City Guide
Ontario, CA
Ontario borders the city of Fontana to the west and is a much larger city. You will find all amenities in Ontario and still be close to the California Speedway. It is also the home of the huge Ontario Mills shopping mall (one of the largest in North America). Abundant opportunities for recreation make life in Ontario very appealing for its visitors.
Getting around is easy and so much is so close by. Ontario's prime location and transportation infrastructure provide easy access to all the recreational and cultural opportunities Southern California has to offer: mountains, desert playgrounds, and major attractions such as Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, theme parks, historical sites and more.
Getting to Ontario
LA - Ontario International Airport (ONT) (www.lawa.org/ont/default.cfm) is increasingly favored by executives wishing to avoid the delays and congestion of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario Airport is Southern California's most convenient, full-service airport with the newest terminals. With spacious, modern, passenger-friendly twin terminals, The airport is less congested and thereby more efficient – on the runways, at the gates and at the centralized car rental center – and thereby, a smart move for arrival and departure in Southern California.
What to Do
Close to several Southern California Attractions. Centrally located in the heart of Southern California, Ontario is nearby just about anything you could think of. Ontario is freeway-close to Los Angeles, Anaheim, Hollywood, San Diego and Palm Springs.
Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure and Downtown Disney are only 35 minutes south from Ontario.
Within 45 minutes are Los Angeles, Hollywood and attractions such as Universal Studios, J. Paul Getty Museum, the Queen Mary, Los Angeles Zoo, the Long Beach Aquarium; the site of ChampCar’s Long Beach Grand Prix in Downtown Long Beach.
Via a 60-minute commute from Ontario are Palm Springs, Beverly Hills, Newport Beach and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Graber Olive House (www.graberolives.com)
On the great, colorful ranches of Early California, olive trees flourished in the favorable climate and soil, and were enthusiastically planted. Tables of the early ranchos were set with plenty of fruits and wine, and always, olives whose nut-like flavor and healthfulness were highly esteemed. Graber Olives are fully tree-ripened to a cherry-red color and carefully hand picked. After the curing process, the olives are varying shades of Italian Renaissance greenish brown.
Still family-owned and operated, the Graber Olive House is a popular year-round tourist stop with a unique blend of old and new. At peak production, the cannery pulsates with the vibrancy of any modern factory. Throughout the year, tours are available upon request; group tours are by appointment. In the fall, visitors may view the many activities centering on the annual olive harvest. The estate includes a serene and quiet picnic area as well as Casa del Olivo and La Casita specialty shops where Graber Olives, other fine foods and food gifts in handsome boxes and baskets may be purchased along with a wonderful selection of food accessories and unique gifts. Open Daily, Mon-Sat 9-5:30pm, Sun 9:30-6pm. Call 800-996-5483 for more information.
Shopping
Ontario Mills Mall
The 1.7 million square-foot Ontario Mills is Southern California's largest outlet shopping mall and entertainment center. An exuberant expanse of remarkable deals and excitement, Ontario Mills captures the imaginations of smart shoppers from all over the world. 'Shoppertainment' is Ontario Mills' own unique blend of name brand, value oriented stores and dynamic, one-of-a-kind entertainment. At the Mills, selection, size, movies, entertainment, restaurants and fun are all part of what makes the mall such a big attraction.
Ontario Mills is grand in both size and selection. With manufacturer and retail outlets, brand name discounts and stores at 30 – 70% off discounts, Ontario Mills totals over 250 anchor/major stores, specialty shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, carts and kiosks. Ontario Mills warmly welcomes millions of visitors each year ---many traveling en route to and from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego and Palm Springs. Ontario Mills is conveniently located at the intersection of Interstates 10 and 15 in Ontario.
Daytrips
Mountain Resorts
With the San Bernardino National Forest a main attraction, Southern California's magnificent San Bernardino Mountains offer a splendor of alpine beauty. Discover year-round, what the outdoor recreation and adventure the mountain resorts have to offer: Wrightwood is just 35 minutes away, Lake Arrowhead is within 45 minutes and Big Bear Lake is a scenic 60-minute drive. These pristine destinations have a great deal for outdoor recreation and adventure enthusiasts to do year-round - - out on the lakes, in the woods, at the parks, up in the air and on the slopes. Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing and inner tubing are thrilling throughout Winter and even as the season becomes early Spring. Adventure enthusiasts can hike or mountain bike.
