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    San Bernardino County Museum

    4.3 (131 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Rachel H.

    Cool Spot! Came here with some kids on a rainy day. Plenty for all of us to see and some things to interact with and the employees we passed by were friendly. There was a very interactive area for the kids - my friend bought the wrist band but something "steam" and was a little more $. It had a lot of interactive things for the kids to do - including coloring in dinosaurs on paper and then they get projected onto the wall. Definitely a good spot to stop by and check out - with or even without kids.

    Bird Eggs Exhibit
    Angela N.

    Entry is $10 and parking is free. I'm always impressed by how clean and organized the sections are. This museum is small but spacious and there is so much to see. I enjoy checking out the hall of earth sciences, minerals, and gardens. They are always introducing new exhibits too.

    Art pieces
    Tania T.

    This museum is so great! They have discounted prices and you can even find some deals on Groupon. We went twice, once in the summer, and we had such a great time! They had a passport event that could get free meals for kids. Our family loved our time here and our kids mainly enjoyed the Steam Lab, and the outdoor activities they had outside. Because of the passport event, the Museum makes you visit a second time for the extended hours or for trivia night on 2 selected dates. Well, we missed 1, and had called ahead of time to "make up" for the extended hours and were told that we were able to get the stamp on the passport and get the meal for the kids. So we went again on the second date that they had extended hours. We were sorely disappointed that they said they could not give out the Passport stamps as the program was already done and the meal voucher for the kids were already expired. What makes it worse, is how the lady at the front communicated it to us. She was just very off-putting, and was giving us an unnecessary attitude. So one star off for a poor attitude on that staff for that night. We tried to shake off her attitude since we had paid to be there a second time, we went out to look at the moon and Saturn! Thanks to the amateur astronomers club of SB, and then we were able to roam around the museum too at night, which was actually really nice because there wasn't a crowd! You can take pictures and take your time on the different exhibits that they had. The only thing with the extended hours is that the Steam Lab was closed. Anyways, if you've got kids and no plans on the weekend, this place is truly a gem for the family. There are plenty of exhibits to look at, lots of things to learn about, and plenty of free parking spaces!

    New gallery
    Michelle V.

    Still an amazing space to bring your family, especially little ones. They are always looking at ways to keep the exhibits interesting by refreshing collections and adding new spaces like the new Steam Lab. My daughter loves all the sensory play and builder stations. On this Sunday afternoon, we also explored the exterior of the museum and found some lovely picnic areas facing the Edward's Mansion. The Ginko trees are changing into their lively yellow fall colors. There are a bunch of strawberry trees blooming and the fruit are turning their distinctive red color. Besides the interactive exhibits inside the museum, the outdoor areas are also a great place for your little ones to explore and play. I saw a mom pick up big sweet gum leaves to use for crafts later. Recommend coming for their annual events too like stargazing!

    I didn't know this museum was so vast with a variety of art. There is the bottom level that has antique cars and house goods. There is a citrus agricultural section. The second floor has a geology area. Dinos and topography neighbor on the second floor. The colorful landscapes were my fav. There is ample free parking and the admission fee is nominal. Small gift shop with a food vending machine.

    Examining stones
    Marlene M.

    Wow, this place was way more fun and full than I expected!! There's so many exhibits full of amazing collections. There are areas for the little guys and my toddler had the best time. We learned so much and spent almost 3 hours there. I loved it and can't wait to come back.

    Cactus paper art
    Wendy B.

    When in doubt what to do with the grandkids for the day, point your nose towards the charming city of Redlands, where the County Museum has been entertaining families for decades. The last time we were there was probably in 1987 when my kids were young. It was time to renew our acquaintance. . We shouldn't have been too surprised that the museum has grown and improved since that time. The entry, a vast desert cactus garden, had matured into a magnificent, botanical display. The interesting collections inside had expanded exponentially. The interactive learning centers were far better than I had ever remembered. Downstairs, there was that still-magnificent old, giant, hairy Mastodon, standing near the entry, for all to ogle and be in awe. She (?) and her baby, who is the size of a baby elephant, made us feel quite diminutive. There are opportunities at every turn for learning. There is so much more than just a warehouse of fossils, glow in the dark rocks, taxidermied animals, pickled snakes, and bug collections. You will be entertained for hours. And while there are elevators to get upstairs, anyone who can, should use the ramp headed to the second level. All the way up the ramp are displays that are historically interesting from our civilization's aspect and allow for hands-on learning experiences. It evokes conversations on how the old technology such as typewriters, calculating machines and telephones used to work. I'm old. I could easily share a wealth of experiences with this youngest generation, who would have had no idea they were seeing. Upstairs, the Hall of History has, among other things, a collection demonstrating the progress in transportation. Seeing the old double yoke that was used for oxen to pull wagons, standing next to the covered wagon and plow that made travel and work easier, and getting photos of the kids hanging out the windows of a stagecoach, brought things into perspective. The simplified sector demonstrating the history of the local citrus industry was fun, with a hands on set up for picking fake citrus out in the groves of "trees", and re-enacting how they were delivered to the packing house; sorting, sending the crates down rollers, and finally stacking the crates at the train station, seemed to be one of the highlights for my 9 year old granddaughter. Currently, there is a small art gallery on the first floor, next to the entrance, where the work of a local artist is currently featured. He makes fragile, lacy paper from cactus fiber, then creates lovely, frameable artwork. In the center of the gallery is a unique display. A single, live piece of cactus is hooked up to some very sophisticated electronics that pick up plant impulses and translate them into electronic music. You can hear the mesmerizing drone of music as it gently, melodically undulates, if you stand close. It is not to be missed. This is a great family experience. Entrance fees are quite reasonable, and the stimulating displays and work stations are fascinating and educational for all.

