Rialto is an excellent destination for anyone looking to experience the best of the San Bernardino County area in California.
Though this city doesn’t have the same charm as Los Angeles or San Diego, it has a small-town appeal that attracts visitors from all over the region and beyond.
Rialto has many attractions, from outdoor recreational areas to critical historical centers.
It’s an ideal choice for those looking for a laid-back holiday or weekend getaway.
If you’re set to visit this beautiful city, here are the 15 best things to do in Rialto, California:
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The Renaissance Marketplace is Rialto’s official shopping mall, located conveniently from the Foothill Freeway.
This open-air shopping plaza has all your familiar retail chains, including Old Navy, Party City, Burlington, Sprint, and more.
In addition to shopping, the Renaissance Marketplace has several restaurants you choose from, like Blaze Pizza, Chick-Fil-A, Olive Garden, Panda Express, Starbucks, and more.
Since it’s an open-air establishment, the Renaissance Marketplace is also a great spot to enjoy a leisurely walk
A place to satisfy your shopping and dining needs, the Renaissance Marketplace is one of the best spots to check out and should be on the top of your list of things to do in Rialto.
Rialto City Park offers superb city views and plenty of outdoor recreational facilities.
Located at East San Bernardino Avenue, this park is ideal for hanging out after a long day of sightseeing or enjoying some fresh air and the best views of downtown Rialto.
The park’s facilities include baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds, walking paths, and more.
There’s also a skate park that offers excellent obstacles and jumps for skateboarders of all levels.
If you brought your dog, there’s also a park where you can take your furry friend for outdoor fun.
Rialto City Park also houses the John Silva Football field, which is a standard-sized field that hosts numerous tournaments and local football games throughout the year.
If you’re looking to cool down or work out, there’s also a fitness and aquatic center located on the opposite end of the park along South Riverside Avenue.
With its plethora of facilities and overall outdoor vibe, Rialto City Park is an ideal hangout spot and a great starting point to explore the city.
The Rialto Community Center provides a plethora of recreational programs and services created to foster the growth, health, and happiness of the local community.
Located at North Palm Avenue in downtown Rialto, the community center offers a variety of classes, activities, sporting events, and other programs to provide locals and visitors with exciting and engaging experiences.
The programs range from aerobics, dance classes, and martial arts to after-school care, sporting leagues, and summer camps.
It also hosts numerous special events, such as concerts, movies on the lawn, an annual Mother’s Day celebration, and more.
The Rialto Community Center also offers various services, such as rental spaces for parties and special occasions, and a full-service recreation center with a gym, weight room, and more.
It’s located right beside Margaret Todd Park, which features a skate park and plenty of open space for picnics and other outdoor activities.
If you want to learn a new skill or want to get involved with the community during your stay in Rialto, the Community Center is worth a visit.
Empire San Soo is a Kung Fu School located at North Palm Ave #402, inside the premises of the Rialto Community Center.
It’s part of the program that the community center provides to the locals and visitors of Rialto.
This school offers a variety of classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced.
The instructors here are knowledgeable and passionate about their craft, so you will learn from the best.
They offer various Kung Fu classes, such as tai chi, self-defense classes, and even meditation.
A couple of sessions here will teach you the basics of Kung Fu; once mastered, you can apply those skills to your everyday life.
If you’ve always wanted to learn the arts of Kung Fu, take classes at Empire San Soo and take advantage of this one-of-a-kind experience.
Located two blocks from the Community Center, the Rialto Library is a great spot to learn something new or relax, surrounded by shelves and books.
The library features books and other reading materials in a wide variety of genres.
Bookworms will easily get lost in the sea of literature in this library, as it contains fiction and non-fiction titles on various subjects.
The library also offers various services, such as computer access, ebooks and magazines, movies, and audiobooks for those who prefer to listen.
The best time to visit is when it’s raining outside, as it adds to the overall cozy atmosphere of the library.
A highly underrated spot in Rialto, the Rialto Library is a charming and peaceful place for book enthusiasts and those looking to quickly escape reality.
