Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Chino, CA

  • Published 2023/02/03

Located in San Bernardino County, California, Chino is well recognized as the primary source of milk for Southern California and most of the southwestern United States.

Farming has been an important part of Chino’s history since Spain granted it as Rancho Santa Ana del Chino.

The name “Chino” may have come from Rancho Santa Ana del Chino, the land grant on which the town was formed.

“Chino” has been interpreted in various ways, with the most common explanation being that Santa Ana is Spanish for Saint Anne.

It is also possible that the “Chino,” or mixed-race individual, referred to the head of the nearby Native American town.

Based on letters from the American Civil War, Chino Region Historical Society president identifies the “curl” in the toponym as the tall grama grass that formerly flourished in the valley.

Even though this city isn’t California’s most popular tourist destination, it’s easy to go about and see a lot of other parts of the state.

For those who want to learn about Chino’s history or relax in the Chino Hills, we’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Chino.

Explore Prado Regional Park

Prado Regional Park

Bradley Allen Murrell / shutterstock.com

This 2,000-acre park served as the official venue for the 1984 Summer Olympics’ shooting sports.

Chino visitors looking for outdoor recreation can find enough to do at Prado Regional Park.

This park is a great place to go on a nature hike because of the abundance of pathways that can be used for various purposes.

Prado Regional Park

Bradley Allen Murrell / shutterstock.com

In addition, the park has a water park and campgrounds for the entire family to enjoy.

In this regional park, you’ll find a plethora of low-cost activities.

It’s a great place to go hiking, biking, camping, and playing disc golf.

You may also have a picnic while the kids have fun in the water park.

Prado Regional Park

Bradley Allen Murrell / shutterstock.com

Go Horseriding at Prado Park Equestrian Center

Horse boarding and rides have been available at this facility at Prado Regional Park since 1976.

You can’t miss out on Chino’s Prado Equestrian Center.

This stable in Chino offers guided excursions and instruction for equestrian riding enthusiasts.

In addition, a tack shop sells gifts and equestrian equipment.

This weekend, take a guided train excursion and view a variety of breathtaking landscapes.

You may also take a horseback riding class to improve your abilities.

Learn About Aircraft History at Yanks Air Museum

A Plane at Yanks Air Museum

Steve Riggins, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re interested in aviation history, Yanks Air Museum is a must-see.

Charles Nichols established this museum in 1973 at the Chino Airport.

What can you do indoors when it’s chilly or rainy, and you’re looking for something interesting to do?

A Plane at Yanks Air Museum

Steve Riggins, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re planning a trip to Chino, put this museum on your itinerary.

Around 200 aircraft, mostly fighters, are housed in this museum’s collection, including anything from an F-86 Sabre to a P-40 Warhawk.

Explore the museum’s exhibits to learn about the world’s wars of the twentieth century.

A Plane at Yanks Air Museum

Greg Goebel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yanks Air Museum has a diverse collection of aircraft, some of which saw action during World War II and others created in the twenty-first century utilizing cutting-edge technology.

For the little ones, there is a toddler flyingsimulator.

A Plane at Yanks Air Museum

Greg Goebel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Go Skating at Ruben S. Ayala Park

At 14225 Central Avenue, Ruben S. Ayala Park is a 140-acre park.

This public park in Chino includes a wide variety of amenities.

A batting cage, skate park, multi-use path, and a playground are all part of the complex.

For visitors of all ages, this park is a wonderful destination.

Ruben S. Ayala Park is a great spot to go whether you want to play baseball, skate, or rollerblade, or if you want to take a morning walk to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Look Back to the City’s Early Days at Chino’s Old Schoolhouse Museum

Located at 5493 B Street in Chino lies the Old Schoolhouse Museum.

Established in 1888, it was the first school in the area and stood on the southwest corner of Fifth and D Streets.

The Brick School (Community Building), which fronted 10th Street, was moved behind the building in 1898.

The current site of the structure was established in 1914.

Chino reopened the Old Schoolhouse Museum on May 14, 2016.

The city dedicated the facility to Phyllis Outhier to recognize her contribution to the Chino Valley Historical Society and devotion to the Chino community.

This modest museum is housed in a former school built in the late 1800s.

Visit the Old Schoolhouse Museum for a fascinating look at the history of Chino, including tales of historical political leaders who grew up in this region.

In addition to a bell that originally hung in the church and clothing worn by California’s first lady, there are other interesting artifacts in the collection.

Visit the Historic Moyse Building

View of the Historic Moyse Building

Einbierbitte, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re a fan of American politics and history, you may want to visit the Moyse Building in Chino, California.

Located at 13150 Seventh Street in Chino, California, the Moyse Structure, or Gray Building, is a historic building north of the Civic Center.

It is the city’s oldest standing structure, constructed in 1887.

