01
Best waterfall payoff
Etiwanda Falls
North Of Rialto In Rancho Cucamonga Foothills • Waterfall Canyon Hike On A Wide Dirt Road • Most Popular Waterfall Outing
A well-traveled climb to a shaded waterfall overlook, great for locals who want a clearly defined trail with a big reward at the top.
The Etiwanda Falls route starts on a broad service road and steadily climbs into the North Etiwanda Preserve, trading pavement and rooftops for canyon views and breezy ridges. The waterfall area has shaded nooks and a small cascade that feels especially refreshing on warm days. Go early or on weekdays if you want to avoid crowds and secure parking near the trailhead.
02
Most rugged feel
Bonita Falls
North Of Rialto Up Lytle Creek Road • Creekside Walk To A Tall Seasonal Waterfall • Best Quick Escape Into Wild Scenery
A short but rocky creek wash leads to one of the Inland Empire’s taller waterfalls tucked back in a dramatic canyon.
Bonita Falls offers a more rugged outing, with a route that follows the rocky Lytle Creek wash and then ducks into a side canyon toward the falls. It is not long, but you will be walking over loose stones and sand, so wear sturdy shoes and expect to pick your way across small stream crossings in wetter months. When the flow is good, the tall, mossy falls feel surprisingly wild for being such a quick drive from Rialto.
03
Closest summit-style hike
Jurupa Mountain North Trail
West Of Rialto Above Jurupa Valley • Short, Rocky Summit Trail With Broad Views • Closest True Summit Hike
A moderately steep climb to a rocky high point with sweeping views over the Inland Empire and surrounding peaks.
The North Trail on Jurupa Mountain wastes no time gaining elevation, zigzagging up scrubby slopes to a ridge and summit area dotted with boulders. From the top, you can pick out Rialto, the San Gabriels, and on clear days the distant ridgelines that ring the basin. It is a solid choice when you want a real workout and summit feel without committing to an all-day mountain mission.
04
Best sunset ridge walk
Blue Mountain Trail
South Of Rialto Above Grand Terrace • Dirt-Road Climb To A Panoramic Ridgeline • Sunset Ridge Favorite
A steady dirt-road ascent that rewards the effort with wide-open views and a landmark cross on the ridge above town.
The Blue Mountain route follows a wide, unpaved road that switchbacks up from neighborhood streets to a prominent ridge topped by a large cross and radio towers. The grade is steady rather than brutal, making it popular with walkers, runners, and families looking for a straightforward climb. Time it for late afternoon and you can watch the lights of the Inland Empire come on as the sun drops behind the western hills.
05
Top training climb
Two Trees Trail
South Of Rialto In Riverside’S Box Springs Area • Steep Open-Slope Trail To Box Springs Ridge • Leg-Burner Training Climb
A short, steep trail that charges straight up the hillside, favored by locals looking for a fast, no-nonsense workout with views.
Two Trees gains most of its elevation in a hurry, climbing a sun-exposed slope from the edge of Riverside neighborhoods into the Box Springs Mountain Reserve. The hillside is mostly open, so you get expanding views over the 215 corridor almost as soon as you leave the road behind. Because there is little shade, most locals hit this one at sunrise or near dusk, treating it as a go-to conditioning hike for bigger mountain days.