Things to do in San Bernardino County – Welcome to San Bernardino County

This section focuses on family-friendly events that are sponsored by the County Library, Museum, Regional Parks, Special Districts and other county departments and offices.

San Bernardino County Museum’s annual Summer Arts Festival returns

In collaboration with Arts Connection – The Arts Council of San Bernardino, the San Bernardino County Museum is pleased to announce that it will hold its 2nd annual Summer Arts Festival on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4 – 8 p.m.

This annual celebration is an energy-filled night of music and art, featuring all forms of artistry from our region, including live art demonstrations, musical performances, food and artisan shopping.

Along with amazing art, great food and unforgettable fun throughout the evening, the County Museum’s galleries will be open into the evening as well.

Regular museum admission applies. Museum members will receive a 50% admission discount. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or in person on event day.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and museum members are admitted free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

Regional Parks 2024 swim season ends Labor Day

Regional Parks would like to remind the public that we are heading toward the last weekend of the 2024 swim season. Both Glen Helen and Yucaipa Regional Parks pools will be open on Saturday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are sad that the summer flew by, but we hope everyone had a great swim experience at our facilities. Holiday rates will apply for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Park admission is $10 per vehicle and swim tickets are $17 per person (includes the waterslides). The minimum height to ride the slides is 48 inches. For more pool information, FAQs and prices, visit parks.sbcounty.gov/swim-schedules.

Remember, we are always hiring lifeguards. These are the folks who keep our pools open. The more lifeguards we have next season, the more people we can let inside our swim complexes to have fun. DON’T FORGET TO THANK A LIFEGUARD! If anyone is interested in becoming a lifeguard for the 2025 swim season, email parks@parks.sbcounty.gov.

Small Changes, Big Impact: Sensory-Friendly Hours Introduced at County Museums

At both the San Bernardino County Museum and Victor Valley Museum, a pilot program aimed at accessibility offers a Quiet Hour on select Wednesdays and Thursdays of each month. To create a calmer and quieter museum experience, during this hour, some exhibit features will be turned off to minimize audio and visual stimulation.

Quiet Hour is designed to make the County Museum’s exhibits more accessible to people with sensory processing differences, but it may also be beneficial to anyone who may get overwhelmed with the sounds of the museum or who is just seeking a quieter museum experience.

The program is among a slew of ways the San Bernardino County Museum has made its collections, buildings, programs and services more accessible to visitors. In the future, the County Museum will offer sensory bags that contain fidget toys and noise-dampening headphones available for check-out at the admissions desk.

“Our exhibits, programs and events are developed with accessibility and our complete community in mind, so we are excited to launch this initiative, which will make visiting us easier for a large portion of our community,” said Curator of Education Eliana Zacarias.

San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 9 to 10 a.m.

Victor Valley Museum, 11873 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and museum members are admitted free. Parking is free. The museums are accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Clear the Shelters continues with FREE adoptions through Sept. 10

It’s time for the Clear the Shelters campaign!

Celebrate the tenth annual Clear the Shelters event from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10 at the Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters. Pet adoptions are free, with all pets spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

The Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF) is sponsoring the pet adoption fees for dogs/cats adopted during this monthlong campaign. Throughout the month, NBC and Telemundo stations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will team up with local animal shelters and rescue services to find loving homes for these adorable, loving animals.

Last year, this heartwarming campaign helped 168 animals within San Bernardino County Animal Shelters find their furever homes. We’re thrilled to see what this year holds!

Adopt a pet and gain a new family member! Give these precious pets a second chance at happiness and a loving home. Clear the Shelters is spreading love and joy, one adoption at a time. Be part of this incredible journey!

Visit ClearTheShelters.com for more information on how you can participate and open your heart to adoption.

For more information about pets available for adoption, please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care at animalcare.sbcounty.gov/pets or call 800-472-5609. To make a donation to assist animals at the shelter, visit https://arffund.org/.

Doggie Pool-ooza end of summer fun for dogs

San Bernardino County Regional Parks is excited for the return of Doggie Pool-ooza at Yucaipa Regional Park swim complex on Saturday, Sept. 7 for small dogs and Sunday, Sept. 8 for large dogs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The end of summer event gives our furry friends a chance to run, play, socialize and swim off-leash in the pool.

The event will also include a doggie fashion show, owner/dog look-a-like contest, doggie games, and a rubber duck derby 2.0 waterslide race (ducks will be available for purchase for $1 per duck). Pet adoptions will also be available through San Bernardino County Animal Care. Vendors will be onsite as well as a special event food truck — and a DJ will also be spinning all the tunes to get everyone in the pool-ooza mood.

Come prepared with your doggie towels, water and snacks, and anything else that is needed for the day. Unfortunately, owners will not be allowed to swim with their dogs as this is a dog swimming event only. Owners are allowed to walk in the shallow end with their dogs while on-leash, but not swim.

Dogs will be measured prior to entering the pool area. Dogs will be measured while on all four paws from the front paw to the top of the head. Small dogs are considered 24 inches or shorter and large dogs are 25 inches or taller. No refunds will be issued for attending the wrong day. Please measure your dog prior to arrival.

Everyone participating will be required to sign a waiver and dogs must be at least six months old, have a current license, and have updated vaccinations to enter pool area. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. This is a family- and dog-friendly event. Dogs showing aggressive or dangerous behaviors will not be admitted and may be asked to leave.

Schedule of Events (both days)

10 – 10:30 a.m. — Welcome and Registration (measuring & waiver signing)
10:30 – 11 a.m. — Red Light Green Light Doggie Game
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Look-a-like Contest
1 – 1:30 p.m. — Doggie Meet and Greet
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Rubber Duck 2.0 Derby Waterslide Race
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. — Doggie Fashion Show
3:30 – 4 p.m. — Awards Ceremony & Closing Remarks

Park admission is $10 per vehicle. Event admission is $7 per person and $1 per dog, and kids under the age of three are free. The event is free for those camping with us. Yucaipa Regional Park is located at 33900 Oak Glen Road in Yucaipa. For more information about the event, scan the QR code or visit parks.sbcounty.gov/doggie-poolooza. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all event updates and park news.

County Museum brings summer of fun for the entire family!

The San Bernardino County Museum is all-in for a fun-filled summer! Mark your calendars for Summer Family Fun Days! These family-friendly events will take place every Saturday in August from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a variety of entertainment, crafts and treats where the entire family will make lasting memories.