. For example, the annual orange blossom festival celebrates the city's citrus heritage with music, food, and local vendors.

Some popular local attractions in Redlands include the San Bernardino County Museum, which features exhibits on natural history, local history, and culture. The Redlands conserved historic district is another popular destination, whose historic homes are open for tours during the temperate months. More than 400 buildings constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making the district one of the largest concentrations of late 19th and early 20th century architecture in Southern California.

Food in Redlands has typical American fare, along with a wide variety of ethnic cuisines reflected the city's diverse population. Notable local businesses include Galleano Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in Southern California, and the Redlands-based Olive street bicycles, which sells hand-crafted bicycles.

Many celebrities and notable people have ties to Redlands, such as actor and musician John Philip Sousa, who lived in Redlands in his later years and is buried in the city's Hillside Memorial Park cemetery. Paul Freeman, the band leader, actor, and composer, also lived in the city. Other notable residents have included Theodore Lukens, a conservationist and hiker, and Albert Mussey Johnson, a botanist and Redlands citrus grower.

The area now known as Redlands was originally inhabited by the Serrano people, then became part of the rancho San Bernardino, a Spanish colonial land grant given to the mission San Gabriel Arcángel. The city was founded in 1881, when a group of Congersonalists from the East Coast, including journalist and temperance movement activist R.S. Studley, deeded 36,000 acres of land to establish both a temperance colony and a citrus grove enterprise. They intended to develop a community that would be "a haven from the evils of liquor", as well as a place for the cultivation of citrus groves. After several years of drought, the citrus industry collapsed, and the city's agricultural focus shifted to peanuts, then to grapes. The mission statement is "a community of vision, a past of inspiration, a future of promise". Today, Redlands is home to the University of Redlands, a private liberal arts and professional university that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.

In summary, Redlands, California is a charming city located in the greater Los Angeles area. It has a rich history, a strong sense of community, diverse dining options, historic architecture, and multiple cultural attractions. Redlands also offers visitors a sense of Americana, with its tree-lined streets and beautiful neighborhoods. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, wines, or outdoor concerts in the historic grove Redlands Bowl, there's something for everyone to explore and experience in Redlands.