Fun Facts: San Bernardino, California
- Long before highways and fast food, the Serrano Indians called this area home.
- In 1810, a Franciscan priest, Father Francisco Dumetz, arrived on the feast day for Saint Bernardine, giving the city its name.
- San Bernardino officially became a city in 1854 and quickly grew into the “Orange Capital” thanks to its vast citrus groves.
- The city's stretch of Route 66 is home to the beginning of Taco Bell, which got its start when founder Glen Bell was inspired by the hard-shell tacos at Mitla Cafe.
- Here is another tasty tidbit: The original McDonald’s started here. Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a drive-in, McDonald’s Barbecue, in 1940; in 1948, they changed that operation into the first McDonald’s hamburger stand. Now, its former site hosts a museum celebrating where the fast-food empire took off!
For more information:
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Wigwam Motel
- 2728 W. Foothill Blvd. San Bernardino CA
- McDonald’s Museum
- 1398 N. E St. San Bernardino CA
- Santa Fe Train Depot
- 1170 W 3rd St San Bernadino
- Mitla Café
- 602 N. Mt Vernon Ave San Bernardino
- Smokestack
- Two Blocks South of 5th Street on Mt. Vernon
- California Theater
- 562 W 4th St. San Bernardino CA
- Oasis Motel Sign only
- 1488 N. Mt. Vernon Ave San Bernardino CA 1 star
- Lido Motel Sign Sign only
- 2180 Cajon Blvd. San Bernadino (closed)
- San Bernardino Motel Sign
- 2528 E. Foothill Blvd. San Bernardino 1 star
- El Rey Motel Sign only
- 454 E Foothill Blvd Rialto CA (1 star motel)