    Kimberly H.

    Great museum for kids and parents! It was clean, the AC was decent on a triple digit day! There was a small fruit section for toddlers to play with. My favorite part was all the gemstones! Being a gemstone lover, I was amazed by all the different stones and names. There was also an array of animals on display and animal eggs. The gift shop was neat. Nice, clean bathrooms! Overall, a great and unexpectedly lovely museum!

    Ann T.

    Great museum to visit for all ages! There's lots of discounts too, EBT card holders can get in for $1 per person for up to 9 people in the party and students get a discount with their student ID too. Plenty of parking outside and there's stuff to see outside as well, such as the train, cactus garden and other local flora garden, and lots of what seems to be farming and mining tools. We went on a Saturday morning before it got too busy. There are some interactive exhibits and the front desk gives you sanitized styluses to use. Great thinking! There's a gift shop in front where we got a super cute, out of production bat plushie. For permanent collections, they have a Hall of History with artifacts from past cultures such as covered wagons, pottery, outfits, etc, Hall of Earth Science with fossils and plate tectonics, Hall of Biodiversity with a HUGE collection of taxidermy/preserved regional birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, Minerals Collection, a hall with a bunch of technological advances from the past, and Geologic features of the county. For the temporary collections they have Masters of the Night - Bats exhibit and the African American Mojave Desert Homesteaders history and art fusion exhibit. My favorite exhibits were definitely the Hall of Earth science with all the fossils and archaeological history to look at, the Hall of Biodiversity since I love animals and the like, the Minerals were gorgeous and showed everyday uses of many of them, as well as human's impact on non-renewable resources, and the bats exhibit, so many cute bats that I never knew existed! I'd love to visit here again so I can thoroughly read everything and hopefully when new collections are rotated in.

    Noor A.

    I had a great time at the SB county museum! I never even thought to come here for some reason but they had some really cool stuff to look at. I was really impressed by the order they had things and just how well put together/neat it was. It was really informative and I enjoyed looking at all the different animals they've had in our area. The kids enjoyed it too. It is not too large where you get bored and tired after so much time (if you're anything like me), I think it's just right. You can get through it in a good amount of time while everyone is still engaged and in good spirits. Their employees were really nice and friendly too. There were some who were working on old rocks/fossils - they allowed us to come back and take a look at what they're doing while explaining things to us. They had a nice gift shop in the beginning/end of anyone wants to buy souvenirs! I'd love to visit again.

    Roadrunner and their eggs
    Sam K.

    Really nice museum, very clean, and Cold air-conditioning! If you come on for a weekend and have a Bank of America card, you can get in for free!! Surprisingly extensive collection of gemstones/minerals/taxidermy/fossils/insects/. Our daughter loved the Mastodon!

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    7 months ago

    Great experience. Love the Hispanic Heritage exhibit in Fall. Folks are nice and damn, this museum has a ton of stuff to read.

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    Very cool museum with animals, my son loved this place, we enjoyed our visit. And there is also place for kids entertainment.

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    it's a great place to take your kiddos my kiddos love it they had a great time it's fun and cutie

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    Ask the Community - San Bernardino County Museum

    Is there an outdoor seating to eat at?

    Yes. You can bring your lunches in. I take my students here every year. Through the main hall outside next to the train.

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - San Bernardino County Museum

    The MAIN AND BEST reason I came on here to write a review is for the new STEAM lab in the back building!!!!

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Kimberly Crest House and Gardens  - Bridal getting ready area

