Blake Walsh

15 Free Things to Do in Fontana, CA

  • Published 2022/12/14

You’ll find Fontana in San Bernardino County, Southern California.

It’s the second largest city in the county and offers locals and visitors several community events and activities.

The city’s location is unique, nestled against the mountains and sitting 50 miles east of Los Angeles.

It makes for a unique culture and an exciting makeup of people and sights.

If you want to learn more about the place, here are a few free things to do in Fontana, California.

Preserve Nature with the Mary Vagle Nature Center

Daytime view of Mary Vagle Nature Center

Ftr745, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes, walking through trails and seeing nature in gardens isn’t enough.

If you want to help, you may try volunteering at the Mary Vagle Nature Center.

It’s an excellent opportunity for people who enjoy their time in the outdoors and want to make a difference in preserving the environment.

You can help with simple things like cleaning and graffiti removal that can make the place feel a lot more warm and homely.

The waters of Mary Vagle Nature Center

Ftr745, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re lucky and work hard, you can also help plant and feed the animals.

The Mary Vagle Nature Center offers various volunteering opportunities to people from all walks of life.

If you want to see what you can do, stop by the place as soon as possible.

Enjoy a Fun Family Day at Heritage Circle Park

There’s no better place to have a family day than Heritage Circle Park.

The barbecue areas and picnic tables make the perfect spot to share Sunday meals with the family.

There’s a playground for the younger children while the adults have fun cooking and setting up the meal.

There’s not much else to ask for, but it doesn’t hurt that the area is gorgeous and breathtaking.

If you’re looking for a place for your next family get-together, look no further than Heritage Circle Park.

Empower Young Girls with Beautiful Creationz

Beautiful Creationz is a nonprofit organization that empowers young girls by encouraging self-development, awareness, and resiliency.

Developing these traits in young girls is crucial to ensuring bright futures for them and their communities, and there are several ways you can help achieve this goal.

You can check out their volunteer opportunities and see how you can help.

They’re always in need of skilled volunteers who can become instructors, community event helpers, tech support, social media helpers, and so much more.

It can also help if you’re fluent in a language other than English to make the experience accessible to as many young people as possible.

Helping young girls grow into their best selves is a full-time job, and Beautiful Creationz will need all the help they can get.

If this is an advocacy you feel passionate about, it’s time to take the opportunity to make your mark in the lives of a new generation of young people.

Play Volleyball with Friends at the Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Park

Have you ever tried playing volleyball with your friends at Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Park?

It’s a fun, easy, and enjoyable time to spend an afternoon.

Once you’re done there, you can head to one of the picnic areas and share a meal with your teammates to replenish your energy.

Sports have a way of bringing people together, and volleyball is no exception.

If you’re thinking of using it to grow closer with your friends and family, then there’s no better place to do it than at Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Park.

Spend Lunch at Almeria Park

The trails and picnic areas of Almeria Park make it a perfect hangout spot for the family.

It’s a simple place that’ll welcome anyone who comes its way, and you’ll love every minute you spend there.

The park is the perfect destination on warm Sunday mornings.

Imagine basking in the sun and sharing a lovely day with the people you care about the most.

The kids will run around the playground while the adults chat with each other over delicious home-cooked meals.

This is the kind of thing everyone daydreams about during the middle of the workweek, longing for the sweet embrace of a relaxing weekend.

Just plan a fun little trip with the family to Almeria Park and find the peace, quiet, and serenity you’re looking for.

See the Playground of Fiesta Park

Its playground is one of the best things in Fiesta Park.

The place is an excellent destination for your kids looking for a spot to play around and meet new friends.

Sitting right at the heart of the community, there are usually a lot of local kids hanging out around there as well.

It is an excellent place for your child to know other kids their age.

That also means you can mingle with other parents while you’re there and make new connections with the neighborhood.

This possibility for connection sets Fiesta Park apart from the rest.

It’s the perfect spot to establish community ties and integrate yourself into the local area quickly and without much effort.

Check Out the Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center

Exterior of the Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center

JWut89LA at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

No matter how old you are, there’s always more room to learn, especially if you visit the Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center.

They have a wide selection of reading materials for all ages and a host of other resources that can help you in your research projects.

You can even go there and ask the librarian how to access their online resources.

Besides its materials, the library hosts several events throughout the year to keep the community engaged.

The Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center helps everyone who needs resources, so don’t hesitate to ask for their assistance when you require it.

Play a Tennis Match at McDermott Sports Complex & Park West

Playing sports at the McDermott Sports Complex & Park West is one of the most fun activities in Fontana.

Whatever your sport of choice, you’ll easily find the facilities you need there.