In addition to serving as Chino’s first post office and school, it also received telephone service as one of the city’s earliest structures.

The Chino Chamber of Commerce now resides in the structure.

Front View of the Historic Moyse Building

Einbierbitte, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Go Practice Shooting at Prado Olympic Shooting Park

Visit the Prado Olympic Shooting Park while you’re in town!

Located at Pomona Rincon Road, this park hosted the 1984 Olympic Shooting Competitions.

With a wide variety of guns and shooting ranges, you’ll have a great time at this location.

You needn’t worry if you’re a complete novice since there are courses for all skill levels accessible.

Learn to shoot with a rifle, skeet, trap, shotgun, or pistol in one of the many available classes.

Join their shooting events, open to shooters of all skill levels.

Tour The Yorba — Slaughter Adobe

Front View of The Yorba — Slaughter Families Adobe

Lure Photography, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At 17127 Pomona Rincon Road stands the Yorba–Slaughter Adobe, a historic adobe home.

At this time, adobe buildings were commonplace in California, and this one was built in the early 1850s.

Rancho El Rincon, the property grant held by Raimundo Yorba’s father, Bernardo Yorba, was first considered to include the adobe.

Still, a subsequent survey proved that the adobe was not included in the rancho.

Before Fenton M. Slaughter purchased the adobe in 1868, Yorba’s younger brother resided here.

Until his death in 1897, Slaughter resided at the mansion, which afterward served as a state assemblyman.

She started restoring the adobe in 1928 by Slaughter’s daughter, Julia Slaughter Fuqua.

On June 20, 1935, the adobe was declared a California Historical Landmark.

Bring Your Kids to Chino Youth Museum

The Chino Youth Museum is the ideal location to allow your children to run wild in a supportive and secure setting.

Founded in 1999, this interactive children’s museum has taught and inspired youngsters since then.

You needn’t search much farther than this museum for other family-friendly locations to visit today.

Children learn about their community’s history via this museum’s unique hands-on displays.

In addition, you may enroll your children in special activities like Kids Night Out and Special Playtime.

Indeed, Chino Youth Museum is a great place for kids to learn about their world.

Be One with Nature at Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park

Since it opened in 2007, the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park has been a haven for birdwatchers, hikers, and walkers who want to explore the park’s various walking paths and wildlife stations.

The Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park is a wonderful area for a morning walk with your pet or loved ones while on vacation.

Twenty-two acres of land and 1.7 miles of pathways are planted with a diverse range of drought-tolerant and water-efficient plants.

A cutting-edge irrigation control system is installed.

During daytime hours, the park is available to the public for recreational use and offers educational opportunities for schoolchildren via the Water Discovery Field Trip Program.

A range of activities, including educational tours and the management of an interpretive wildlife and wetlands education center, are used to raise awareness of environmental issues.

See Vintage Aircraft at Planes of Fame Air Museum

A Plane in Planes of Fame Air Museum

Greg Goebel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

More than 150 aircraft are on display at this aviation museum, which opened in 1957.

Make the most of your time in Chino by visiting this unique museum.

A Plane in Planes of Fame Air Museum

Greg Goebel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With almost 150 antique aircraft on display, this museum is a magnet for history buffs and curious tourists.

Peruse the museum’s impressive collection and take in all it offers.

A Plane in Planes of Fame Air Museum

Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The North American L-17A Navion and the Northrop N9MB Flying Wing are among the aircraft exhibited in the Planes of Fame Air Museum.

After that, you may pick up a few trinkets at the youth educational center, resource library, and gift store.

A Plane in Planes of Fame Air Museum

Greg Goebel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Try I & I Brewing’s Beer

The I & I Brewing Company always experiment with new tastes and ingredients.

As a result, its visitors are kept engaged.

Its proprietors like pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in beer while maintaining the beverage’s spirit.

There is no house yeast, malt, or hop used here, but a wide variety of ingredients is kept on hand so that it may brew anything it wants, whenever it wants.

Its fruit beers are made from fresh ingredients manually prepared before being added to the beer.

The beers on tap are always changing, so you may see a return of an old favorite, but you’re more likely to see something new.

Watch Your Favorite Sports While Chilling at Bleachers Sports Bar Grill & Pizzeria

Bleachers Sports Bar has seen several transformations during its 20-year history.

It was founded in July of 1995 as Bleachers Sports Bar, a beer and wine bar.

As the popularity of Bleachers Sports Bar expanded, a Takeout Pizza Kitchen was opened in 1998.

Because of the pizza’s popularity, a pizza dining area with a family-style dining space and a gaming room.

Watching a football game with friends at Bleachers Sports Bar Grill & Pizzeria is the best way to spend a Friday night.

You’ve got the ideal night out if you add some low-cost, high-quality pizza to the mix.

