Top 15 Things To Do in Upland, California

Nestled at the western edge of the Inland Empire, Upland offers a low-key, textured kind of sightseeing—the kind that rewards slow travel and curiosity. Sightseeing tours here stitch together citrus-era history, intimate downtown streets, and reachable foothill vistas. Whether you prefer a guided walking tour down a timeworn main street, a self-driven loop through neighborhood orchards and scenic overlooks, or a short nature-break into the edge of the San Gabriels, Upland’s sightseeing options feel local and immediately accessible. This guide focuses on the tours and short excursions that reveal the city’s layers: agricultural heritage, suburban-foothill transitions, and the small cultural pockets that make Upland a quiet discovery for travelers passing through Southern California.

Upland's boat rental scene centers on calm inland waters framed by the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Whether you want a quiet morning on a rented kayak, a family pontoon to spool out from a shore launch, or a day of shoreline fishing from a small motorboat, the options around Upland reward easy planning and close-to-home access. This guide focuses on renting and launching craft near Upland—what to expect from the water, how to choose a boat for your day, and practical tips for packing, safety, and combining a float with hiking, fishing, and local dining.

Upland is an unexpectedly adaptable place to pick up a bike: a small-town downtown anchored by tree-lined streets, immediate access to foothill climbs, and a network of quiet neighborhood roads and multiuse corridors that suit every style of two-wheeled travel. Whether you want a leisurely e-bike cruise along historic Euclid Avenue, a gravel grinder out toward the foothills, or a road-ready machine for fast miles on Foothill Boulevard, local rental shops and outfitters keep the options practical and convenient. This guide focuses on what to expect from bike rentals here—terrain, seasons, gear choices, and how to plan your ride—plus quick links to complementary activities like winery loops, light singletrack, and rail-adjacent greenways.

Upland's bus tours stitch together the Inland Empire’s layered history, citrus‑grove landscapes, and foothill panoramas into accessible, relaxed day trips. From short historic shuttle routes through town and Route 66 storytelling circuits to mountain shuttles that drop hikers at trailheads and wine‑country transfers to tasting rooms, bus tours in Upland are a versatile way to explore without the stress of driving or parking.

Upland's walking tours unfold across a small-city tapestry of citrus-era mansions, Route 66 storefronts, and foothill-facing neighborhoods. These walks marry approachable urban exploration with local history, public art, and quick escapes to open views—the kind of short, layered experiences that fit into a morning, an afternoon, or a slow weekend of discovery.

Upland’s airplane scene is quietly rich: a cluster of general aviation operations, flight schools, and scenic flight operators sit at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, creating short, dramatic trips from valley to ridge. Whether you want a discovery flight over Mount Baldy, hours of flight training circuits, or a bespoke aerial photo sortie, Upland puts the mountains—then the city—at your window.

Upland is a surprising launchpad for Southern California surf. Though the city sits inland beneath the San Gabriel foothills, a short drive delivers everything from longboard-friendly beach breaks to wind-sheltered point breaks and classic reef peaks. This guide stitches together 13 surf experiences reachable from Upland—lessons, guided sessions, iconic lineups, and complementary coastal adventures—so you can plan sessions around swell, tide, and the kind of board you ride.

Tucked against the lower slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, Upland makes a compact, surprising base for bike touring. Expect a mix of quiet residential streets, rolling foothill climbs, farm-lined roads, and paved multi-use trails that reveal inland Southern California’s agricultural history, citrus groves, and panoramic mountain backdrops. This guide focuses on bike tours—road, gravel, and mellow singletrack-friendly routes—optimized for day trips and multi-stop loops that pair movement with food, local breweries, and scenic detours.

Upland sits at the foothills of the San Gabriel range—an unassuming launch point for a surprisingly varied fishing scene. Within minutes of the city you can cast from quiet municipal lakes, launch a kayak on a reservoir rimmed by chaparral, or chase stocked trout in nearby higher-elevation waters. The mix of suburban access and mountain runoff creates quick, approachable days on the water: bank fishing for family outings, early-morning bass sessions from a small boat, and seasonal trout trips a short drive into the San Bernardino foothills. This guide focuses on fishing experiences rooted in Upland's terrain and climate, balancing practical planning with narrative detail to help you choose the right trip, time of year, and gear for the kind of day you want to have.

Upland sits at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, where citrus-lined streets, vintage Route 66 neon, and quick access to high-desert ridgelines create a compact, diverse playground for photographers. Whether you want intimate street scenes in a small historic downtown, golden-hour panoramas from nearby peaks, or night-sky and long-exposure work away from urban glare, photography tours based here are short on drive time and long on variety.

Nestled where citrus groves meet scrubby foothills, Upland is an unexpectedly rich setting for electric-bike exploration. Short, rideable climbs, low-traffic back roads, and a patchwork of singletrack and fire roads nearby make it ideal for quick morning loops or full-day excursions that climb into cooler mountain air. This guide focuses on e-biking in and around Upland—where to ride, what to expect, and how to plan rides that balance scenery, terrain, and battery life.

Upland's rail identity threads through its citrus-era streets and the foothills that rise behind town—making trains less a mode of transport here than a lens on landscape and history. This guide focuses on rail-based outings: short scenic commuter trips, rail-adjacent hikes and bike rides, and the local history you can glimpse from a platform or a carriage window.