There are ball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, and more.

Once you’re done, there’s even a barbecue and picnic area so you can have a nice big meal after a fun game with your friends.

Ultimately, it’s not hard to find opportunities for casual sports in Fontana.

All you have to do is plan a game with your friends and head to the McDermott Sports Complex & Park West!

Sit Back and Relax at Coyote Canyon Park

Coyote Canyon Park has an exciting name that perfectly complements the interesting place.

There are playgrounds, picnic areas, and trails that everyone in the family will love exploring and playing around in.

Greeting you is a gorgeous view of the area you won’t forget.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you that the world is a beautiful place to live in.

If you want a place to relax with a beautiful view, stop by with your family at Coyote Canyon Park.

Meet Local Artists at the Fontana Arts Festival

The Fontana Arts Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating all facets of arts and culture.

It also emphasizes creating fun and interactive opportunities to help connect professionals with emerging artists.

Whether you appreciate the craft or want to see a budding artist, this event offers a lot.

Listen to live music performances and dance to the sound of new and emerging artists.

There are also workshops and various exhibits by professional artists.

It’s a wonderland for art lovers and something you don’t want to miss.

If you can catch the Fontana Arts Festival, head over there and join the fun!

Volunteer at the Exchange Club of Fontana

Volunteering is a worthy advocacy, and the Exchange Club of Fontana will give you all the opportunities to serve the community.

If you want to help the people of Fontana, visit this place and see what they have for you.

After all, someone always needs help somewhere.

Here, volunteers and staff keep things organized to ensure that resources are distributed as efficiently as possible.

Go to the Exchange Club of Fontana and begin your volunteer journey with them!

Visit Fontana Park

Fontana Park has everything a visitor could want in a park.

There’s a skate park for teens and young adventurers and several interactive play areas for younger children.

You can also find an activity area for the entire family and the local community center.

This place has everything you need if you want something fun and exciting.

Fontana Park is fun, easily accessible, and filled with many things to do.

Give it a visit if you get the opportunity!

Learn Gardening with Garden Workshops

Getting a family into gardening isn’t easy, but lucky for you, Fontana hosts regular Garden Workshops to help you introduce a new hobby.

All their workshops occur at the Central City Community Garden, so make a day of it and bring everyone you know along.

Having a green thumb is never wrong, and there’s always a lot to learn while you’re there.

When you attend these workshops, you’ll learn the basics of gardening by planting your herbs and watching your seeds grow and thrive before your eyes.

There are also lessons on composting, harvesting, and saving seeds.

It’s everything you’ll ever need to start your garden at home, so give it a shot!

Whether you want to start one for purely decorative purposes or to grow your food, gardening is a skill you’ll never regret.

Garden Workshops are significant community events.

Learn new things while you’re there, and meet new people with the same passion.

Watch the Tree Lighting Ceremony

No holiday season is complete without a special Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Fontana is one of the places that do it best.

See the spectacular tree lighting ceremony with your friends and family, and watch as hope shines through the community with this simple tradition.

While the tree lighting is the show’s highlight, it’s by no means the only thing you’ll see when you go.

There will also be live performances to celebrate the holiday season and get the party going.

The organizers will also provide refreshments to ensure everyone stays happy and comfortable.

A tree lighting ceremony may seem simple, but it means a lot to people and is a great way to bring a community together.

Join the fun if you get the chance.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Explore Victoria Gardens

Building sign of Victoria Gardens

The Image Party / Shutterstock.com

You may not have much to spend, but exploring Victoria Gardens is still one of the best ways to pass the time in the area.

There’s just so much to see that all your senses will constantly experience various colors, sounds, and smells.

You’ll never be bored between the retail stores and the beautifully kept grounds.

Whether you’re on your own or with your family and friends, there’s never a shortage of things to see.

Food court in Victoria Gardens

The Image Party / Shutterstock.com

Check out the clothes, pass the beauty shops, and discover so many hidden and strange things while walking around.

The place also hosts several events throughout the year, such as picture sessions with Santa during the holiday season, to ensure visitors will never be bored.

If you get the chance, don’t forget to bring your pet there so they can join the fun.

Victoria Gardens is a magical place you can enjoy without spending a dime, so check it out when you have the chance.

This shopping center is in Rancho Cucamonga, California, 13 minutes from Fontana.

American apparel at Victoria Gardens

JWut89LA at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Final Thoughts

Fontana’s unique position gives way to exciting stories.

If you’re an enterprising traveler, then unique stories should be your bread and butter.

There are many exciting and budget-friendly attractions in the city, so book a trip today and discover the free things to do in Fontana, California!

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