County library holiday events continue at branches throughout December

Holiday graphic with Christmas tree and Grinch hand with ornament.

The San Bernardino County Library extends a warm invitation to residents and visitors to participate in various holiday events. During the month of December, celebrate the season by engaging in fun crafts, festive stories, songs and jolly games!

Designed to foster and promote a love of reading at every age, the County Library has organized several free events for everyone. Participants are encouraged to checkout 15 items with their library card during the events to earn delightful incentives and an opportunity drawing ticket for a chance to win an amazing prize.

The County Library holiday events will take place at the following locations:

Barstow Branch Library: Dec. 21 from 2 – 4 p.m. at 304 E. Buena Vista St., Barstow, CA 92311
Chino Branch Library: Dec. 19 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. at 13180 Central Ave., Chino, CA 91710
Joshua Tree Branch Library: Dec. 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. at 6465 Park Blvd., Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Janice Horst Lucerne Valley Branch Library: Dec. 21 from 2 – 4 p.m. at 33103 Old Woman Springs Rd., Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
Mentone Branch Library: Dec. 19 from 3 – 5 p.m. at 1331 Opal Ave., Mentone, CA 92359
Yucca Valley Branch Library: Dec. 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. at 57271 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley, CA 92284

For more information regarding other upcoming events at a library near you, visit https://library.sbcounty.gov.

In support of the Countywide Vision’s Vision2Read literacy campaign, these events help support the growth of literacy and inspire connections that spark an eagerness to read and learn in the community.

The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision, by contributing to the educational, cultural and historical development of our county community.

For more information on the County Library, please visit library.sbcounty.gov or call 909-387-2220.

Holiday gift shopping ideas

County Museum store

The holiday season is officially underway. Today ̶̶ and every day ̶̶ is an opportunity to support local stores in your community.

Find unique merchandise and gifts that reflect the collections and exhibits at the San Bernardino County and Victor Valley Museums.

Every item in the stores relates directly to our cultural and natural heritage, and the proceeds from every purchase supports museum programs and operations. We have something for everyone on your shopping list, including local history and natural history books, field guides and children’s books. Find the best hands-on learning items for kids of all ages, including models, kits, crafts, tools and games.

Shoppers can visit the stores without paying museum admission, just check-in at the admissions desk. Museum Association members enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases.

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 Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Rd. in Apple Valley. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student) and $5 (children ages 6 to 12). Museum members and children five and under are admitted free.

Parking is free and the museums are accessible to persons with disabilities.

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.

For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo Gift Shop

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this year? You can “adopt” an animal and support the zoo all in one place. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo gift shop offers the purr-fect gifts for any animal lover.

The gift shop features special animal related gifts for all ages. The store has a vast variety of items like children’s plush animals, educational toys, unique jewelry and animal carvings.

You can also give the gift of a zoo membership and make great yearlong memories, while supporting the zoo and local animal rehabilitation.

Tickets and membership can be purchased online or in person. Surprise your family and friends with a unique experience for Christmas!

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo’s gift shop is open for holiday shopping and is included with admission to the zoo.

The zoo gift shop is open every day except Christmas day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The best part is proceeds from our tickets sales, memberships and the gift shop help to fund the care of our animals.

For more information, visit the Big Bear Alpine Zoo website at https://bigbearzoo.org.

Calico Ghost Town Shops

Aside from being a historical landmark and old mining town from 1881, the shops at Calico Ghost Town offers a wide range of unique gifts and mementos for everyone on your list for the holidays.
Located in Yermo, about 12 miles north of Barstow off I-15, each shop has its own distinct character reminiscent of the old west and representative of the desert region.

From one-of-a-kind handcrafted Navajo jewelry and clothing to local rocks and minerals mined from the hills of Calico, there is something for everyone on your list, even your furry friend.

Calico Shops (click link to view videos)

While shopping, you can explore an authentic silver mine from the 1880s, with mining exhibits and historical displays and explore Lucy Lane’s house, now a museum, who was the longest living resident in Calico, or visit the old schoolhouse and saloon.

Calico was an old West mining town in 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. The town that once gave miners a good living lost its hustle and essentially became a ghost town. Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950s, architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880s. Knott then donated the town to San Bernardino County in 1966 and is operated by the Regional Parks department.

Today, Calico is visited by people from across the country and from all over the world. Along with its history and attractions, Calico Ghost Town has shops, restaurants and offers camping, hiking and off-roading.

