Located in the southern section of California, Rancho Cucamonga is a city that draws visitors for a variety of reasons. The Angeles National Forest borders the city just to the north. The city sits at the base of the San Bernadino Mountains, providing for scenic backdrops from various spots throughout the city. Those touring the area have a variety of attractions to visit.
Throughout Rancho Cucamonga a multitude of outdoor parks exist for visitors to use. A total of 29 parks, all of which are maintained by the city, are located at various spots, making finding a park easy. Some of the parks can be reserved for private functions and events, and others are usable on a first-come, first-served basis. The parks provide visitors with ample room for picnics, walking and simply experiencing the outdoors. The Etiwanda Creek Community Park also houses a dog park. The Spruce Avenue Park has an outdoor skating facility where skaters can practice their tricks and techniques in a well-maintained environment and without having to be concerned about disrupting patrons. In addition to parks, the Heritage Park Equestrian Center is an attraction for those seeking horseback riding.
Rancho Cucamonga has an assortment of indoor venues, including the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center. It hosts a variety of youth and adult classes, including dance classes, SAT preparation and martial arts. The center also runs tours and trips to attractions throughout California and beyond. The James L. Brulte Senior Center caters to those age 55 and over. Guests visiting the center can participate in low-impact exercise classes, take cooking lessons and even watch films. The Victoria Gardens Cultural Center is an attraction suitable for all age groups; the indoor portion of the facility is home to the Lewis Family Playhouse, which features live performance productions performed by both local and regional talent. The Paul A. Biane Library is also contained within the complex.
The downtown portion of Rancho Cucamonga, in the area of Civic Center Drive, is home to a majority of government buildings housed within the city. The tree-lined streets and attention to aesthetic detail throughout the downtown area make walking around the city an attraction in itself. For those with an interest in both history and government, visitors can stop by City Hall to tour the building and get a glimpse of how the city itself operates.
In the area immediately surrounding Rancho Cucamonga are a host of other attractions. One is the residence of famed furniture craftsman Sam Maloof, which is located on the outskirts of town; public tours are made available twice weekly. Additional points of interest include the Joseph Filippi Winery, where guests can tour the vineyards, sample local wines and have dinner, and the Auto Club Speedway, which plays host to NASCAR racing during the racing season. Additional attractions include the Empire Lakes Golf Course and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes minor league baseball team, which has its home field in Rancho Cucamonga.
