California note
The mountains give San Bernardino an outdoor layer right above town
San Bernardino National Forest sits close to the Inland Empire, with hiking, scenic drives, picnic areas, winter sports, and mountain conditions to check ahead of time.
San Bernardino has a city rhythm, but the mountains are part of the daily view. The national forest rises close to the Inland Empire. A regular day can turn into a forest drive, a short hike, a picnic stop, or a cooler mountain outing without leaving the region behind.
The forest offers several kinds of outdoor days. It has hiking, biking, picnic areas, scenic drives, winter sports, visitor maps, and guides. It also has about 300 miles of trails open to hiking and backpacking. Some are short. Others are much longer.
If you do not want a big hike, the drive can still be the point. The forest has two routes in the National Scenic Byway System, plus overlooks with wide views toward lakes, mountains, and desert edges.
Treat it like mountain country, not a neighborhood park. Not every trail is fixed up every year. Weather can change. Some places may close by season or trail condition. Check alerts, maps, and trail details before picking a route.
Where to see it
San Bernardino National Forest
Sources
Sources for this story
Reviewed June 30, 2026
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