Hotels in San Bernardino

San Bernardino: Inland Empire Gateway to the San Gabriel Mountains

San Bernardino sits 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in California's Inland Empire, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains where the Santa Ana and Cajon Pass corridors converge. The city anchors San Bernardino County — the largest county by area in the contiguous United States at 20,105 square miles. Route 66 ran through the historic downtown, and the original McDonald's Museum on 14th and E Street marks the 1940 founding site of the fast-food chain. The California Theatre, built in 1928, remains a working performance venue on W 4th Street.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster along E Hospitality Lane near the San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) and along Tippecanoe Avenue close to the National Orange Show Events Center. Travelers heading to Big Bear Lake — 30 miles northeast via Highway 18 — use San Bernardino as a base, as do visitors to the San Manuel Amphitheater, one of Southern California's largest outdoor venues. Budget properties and extended-stay options dominate the market, with rates typically lower than neighboring Redlands or Riverside.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Metrolink's San Bernardino Line connects downtown to Los Angeles Union Station in roughly 90 minutes.
• Airport access: SBD handles domestic routes; Ontario International Airport (ONT), 15 miles west, offers broader connections.
• Weather: Summers exceed 100°F regularly; pack sun protection and carry water for any mountain excursions.
• Elevation: The city sits at approximately 1,049 feet; Big Bear Lake climbs to 6,752 feet — bring layers year-round.