With Summer weather, almost any way to water-play is happening: water skis, wakeboards, jet skis, sea doos, banana boats, motor boats, sailboats, pontoons, canoes, kayaks and more! Windsurfing is exciting out on the lakes and parasailing is an exhilarating way to see it all from the sky. The picturesque lakes are well stocked with fish, Spring through Autumn, for great fishing.
Wrightwood (www.mthigh.com)
In Wrightwood, Mountain High Resort welcomes visitors with two distinctly different mountains and a wide variety of lifts and trails.
Lake Arrowhead (www.lakearrowhead.net)
With hiking, camping, lake tours, snow skiing and ice skating, day trips for outdoor recreation are easily accommodated here. Lake Arrowhead Village also offers fun and intriguing shopping.
Big Bear Lake (www.bigbearinfo.com)
Big Bear Lake offers year-round recreation such as biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking horseback riding, snowboarding and swimming; an alpine lake, two premier ski resorts and 46,000 acres of National Forest.
Wine Country
Wine aficionados and novices alike appreciate the opportunity to swirl, sniff and taste the wines of vintners on-site at their wineries. Exceptional ambiance and the purveyors' personal knowledge and insight make for a true wine-country experience. Nestled here, the local wineries and tasting rooms are truly a living testament to the California wine industry. Today, still family-owned establishments offer tastings of their award-winning wines with exceptional hospitality.
Joseph Filippi Winery (www.josephfilippiwinery.com)
Joseph Filippi Winery is synonymous with quality winemaking in the Cucamonga-Guasti-Ontario region. Recent vintage releases have earned numerous awards for winemaking excellence. Joseph Filippi Winery tasting rooms and gift shops are located in historic Guasti Plaza and in Rancho Cucamonga where a history museum, art gallery and guided winery tours are featured. Open Mon-Sat 10-6pm; Sun 11-5pm. Tastings: $5 includes logo glass. RV parking available on-site. Call for more info: 909-899-5755.
Galleano Winery (www.galleanowinery.com)
Produced from select grapes grown in the Cucamonga Valley, Galleano wines are distinct, carefully crafted and affordable. Among the winery's popular wines, are a number of multi-award winning dessert wines, including Three Friends Port, Nino's Solera Sherry and Sherry Crema. Wine tastings are available daily and tours of the historic winery are offered on weekends and by appointment. Open Mon-Sat 9-5pm; Sun 10:30-5pm. 4231 Wineville Road, Mira Loma, CA 91752. (951) 685-5376 for more information.
San Antonio Winery (www.personalizedwinelabels.com/index.html)
The San Antonio Winery was founded in 1917 in Los Angeles and is owned and operated by the original Riboli family. San Antonio produces wines under multiple brands/labels: San Antonio (table wines and dessert wines), Maddalena Vineyard (premium quality, varietal wines) and San Simeon (the reserve wines of Maddalena Vineyard). Open Mon-Sun 10-6pm. 2802 S. Milliken Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761. (909) 947-3995 for more information.
Temecula Valley (www.temeculawines.org)
There is also more Southern California wine country an easy drive south (45 minutes) from Ontario in the Temecula Valley. Since 1966, over 3,000 acres of vineyards and 14 wineries have been established in Temecula. All welcome visitors and offer wine tasting daily throughout the year. Many have delicatessens, full-service restaurants and delightful gift shops. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association offers a free brochure and a calendar of events showcasing Temecula's award-winning wines and beautiful wine country.
Champagne Jazz (www.thorntonwine.com)
At Temecula's French-Mediterranean styled Thornton Winery, the annual Champagne Jazz concert series is acclaimed for its top name musicians. Unique patio and terrace seating is an enjoyable element in experiencing the exceptional performances. Open Mon-Sun 10-5pm. Tastings range from $9-$15. Public Winery Tours (free of charge), Weekends only, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 4pm. 32575 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92589. (951) 699-0099 for more information.