Jazz Lounges are usually associated with big cities like New York and Los Angeles, but Rialto also has its minor version of this classic venue.
Located at South Riverside Avenue in downtown Rialto, Raquel’s Jazz Lounge is a cocktail bar offering an intimate and cozy atmosphere with its brick walls, warm lighting, and live jazz music.
In addition to offering great drinks and delicious food, Raquel’s also features live music performances from local acts throughout the week.
DJs spin classic hip-hop, Funk, and soul tunes to get the crowd going while they enjoy delicious wings, fries, burgers, tacos, and more.
On top of that, Raquel’s Jazz Lounge is also known for its signature cocktails like the Mickey Ficky, a combination of Hennessy and Champagne.
There’s also the P Funk, which contains Champagne Chambord, Cherry, and Lime.
They also have an impressive wine list that includes Chardonnay, Moscato, Cabernet, and more.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy great music and delicious food during your stay in Rialto, Raquel’s Jazz Lounge is a must-visit.
Rialto’s Frisbie Park is precisely what you’d expect from a California park—it features palm trees and plenty of open space to enjoy some outdoor activities.
Located at North Acacia Avenue in Rialto, the park is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset and has a variety of amenities that visitors can enjoy.
Apart from the usual facilities like playgrounds and picnic areas, Frisbie Park has its own skate park, two basketball courts, three girls’ softball and little league fields, a skate park, and a vast open space for playing field sports like frisbee and soccer.
There’s also a dog park for dogs of all sizes and breeds, complete with designated playing areas and waste stations.
On top of that, Frisbie Park also hosts various events throughout the year, such as tournaments, music and art shows, food festivals, and more.
If you’re looking for a great place to spend your day in Rialto, Frisbie Park is a great spot to visit.
Flores Park is a low-key yet family-friendly park located on West Etiwanda Avenue.
With an open space for picnics and a playground where the kids can play, what more do you need for a memorable family outing in Rialto?
If it gets too hot, there’s also a picnic shelter complete with chairs and tables to keep you comfortable and in the shade.
Since it’s located in downtown Rialto, there are plenty of nearby shops and stores to check out during your visit.
If you’re looking for a great place to spend quality time with your family, Flores Park is a great spot.
Whether you’re an avid history buff or simply looking to learn more about the city’s past, visiting the Rialto Historical Society & Museum is the perfect way to satisfy your curiosity.
Located at North Riverside Avenue, this organization is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Rialto through a variety of exhibits and programs.
The society headquarters doubles as a museum housed inside a historical church school building.
An exceptional landmark, this building contains permanent exhibitions that boast priceless artifacts from the past.
It also maintains a range of historic buildings in and around Rialto.
At the museum, you can learn all about the city’s past, from the Native American period, the arrival of European settlers, and all the way to the city’s development in modern times.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers are always happy to answer questions and share more about the city’s rich history.
They offer free tours and even share facts about some of the buildings and landmarks in the area.
For those interested in military history, the museum’s unique exhibition of historical artwork, medals, and uniforms will captivate your attention.
Exploring Rialto would be incomplete without a stop at Alec Ferguson Park, one of the city’s most sought-after outdoor spaces.
Located at West Sunrise Drive, this park has outdoor amenities that will keep you entertained all day.
The park features a football field and stadium, a full-sized baseball field, a couple of basketball courts, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, and a playground area for the kids.
Don’t miss the skate park, which is particularly popular with the young locals.
Alec Fergusson Park is always full of people taking advantage of all its amenities.
Its bustling atmosphere and excellent facilities make it a no-brainer if you want to have a great time in Rialto.
You can watch a local game or participate in one if you feel like breaking a sweat—just bring your A-game in whatever sport you play here, as some games can get competitive.
If hunger catches up to you, there’s an on-site snack bar that offers tasty food and drinks to help you refuel; of course, there are also picnic areas if you prefer to bring your food.
The fun doesn’t stop in Rialto; you can also find a wide array of attractions and activities in the nearby areas.
