An Inland Empire city primed for continuing growth
Located south of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Inland Empire city of Rancho Cucamonga is known for its strong school districts, top-notch healthcare, and proximity to major Southern California freeways, Interstates 15, 10 and 210. Los Angeles County transplants regularly boost the growing population of roughly 175,000. "People come here for larger yards and outdoor space that you can’t really find for under a million in Los Angeles," notes Realtor Sergio Salazar, a lifelong Inland Empire resident. Shopping centers are plentiful here, and the sprawling Victoria Gardens mall serves as the city's downtown.
In the early 1900s, Rancho Cucamonga was one of largest winegrape-growing centers on Earth. By the late 20th century, though, major companies like Southern California Edison and Coca-Cola had set up shop in the region, and to accommodate their employees, many vineyards gave way to residential development. Today, less than 400 acres of vineyards remain, their grapes still highly sought-after by California winemakers; Rancho Cucamonga's local economy is now mainly driven by healthcare, technology and construction. Major employers include Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Kindred Hospital Rancho, a Frito-Lay production plant and National Community Renaissance, a non-profit builder of affordable housing.
As the city continues to grow, eight strategic areas will undergo revitalization, blending residential, commercial, and transportation spaces. The Metrolink station will become a commuter hub, connecting residents to out-of-town opportunities. Foothill Boulevard and Haven Avenue will transform into vibrant corridors, balancing growth with the preservation of single-family neighborhoods.
Rancho Cucamonga sits just along the San Gabriel Mountains.
Victoria Gardens Mall is a great place to shop and dine.
MetroLink makes commuting from Rancho Cucamonga easy, quick, and comfortable.
Leading the way in pharmaceutical innovations at Amphastar, Rancho Cucamonga.
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Incoming housing developments alongside established suburbs
As of October 2024, the median price of a single-family home here is around $770,000, which represents an increase of 53% since December 2019, but is still less than the California median of $830,000. Alta Loma, Caryn and Etiwanda are some of the city's most desired neighborhoods. Alta Loma features large Spanish-style homes from the 1970s and ‘80s, Caryn features sleek new traditional homes from the 1980s, and Etiwanda has new traditional Spanish-style homes built largely between the 1980s through late '90s. The master-planned Etiwanda Classics subdivision, constructed as recently as 2024, is filled with Craftsman-, ranch- and Spanish-inspired new traditional homes. While these neighborhoods are the most popular, they’re among the priciest, with most homes reaching over $1 million.
Rancho Cucamonga has many large homes with great mountain views.
Homes in Rancho Cucamonga are very diverse and well maintained.
Spanish style homes are popular in in the neighborhood of Rancho Cucamonga.
Rancho Cucamonga has some homes that were built in the early 20th century.
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Highly rated school districts
Rancho Cucamonga has four major school districts that serve students from kindergarten through Grade 8. The Alta Loma School District has an A-minus rating on Niche, while the Etiwanda and the Central districts each have B-plus ratings, and the Cucamonga district earns a B. These four school districts feed into the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, rated A and ranked as the best school district in San Bernardino County; its Rancho Cucamonga High receives an A-plus rating. The city is also home to Chaffey College, a public community college.
Central Elementary School is a great school in the Rancho Cucamonga neighborhood.
Rancho Cucamonga Middle School has great teachers and staff.
Rancho Cucamonga's Alta Loma High School has supportive staff and teachers.
The beautiful campus of Rancho Cucamonga High School includes modern amenities for students.
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Hiking trails with views of Mt. San Jacinto
The city has more than 20 parks, the largest of which is the 103-acre Central Park, with open green space and walking trails, playgrounds and a recently opened dog park, The Bark. Community events like holiday celebrations are held here regularly. Additional parks, such as Rancho Summit Park, offer playsets, baseball diamonds and turf areas with views of Mount San Jacinto. Skier, hikers and anglers can explore the nearby San Gabriel Mountains, and hikers can head northeast to the North Etiwanda Nature Preserve's 3-mile loop trail to see views of the San Bernardino Mountains.
Historic buildings in Rancho Cucamonga include the 1907 "Old Stone Church," made of stone quarried from the local Cucamonga Canyon, and The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation, a wooden home designed and built by renowned woodworker and interior designer Sam Maloof. This was Maloof's home from 1953 to 2000, but today it's a museum full of handcrafted furniture made by the artist, and a local center for creativity. “We host artist-led workshops every other Saturday that focus on woodworking and gel printing," says Janay Sandoval, Sales Associate at the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation.
The popular Route 66 Trailhead is a great place to get active outdoors.
Old Town Park is a great place to go for long walks.
Billiards, buddies, and good times in Rancho Cucamonga’s Central Park.
Step into a hiker's paradise at Etiwanda Falls Trailhead, Rancho Cucamonga.
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Nearby the most popular malls in the Inland Empire
Victoria Gardens, set along the southeast portion of the city, is one of Rancho Cucamonga’s busiest areas, home to a large mall that serves as the city's downtown. There's plenty of upscale shopping and dining options here, and the 147-acre mall is anchored by Macy's, JCPenney and an AMC movie theater. The surrounding area is full of restaurants, from gastropubs to sushi spots and ice cream shops. Along Foothill Boulevard, the Terra Vista Farmers Market brings out residents for fresh produce and locally sourced goods on Saturday mornings. The south-bordering city of Ontario is home to Ontario Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the state, with more than 200 stores and 30 restaurants.
Visit Stimulant Coffee House for great tasting coffee with wonderful service.
99 Ranch Market has specialty items from around the world for Rancho Cucamonga residents.
Walk around and shop till you drop at Victoria Gardens Mall.
Live music plays on the patio of Rancho Cucamonga's Sycamore Inn.
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Incoming travel hubs
Interstate 15 runs along Rancho Cucamonga's east side, merging just north with Interstate 210 (Foothill Freeway) and 2 miles southwest with Interstate 10. The 15 and 210 lead to Inland Empire cities like San Bernardino and Riverside, while the 10 leads to Los Angeles.
Rancho Cucamonga is currently served by the Omnitrans bus system, which has routes throughout the city. While the Omnitrans will continue to be a major factor in transportation, the Cucamonga Station is the future for travel in San Bernardino. This hub will provide Metrolink access to Los Angeles, Pomona and Redlands. In addition, it will serve as a home to the Brightline West, a high-speed train providing a two-hour trip to Las Vegas. The closest airport is the Ontario International Airport, which has domestic and international travel and serves as a major hub for FedEx and UPS.
A decreasing crime rate
According to FBI statistics from December 2023, the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department reported property-related crime at a rate of 238 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the California rate of 195 and national rate of 170. For that same month, violent crime was reported at a rate of 74 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to the California rate of 99 and national rate of 121.
Rancho Cucamonga has a high risk of wildfires, as it's surrounded by the chapparal-covered San Gabriel Mountains, and the area sees little rainfall throughout the year. In summer 2024, for instance, the Vista Fire burned nearly 3,000 acres in an area 18 miles north of Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga's own fire prevention and mitigation efforts include hazardous fuel management, reducing flammable vegetation and introducing more fire stations to the area. The newest fire station, #178, opened in June 2024.
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