Did you know that Ontario is also a city in California? Ontario is also the name of a province in Canada, but today we are talking about Ontario CA!
Ontario is a beautiful city, and there are things to do for everyone. In this article, we will be sharing with you all the goodies it has to offer. Looking for the next best place for a vacation? Family outing? Interested in historical facts? Love food tasting? SHOPPING? I’ve got you covered.
By the end of this article you will have a full list of the best things to do in Ontario California of course 🙂
Family Outings
Family Ice Skating
The Ontario Center Ice Arena is a stunning family ice sports complex in California’s Inland Empire, with a single NHL-sized ice rink that can be utilized for various ice sports and events. Several hockey teams and leagues call this rink home. The rink is open to the general public for recreational skating and lessons.
No gear? No problem! The center offers figure and hockey skates for rental. There is also a full-service shop available where you can buy your ice gear equipment.
The local community is involved in various programs offered by the center such as beginners skate and hockey lessons. What other way to bond than family ice skating, so much fun! That’s definitely one of the fun things to do in Ontario!
Scandia Fun Center Ontario
Scandia Fun is a Scandinavian-themed amusement park which caters acitivities for all ages. Ready to have some fun?
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The Scandia Fun Center is an amusement park, mini-golf course and arcade combination. What’s best? You won’t need to leave your wallet there!
This amusement park offers unlimited permits for youngsters starting at only $20 per person for a full day of entertainment, that’s what I am talking about!
Some of the most popular attractions are ” the haunted house” which is not for the faint of heart and the roller coasters for adrenaline junkies. You can hit some balls in the batting cage, ride the go-karts, or go back in time with the arcade games for a more low-key activity.
Scandia Fun Center is ideal for families with a diverse range of personalities and ages, with some many things to do there noone will be complaining at the end of the day (if you know what I am talking about!).
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K1 Speed Ontario
This indoor racing facility in Ontario has everything you need for a fun family night out. When you combine indoor go-kart racing with delicious food, you’ve got a winning combination that your kids will enjoy.
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Prices vary depending on membership and race schedules, but on weekdays, you can enjoy three races for only $39. It is a state-of-the-art arena with two professionally built go-kart tracks, high-performance electric karts, and a big lobby equipped with a snack bar. So, whether you live for speed or just love to watch, this Ontario adventure will be a blast for the whole family!
The Mission Tiki Drive-in
The Mission Tiki Drive-In Theater is another family-fun-friendly attraction. Each entrance ticket includes two films presented back to back, the outdoor theater has four screens, which means eight different movies are screened every night!
Going to Mission Tiki Drive-In is like going back in time and watching movies from the confort of your car, take your shoes off and relax!
Tickets start at $1 for kids and $9 for adults, and showtimes are available seven days a week. Bring some extra cash for the snack bar, where you can get sweets, nachos, or buttery popcorn to make the movie experience even better! Regardless of the season, a night out with the family at the Mission Drive-In is fun guaranteed!
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Night Out
Time for us to have some fun! Feeling like eating delicious food and maybe shaking the bones? Awesome live music? Head straight to Sixth Street Bar & Grill for fantastic cuisine, beverages, and live music galore. You can shake it to some Bachata or Country, or if you come on a Wednesday, you can even sing out your favorite tunes.
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The costs are also pretty reasonable, so your money will be worth it.
For People Who Love the Outdoors
Concerts
The Toyota Arena hosts various events throughout the year, with something to suit every taste. Get tickets to a concert or an indoor football arena show. Preseason basketball games and even professional bull riders are seen. There’s a little bit of everything in this collection.
Russian Village District
The Russian Village District in Ontario, California, is another fantastic place to get outdoors if you’ve previously visited the area’s parks or are simply a history enthusiast.
The Russian Village District is a street of houses erected during the Great Depression by a Polish immigrant. The 15 houses were built with stones and whatever other recycled materials the families could find at the time, making them one-of-a-kind and distinct from the rest of the neighborhood. Since the 1970s, the area has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is well worth a visit!
Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park
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This lovely park in Ontario is the ideal setting to begin a relaxing day in the great outdoors. The Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park offers two lakes, lots of green areas, and breathtaking mountain views. Come for a stroll or a jog, or take the kids out on the river in paddle boats.
