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Metropolitan area in California, United States
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Friedpez at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Inland Empire of Southern California is a semi-arid region, east of Los Angeles, made up of scores of cities and towns. The boundaries are often a subject of debate, however, it is generally agreed that the western boundary is the San Bernardino County/Los Angeles County line and the eastern limits are the most urbanized areas of San Bernardino County and Riverside County. The population of the Inland Empire is over 4 million residents. When taken as the Greater Los Angeles Area, which stretches from the western edge of Ventura County to the eastern boundary of the Inland Empire, this region has a combined population of 17 million. The Inland Empire has its roots in agriculture, primarily citrus and wine-making. The "IE" is home to many worthwhile attractions.
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A large outdoor mall designed to resemble America's "Main Street," Victoria Gardens contains many upscale stores and restaurants.
Historic Route 66 ("Foothill Blvd" or "5th Street") passes through many Inland Empire cities. Local agencies have invested heavily in improvements to commercial services and infrastructure along the corridor. Still, many historic relics survive. A trip east from La Verne to San Bernardino will take several hours but is worth it.
The Inland Empire contains much of the San Bernardino National Forest, whose territory covers parts of the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto mountains. Recreation opportunities are numerous and include hiking, skiing, and boating.
The Santa Ana River Trail runs through the cities of Riverside, Colton, and San Bernardino, and is under construction through Redlands and Highland. When complete, the trail will connect Orange County beaches with the San Bernardino Mountains.
Hi Brow Pub in northern Upland is a great place to catch live music and drinks at very reasonable prices.
By train
The national railway Amtrak serves many Inland Empire cities, including Ontario and San Bernardino.
By car
Three east-west freeways link the Inland Empire with Los Angeles to the west. Interstate 10, the main route, connects downtown Los Angeles with San Bernardino.
By bus
Greyhound serves many Inland Empire cities.
By train
Metrolink, Southern California's commuter rail system, operates four lines that serve the Inland Empire.
By car
Much of the Inland Empire is laid out in a grid-like pattern, making navigation very easy. In addition, streets maintain their names as they cross city boundaries, which helps reduce confusion.
By bicycle
Although mountains sit nearby, much of the Inland Empire is flat enough to encourage bicycle riding.
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San Bernardino · International · SBD
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Riverside is a city in Riverside County in California. With a population of over 300,000, the city plays host to a diverse cross-section of people and has a rich history.
San Bernardino is a city in the Inland Empire in California.
Ontario is in San Bernardino County and the Southern California region, more than 35 miles (50 km) east of Los Angeles. From a traveler's perspective, Ontario is noteworthy mainly as the home of a large mall and the Ontario International Airport, a less crowded alternative to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the main airport serving the Inland Empire.
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