With that said, here are five more attractions to check out during your trip to Rialto, California:
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The Wigwam Motel is one of the quirkiest attractions in the area, and it’s worth a visit if you want to experience something different.
Located along Route 66 in nearby San Bernardino, California—only 1.2 miles away from downtown Rialto—this hotel has 19 ‘teepee’ style cabins that are sure to leave you with unique memories from your vacation.
Its unconventional design and amenities make it an excellent choice for families looking to stay somewhere unique.
The motel’s unique architecture has made it a popular attraction, with tourists coming from far and wide to snap photographs of this iconic landmark.
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Whether you’re staying in the motel or not, the sheer sight of these teepees is worth a visit.
If you do choose to stay at the Wigwam Motel, you’ll not only enjoy an unconventional yet cozy accommodation but also get access to other amenities like outdoor barbecue pits and a swimming pool.
You can also take advantage of the stunning scenery, which includes swinging palm trees and rugged mountains.
The Wigwam Motel is an iconic stop during a trip to Rialto, so make sure to add it to your itinerary.
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Almost every great city has roots in the railroad industry, and Rialto and its neighboring cities are no exception.
Visiting the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum is an absolute must if you want to learn more about the area’s fascinating railroad history.
The museum is located in nearby San Bernardino, California—4.4 miles from downtown Rialto—inside the historic San Bernardino Train Depot, built in 1918.
The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum is a museum dedicated to the city’s history and everything related to the railroad industry in the area.
The museum contains several unique artifacts and memorabilia from the city’s past, from old photos and documents to antique locomotive models.
Plenty of railroad-related items are on display, including historical station signs and promotional material.
You can also learn a lot about the local people who worked for the railroad industry by going through the museum’s extensive archives.
The museum also holds several events throughout the year, such as the San Bernardino Railroad Days, Fire Department and Railroad Antique Swap Meet, and more.
If you want an educational and fun time, the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum is a must-visit attraction.
Al Capone was a notorious American gangster who left his mark on history and popular culture.
If you’re a fan of true crime or just curious about this infamous man, then check out the Al Capone House in nearby Fontana, California.
The house is located 4.2 miles away from downtown Rialto, where Al Capone lived in the 1930s.
Today, the house is a historical landmark, with visitors taking a tour of the property and learning about its history.
During your visit, you will get an in-depth look into the life of Al Capone and see where he lived, as well as see some of his furniture, photographs, and other personal items.
The tour lasts less than an hour, just enough time to learn about Al Capone’s life and times in the city of Fontana.
If you’re a fan of crime or just want to learn more about an infamous figure in American history, a visit to the Al Capone House should be on your itinerary.
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If you’re a fan of the late great Abraham Lincoln, you’ll want to check out the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, California, 13.2 miles from downtown Rialto.
The Lincoln Memorial shrine is a museum and research facility dedicated to the 16th president of the United States.
Built during the 1930s, the Shrine houses an impressive collection of artifacts related to Lincoln and the American Civil War.
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It includes many of his original letters and documents and an extensive collection of rare books, photographs, and other memorabilia.
The museum also offers several interactive activities for visitors, including a virtual reality experience, a scavenger hunt, and more.
If you’re looking to learn more about the life of Abraham Lincoln or want to see some interesting historical artifacts, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine is a must-visit destination.
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Bowlero is a popular bowling alley chain, and their Fontana location is a great place to go if you’re looking for fun family bowling nights.
Located at Foothill Boulevard in Fontana, California—4.4 miles from downtown Rialto—this bowling alley is perfect for a night out with friends or family.
Bowlero has several lanes and offers various activities, including a full-service lounge, billiards tables, and arcade games.
They also offer plenty of food options to choose from, as well as a full bar with beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
Bowlero Fontana also hosts several tournaments for kids and adults.
If you’re looking for a fun place to spend the night with friends or family, Bowlero Fontana is worth checking out.
Rialto is a great city to explore in terms of history and modern attractions.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, historical sites, or fun places to play, this Californian city has something for everyone.
If you’re planning a visit any time soon, make sure to add these best things to do in Rialto, California, to your itinerary.
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