This little park with 150 acres is large enough to support a range of outdoor activities, including fishing! There’s a pool with water slides, and lots of picnic tables. This place is a must-see attraction, locals and visitors love this place, because of its beauty and because it’s so easy to get to it!
Rancho Ana Santa Botanical Garden
If you love flowers like we do, this place is for you.
The Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is a non-for-profit 86-acre botanical garden. Their mission statement is a committment to raising, exhibiting, and safeguarding California native flora. Known as a “living museum,
The garden entry is $4 for children and $9 for adults. Their website lists several “free days” ideal for a fun day out without breaking the bank.
You can also look at the schedule to see if there are any free wildflower walks or free starting bird walks available to learn more about the local plants and animals.
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Now, for food lovers, I know you’ve been waiting. Check these places out!
Zeke’s Eatin’ Place
This is one of the best places to go in Ontario for an eating experience. It is located in the city’s Vineyard Plaza. Zeke’s Eatin’ Place is a long-standing cafe with an awesome down-home vibe and environment. Zeke’s serves up large, filling portions of typical American breakfast and lunch fare while ensuring that every customer feels at ease. Despite the minimal menu, the kitchen crew takes each dish and elevates it to a new level. Zeke’s Famous Biscuits and Country Gravy, as well as fluffy little pancakes, are star dishes. Zeke’s Corned Beef Hash, One Pork Chop, and Baby Steak are other delectable options.
Rossa’s Cucina
Rossa’s Cucina Enoteca is one of the Inland Empire’s most popular fine dining restaurants, serving hundreds of people every day.
Established in 1988, this fantastic italian restaurant is conveniently located near the Ontario Convention Center. Their cuisine offers a variaty of dishes from many regions of Italy.
The restaurant is well known for its handcrafted pasta, they also offer lovely fresh wild-caught fish, and only the finest meats and produces available. In the meanwhile, the restaurant guarantees excellent service and friendliness. I mean good food and pampering; what else could a human being want?
Vince’s Spaghetti
Vince’s Spaghetti, owned and run by the Cuccia family, began as a six-seat open-air French dip stand in 1945. Since then, Vince’s has been serving delectable Italian-style fare to the community, with the Spaghetti topping the list. The Spaghetti with meat sauce is a fan favorite, but the Lasagna, meatballs, and Vince’s Dinner set meal are other noteworthy menu items. Pair your meal with one of Vince’s hand-picked wines, and don’t forget to finish on a sweet note with one of his desserts.
Dine-in History
If you’re going to eat, why not make it an adventure? Visit the Sycamore Inn to witness where a dirt trail brought Spanish explorer Captain Juan Bautista de Anza to the inn, where he and his soldiers would stay for a brief period with locals. One of the original troops decided to stay, and a small town grew up around him, complete with enormous mansions, vineyards, and other amenities.
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Before the Civil War broke out, the dirt trail became the main thoroughfare, and an inn was built there. It became a gathering place for many people, especially Southern supporters, and the inn would survive, moving through numerous hands and ownership until becoming what it is now.
Sycamore Inn is a lovely place to enjoy drinks, they are famous for their funky cocktails, not to mention the steaks!
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For Education and History Enthusiasts
Ontario Museum of History and Arts
This would be a very good date idea in Ontario. Exhibitions, workshops, and events are held at the city’s Ontario Museum of History and Art. Its purpose is to use art to promote the community and Ontario’s culture and heritage. The museum is available to the public from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday. A plus one would make the experience even better.
Plus, lectures, workshops for educators, dance courses, paint parties, and other events are among those available this year. Take a date for an instructive day, or bring the whole family to experience the local art and rotating displays!
Chaffey Community Museum of Art
The Chaffey Community Museum of Art was founded in 1941 by Frances and Helen Line as a monument to their 8-year-old daughter’s battle with leukemia. It is one of the few fine art museums in the Inland Empire. The museum has a fantastic permanent collection that includes California-style watercolors and works by well-known regional painters dating from the 1920s to the present.