    Kimberly Crest House and Gardens

    4.2(83 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    If you're looking for an outdoor wedding venue for great Princess-esque photos, this is the place…read moreto go. I needed to tour Kimberly Crest because I always wanted a Disney Princess wedding, but I didn't want to get married at Disneyland or in Downtown Disney. To book the tour slot, we filled out the form on their website and emailed to coordinate a time with Mary and Tanya after sharing some additional details about our wedding (priorities, budget, timing, guest count). The historic home and additional stone stairwell and fountain add-on are beautiful, and they are great for couples who want a photographic venue and have put a high emphasis on getting great wedding portraits in a castle-eqsque setting. We were looking for a wedding venue with water elements, and felt like the fountain/pond was a great water feature. You have the option for your guests to go inside the house for a guided tour during cocktail hour, but otherwise it is closed, which means the entirety of your wedding is outdoors. Inspired by a French castle, the French château-style mansion was built in 1897 and has an old Victorian-style architecture, and the iconic cascading stone and concrete stairs in the Italian Renaissance-style gardens (the majority of the photos you see online) were added between 1905 and 1909 as a part of the garden overhaul by the new Kimberly family owners. In case of rain in Redlands, they have great tent partnerships and can get your reception space tented for a great day. It's a venue-only rental, which is great if you're looking to bring in all of your own vendors for a Saturday wedding with up to 200 guests! The ceremony is on the grass lawn, the cocktail hour is behind the house in a cute secret garden area, and the main reception dinner and dancing are in the courtyard at the top of the stairs, and you can really transform the space for your own fairytale vision. If you book, you get exclusive use of historic gardens & grounds, and the old Carriage House and Garden House as the two getting ready rooms for the amount of hours that you book (keep in mind the hours you book also include the setup and tear down times for your vendors). While we were touring, there were professional photoshoots for Quinceañeras, and I can easily see why they'd select Kimberly Crest for their photoshoot! Although we ended up going a different direction for our wedding venue, we loved seeing the different spaces around the property, and I hope to be able to come back one day.

    The entrance and garden are open for guests to explore, but the real highlight is the history…read moreshared during the guided tour inside the house. Be sure to arrive a little early as they start right on time. The Kimberly Crest House offers reserved tours for small groups, which makes the experience feel more personal. Our docent was incredibly knowledgeable and had even worked closely with the family's descendants, so she shared lots of fascinating and heartfelt stories along the way. While photos and videos aren't allowed inside, the tour includes a walk through the living room, dining room, kitchen, second-floor common area, a remodeled bathroom, and several bedrooms. The interior was beautifully preserved, and the whole house was comfortably air-conditioned, which made the hour-long tour very pleasant. The gift shop is currently under construction, so only pop-up cards were available for purchase during our visit. I do wish we had been able to take photos for keepsakes. This was a lovely example of women's leadership and education throughout history.

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    Kimberly Crest House and Gardens
    Kimberly Crest House and Gardens
    Kimberly Crest House and Gardens  - False enhanced photo or not updated

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    False enhanced photo or not updated

    AK Smiley Public Library - The gazebo-esque room that I adore

    AK Smiley Public Library

    4.3(83 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    What a gem! This historic and architecturally stunning library is a must-visit for anyone who…read moreappreciates beautiful details and community spaces. From the moment you walk in, you're surrounded by gorgeous stained glass windows and thoughtful touches everywhere you look. There are several inviting reading and learning rooms, plus a dedicated children's section that's perfect for little ones. Outside, there's a small but lovely garden with plenty of seating; ideal for enjoying a book on a nice day. I especially loved discovering the board where anyone can post a book review. It's a great way to engage with fellow readers and get new recommendations. My husband and I make it a point to support local businesses and community resources when we travel; signing up for a library card and following their event calendar is one way we connect with each new place. This library is truly a treasure, and we highly recommend stopping by whether you're a resident or just passing through!

    I absolutely love this library the main librarian, I believe Don very helpful. I assisted Don at a…read moreretail store I worked at and he encouraged me to come down to the library and bring a friend as well. My fiancé loved how busy the library and gardens were just at 10am opening time, seats filled, people typing away with their morning coffee planning their day out. I saw how the library assisted people from all words of ages and backgrounds, especially children and I look forward to bringing my family to this library. This would be my home library.

    Photos
    AK Smiley Public Library - Staircase down to Friends Bookstore

    Staircase down to Friends Bookstore

    AK Smiley Public Library - Cinderella stained glass window

    Cinderella stained glass window

    AK Smiley Public Library - Smiley Park

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    San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum - Outback by the tracks

    San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum

    4.6(16 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum is such an incredible local gem and I'm really glad…read moreI made the time to visit. The hours are limited, so it does take a little planning, but it's absolutely worth it. The exhibits are packed with interesting local history and fascinating artifacts that give real context to the area. The building itself is beautiful and adds so much character to the experience. It's a great stop if you enjoy learning about the past and discovering places that feel quietly special.

    The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum located at the 1918 historic Santa Fe Depot and…read moreMetrolink Rail Station is an excellent experience for train and transportation lovers of all ages! This great museum,dedicated as a historic landmark,immerses it's visitors in an educational and informative experience of the Inland Empires rail history!Great for young and old alike,family's and historians of trains,rail and transportation! They feature a well curated variety of displays,rail memorabilia,mechanical items and a great gift store to bring memories of your visit home with you! Convenient parking,family friendly and you can pick up snack and beverage at Snack Shop inside the historic rail depot next door. A great experience! Check for current times and days of operation for your next visit to The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum.

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    San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum
    San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum - Gas Lamp

    Gas Lamp

    San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum - Lots of trains passing through! It was fun waving at them :)

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    Lots of trains passing through! It was fun waving at them :)

    San Bernardino County Museum - museums - Updated September 2026

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