Inland Valley – A recent report published by Wallethub, a personal finance company, about the 182 most popular cities in which to enjoy a “staycation” placed five Inland Valley cities in the bottom 22.
As summer heats up and Californian families have an opportunity to spend more quality time together, many residents intend on traveling. However, some choose to stay close to home for their rest and relaxation.
In the article, experts, like Crystal De Soto-Schmidt, lecturer at the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University, considered factors such as walkability, open green spaces, an active tourism board, local arts and culture, local bars and restaurants to determine the rankings.
While cities like San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento are in the top 50 of the list, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Fontana and Moreno Valley occupy the bottom at 160, 165, 171, 172 and 173, respectively.
To arrive at these results, the Wallethub report evaluated these cities by analyzing 42 metrics under three categories: recreation, food and entertainment and rest and relaxation.
Ontario ranked 88 in recreation, 168 in food and entertainment, and 147 in rest and relaxation.
In terms of recreation, Ontario has a few spots for recreation, it is possible that the city’s score is higher than the other Inland Valley cities on this list due to establishments like Top Golf, iFly Indoor Skydiving and the Ontario Mills Mall.
Regarding entertainment, the Ontario Convention Center and the Toyota Arena hosts a number of different events, including major sporting events for Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.
Another establishment somewhat unique to Ontario is the Panda Inn Restaurant as it is one of only five locations.
Rancho Cucamonga ranked 175 in recreation, 162 in food and entertainment, and 115 in rest and relaxation.
Rancho Cucamonga has 18 parks, three museums and the Victoria Gardens Mall which all fall into the recreation category of the list.
San Bernardino ranked 168 in recreation, 151 in food and entertainment, and 161 in rest and relaxation.
In terms of local arts and culture, San Bernardino has the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art located at California State University, San Bernardino.
San Bernardino is also home to the San Manuel Stadium and the very first McDonald’s restaurant.
Fontana ranked 143 in recreation, 172 in food and entertainment, and 157 in rest and relaxation.
Fontana has over 40 parks, sports facilities and community centers that fit into the recreation category.
The city has announced several projects to improve Fontana such as revamping the Stage Red theater downtown and working on Foothill Boulevard to improve “walkability.”
Moreno Valley ranked 176 in recreation, 169 in food and entertainment, and 144 in rest and relaxation.
Moreno Valley has recreational locations such as the March Field Air Museum and 33 parks.
A possible factor as to why these Inland Valley cities rank so low on this list is that, with cities like Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas relatively close by, families might be more enticed to make the short trip to more popular vacation spots.
Soto-Schmidt echoed this sentiment in the article.
“Living near San Diego gives my teen boys and me endless opportunities to explore and learn right in our backyard,” Soto-Schmidt said. “As a mom and heritage interpreter, I always find ways to mix fun activities with little lessons about our environment and history.”
Another issue might be related to the Inland Valley’s crucial role in the nation’s logistical aims. San Bernardino and Fontana dedicate a lot of real estate to warehouses, leaving insufficient areas for recreational activities.
Some measures being taken by cities to improve their place on the list include organizing parades and hosting music festivals, such as the Happiness of Pursuit festival in Ontario.
