Hotels in Redlands, California

A little about Redlands...

Tree-lined State Street in downtown Redlands is still comprised primarily of beautiful historic buildings and locally-owned shops and boutiques. Some of its most famous buildings, like A.K. Smiley Public Library, a Moorish-style library built in 1898, and the Redlands Bowl, built in 1930 and home of the oldest continuously free outdoor concert series in the United States, are merely steps from the center of town. Located behind the Smiley Library is the Lincoln Shrine, the only west coast memorial site to the sixteenth president. Other famous homes include “America’s Favorite Victorian,” the Morey House, on Terracina Boulevard, and the Kimberly Crest House and Gardens, a home museum featured on the PBS series “America’s Castles.” Named after the family who purchased the house, the owners of Kimberly-Clark (makers of paper goods and Kleenex), it is a beautiful mansion set high on a hill overlooking the whole valley.

Points of Interest:

University of Redlands: Founded in 1907, the University campus is home to the Redlands Symphony Orchestra and the University Club Restaurant, and regularly earns high marks in the rankings of the nation's colleges. It annually presents over 200 music, arts, theatre, dance, and other cultural events.

A.K. Smiley Public Library: This library designed in the Moorish style was constructed in 1898 by Redlands' patron saints the Smiley Brothers as a gift to the people of Redlands. Located in Smiley Park, it is a California Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine: The only Museum, Library, and Archives dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War west of the Mississippi, is open to the public free of charge afternoons Tuesday through Sunday. Located in Smiley Park, the Shrine, built in 1932 as a memorial to President Abraham Lincoln, is a museum containing art, photos, manuscripts, relics, and books on the life of Lincoln and his era.

Historical Glass Museum: Housed in a restored 1903 Victorian-style home, the Museum holds displays of American glassware dating from the early 1800's to contemporary times. Items on display include Depression-era glassware, milk glass, Victorian china, and even several items from the estate of Liberace. The Museum maintains a research library for use by its members.

Edwards Mantion: Set amidst lush citrus groves, this turn-of-the-century Victorian mansion has been renovated as a wedding and other special-events facility. Self-guided tours are offered through the three-story house and adjacent 1890's wedding chapel, Victorian gazebos, and beautiful gardens and patio.

Asistencia Mission De San Garbriel: Open to the public. This Estancia was established in 1819 as an outpost for cattle grazing by the Franciscan Fathers of San Gabriel, and is presently a museum and wedding chapel. Exhibits tell the story of Native American and early California pioneer life before the establishment of the agricultural community that was to become Redlands.