It is the perfect spot for true California deep dish pizza and distinctive microbrews.

Practice Your Swing at El Prado Golf Courses

El Prado Golf Courses strives to provide excellent golfing experiences, whether it is through tournaments, summer leagues, or other special events.

Two championship 18-hole golf courses with a par of 72 are available at El Prado Golf Courses.

The simplistic and user-friendly course designs provide golfers of all ability levels with a fun challenge.

Head to the golf course’s driving range, abundant in the grass, and utilize the practice area.

Let El Prado Golf Courses host your upcoming event so that their team may customize the event space into a setting that is perfect for you.

The lovely dinner hall can easily host up to 300 people for any event.

Spend the Day Exploring the Chino’s Frosty’s Forest & Pumpkin Patch

Frosty’s Forest & Pumpkin Patch in Chino looks forward to hosting you and your families for an exciting day.

There are tons of great activities and delicious foods waiting for you!

Discover the trail of quirky, eerie, and memorable photo ops.

Visit the Haunted Corn Labyrinth to discover the five horrifying haunted homes and traverse the 2-acre corn maze where creatures lie.

Find extra entertainment at nearby attractions, including the Super Slide, Viewing Zoo, Sunflower Labyrinth, Corn Maze, Cow Train, Caterpillar Coaster, and many others.

Visit the concession stalls if you’re starving and the Pumpkin Store if you’re seeking to buy some vegetables.

Order Italian Cusine at Cannataro’s Italian Restaurant

Stop by Cannataro’s Italian Restaurant for your all-time favorite Italian specialties.

From Bruschetta to Chicken Marsala, they are dedicated to giving the Chino community genuine flavors by employing recipes passed down through the years.

Savor delectable meals at reasonable pricing at this local Italian restaurant.

Explore the assorted beverages available to complement your dinner.

Cater for formal and informal events without additional worry, difficulties, or labor at Cannataro’s Italian Restaurant.

Come in, unwind, and indulge in some delicious food!

Bring Your Kids to Have Fun at the Party Kingdom

A fresh and upgraded play area for children of all ages is available at Party Kingdom, an indoor amusement park that is great for the whole family to enjoy.

In addition to the trampoline park, a child play area, an extensive obstacle course with slides, and other enjoyable surprises are all available.

Fantastic new venues at Party Kingdom will keep you and your family entertained.

It will take a lot of energy to explore the magnificent venues.

Grab your socks and wear them at all times when you’re in the play arenas since they are a shoe-free environment.

They offer fantastic prices on pizza and beverages when you book a party with them.

Mediate at YogaBody Studios

Since 2011, YogaBody Studios has effectively fostered a sense of belonging and acceptance for the yoga practice.

It is filled with individuals with a clear goal collaborating to create a positive routine involving creativity, music, dance, and meditation.

YogaBody Studios offers a refuge from the mundane by providing an environment free of criticism and competitiveness.

They aspire to establish a setting where yoga and meditation would help their students lead happier lives.

YogaBody Studios takes pleasure in making yoga available to everyone, regardless of fitness level, age, body type, race, or religion.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Check Out BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Sherry V Smith / Shutterstock.com

Located six minutes away from Chino, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple complex in Chino Hills, a suburb of San Bernardino County dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan.

This temple is located in the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha sect of Hinduism.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com

All religions are welcome in the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, however.

It is the world’s first earthquake-resistant Mandir.

A traditional Hindu mandir, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, was constructed in 2012.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Kit Leong / shutterstock.com

As part of its 20-acre property, the facility includes a theater, a gymnasium, and classrooms.

The Mandir was built with the help of more than 900 volunteers, many of whom were of Indian descent.

Solar power produces energy at this Mandir, reducing the environmental impact.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Kit Leong / shutterstock.com

Gaze at the Stunning Artworks in The Huntley Gallery

The Don B. Huntley Gallery, located 18 minutes from downtown Chino, is a venue for the College of Environmental Design’s departmental, faculty, and student-based projects, lectures, and events.

It serves as a venue for curated exhibits by emerging and immediate post-professional artists.

The Huntley Gallery is a magnificent and exciting addition to the Library and fits wonderfully with the University’s visitors invited to interact and watch the numerous exhibitions on display.

Room 4435 of the Cal Poly Pomona University Library (Building 15) holds the Don B. Huntley Gallery, which is part of the College of Environmental Design.

Said building also houses the departments of Architecture, Art, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning.

Admission to this gallery is free.

Final Thoughts

To help you plan your next weekend getaway, use our list of the best things to see and do in Chino, California.

You may go trekking, museum-hopping, or play a good game of tennis while you’re there.

In addition, many of the activities listed above are free, allowing you to have an interesting trip without worrying about the expense.

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