The Main Gallery, the South Gallery, which offers rotating temporary exhibits, the Spotlight Gallery, and the Line Gallery, which houses the Permanent Collection, are the four galleries that make up the museum. This is worth seeing.
Folk Music Center
Love music? Would an experience in an all music space hit all the right spots? If yes, in Ontario, the Folk Music Center is a store that sells musical instruments, and it’s much more than that, though. The Folk Music Center is a combination of a classroom, museum, and concert theater.
Come check out the unique and diverse selection of instruments for sale, or sign up for classes with one of their numerous instructors. Children and adults can take classes at the Folk Music Center, accommodating students of various skill levels.
Spend some time browsing through the museum linked to the hotel and learning about the ancient instruments and cultural relics on show.
Finally, don’t forget to check out their frequently updated events schedule. Local and distinctive artists perform at the Folk Music Center regularly in an intimate environment for audiences of all ages.
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Other Fun Activities
Get shopping!
Visit Ontario Mills during your vacation for some vacation shopping, where more than 24 million customers visit each year to explore the 1.5 million square feet of retail space and more than 200 stores, restaurants, and entertainment.
You’ll discover all your favorite brands, including Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, as well as family-friendly attractions like an improv comedy club and dinner theater, the Rainforest Cafe, and Dave & Busters.
Go sunbathing
You can’t visit California without taking advantage of the abundant sunshine! With 150 acres of recreational activities all within an easy and handy setting, the Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park is a terrific spot for some outdoor fun.
There are two lakes on the property for fishing and boating, as well as a small waterpark for thrill-seekers searching for a great water slide and toddlers in need of a tiny splash park.
There are also places where you can hold a group event.
Golfing is excellent
Whispering Lakes Golf Course is for you if you’d prefer to play a few holes than splash around in the waterpark.
The golf course owns the 18-hole, par-72 course, which has just undergone a renovation that includes a new clubhouse and other amenities. While you’re there, you can speak with Gary Nicholas, the course’s PGA Head Golf Professional, if you need to brush up on your skills.
Overall, the course is pretty easy on both your skills and your shoes, as the flat terrain allows you to walk instead of taking a golf cart.
Hiking is fantastic in California
The North Etiwanda Preserve is the best site to go hiking in the neighborhood. As you walk the 3.3-mile track, which takes approximately two hours and is relatively straightforward, you will be surrounded by stunning Californian flora and fauna, though there is some rough terrain.
If you’re feeling brave, proceed north of the main route to Etiwanda Falls, approximately a mile and a half from the trailhead parking area.
The Falls are just outside the preserve’s boundaries, so you’ll have to cross some private property, but that’s not always a bad thing.
Treat yourself to a spa
If this vacation is where you get your “you” time, this would be a fantastic experience. Glen Ivy Hot Springs is a lovely location and offers a top-notch spa experience.
The hot springs have been around for centuries, and the spa’s location was formerly a sacred spot. Glen Ivy Hot Springs is celebrating its 157th anniversary and has recently undergone extensive repairs and extensions.
The new saunas, crafted from either Aspen or Canadian Hemlock woods offer a different sensation (try both! ), they are not to be missed.
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Eat some olives
Pay a visit to the Graber Olive House, producing and farming Graber Olives since 1894. Locals say there’s nothing else like it, and you’ll want to stock up on the delectable morsels, which are genuinely gourmet in flavor. Graber Olive House is also the oldest operating business in Ontario.
Visit for a guided tour, especially during harvest season (October-December), when you can see all of the gradings, curing, and canning that goes into a small jar of olives firsthand.
Go for a walk
If you’re in the mood for a stroll about town after dinner or in the morning, make sure your footsteps bring you to historic Euclid Avenue. There you will find many different architectural styles, such as art deco, Victorian, and even Googie architecture. Almost every property represents a different era and architectural style, all set in a stunning environment that you’ll find picture-perfect.
So, what do you have to lose? Put on your walking shoes, take your camera, and go for a stroll!
Other famous houses you can check are:
- The historic John Rains House
- The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation
Final Word
There are so many things to do in Ontario CA, your options are now endless. I hope you enjoyed this article and if you do decide to check out some of the places we have suggested, do let us know what you thought and your favourite activity.
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