For Ghost Tours, visit the Calico Attractions website. For off-road Silver King Mine Tours, call 760-254-3050. For camping reservations, visit sbcountyparks.com.
Calico Ghost Town is open daily (except Christmas day) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $8 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 4-11) and children three and under are free. Calico is located at 36600 Ghost Town Rd. in Yermo, CA.

For more information about Calico or any Regional Park, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow Calico Ghost Town on Facebook to see the latest events. Follow Regional Parks on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Yucaipa Regional Park hosts winter crafts activity

snow background, pine tree and gingerbread house.

Regional Parks welcomes all ages to participate in winter arts & crafts at Yucaipa Regional Park on Friday, Dec. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome, and supplies are provided while they last.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle and the activity is free for those camping with us. Yucaipa Regional Park is located at 33900 Oak Glen Rd. in Yucaipa.

Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Yucaipa offers camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnic shelters and grills and a disc golf course. Yucaipa is pet-friendly and leashed pets are welcome too!

For more information on Regional Parks as well as camping, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Regional Parks welcomes back one-day trout derby in January

Regional Parks is excited to welcome back the one-day trout derby with the first event scheduled on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prado Regional Park. Gates open at 6:30 a.m. and pre-paid derby fees are encouraged. Derby fees are $20 per person and $10 per vehicle. A fishing license is required for all participants ages 16 years and older.

Derby cash prizes will be awarded for:

First place: $1,000
Second place: $500
Third place: $250

Winners do not need to be present to claim their prize(s).

Park entrance for pre-paid participants will be off Johnson and Pine Avenues (east of Euclid Avenue near the equestrian center).

To pre-pay, scan the QR code on the flier or visit the reservation website.

Prado Regional Park is located at 16700 S. Euclid Ave. in Chino. Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is closed on Christmas Day.

Trout is stocked weekly with 747 pounds of trout and will be double-stocked on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, with 1,494 pounds of trout for the derby. For stocking dates, fishing license information, visit Regional Parks website.

Prado Regional Park hosts candy cane experiment activity

Ever wonder what to do with all those left over candy canes from the holidays? Join Regional Parks as we conduct some candy cane experiments at Prado Regional Park on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome, and supplies are provided while they last or you are welcome to bring your own.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle and the activity is free for those camping with us.

Prado Regional Park is located at 16700 S. Euclid Ave. in Chino. Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnic shelters and grills, a disc golf course, an equestrian center, and a brand-new playground and splash pad. Prado is pet-friendly and leashed pets are welcome too!

For more information on Regional Parks as well as camping, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Glen Helen Regional Parks hosts snowflake painting arts & crafts activities

Join us at Glen Helen Regional Park on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for snowflake painting, and arts & crafts to make and take home. All ages are welcome, and all supplies are provided, while they last.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle and free for those camping with us.

Glen Helen Regional Park is located at 2555 Glen Helen Pkwy. in San Bernardino.

Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnic shelters and grills, a playground and a disc golf course. Glen Helen is pet-friendly and leashed pets are welcome too!

For more information on Regional Parks as well as camping, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Mojave Narrows Regional Parks hosts snowflake arts & crafts activity

Join us at Mojave Narrows Regional Park on Saturday, Jan. 18 from noon to 2 p.m. for holiday snowflake arts & crafts to make and take home. All ages are welcome, and all supplies are provided, while they last.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle and free for those camping with us.

Mojave Narrows Regional Park is located at 18000 Yates Rd. in Victorville. Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnic shelters and grills, a playground and splash pad. Mojave Narrows is pet-friendly and leashed pets are welcome too!

For more information on Regional Parks as well as camping, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park hosts ‘Build Your Own Bird Feeder’ activity

Join us at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon to learn how to make a homemade bird feeder to take home. All ages are welcome, and all supplies are provided while they last. Park admission is $10 per vehicle.

Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park is located at 800 N. Archibald Ave. in Ontario. Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers fishing, biking, picnic shelters and grills, a playground and splash pad. Cucamonga-Guasti is pet-friendly and leashed pets are welcome too!

For more information on Regional Parks as well as camping locations, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Yucaipa Regional Park hosts ‘Build Your Own Bird Feeder’ activity

Join us at Yucaipa Regional Park on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to learn how to make a homemade bird feeder to take home. All ages are welcome! Park admission is $10 per vehicle and free for those camping with us. All ages are welcome, and all supplies are provided while they last.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle and the activity is free for those camping with us. Yucaipa Regional Park is located at 33900 Oak Glen Rd. in Yucaipa.

Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Yucaipa offers camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnic shelters and grills and a disc golf course. Yucaipa is pet-friendly and leashed pets are welcome too!

For more information on Regional Parks as well as camping, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.

Additional County Update News – December 19, 2024